Dealer: Rick Hendrick

Dealership group: Hendrick Automotive Group

Full-time employees: 110

General Manager Arthur Hengler on lessons from the pandemic about being a better employer:
“When the pandemic hit, everyone was worried. Worried about their health, worried about their future and stressed. We started focusing on stability and safety as much as performance. When our team knows we care about each other, everything works better.”

Hengler on evolving compensation structure in the COVID era:
“Our pay plans are designed to provide security and opportunity. Salespeople have a minimum pay of $2,400 a month plus commissions. When our salespeople know that their basic needs are met, they are empowered to aspire to earn more.”

Hengler on how the accelerated shift to digital retail changed staffing strategy:
“A year before the start of the pandemic, we created a Web team dedicated to handling Web leads and offering a digital retail experience. So when the pandemic hit, we were not starting at ground zero. Our team already had the skills to work deals online. We did have to educate our customers. We continue to refine the digital retailing process with better online tools, videos and shopping strategies.”