Continuing to reflect on the new Core Values unveiled at our July 1 kick-off, and created as an acronym by our Culture Club [S – SELF, T – TEAM, R – RESPECT, O – OPTIMIZE, N – NURTURE, G – GROW], I borrow a line from ESPN personality Scott Van Pelt and his nightly SportsCenter feature, “The Best Thing I Saw Today!”
SVP focuses on a performance that goes above and beyond normal standards, and in discussing TEAM as a Core Value, I want to mention the Faulkner Automotive Group in Pennsylvania. Faulkner has 31 different dealerships and carries 22 different brands.
Featured in an Automotive News article today titled “By investing in an in-house school, Faulkner fixes its chronic technician shortage with a hands-on approach,” the article highlighted their innovative trainee program that has “not only prevented a technician shortage, but enables new service department employees to start their careers free of student loan debt and hands them a paid-for toolbox worth $12,000.”
Powerful perks for starting a career in the Service Department, and certainly valid. The shortage of techs is a pressing issue, especially the number of retiring techs not being replaced by new applicants.
In the employee brochure produced to present our Core Values, the umbrella statement under TEAM simply states, ‘Working Together’, and with over 150 team members, thats a lot of moving parts.
The text goes on to state the importance of operating as one team united by purpose, aligned in action, and accountable to each other. Precepts for this include following through on commitments: ‘because the team is counting on you’; aligning priorities ‘with the team’s goals, not just your own’; and ‘share knowledge, tools, and context generously.’
I admire dealership Service Departments where the Master technicians share their expertise with the entry-level team members. In our office, I appreciate the same attitude – it positively leads to continued success. The final point in our brochure, “we win together and lose together.” So proud to see our people give credit to others and celebrate group success.
So, the Second-Best Thing I Will Saw Today is when the Bruster’s Ice Cream truck showed up this afternoon to celebrate summer with cool treats for the entire team.