2018 GNYADA Membership Directory

How to Improve Employee Engagement The first step to improving employee engagement is to measure where you currently stand. You may believe your workplace culture is fine, but that doesn’t mean your employees feel the same way. Don’t automatically dismiss feedback that may suggest otherwise. Collect. The best way to measure engagement is to conduct annual surveys with your employees. One of the easiest and most reliable ways to do this is to enter your dealership into a ‘Top Workplaces’ or ‘Best Places to Work’ program in your community. Typically, these are sponsored by local business journals and newspapers. Automotive News also runs an annual ‘Best Dealerships toWork For’contest. Analyze. Identify weak areas and strong areas. Benchmark where you are compared to other dealerships and also to other businesses and industries in your region. Commit. Youmust act on the results.This may require fundamental changes to the way youmanage and operate. Not everybody will be happy, but change in culture has to come from the top down. Best Practices for Employee Engagement There are some best practices that just about every company with a great workplace culture seems to follow. • Create a mission statement and vision for the company that inspires. • Provide ongoing career growth through training and support. • Promote from within. • Hold employees accountable for goals and outcomes. • Do things for the right reason even when nobody is looking. • Make sure everyone understands their role in their own personal success and that of the dealership. • Listen to and acknowledge your employee feedback. If you can’t make a requested change, explain why. • Show, don’t tell, your employees that they are appreciated. Host several events a year for your employees and don’t be cheap about it. • Don’t overwork your employees; work life balance is key to keeping engagement levels high. • Make sure all your employees know what your organization’s goals are and ask for their help to get you there. • Get employees involved in community events; make them feel proud to be associated with your brand. • Don’t forget to have fun. • Give your employees autonomy in their jobs and the ability to make decisions. • Don’t keep your employees in the dark. Share successes, failures and strategic plans.

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This article is reprinted with permission from Dealer Magazine, ©2018, and is available in full at DigitalDealer. com/Magazine.