Steve Chipman said his most important assets are his people.
“We’ve always been focused on team and developing our team members,” said Chipman, President and CEO of the Birchwood Automotive Group, one of the largest networks of automotive retailers in Manitoba which has over 1,000 employees.
“We’re making sure we are working hard to grow as a company — we can’t grow without strong team members,” added Chipman.
And that’s how Birchwood received a platinum ranking for Best Employer in Canada, according to a recent study by Aon Hewitt published in Canadian Business Magazine.
The award is designated to companies that create and sustain an engaged workforce. This was measured by directly surveying Birchwood’s employees about their workplace.
It’s a “team award,” said Chipman. “It’s not about being the best employer. I call it the best team awards.”
That begins with culture, which Chipman said he works hard at to promote across the Birdwood stores. While Birchwood has grown into a large organization, Chipman said it’s still very much a family-based operation.
He makes a point to promote from within the organization, hire Millennials, recognize employees across the network, develop robust internal training program for leadership growth, and is creating an extensive HR department. Chipman also said he encourages his employees to be active in the community.
“You do such a good job looking after the customers, I’m going to do the best to look after my employees,” said Chipman.
He added this kind of respect for people is, “what your grandmother taught you. And anyone who wins this award is going to say the same thing.”
In addition to operating Birchwood, Chipman is also the current CADA Chairman.
