How Mercedes-Benz Vans UK connect, recognise and reward employees across their dealer network

With a dealer network of 3000 individuals spread across 27 independent dealer groups, from Truro to Aberdeen, Mercedes-Benz Vans (MBV) once had a problem they needed to solve: how to recognise and reward employees across a dispersed network to maximise productivity and ensure they feel a truly appreciated member of the MBV community.

Adding to this complexity, a large proportion of the dealer network is deskless/mobile, such as technicians, without access to a company computer or phone. Traditionally, engaging this group has been a challenge, especially as communicating critical information relied on word of mouth or printed collateral that may not be seen and can quickly out-date.

Upon implementing the Rippl platform, named ‘Van Stars’, the fully-branded mobile app could be downloaded to personal phones, connecting this hard to reach audience became possible.

Recognition, story sharing, nominations and incentives all became key features for MBV. Not only could important news be sent via instant push notifications, ideal for those on the move, but individuals could share their posts and pictures on the social timeline, connecting with their team and the entire network.

MBV uses Van Stars to not only help surface the day-to-day challenges and triumphs of their dealerships but to recognise and reward employees for their hard work and achievements.

Connecting a dispersed network, fostering a community spirit and recognising and celebrating excellence aren’t the only benefits enjoyed by the network and head office.  The platform also facilitates the creation of incentives and rewards distribution. A feature, Head of Sales, Andy Lawson regularly relies on to boost sales and reward hard work:

“Throughout the year, we often run incentives on Van Stars, whether this is to encourage the sale of a particular model or to tackle an over-stock issue. However, we don’t just run incentives to motivate and reward our salespeople, as, after all, we know it often takes a whole team to get a sale over the line. Therefore, our incentives are often available for everyone to participate in, such as technicians, administrators, service advisors etc.”

Andy continues: “Rewards are generally given to a whole team, whether this is points to spend in the Van Stars voucher catalogue or a gourmet food van pitching up outside a dealership. Without Van Stars, there’s simply no way we’d be able to deploy incentives so quickly nor celebrate the successes of our network so readily.”

Incentives motivate desired behaviours, but when incentives are inclusive, not exclusive, and are paired with social recognition and connection, performance is amplified.