Scots dealer wins top award 17 | 07 | 2014
SCOTS MITSUBISHI DEALER, Phoenix Car Company, has has scooped a major industry award at a glittering ceremony in London. Phoenix, which runs Mitsubishi dealerships in Paisley and Stirling, has been named Employer of the Year by Motor Trader.
The award was presented to John McGuire, chairman of the group, by broadcaster John Inverdale at a gala dinner for 1200 people at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
In February, Phoenix Car Company, which employs 352 people, unveiled a partnership scheme that meant employees now benefit from a profit-sharing scheme. In what is believed to be a first for the motor industry in Scotland, all employees with more than two years’ service are now partners in the business, with 10% of the profits divided equally between them.
The idea behind the scheme was one of staff engagement, peer management and making sure every person knows the difference their efforts make to the success of the business.
Related: Game on for Scots Mitsubishi team
“It was a fantastic night and the whole team is absolutely thrilled to have won this award," McGuire said. "It feels like vindication for the way we have been working. The partnership is a major change in how we run things. We're delighted at how that has been embraced, and believe that's a big part of our success in this prestigious award.
“Our staff have been wonderful for the past 21 years and they continue to be. I think they are enjoying the fact that they are partners in the business now. The feeling within the group now is that everybody shares ownership so it’s important to everybody. Our staff look after our customers so it’s important the staff are happy, that’s the key thing for me.”
Phoenix Car Company has also set up new channels to allow every member of the team to be heard, to ask questions or to make suggestions. This means it has been able to make changes to the business to refine processes, save money and improve customer experience.
Related: Scots dealer helps kids' charity
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Jim McGill
Caption (From left): Compere John Inverdale; Dan Unstead, director of award sponsor Perfect Placement Automotive Recruitment; Phoenix chairman John McGuire; and Motor Trader editor Curtis Hutchinson.