Dealer: Patrick Koballa

Full-time employees: 44

Koballa on evolving compensation structure in the COVID era:
“During times of state-mandated closure, I paid all employees full wages while they were out. In addition, as a Paycheck Protection Program participant, I followed all wage rules balancing compensation during the qualified weeks to be in compliance.”

Koballa on changing hiring and training because of the pandemic:
“Training processes have changed to include COVID cleanliness procedures, increased e-commerce/digital procedures, off-site transactions for both sales and service and increased concierge service. Hiring has been very challenged, as the number of qualified candidates that have responded for all departments is very limited.”

Koballa on how the accelerated shift to digital retail changed staffing strategy:
“We have instituted website changes to give the consumer the ability to complete most of a vehicle purchase online. All employees have always participated, but their level of digital participation has increased with our ‘new’ environment.”