Lexus of Madison emphasizes communication with staff members through regular staff meetings and encouraging feedback on how to achieve goals and improve customer service. It is a Penske Automotive Dealership.
When new employees report for work at Lexus of Madison, they have all of the tools they need — a uniform, business cards, employee badges and other gear.
“We invest in employees even before they start,” said John Wineke, market manager. “They know we’re taking them seriously. It’s not a ‘let’s wait 90 days and we’ll see if it works’ mentality here. If we hire them, we’re hiring them to retire here, not just to try them on for size.”
Treating employees well is the key to growth and success at the Middleton car dealership, he added.
“We take care of our employees at a high level, and they take care of our customers at a high level, and there’s not really a second option,” Wineke said.
Communication and transparency play into employee engagement and build a teamwork atmosphere said Nate Riesen, the dealership’s general manager. The dealership makes its goals clear and discusses them continually.
“We celebrate the wins,” Riesen said. “If we’re not achieving our goals, course correction is discussion-based, with staff suggesting ways to do things a bit differently.”
The dealership has monthly meetings to involve team members. One is an Employee Council involving leadership and selected employees from each department who are encouraged to speak openly about what works and what doesn’t.
Another is an all-staff luncheon meeting in the dealership’s delivery bay at which employee milestones and birthdays are recognized.
In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, employees have a wellness program, in-house “shout-outs” for high achievement, and an employee assistance program that offers legal advice, financial advising and counseling services. And the dealership listens to employee suggestions for community involvement in causes that they are passionate about.
“We know our employees,” Riesen said. “It’s something we do differently here. It really comes down to genuine caring, too.”
Lexus of Madison emphasizes communication with staff members through regular staff meetings and encouraging feedback on how to achieve goals and improve customer service. It is a Penske Automotive Dealership.
