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Okotoks Honda

I worked at Okotoks Honda in the Finance Department for 2 and a half years. In this review, I will explain my experience in the following categories: a typical work day, management, workplace culture, the hardest part of the job, and the most enjoyable part of the job. 

I will start by saying that the finance department was always a department that needed work. I think in the end it’s been a lot of trial an error as I think they are still trying to figure out the best way to run it. That can get exhausting for being the one who is in the trenches. In the last 3 years, there has been a high turn around in the department. 

- A typical work day: A typical work day was on average 9-10 hours and pushing 14 hours on the long days. The longest work day I would have was 16 hours and those would happen once every 2-3 months. More frequently during the busy months. I was scheduled for 47 hours per week, so I found my average work week was about 50-60 hours. With long weeks around 70-80 hours per week. My day mostly consisted of working with clients and completing paperwork. 

- Management: Management is mostly run by family so it can feel difficult to move up the chain as it felt like they were kind of set in their ways and weren't very welcome to change in the structure of the dealership. Sometimes it could feel like I was walking in a field full of landmines and I wouldn’t know which side of management I was going to get that day. The "bad moods" that they get in can be easy to get swept into, but if you keep your head down in your work and don’t get involved, you can usually get by. 

- Workplace culture: The workplace culture was kind of a roller coaster in there, some days were really great, some days were pretty bad. I did not feel the vision was clear and often found many contradictions in what management would say vs what would actually happen. I also found they would take it personally when people chose to leave the company, particularly with sales and finance staff. I felt this was also the case for when it came time to hand in my own resignation. 

- The hardest part of my job: The hardest part of the job for me was the amount of hours I worked, I voiced my opinion about work-life balance a few times and would usually get shot down or told that it's a part of the industry, which is why I chose to leave the industry because they are not wrong. 

- The most enjoyable part of my job: The most enjoyable part of the job was the great relationships I built with the people there. Really, they probably have the best set of employees under that roof. 

Pros: 
- Fun place to work, great people
- Lots of staff events that would happen such as escape rooms, bowling, dinners etc. 
- Very busy dealership so it’s never a dull moment
- Great training grounds and I learned a lot of valuable information there 


Cons: 
- Lack of advancement and growth near the end of my employment
- Very long hours, felt like I missed out on a lot of my life
- High turn-around in the department
- Felt underpaid in comparison to my peers in the industry

I have worked in the automotive industry for over 10 years. Coming from a dealership that was toxic and didn't truly care about their people affected my mindset and made me question my career path. When an opportunity became available at Okotoks Honda, I applied and went thru several interview processes. Because my role was management based, due dlligence was done both on my side and their side. With limited industry knowledge at that time, they saw potential in me and gave me the job. As I started, they were clear with my job duties and parameters and gave me weekly and monthly goals to hit. They didn't micro manage everything I did, rather they got involved to help me grow and learn. The GM's sales model is fair and customer based, which helped develop a different approach with my role. While I saw several managers enter the store who were power hungry, I did what I was asked. They took a chance on me and simply asked me to help them grow their business. They gave me the tools, they gave me the training and they gave me a place as part of their family. Not only did they care about me as a person but also my partner and family. My term with the dealership was positive, progressive and successful. My relationship with them is still strong and we keep in touch every so often. I applaud their growth and the changes they have made to be a better and different store from the rest. 

As a previous employee of this store and having worked in other dealerships, this place is just different. It's a family owned store and from what I saw - it was a family environment. Sure, like any other business, they have gone through organizational challenges. I have witnessed some difficult situations with previous employees and managers, like any business would have but handled professionally. Based on my communication with current staff, people are much happier and in harmony after management changes. The management group are kind, friendly and passionate about their business. Everyone works well with each other, they have fun but focus on their responsibilities. 

Some of the reviews on this company are inaccurate, likely because they had their own issues they brought to the store. I saw some of them cause drama on their own which affected many. It's good to see those people are gone from the store. Yes, I didn't agree with some decisions managers made, but I respected their decisions. They asked about me, cared about me, took interest in my life and family and actually remembered family events and people. That says a lot. 

I worked with the company for a few years. While I had no experience before I joined, my management and mentors helped me learn my role and become professional in my daily duties. Never did they get frustrated or angry with my lack of understanding. They assisted me in learning about the car industry, developing my customer service skills and acceptance of my future goals. The management team knew very well that going back to school was in my horizon and supported me with my decision. Whether it was ownership or department managers, everyone had a young, progressive and forward thinking mentality with customer experience as a priority. The loyalty at the store runs deep as they have managers and employees at the store for more than 10years, if not more. Now that I am venturing to another industry, they have always kept good relationship with me and told me there is always an open door if I wanted to come back. 

-Awesome job experience that taught me how to succeed in sakes, customer service/satisfaction while being shared wisdom on how to create a business in a business. 
-Always provided support to stay motivated throughout the year.
-Mamagement and Staff was involved, friendly and supportive in my personal and professional growth
-Management was their to help employees every step of the way; in all departments

Some say this place has lies, deceit and harmful things about management, employees and ways in which they do business. I know that I have seen a lot and this family owned store truly has a family feel. Yes, other stores may pay more, or have several stores to move to and from, maybe even better reviews, but this place is different. They have long tenure ship of employees who have grown within. They say. Stay with them and you’ll grow. If you can’t, they still will help you grow.

I have worked with this company for the past 3 years and have seen the ups and downs the dealership has gone through. Being with the company during COVID was challenging for everyone. Despite it all, the entire team was supportive, patient and worked with each other to get through it. The complete management team were understanding to the safety of families involved, they understood the importance of keeping the team together and motivated and most importantly, showed compassion. It's such a relief to see that even today, after my time with the company, and seeing people come and go (the reviews on this site are not true) - every member of the store and the family group of management cared for me and my family. I receive occasional messages from the team asking me how I am.

I didn’t work long at the dealership long.  Not by choice but by design. My family has their business and I wanted to venture out on my own. I’ve never done car sales and so I wanted to try. I was up front in my interview and told them about my family and their business but my desire of starting something new. Despite my history, they hired me; they trained me; they guided me and understood my life as a single mom. When COVID hit, I was asked to come back to my family business. I was up front and honest with my managers and they instantly supported me and allowed me to do what I had to do for my family, son and future. I am thankful for their understanding and for helping me learn more about business. 

For the start it's good working day to day with  coffee break and lunch break but as the time goes by the Management gives us hard times in our daily work. Changing of working schedule earlier than what we agreed upon, not paying holidays and overtime sometimes. The work place is not good because of there is no proper ventilation in the shop. It's family own business that is why they control everything and they removed people with out a reason they do not follow the labor laws of Canada. The hardest part of the job is when they pressure us to work faster even the machine can not do. The most enjoyable part is when we have a year end of the company that's all I can say.

Loved the service team, well... most. One pretty princess sits in his office watching videos for his "DJ" career but micro manages over one of the best service managers I've had but still has no clue what he's doing. 
Don't do anything on social media if you have them because you're not allowed having a social life on weekends when working for Okotoks Honda or you will get the wrath like it was you sending a nude to your father. 
GM is a sweetheart, never felt more love from someone and met someone who cares about his staff and their lives.

Fun and relaxed place to work. This is a small dealership that punches above its weight class. Very hardworking staff who produce great results. Virtually all staff have been there long term, which is uncommon in the high-turnover auto industry, and speaks highly of the management and ownership. I had a great experience working as a Finance Manager and felt supported, appreciated, and was empowered to help make decisions in my department. Only left due to family-related cross country move, or I may have stayed forever!

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