(left to right) Luke Davis, Dealer Principal, Subaru of Lethbridge, Mike Davis, General Director, Tim Davis, General Director, Davis Automotive Group
Alberta-based Davis Automotive Group was recently recognized as one of the top 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. This marks the second time in two years that the dealership group has been bestowed with a Best Employer award.
“In 2013 we were recognized as one of the 50 Best Small and Medium Employers in Canada,” says General Director Tim Davis “and in 2014 we have been recognized as one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada.”
Davis says the change in designation is a result of growth within the group, which now boasts 9 franchised dealerships, a full RV sales and service retail location, as well as a standalone detail centre. Collectively, the Davis Automotive Group now has more than 400 employees, placing it firmly in the Best Employer category.
The Best Employer list, compiled annually by consulting firm Aon Hewitt, is based largely on feedback from existing employees within an organization and focuses on areas such as recognition, organizational reputation, management performance, compensation and leadership qualities.
A major benefit for many companies is that the data highlights strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. “It’s a really good way to measure our performance,” says Mike Davis — Tim’s brother who is also a General Director with the group. “For us it’s about improvement. There are a lot of different dynamics involved but qualifying for the Best Employers list means that everybody within our organization is part of achieving this recognition whether they work at one of our dealerships, our RV or detail facilities or as part of our Davis Automotive Group parent organization.”
Cindy Donaldson, Director of Human Resources for the Davis Automotive Group, says a high level of employee engagement regarding the survey (over 80 per cent) has been very encouraging and the feedback provided enables the group to assess areas that are strong and those that need improvement. “The data from Aon Hewitt is very helpful because it not only categorizes each business unit, such as an individual dealership but also the different departments within the dealership including variable and fixed operations.”
Donaldson says that while the goal is always to foster continuous improvement and make the Davis Automotive Group an even better place to work, recognition as one of Canada’s 50 Best Employers has also served as an effective recruiting tool in attracting new hires to the company.
“Our industry is experiencing a skill shortage, so to be able to attract top people to our business really is a feather in our cap!”
Tim Davis says at the end of the day, it’s all about how you treat your employees. “If you treat them well they will be happy, engaged and passionate about their work and will treat your customers with the courtesy and respect they deserve. It goes back to a philosophy within our organization for two generations. It makes us proud to be recognized for the principles in which my father and grandfather firmly believed.”
