At Greg May Honda in Waco, Texas, and Greg May Chevrolet in West, Texas, everybody looks forward to the visit from the hockey coach.
Once a month, Scott Muscutt, a former minor-league hockey bench boss who found a second career as a motivational speaker, spends a day at each store, meeting with managers individually, then addressing staffers in a group.
The high-energy talks deliver a different message each month. It may be about leading by example, or the role of trust in teamwork. In August, when management laid out a goal to set a sales record, the main point was perseverance -- staying upbeat and on task, even when things go wrong. What's the same every month is that the Greg May team members walk out of the room full of confidence, determination, team spirit and focus.
"I just love these sessions. Everyone does," said Rose Mary Hunter, comptroller for the two stores. "They bring us all together and remind us we're all working toward the same thing. We all have important roles, and we can reach this goal together."
The Greg May dealerships exemplify a common feature of the stores on this year's list of the 100 Best Dealerships To Work For: great employee communication. Whether it's about keeping everyone informed, celebrating successes, correcting mistakes or just getting to know one another as people, clear and open communication is a must.