Best Dealerships To Work For Canada 2022

President: Steve Chipman

Dealership group: Birchwood Automotive Group

Number of employees: 74

General Manager Shayne Rankin on lessons learned about being a better employer from managing the dealership during the pandemic and the inventory shortages: The pandemic really brought a need to create a flexible work environment with our team members. This included time off for childcare, increases in sick or personal leave, and workfrom-home procedures. Team members were cross-trained in other facets of the business, giving them increased knowledge, mastery and compensation. They were given an increase in autonomy and responsibility in overseeing their respective areas as well.

Rankin on steps taken to improve employee retention: It begins with a proper hiring process — put the right people in the roles that they can thrive in. [Have] discussions early in the team member’s time here — where do they want to see themselves in a year? In five years? Managers will then create a development career plan that includes goals, strengths to leverage, opportunities to improve upon and resources for their development.

Human Resources Manager Sarah Giesbrecht on steps taken to recruit and/ or retain employees of varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds: As business leaders, we want to create a sense of community by forging partnerships with indigenous organizations within Winnipeg; we actively engage with the University of Manitoba Indigenous Commerce Students, a student group for those who identify with or have a common interest in enhancing indigenous culture. We are members of a joint working consortium representing nine Winnipeg corporations. The consortium’s focus is to employ indigenous youth in a meaningful way by engaging in educational activities and experiences for mutual learning.