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Question of the Month
HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES TO VOLUNTEER WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY?
Cathy Nesbit, Social Media Director, Harry Robinson Buick GMC & Harry Robinson Sallisaw Ford
We take philanthropic efforts seriously from Harry and all through the dealership. It’s one of the pillars of who we are as a business. Employees are encouraged to volunteer on the clock for charitable events we sponsor. From Fill the Bus, a local school supply drive, to ringing the Salvation Army bell, mentoring, serving on boards and working on Junior League projects, we highly encourage employees to give back to the community. Volunteer opportunities are shared with the entire staff so that everyone has a chance to serve. We love the River Valley and believe volunteerism not only helps the community but also gives employees a sense of pride and connection.
Ken Shreve, President, Hamilton Hyundai
It begins when employees see first-hand the culture we have here at the dealership of being involved in the causes important to our community and to our customers. We believe in community involvement and our actions show it. From there, we like to share the concept that typically the best way to “get” something is to “give” something. The old adage “I’ll get what I want when I help other people get what they want” is as true today as ever. We encourage employees to focus on helping, on giving, in whatever area they are passionate about – youth athletics, the elderly, medical research fundraising, veteran’s programs, etc. We tell employees, “Just pick one and dive in. We will support you. You’ll feel good about what you are doing, and you will meet an awful lot of great people in the process. By giving of yourself to a worthy cause, you ultimately end up getting many things in return – self-confidence, people and leadership skills, new friendships and maybe even some new sales or service business.” Imagine that. Everyone wins – the employee, the dealership, the new customers and, most importantly, the worthy cause itself.
Karl A. Kramer, Communications Director, McCarthy Auto Group
McCarthy Auto Group is proud to support the communities we serve through a variety of local events and not-for-profit partners. For example, we invite our team members to play in several golf tournaments supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities, local hospitals and high schools. Additionally, we continue to support the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Kansas City and every October engage all team members in support of our in-dealership fundraising efforts all month long. Through these efforts and others, we provide our team members both internal and external ways to connect to the philanthropic efforts that we feel are absolutely crucial to create the right brand image for McCarthy Auto Group.
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