McLEAN, Va. (Feb. 4, 2013) - Participation in the 2013 Dealership Workforce Study opens to NADA and ATD member dealers at the NADA Convention and Expo, in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 8-11. The study was launched last year by NADA University, the education and training arm of NADA, in partnership with DeltaTrends.

Participating in the study is an easy and convenient process conducted through a secure web-based portal with a step-by-step enrollment process. To further assist, NADA University offers separate processes for single dealership enrollments and for multi-dealer group enrollments. 

When the study is completed and analyzed, each participating dealer will receive a complimentary individualized report (Basic Report) comparing his or her own dealership's compensation, retention and turnover and employee benefits data against data aggregated on a regional and national basis. Participants may also purchase an individualized Enhanced Report, which further compares their dealership's data against data for their franchise and state.

"Dealers who took part in the study last year are overwhelmingly telling us that the level of detail offered in these individualized reports is already helping them to improve their workforce management for the long-term," said 2013 NADA Chairman David Westcott.

In addition to the individualized reports, a full Dealership Workforce Study Industry Report will also be provided to all participants at no additional charge. Produced in partnership with Northwood University, the Industry Report vastly improves and expands the association's former biennial compensation study by capturing, analyzing and tabulating dealership workforce data for every region of the United States. It provides position-specific data on retention, tenure and turnover, as well as health and retirement benefits and hours of operation.

As was the case with the 2012 study, Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAEs) will play a vital role in generating a strong level of participation by their member dealers at the state and metro levels.

"Many of our dealers in Nebraska, as well as those in other states and metro areas, participated in last year's study, and they were very pleased with the ease of the process and all the information they've received," said A. Loy Todd, Jr., president and general counsel of the Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers Association and outgoing chairman of ATAE.

"I'm confident we'll have even more signing up this time," he added. "The individualized data gives dealers a much clearer picture of how they're doing against their competition -- and the entire industry -- in terms of attracting and retaining top talent."

In addition to workforce data in the Industry Report, the breakouts of nine U.S. regions include a "happiness" index, produced by the Gallup organization, to help develop connections and draw conclusions relative to productivity and economic growth based on a variety of "well-being" factors in each region. 

NADA University has once again teamed up with the leading automotive retail research and consulting firm DeltaTrends, which is handling data collection and analysis for the workforce study. DeltaTrends was selected for its strong reputation in the auto industry and prior experience in providing this type of information to OEMs and public/private dealer groups. 

A Northwood University team, led by Dr. Tim Nash, vice president and professor of economics, will analyze national and regional data for the report again this year. The university remains the sole institution offering degree program focused on developing automotive professionals.

To participate in the study, visit www.nadaworkforcestudy.com or contact (800) 557-6232. Also, dealers may stop by the NADA University booth at the NADA Convention and Expo to sign up and learn more. Participation opens Feb. 8 at the convention and concludes March 31, 2013.

About NADA University

NADA University, the education and training arm of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and American Truck Dealers (ATD), equips dealer members and automotive professionals to enhance business performance in a complex and ever-changing industry.

Leveraging the expert resources of NADA and ATD, NADA University encompasses four "automotive centers of excellence" that complement each other, including:

ACADEMY - Leadership development programs for current and future dealership operators and automotive entrepreneurs including general managers, controllers, successor candidates, and department managers. Academy is the industry's gold standard for learning and leading dealership operations.

LEARNING HUB - Available through NADA University Online, this comprehensive suite of subscription programs trains automotive staff in key business functions focused on business management, legal compliance, customer relations, human resources, Internet and marketing, and fixed and variable operations. Employees and managers train at their convenience and pace.

20 GROUP - Consultant-led performance improvement fueled by a group of non-competing peers eager to share their experience and learn from yours. NADA 20 Groups are a cut above with the best-in-class online financial composite and programs tailored for executives and managers, including the all-new Internet Group with an industry-first Internet composite.

RESOURCE TOOLBOX - Valuable member benefits, including Driven management guide publications, MarketINSIGHT webinars, NADA Perks monthly tips and tools, Sanow's Quick Tips monthly how-to's for better communication, and key market data - all complimentary resources you'll find only at NADA University Online . Annual Dealership Workforce Study Basic, Enhanced and Industry Reports are also accessible in the Training Center section for Dealer/Executives.

NADA University equips dealers and their teams to get results - with the right knowledge, information, coaching, and resources to develop both skills and confidence. Visit universityonline.nada.org for more details.

NADA University Contact Information

Customer Service
800.557.6232
NADAuniversity@nada.org

Custom/OEM Training
Bob Kostkan
703.821.7210
bkostkan@nada.org

NADA University Partners and ATAEs
Cynthia Cook
703.821.7197
ccook@nada.org

Media and Interview Requests
Jeff Beddow
PR Consultant/NADA University
703.304.8117
jbeddow@nada.org