General manager:
Ron Girouard
Dealership group:
Penske Automotive Group
Full-time employees:
74
2017 new-vehicle sales:
645, down 20%
2017 used-vehicle sales:
760, down 9.6%
Girouard on changes to recruitment:
"Penske Automotive has hired regional recruiters to help each dealership find the best talent."
Girouard on rewarding employees and showing them they are valued:
"We have a monthly recognition meeting. We have a full rewards program. We provide catered lunch and ice cream truck weekly. We have quarterly nights out. We give every employee a card and gift on their birthdays."
Girouard on helping employees develop a career path:
"70 percent of internal promotions come from within. For example, out of the four tech trainees, all started as porters. Management works with their teams to ensure we develop their skills. We also post every open position within the country every Friday. Employees are encouraged to raise their hand for any position. If they are not ready for a position, we work with them to get them ready."
Girouard on making work schedules more balanced or flexible:
"We are one of the only dealers in the state that close on Sundays. We make sure our people can decompress. We also close two hours earlier per day than any store in the state. We provide early nights and delayed schedules. I stress it's more important our performance reflects what we do when we're here rather than working too many hours."
Girouard on compensation:
"We research the compensation and make sure we offer more. Many dealers offer salespeople $75 flats with minimal bonuses. We offer $200 flats with very high bonuses. If you want the best people, you have to pay them."
