From extreme bonuses to financial literacy to birthdays off, APRO members are getting creative to recruit and retain in a hard market
COVID-19 has left an indelible mark on myriad facets of daily life – maybe none more clearly impacted than the workforce. From shuttered businesses to quiet quitting to job jumping, the bottom line for rent-to-own post-pandemic is that it’s more difficult than ever to hire and keep good customer-service and sales workers.
So, true to the pioneering tradition of the RTO industry, some APRO members are coming up with innovative and unique ways to engage good help. More than 60 percent of rental dealers provide some kind of benefits to their employees; some are offering benefit options beyond the basics of paid time off, and health, dental, or vision insurance.
We asked APRO members, What non-traditional benefits does your organization offer employees to stand out from competitors? and we received some awesome answers! Thank you to all who responded, for reinforcing the renowned generosity of this incredible industry. Now, on to a few extraordinary examples of new and different benefits for your consideration …
“WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN OUR EMPLOYEES FEEL SECURE AND THEIR WELLBEING IS PRIORITIZED, THEY CAN FOCUS ON WORK OVER WORRY AND IMPROVE FINANCIAL WELLNESS.”
Jennifer Troke
DIRECT PRIMARY CARE
Central Rent 2 Own
Nampa, Idaho Katie Marie Meyer, Human Resources Generalist & Trainer
Idaho-based Central Rent 2 Own provides a benefit called Direct Primary Care (DPC). DPC is a medical benefit that works like a gym membership, and just like a gym, the monthly fee is the same no matter how often you go. The employer pays $60 a month per employee (depending upon age), which gives employees access to a licensed doctor.
Because DPC is a bona fide health benefit and not insurance, it doesn’t affect other insurance or Medicaid. Employees don’t pay co-pays, are incentivized to get issues addressed promptly, and build a relationship with a dedicated primary care physician who comes from the local community, and is available to them via text and after hours.
“Dr. Josh gives personalized care, he doesn’t make you wait for hours in a waiting room, and he offers telehealth easily,” Meyer says. “He knows all about the work at our company and takes care of our drivers especially well.”
ABUNDANT TIME OFF
Jaguar Holdings, LLC dba Eagle Rental-Purchase
Youngstown, Ohio Joe Fischer, President
Joe Fischer of Ohio-based Eagle Rental-Purchase offers his associates an exceptionally generous leave and vacation policy. Around the end-of-year holidays, work schedules are split so that every associate gets either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve off. Associates receive one personal day per quarter, usable at any time with two weeks’ advance notice, as well as a week’s vacation for every year they work, up to three weeks a year.
LEGAL SERVICES PRIVACY PROTECTION
Jamison’s Sales & Rental Inc.
Shelbyville, Kentucky Jennifer Harrod, Owner/Operator & Jeremy Botkins, General Manager
At Kentucky-based Jamison’s Sales & Rental Inc., employees receive year-round access to legal services, as well as identity- theft and privacy-protection services. With LegalShield, employees can talk to an attorney on any personal legal matter, including executing a will. IDShield offers complete privacy and reputation-management protection to help keep employees’ online identity and personal information private and secure.
“We believe that when our employees feel secure and their wellbeing is prioritized, they can focus on work over worry and improve financial wellness,” says Botkins.
BIRTHDAYS OFF
Mike Strong Inc. dba Mike’s Rent-To-Own
Hutchinson, Kansas Angela Strong-McCool, Owner
Kansas-based Mike’s Rent-To-Own gives team members their birthday off with pay – a benefit everyone seems to love. According to McCool, potential team members consistently mention this bonus during the interview process, and the company enjoys providing this perk as another way to treat their people “like royalty!”
ANNIVERSARY CREDIT
National Championship Enterprises LLC dba Champion Sales and Lease
Louisville, Kentucky Mike Senior, President & CEO
Mike Senior of Kentucky-based Champion Sales and Lease provides his employees with monetary credit toward a current or new product purchase each year on their anniversary. For first and second anniversaries, they get $100 to apply to a purchase; for third and fourth years, they get $200; for years 5-9, it’s $300; and $500 for 10 or more years.
“We’re a company that believes strongly in God and family first, so we try to live by that in everything we do,” Senior says. “While our business is very demanding, we try to make sure no one at Champion misses important life moments like ball games, graduations, etcetera. I’m extremely proud of our team and the family culture we’ve created.”
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT
Rental Concepts LLC dba RNR Tire Express
Springdale, Arkansas David Harrison, President & CEO
At Arkansas-based RNR Tire Express, employees receive their own 401(K) account; the company encourages them to contribute the maximum 5 percent from every paycheck to the account, then matches it with another 4 percent contribution. The money is invested into a managed mutual fund with no vesting period, so that it belongs to the employee 100 percent from the moment it’s invested. This RNR franchise also offers employees free access to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. This personal finance program teaches participants how to break bad money habits and how to build wealth over time.
“What’s more important to us than the financial benefit of investment is giving our team the tools and resources to achieve financial literacy,” says Harrison. “It’s essential they understand their return on investment.”
MONTHLY BONUSES
Shop Yes! Now, Inc. dba Yes! Easy To Own
El Cajon, California Stephen Pearson, Owner
California-based Yes! Easy to Own offers a generous monthly bonus program for all salespeople, collectors, and delivery persons.
Salespersons have the opportunity to earn $500+ based on seven factors, including achieving their monthly sales goal and increasing their customer count and reviews. Collectors have a chance to earn $500+ based on six factors, including achieving their monthly collections goal and keeping customer information updated. And delivery persons can earn $300+ based on five factors, including no damaged or broken products, and no injuries or accidents during deliveries.
BONUSES, INCENTIVES, PRIZES
Showplace Inc.
Marion, Ohio Gary Ferriman, President
Gary Ferriman of Ohio-based Showplace offers a broad-based bonus system, that includes a monthly bonus based on profits that is shared with all departmental staff. General and assistant managers receive the highest percentage of bonuses, followed by all full-time staff. Showplace shares about 20 percent of net profit companywide every month.
Additionally, the company holds several themed store games throughout the year – like March Madness, Summertime Blues, or Showplace Football League – to help drive performance with prizes such as products, cash, or trips for GMs. Showplace also hosts an annual Employee Appreciation Day, giving away about $30k worth of prizes each year.
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
Smith Group dba Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership
Cortez, Colorado Spencer Smith, Owner
This Colorado-based Aaron’s franchise provides associates a matching donation up to $250 a year to a nonprofit of their choice. To date, the company has matched associate contributions to churches, animal rescue groups, medical organizations, and much more.
“We began this donation-matching program a couple of years ago to encourage our associates to get more personally engaged with and involved in their communities,” Smith says. “We also wanted to help them support the charitable organizations that mean the most to them.”
Jennifer Troke is APRO’s Vice President of Membership.
