By Dean Devore — August 30, 2024 | Posted in Best Practices
We all want to retain our best employees. Focusing on preventing turnover is smart, and I certainly encourage it. When it comes to your parts department you should spend as much, or more time, preparing for turnover.
Let’s look at prevention first. The Millennial generation is the largest in our workforce today. Most of your new hires are coming from this generation or the next one — Generation Z. Over the last 15 years there has been solid research done to understand these newer generations. Fortunately, when it comes to attracting and retaining employees, these two generations have a lot in common. Here are a few practical things we can do as dealers to retain these generations:
- Credible Position Titles – When I started my career, I was content with the title of “Parts Gopher”. I wasn’t necessarily proud of the name, but I knew if worked hard and applied myself I would soon be promoted to a “Counterman” role. That is not going to work today. No one wants a title named after a burrowing rodent. Even the term “Counterman” is outdated. Some of the better titles dealers are using today are “Parts Advisor” or “Parts Specialist”.
- Position Tiers – Employees may leave if there is little opportunity for advancement. The reality is that they start their career with you as a “Parts Person” and maybe, just maybe, someday they get a shot at being the “Parts Manager.” Adding tiers may feel like you are adding complication, but it could help with turnover. I have seen some dealers add entry level roles called “Parts Associate”, then progress to more responsibility and earn a promotion to “Parts Specialist”. When they are ready, you can promote them to a “Parts Advisor” role. The “Sr. Parts Advisor” or “Assistant Manager” roles can be added before getting to the “Parts Manager” position.
- Making the World a Better Place – It might sound like a fluffy altruistic goal, but the research consistently points to this as a priority. The good news is that you have a great advantage with this priority.