Dealer: Joshua Johnson

Dealership group: Don Johnson Auto Group

Brands: Chevrolet, Buick

Full-time employees: 29

Joshua Johnson on how employment practices could change with the industry shift to electric vehicles: “The increasing complexity of automobiles and the rate of change of technological advancement requires that we employ a more highly skilled work force than ever before.”

Joshua Johnson on improving employee retention: “Financial wellness is a concern for everyone, so we regularly assess the market to ensure that our compensation plans are competitive. Beyond that, today’s team members want the opportunity to learn, grow and pursue further career development. ... In-person and online training, including access to online college degrees, from associate through master’s, provides unending educational opportunities. In addition, we want our team to be engaged in the overall operation. Daily departmental huddles and weekly one-on-one meetings are used to ensure that individuals feel supported and communication flows freely throughout the organization.”

Joshua Johnson on offering a long-term career path: “Our interview process is designed to identify if an individual is a good fit for a specific role in our organization as well as uncover their longer-term goals and desires.”

Joshua Johnson on diversity, equity and inclusion: “We proudly service a diverse and distributed clientele. Providing the highest level of service possible requires our team to empathize with their unique wants and needs. We regularly utilize our guests as referral sources for prospective team members to support this alignment.”

Joshua Johnson on changes to promote work-life balance: “We don’t believe there is a universal solution to creating work-life balance. Rather, we work directly with individuals to accommodate their specific values and desires. We believe that can be accomplished through a flexible approach to scheduling. In some cases, this may mean a four- or three-day workweek. More often, it’s developing a cross-functional team that allows individuals to flex their schedules. Ultimately, it requires empathy, open lines of communication and a team empowered to make decisions that are in the best interest of all involved.”