Ford recently announced a hybrid remote work model for its employees indefinitely. Salaried employees can continue to work from home, but will go into the office for meetings or workshops as necessary. Will we soon see other manufacturers follow suit? On today’s show, we are pleased to welcome Adam Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Hireology to discuss some of the key elements in today’s work-from-home environment, and what car dealerships can do to stand out in the recruiting process.
Robinson begins the conversation by talking about the flexibility of new remote work policies. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the implementation of working from home. Robinson says that Ford’s announcement is an acknowledgment that the needs of the workforce are evolving and changing.
Companies that have implemented work-from-home are also experiencing greater efficiency in certain aspects of business. Robinson says that video conferencing has cut down on long, unproductive meetings. Teams are able to stick to an itinerary and complete more tasks in less time. However, Robinson also believes that company innovation decreases due to physical separation.
Robinson then talks about the roles in car dealerships that present remote work opportunities. Many positions in retail automotive are phone-based or contactless. Robinson says that BDC is a very flexible position that can operate outside car dealerships. Anyone working in online sales or appointment setting can also work remotely.
Robinson concludes the interview by discussing ways to ensure remote employees succeed. It may take time, but offsite employees can be extremely productive and valuable in the long run.
“It’s about setting expectations, making sure they have what they need to be successful, and watching the output,” said Robinson. “If they’re getting it done, they could be on the moon and I wouldn’t care.”
