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One of the most challenging OBJECTIONS you my have to overcome in the automotive world from fixed ops to showroom sales is employees. I recently had to overcome that challenge for a large dealer group. Stores in large municipal area with multiply dealers aka competition in the area don't seem to have that issue as you see in this industry one person is here one day and down the street the next. I am not here to talk about retention today. I am here to offer some advice to the dealers in the midwest and dealers in a small market with limited population.

As a professional fixed ops trainer and consultant one of my biggest fears is creating a POWERFUL program and not having the adequate staff to utiliaze my program. Offering HR help has allowed me to offer a all inclusive Fixed Ops program. Here are some tips to help you/help yourself.

• Craigslist is a powerful tool and free
• Word of mouth, offer a "Bonus" to your current staff, I am sure they may have a friend of 2
• Open Houses..Advertise on your Front lawn, this may sound crazy but it works.. A sign stating HIRING NOW in front of your dealer. Small market don't utiliaze the social networking or chose not to as they are sometimes a older community that still reads the newspaper everyday with there coffee.
• Indeed.com is a great tool/try to pull some talent from a distance..
• Local High Schools and Tech Schools.../donate a junk car to the vocational school?create a buzz
• Restaurants.. Have you ever gone out to eat and had a fantastic experience...why not interview him/her why your eating...(I cultivated one of my best service consulants that way)
• Call your competition and if the phone is answered and your call is handled perfectly...why not have them work for you..
• What is your local "free for sale guides" In rural areas, such as farm based communities are always buying and selling items, put a detailed description of what you are looking for yet KEEP IT SIMPLE.
• Of course look for employees out of work do to downsizing as alot of industry has pulled out of smaller communities, advertise it that way..(example: Did you work for Chysler or Avon etc...we want to talk to you) and advertise in once again the local free guides along with local news print.

These are a few tips when Social Networking is not a option. When the pool is small you have to go back to basics and become a sleuth. I LOVE SOCIAL NETWORKING AND IT IS THE FUTURE......ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

Regards,

Richard A. Browne

Fixed Ops Trainer/Consultant