Pivotal for providing great customer service, automotive service advisors are responsible for communicating with customers about their vehicle repair needs. Acting as a liaison between customers and the auto technicians who work on their vehicle, they are professionals who help to identify the market for, sell, and schedule service work. An indispensable part of our car-dependent society, it has become increasingly difficult for auto dealers to retain service advisors.
Auto dealers and repair shops, just like many industries, are feeling the effects of what some have called the great resignation as they struggle to recruit and retain service department staff. With about 4 million people leaving their jobs each month for over 12 straight months in the U.S., auto service advisors are going for many of the same reasons as other workers, namely low pay and the lack of a clearly defined career path. Another reason cited by industry experts is an overall shift away from jobs in the trade industry.
Service departments drive revenue and improve customer service, making them a growth opportunity for auto dealers. To see the greatest benefit, auto dealers must ensure they can effectively attract and retain service advisors.
How can dealerships retain service advisors to maintain day-to-day operations?
Employee retention is a key contributor to a growing and thriving organization. Auto dealers can work to retain service advisors by focusing on providing growth opportunities, offering competitive benefits, and implementing recognition and rewards systems.
3 Ways Auto Dealers Can Retain Service Advisors
1. Provide Growth Opportunities
In any position and across any industry, professionals want opportunities for continued learning and clear paths for career advancement. Employees place such a high value on opportunities for growth that a lack of options is a common driver of employee turnover. However, to retain service advisors, professional career growth does not need to be limited to upward mobility. Smart managers invest in their employees by providing them with various growth opportunities. This may include training, education, increased responsibilities, mentoring, career guidance, and personal development options.
Investing in employee education and career development is a powerful incentive to retain service advisors. This investment signals to your team that you are interested in their present position and future career growth. Managers should also collaborate with their employees to create a development plan that considers how employees want to grow in their place.
2. Offer Competitive Benefits
Particularly in a competitive labor market, companies must offer attractive benefits packages that should include monetary and non-monetary benefits to help retain service advisors. Compensation is a component of the benefits package and consists of all financial offerings, including salary, stock options, bonuses, and other monetary rewards.
Other benefits may include health, paid time off, and retirement plans. Companies can also consider what would truly interest their employees and may offer flexible scheduling, shorter work weeks, or industry memberships. A company’s benefits package should be tailored to the organization, where a company operates, and even specific employee needs.
Companies may consider involving current employees to get their feedback to learn more about the specific benefits that would be most beneficial to them. To retain workers, companies must ensure that employees fully understand all the benefits they receive from their organization.
3. Implement Recognition and Rewards Systems
Employees want to feel recognized and appreciated for their work, and rewards and recognition are powerful tools for mitigating employee turnover. Employees who feel valued and appreciated are more motivated to continue performing well in their jobs, so it’s important to make it a priority to help them feel valued.
Employee recognition could be tied to performance, embodying company values, or an appreciation for meeting a specific employment milestone. Recognition can include highlighting professional achievements, milestones, and personal traits that make an employee stand out. When employees go the extra mile, management must take note if they want to help retain service advisors. Make it a habit to acknowledge employees, both publicly and privately. Depending on what an employee is recognized for, rewards might include a sincere card, a bonus, or an extra day off.
Service advisors are one of the first people a customer will have contact with, making them one of the auto dealership’s most important employees. Employee retention should be a top company priority to maintain a competitive advantage for auto dealers. At Safeguard, our automotive marketing experts specialize in engaging and effective solutions to help you run your business more efficiently. Call 844-4CARBIZZ to get started.
Key Takeaways
- Service advisors are professionals who help to identify the need for, sell, and schedule service work.
- Automotive service advisors are responsible for communicating with customers about their vehicle repair needs.
- Auto dealers can work to retain service advisors by focusing on providing growth opportunities, offering competitive benefits, and implementing recognition and rewards systems.
- At Safeguard, our automotive marketing experts specialize in engaging and effective solutions to help you run your business more efficiently.