For any business, employeeturnover wastes time and costs both money and customers. But tire dealers andstore managers don’t have to stand by powerless watching employees come and go.There are several things you can do to reduce turnover rates.
• Use care during the hiringprocess. When interviewing a candidate, think of your best past and presentemployees. Consider the qualities and skills they brought to the job. Thisinformation can help you construct effective and meaningful questions to ask.Look for indications that applicants can do the job, will fit into yourenvironment and will act the way you need them to act. Ask candidates what theylearned from their formal and informal training and what they did with thisknowledge. Ask about their biggest challenges. Tell them to describe theirprevious boss or former instructor. Query them on the type of environment theysee themselves working in, what kind of manager or company is attractive tothem and what daily work activities they enjoy doing.
• Review the attractivenessof your dealership as a potential employee. Tire sales and servicing, for themost part, are low-paid positions. Money isn’t everything, but it has to beconsidered. Look at other means you might have for employees to increase theirincomes. Commission programs, bonus plans or performance incentives canmotivate employees. If such programs are cost-prohibitive, consideralternatives, such as scheduling flexibility, discounts or on-going training.These benefits can be very attractive to employees and can be great tools forreducing turnover.
• Continually showappreciation and give recognition to your current employees for their hardwork; keep employees informed about the business and its goals; conduct regularand written performance reviews; and be familiar with your employees’ careergoals.
• Try to offer some form ofmedical benefits. Affordable health plans for small companies do exist, andeven minimal benefits are attractive to employees.
• Always keep employeesinformed, educated and, importantly, challenged.
– Source: Tire ReviewBusiness Toolbox
