Recruit in advance to overcope tomorrow's staffing crisis

Staff attrition is an expensive and disruptive process, costing dealers an average £9,600 with each member of staff who leaves. But the recruitment process is often left to the last minute, often forcing dealers to recruit people who are inappropriate for the empty role.

As the quality gap between different vehicle manufacturers closes, customers’ decisions are increasingly based on the retail experience. And despite designer showrooms and better products than ever before, some dealers are damaging brand identity with poor staff.

Nick Horton of Essential Dealership Training said the best way to minimise disruption to the business is to recruit in advance: “The only way to reduce or remove the pressure to recruit is to do it now, and expect a level of attrition over the next six months.”

Find out more about finding and retaining the best staff, and how to improve your recruitment process in our feature in the March 21 issue of AM.