Dealer Newsletter - September 2010

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The Benefits of Training

Training employees is an essential activity for all organizations. If you want your dealership to grow and succeed, your employees must be trained. Training provides employees with the key knowledge and skills that they need to perform their job. Training must not be viewed as a one-time occurrence but, rather, as a continuing part of your business.

Benefits of Training  

1. As the car business is continuously changing, dealerships will need to provide their employees with training throughout their careers. If they choose not to provide continuous training, they will find it difficult to stay ahead of the competition
2. Another benefit of training is that it will keep your employees motivated. New Skills and knowledge can help to reduce boredom. It also demonstrates to the employee that they are valuable enough for the employer to invest in them and their development
3. Training can be used to create positive attitudes through clarifying the behaviors and attitudes that are expected from the employee
4. Training can be cost effective, as it is cheaper to train existing employees compared to recruiting new employees with the skills you need
5. Training can save the organization money if the training helps the employee to become more efficient

Induction training

This is training that an employee will receive when they first join an organization or begin a new role. This type of training is designed to provide the employee with the essential skills needed to perform their job. Induction training can also include an introduction to the dealership’s philosophy, values and culture so that the employee is aware of the behaviors expected of them

On the Job training

  As the name suggests, on the job training is training provided during the regular performance of duties. This can take a variety of forms including:

1. Teaching - The employee is guided through a task or process by a colleague or supervisor, so that the employee knows how to perform the task and to what standard.
2. Shadowing - The employee spends time with an expert so that the employee can observe how the expert performs their daily duties.
3. Observation - The employee is observed while they perform their duties. At the end of the observation, the observer will provide the employee with feedback on their performance.
4. Coaching - The employee will learn new skills (not knowledge) and have the opportunity to practice the skills with the coach before using the skills in the workplace. An effective coach will review the employee’s performance to ensure that the employee uses the newly learnt skills until they become habit.
5. Mentoring - The employee is partnered with an experienced employee so that they can discuss performance. The experienced person is known as the mentor and the employee they are partnered with we will call the mentoree. The mentoree will discuss their performance and problems with the mentor.  

Off the Job training

This is training provided away from the employee’s usual work environment and the employee will stop their usual duties/work during the training. Off the job training may be in the same building or may be off site. This training may be provided by trainers working for the same employer as the employees being trained or an outside company hired by the employer. There are numerous trainers and training seminars available throughout the automotive industry teaching various techniques on a wide variety of subjects relevant in various types of automobile dealerships. Industry experts can provide valuable knowledge the attendee can take back and share with fellow employees creating opportunities for additional onsite training for those that did not attend.

The typical dealership will utilize a variety of types and techniques in training its employees. The important factor is not the types of training that you choose but, rather, that you continually provide opportunities for your employees to learn and to grow in their job. Your dealership will become a more efficient, profitable and enjoyable place to work if you do.