Taking on staff

[grant8064 219]

Hi guys,

Just after your pearls of wisdom.

We have two sites run by just us over worked directors at the moment but are looking to take on a fresh recruit to ease the workload and, hopefully, make us a bit more efficient.

Not having employed anyone before we're a bit clueless so have the accountant in tomorrow to see how it's going to work money wise.

What should we be looking out for/avoiding/asking?

Basically what mistakes have you all made that we can learn from?

The recruit will most likely be aged 25+ and used for the complete sales process ie; getting the vehicle delivered/collected from the valeters, photo'd, up on the web, test driven, sold, MOT and service work phoned through to the usual garage, handover pack prepped and then the handover itself. After sales issues made note of and dealt with once authorised by the directors, enquiries answered, general cleaning of the office when needed etc. 

Basic salary + commission per sale + commission per vehicle bought from Joe Public + commission on any finance deal executed. All deals to be run past a director before authorised.

We're a Lawgistics member so will probably use a lot of their downloadable employment stuff such as a health and safety form, employee details form etc.

Thanks in advance you wise old owls.

[trade vet 702]

2 hours ago, grant8064 said:

Hi guys,

Just after your pearls of wisdom.

We have two sites run by just us over worked directors at the moment but are looking to take on a fresh recruit to ease the workload and, hopefully, make us a bit more efficient.

Not having employed anyone before we're a bit clueless so have the accountant in tomorrow to see how it's going to work money wise.

What should we be looking out for/avoiding/asking?

Basically what mistakes have you all made that we can learn from?

The recruit will most likely be aged 25+ and used for the complete sales process ie; getting the vehicle delivered/collected from the valeters, photo'd, up on the web, test driven, sold, MOT and service work phoned through to the usual garage, handover pack prepped and then the handover itself. After sales issues made note of and dealt with once authorised by the directors, enquiries answered, general cleaning of the office when needed etc. 

Basic salary + commission per sale + commission per vehicle bought from Joe Public + commission on any finance deal executed. All deals to be run past a director before authorised.

We're a Lawgistics member so will probably use a lot of their downloadable employment stuff such as a health and safety form, employee details form etc.

Thanks in advance you wise old owls.

Beware ex main dealer types,they may be good on sales,but they can be bullshitters and have bad habits and cause you problems with paperwork,valuing swappers and don’t expect them to leather a car off that’s going out.I think it is better to train them up.Aged over 50 Ex workshop guys are good and reliable,they still talk like a fitter and the punters like that.We had one guy who always wore a blue overall coat,several pens in his top pocket,he used to nick the swappers and do good chucky deals.( He refused to do sub prime chuck duffers )He was always busy,making sure everything was priced up,off the button and was always checking lights and levels.The best guy we had,used to like  getting up early,he would be in at 7 and would wash and leather off the stock by 9.30.The current guys can code read ,are tech savvy and don’t mind washing cars and other stuff .....That’s my experience,I hope you get a good one.

[justina3 518]

Set your stall out early make sure there employed as staff and not mates, it often goes that way with a small amount of staff, be firm but be fair and consistent.

Remember everyone has there faults if they where perfect they would be out there doing it themselves, you will also have to adjust for there shorfalls or train them up accordingly.

Lastly make sure there working contract is done correctly not a diy one of the internet well worth the money if a falling out should happen the amount of no claim bottom feeding scum bag solicitor firms that will happily make your life hell for free is off the charts. (£4.5k the last one cost me) 

Lastly upon lastly this might be a long process it may take 3-4 attempts to get someone that fits with what you want dont give up.

 

[trade vet 702]

On 10/01/2018 at 8:58 AM, justina3 said:

Set your stall out early make sure there employed as staff and not mates, it often goes that way with a small amount of staff, be firm but be fair and consistent.

Remember everyone has there faults if they where perfect they would be out there doing it themselves, you will also have to adjust for there shorfalls or train them up accordingly.

Lastly make sure there working contract is done correctly not a diy one of the internet well worth the money if a falling out should happen the amount of no claim bottom feeding scum bag solicitor firms that will happily make your life hell for free is off the charts. (£4.5k the last one cost me) 

Lastly upon lastly this might be a long process it may take 3-4 attempts to get someone that fits with what you want dont give up.

 

£4.5k ! ,might you be able to tell us how you were stitched up?