Wholesaling vehicles in a place some people might consider to be paradise should be a breeze, right? Well, Manheim Hawaii general manager Dewey Hess said the 133 full-time and part-time employees keep the auction flowing as consistently as waves lapping against the shoreline.
“Hawaii is a unique and diversified place, which is reflected in the employees,” Hess said. “The management team leverages the ‘Aloha Spirit’ coupled with Cox Automotive’s benefits and core values to create an environment that attracts great people and entices them to stay.”
That team that registers nearly 400 vehicles each week is one that “enjoys their work, and passionately believes in the cause of the organization, creates infectious enthusiasm which leads to efficiencies, dedication and ultimately success,” according to Hess.
And as the auction’s GM, Hess looks to lead in ways that are balanced, like surfing the big waves of the Pacific without burning out employees faster than a luau’s fire.
“My main priority is to influence the staff to be a cohesive, positive team that understands the goal, so that everyone is paddling the canoe in the same direction,” Hess said.
“I make an effort to show genuine interest and concern for the team members, not just as an employee, but personally as well,” he continued. “My daily routine is to listen, praise and recognize. I also like to create a clear path for future leaders, and help them achieve goals. Most importantly, have fun.”
With few professionals saying “aloha” to Manheim Hawaii for good, it should be no surprise that the auction received this honor.
“Our location is focused on keeping our workforce highly engaged, and therefore providing a high level of customer service. We integrate the Cox Automotive core values into our day-to-day routine, and work to instill cooperation and teamwork at all levels. This recognition is honor for our team,” Hess said.
View the complete list of honorees here.
When Manheim Houston general manager Eddie Pope described what makes this cog of the company’s wholesale machine run well, his responses often contained an underlying sports theme.
Pope first stated that communication is the No. 1 priority.
“If the lines of communication are open, I can build, motivate and guide my team towards achieving our goals. Equally important is to make sure that every team member has the tools and resources to be successful, listening to their goals and helping them meet the goals,” Pope said.
“I boost morale by making sure our employees are engaged,” he continued. “I let them know the importance of their job in making us successful. No matter what challenges we are faced with, there are always wins to be celebrated.
“I take the time to say thank you often to my team members for the things we tend to take for granted and let them know the impact their actions have on our success,” Pope went on to say.
Certainly there could be several victories to be celebrate within the employment base that includes 117 full-time and part-time members while close to 1,800 vehicles are registered at Manheim Houston each week for regular sales that start on Tuesday mornings.
“Having passionate employees that work every day to be a part of the company’s success is good for business,” Pope said. “Happy employees take pride in the way they treat the customers, and create a positive experience each time they come to do business.
“We are a great place to work because of the family of team members we have at Manheim Houston. Their loyalty and dedication drives us every day. We support each other through the hard times and celebrate the wins as a team,” Pope went on to say.
If auction employees want to celebrate another accomplishment, they now have this accolade.
“This honor is made possible by the family of team members here at Manheim Houston,” Pope said. “They work hard to create a positive work environment for each other and all of our loyal clients.”
View the complete list of honorees here.
Being one of Manheim’s smaller locations in terms of personnel size, perhaps dissention could fester quickly in a group that consists of 35 full-time and part-time members. To curtail any negativity that might arise, Manheim El Paso general manager David Aguilar pinpointed respect as his No. 1 management priority.
“We respect and value all team members,” Aguilar said. “My style is to lead, teach and motivate by inspired leadership. I empower each team member to realize and understand that ‘leadership is action, not position.’
“I take the time each day to greet all team members and end their day by personally expressing my appreciation for their hard work,” he continued.
That precedent spills over throughout Manheim El Paso as it takes in 550 vehicles each week for its sales that begin on Thursday mornings.
“The work environment and culture that our team members have created and embraced make Manheim El Paso stand out. It truly is a wonderful place to come each day,” Aguilar said.
“Our team members never have a bad day,” he continued. “They are truly passionate about owning Manheim, and it greatly reflects on our clients. Our clients know that when they conduct business here at Manheim El Paso they are treated with much respect and friendship — and it shows, as our clients see us as a partner and friend.”
As a result of having cultivated a close-knit and positive environment, Manheim El Paso now has this honor on its mantle.
“This award is a testament to how we lead, teach and motivate our Manheim team. We strive to have an inspired and inclusive team to create a positive experience for our clients,” Aguilar said.
View the complete list of honorees here.
At Manheim Statesville, it really comes down to the value of the individual.
“We have worked hard to cultivate an atmosphere where individuals genuinely value and trust one another,” said general manager Ellie Johnson. “We foster open, honest and direct communication.
“These intentional areas of focus allow our employees to experience an environment where they are challenged, encouraged and developed so that they are able to reach their individual employment goals.”
Johnson said employee safety, health and well-being is her No. 1 priority in managing her team of 150 full-time and 160 part-time employees at the North Carolina auction, which registers 3,300 vehicles a week.
“Outside of safety the most critical management concern is effective communication,” she said.
“We find that morale is high when we keep employees informed, support employees when they make decisions and are responsive to employees when they have suggestions, input or questions.”
As for how a positive work environment is good for business, Johnson said the formula is a no-brainer:
“If we take care of our employees, then they will take care of our customers … it is that simple.”
View the complete list of honorees here.
For Mark Willey, general manager of Manheim Tampa, a grateful GM makes for satisfied employees.
“I thank our team for what they do each and every day,” said Willey, who oversees 124 full-time and 81 part-time employees. “I make an effort to explain that what they do is very important to our success as a company. We hold regular employee meetings where we acknowledge their accomplishments, share our successes, discuss future challenges, and ask for ideas and support in helping us to achieve our goals.
“Manheim has always believed that our success is driven by our people,” he continued. “This honor demonstrates how important it is to allow our employees to have a voice in helping to create that success.”
As manager of Manheim Tampa, which registers between 2,200 and 2,500 vehicles a week, Willey said his No. 1 priority is creating a safe and friendly environment for his team.
“I want them to look forward to coming to work each day,” he said.
Willey says that part of what makes Manheim Tampa stand out as a great place to work is that employees are given opportunities to explore various roles.
“We encourage cross-training by allowing our employees the opportunity to work in different areas,” he said. “This helps keep them motivated and develop strong working relationships.”
As far as how a positive workplace translates to a healthy bottom line, Willey said that basically, success begets success.
“Keeping our employees involved creates buy-in. When you recognize their contributions they in turn concentrate harder on being successful,” he said. “Ultimately their success is success for everyone.”
View the complete list of honorees here.
Robert Zakaib may be the general manager of Manheim Palm Beach, but that doesn’t mean he’s above his employees.
“I am part of the team, and therefore, I do not ask my team to do anything that I wouldn’t do or haven’t done,” he said. “I work to create a fun and most importantly safe environment for all team members. Many times our jobs become repetitive at an auction, so I try to change it up and make it fun whenever I can.”
Zakaib says it’s his 161 team members who make Manheim Palm Beach — which registers 2,100 cars a week — a great place to work.
“The environment that they create for customers is one-of-a-kind. Our great location and overall vehicle offerings make Palm Beach a great place to work as well,” he said.
And he’s quick to point out how a “great” workplace comes full circle.
“Having an enjoyable workplace environment transcends to outstanding customer service,” Zakaib explained. “That level of customer service leads to happy clients that enjoy doing business with us. When they enjoy doing business with us, client retention is higher, leading to more repeat business.”
Zakaib said it’s communication — consistent, open, honest and direct — that keeps his management wheels well-oiled.
In the end, he said, his team members should be as proud as anyone at earning the “best auction” recognition.
“This award affirms that our employees feel they have a voice in the decision-making process and overall success,” Zakaib said.
View the complete list of honorees here.
For Manheim Orlando general manager Butch Herdegen, it’s all about leading by example.
“My motto is ‘speed of the boss equals speed of the crew,’” he said.
For his crew of 365 team members, Herdegen makes it a point to lead by example and to work with employees to understand each of their perspectives.
“We are all in this together, and every person plays a critical part in the process,” Herdegen said.
As general manager of the auction, which registers 6,200 vehicles a week, his goal is twofold: “Build trust and get the buy-in from every members of the team.”
That’s good for business, Herdegen said.
“When our team members are happy and engaged, they are more dedicated to serving our clients, which results in a loyal following. Happy people are productive people, which equates to successful results. The positive attitudes of our team members make doing business fun for our clients,” he said
As far as what makes his auction stand out, Herdegen cited the culture.
“We have a culture that embraces diversity, and promotes a team environment where everybody strives to be the best they can be. The team knows that they are completely supported by location leadership.
“This honor shows the dedication of our team, who each play a part in helping our clients drive success,” he continued. “Each team member is dedicated to providing our clients with the quality Manheim is known for while having fun in the process.”
View the complete list of honorees here.
You might say San Antonio Auto Auction’s success starts with a smile.
“Positivity is contagious and spreads through our words and attitudes,” said general manager Brandon Walston. “So when we come into work, a smiling face or friendly comment fosters an encouraging and positive environment for not only our employees but our dealers, consignors and vendors as well. We hope spreading this kind of light is what really helps us stand out.”
Indeed, that “light” is perhaps amplified by SAAA’s designation as one of Auto Remarketing’s Best Auto Auctions to Work For.
“On the front doors entering the auction reads the verse from Matthew 5:16 ‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.’ These words are a daily reminder that our actions affect all of those we come in contact with,” Walston continued.
An enjoyable workplace is a wonderful thing, but is it the key that gets team members to stay?
Walston said he makes it a priority to create a “commitment culture.”
“I want our team and customers to know that we are in it for the long haul and I want this to reflect in their priorities as well,” he explained. “My focus is on giving my best effort for steady growth that continues to strengthen relationships with our dealers and consignors along with motivating our employees to be the best they can. I think when everyone wants to stick around, you have a strong advantage.”
Part of what helps in this regard — and what helps build morale — is when employees are really able to adopt that team mentality.
“I believe one of the best morale boosts is knowing that you are a part of something that is much bigger than what you can accomplish on your own,” he said. “The unity of the team motivates each person to go above and beyond what they would normally do individually.
“So, for me, taking a hands-on approach and offering support wherever possible can give a crucial boost to fellow employees. Letting my team members know I am there for them and knowing they are there for me really creates a safety net that boosts morale for the whole team.”
But how is all of this good for business? Put another way, how does it affect the bottom line?
“A positive, enjoyable workplace leads to an open workplace. An open workplace creates an environment where team members feel safe to express their ideas and suggestions. This openness allows the team to more effectively solve problems and therefore grow as a whole,” Walston said.
“Simply put, the sum is much greater than any one part, especially when everyone is working together in a positive environment,” he said. “I believe that is what directly impacts the bottom line and is good for business.”
View the complete list of honorees here.
Whether it’s ensuring a positive and productive workplace or enabling employees to feel empowered, State Line Auto Auction knows that power comes from its people.
“When a work environment is fun and inviting, people do their best work,” the Barber family, which has run the New York state auction since 1981, said in its responses to Auto Remarketing’s questions. “They are excited to do their job and put forth excellent effort. Happy people in a workplace make things run smoothly and this, in part, creates a good relationship between them and our customers. We want our employees to want to come to work each day!
“We like to quote Henry Ford’s statement, ‘It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It is the customer who pays the wages.’”
Also contributing to employee contentedness, the Barbers surmised, is the fact that SLAA holds auctions on Fridays. “It often feels like a four-day week because auction day is so stimulating. This also makes the time go by quickly!”
Positive reinforcement and praise play into the management philosophy at the auction.
“Many people just want to get affirmation that they are doing a good job,” the Barbers said. “A simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way in showing them that their work and productivity is valuable to SLAA. In addition, we certainly try to treat everyone with respect. We hope that it rubs off on our employees as to how to treat our customers.”
When it comes to managing the team, the Barbers said they believe that employees need to feel empowered.
“Responsibility is 90 percent taken and 10 percent given. Employees need to know that we trust them with their decision-making and they should feel empowered to do the right thing and make smart decisions. If something happens and things fall through the cracks, it’s noted and a lesson is learned for the future.
“We really try to not micromanage,” they continued. “Overseeing things and checking in is paramount and much of this can be done by ‘managing while walking around.’ You can get ahead of dilemmas by checking in with each department on a daily basis and getting a pulse on their productivity.
“We try to not be ‘drama coaches.’ If an employee cannot live without workplace drama, they usually end up working for someone else. Most of our employees seem to thrive from this type of workplace setting, free of unnecessary drama.”
When asked what makes SLAA stand out as a great place to work, the Barbers cited teamwork.
“Managers and those that they supervise need to be able to work together to solve problems to keep our customers satisfied. Many of them are seasoned professionals who have long tenures at SLAA covering a vast range of jobs. Superior customer service is at the forefront of what we do. Everyone here takes a hands-on approach. We also take great pride in the amount of cross training our employees possess.”
They explained that some employees cover numerous jobs throughout the week. “This might include cleaning cars in our recon shop, clerking on the auction block during the sale, and then working in the office at the ‘if bid’ window. When a situation arises and we need appropriate coverage for certain tasks, it is very helpful when other employees can easily fill that role. Employees also seem to like this change in their regular routine as it breaks up the monotony of doing the same job day in and day out.”
View the complete list of honorees here.
When it comes to managing his team, safety is paramount at ADESA Cincinnati/Dayton, says general manager Mike Long.
“Safety is, and always will be, our top priority. With as many moving parts as we have around our facility on both sale days and non-sale days, we must do everything possible to ensure the safety of everyone who steps foot onto the property,” Long said.
“We are constantly reminding our team how important safety is with daily departmental meetings and monthly safety team meetings, and we all love our Safe T. Sam videos each month as well,” he said. “Priority No. 1 is that everyone comes to work, feels safe and goes home unharmed each and every day.”
Another area on which the auction puts a great deal of emphasis is promoting from within. And that starts by having a positive workplace.
“Recruiting and training new employees negatively impacts the bottom line. We want to maintain a consistency within our workforce by keeping the team we have in place,” Long said.
“Promotion from within has been a common occurrence here at ADESA Cincinnati/Dayton and that helps us keep the momentum going. Our efforts to keep good people has allowed us to add more and more bench strength and to continuously deliver a consistent service level that we believe is hard to match,” he said.
Part of keeping those employees, of course, is having strong morale. Long works to keep morale high by getting to know his employees and really being present.
“I believe the best way to boost morale as a manager is to know your people. We all have a lot going on each day that keeps us in our offices behind our desks, but knowing the people you’re working with is so important. How could employees feel appreciated if management doesn’t know their name?” he said.
“I want to meet every new hire we have at the auction and I want to walk around and say hi as often as I can. Being present among your team is critical to morale,” he said. “Employee fun days, cookouts and surprising the team with donuts or ice cream on a hot day are all great things we do here, but above all, I believe that being seen as much as possible is a must in maintaining morale in any organization.”
Lastly, Long shares what be he believes makes ADESA Cincinnati/Dayton stand out as a great place to work.
“ADESA Cincinnati/Dayton tries to maintain a fun and productive work environment. We believe in surrounding ourselves with people who care about their work. Our team works well together to achieve a common goal of servicing our buyers and sellers,” he said.
“We promote and recognize innovation within the group, considering every idea,” Long said. “We have fun in the workplace while still meeting our weekly sale objectives. In addition, our corporate office gives us much support in terms of great benefits and encouraging a work-life balance.”
View the complete list of honorees here.
