SouthBank Nation in the Community

SouthBank Nation participated in 

SouthKeys Greenboro's The Next Great Garage Sale on Saturday May 16.  

SouthBank staff members from all departments came together; braving the rainy weather, dressed in their finest, to barbeque hamburgers and hot dogs to support SouthBank's local community.  The event was held to raise donations for the Pavilion Food Bank.  

 The turn out was amazing and the event gave SouthBank staff members an opportunity to get to know their neighbors and to let everyone know that SouthBank cares!

The SouthBank volunteers take a selfie at the event!

Mario showing his SouthBank pride!

The Faces of Southbank Dodge - Meet Kile Loveridge

Kile Loveridge has been part of the Southbank family for five years.  As a parts adviser, Kile plays a crucial role in the Southbank Parts Department.  His dedication and team spirit is always evident towards both customers and staff.  Southbank Blogger sat down with Kile to discuss his role at Southbank and what he hopes he is passing down to Southbank customers. 

Southbank Blogger: Good Afternoon Kile!  Could you please tell our readers a little about yourself?

 

Kile Loveridge: My name is Kile and I am 28 years old.  I recently got engaged.  I am very much into sports and extra curricular activities; whether it is playing hockey volleyball or just heading to the gym, I love to stay active.  I am also obviously a car guy.  I happen to own my own 2006 Dodge Charger R/T.  It is my baby and I like to keep it in tip top shape.

 

Southbank Blogger: What do you think is the most important duty of  a parts adviser?

 

Kile Loveridge: I believe that the most important duty I have as a parts adviser of Southbank Dodge is to make sure that in the end, my customers are always satisfied with their Southbank experience and that my customer service towards them, allows them to maintain highest opinion of Southbank as a company.  Whether it is accessories, parts, or basic knowledge of a certain vehicle, as parts advisers, we need to make sure we have as many answers as there are questions.  My team and I try not to use the word "no." If it is available somewhere, we will do our best to get it for you.  

Southbank Blogger: Kile, what do you believe sets the Southbank Parts Department apart from other parts departments in Ottawa?

Kile Loveridge: I think my colleagues and their personalities puts us ahead of any other parts department in the city.  We all take on different roles and help one another when we need it.  We all have our specialties and when we come together, we can pretty much tackle anything and everything.  We make sure that our environment is one you would want to wake up in the morning and and look forward to coming to work to.  

 

Southbank Blogger: What do you hope customers leave Southbank feeling?

Kile Loveridge: Personally, when I finish with a customer, I want them to be happy with not only their purchase, but more importantly, with their experience here at Southbank.  Above anything, I hope my customers leave the Southbank Dodge Parts Department feeling the same way I do; that there is no better parts department in the city.  

Southbank Blogger: What are three things that you would like to communicate to Southbank customers?

Kile Loveridge: One, if you have a question, we will have an answer. Two, we will always do our best to get you what you want.  Three, we love our job and hope that love passes onto you, in terms of our customer service.

 

 

 

The Faces of Southbank Dodge - Meet Martin Gonzales Mendizabal

At Southbank Dodge, we consider ourselves to be more than a business, we are a family.  Every one of our team members plays a role in building a foundation that allows Southbank Dodge to be great.  We are proud of our staff and that is why we have introduced to you our readers, The Faces of Southbank.  We hope that these posts allow you the opportunity to get to know our team and see how fortunate we are to all be part of the Southbank family.

Martin Gonzales Mendizabal has been part of the Southbank family for almost a year.  As detailing foreman, Martin plays a vital role in the Southbank Service Department and also in the day to day life of Southbank.  He is always smiling and is always willing to help.  Southbank Blogger sat down with Martin to discuss his role at Southbank and what he hopes he is passing down to Southbank customers.

Southbank Blogger: Good morning Martin!  Could you please tell our readers a little about yourself?

Martin Gonzales Mendizabal: Good morning!  My name is Martin, I have been with Southbank Dodge for almost a year now.  I was born in Peru and have been living in Canada for the past twenty one years.  

Southbank Blogger: What do you believe is your most important role in your job?

Martin Gonzales Medizabal: I believe that my most important function in my role as detailing shop foreman is to make sure every customer is happy.  I love my role at Southbank.  I love to make customers smile and I love knowing that when I see a customer leave happy, I played a part in that.  That makes coming to work every day worth it.  

Southbank Blogger: Martin, what do you believe sets Southbank Dodge apart from other dealers in the city of Ottawa?

Martin Gonzales Medizabal: That is an easy question that I can answer in one word.  Family.  Family sets Southbank apart from any other dealer.  Southbank is a family business and I believe it is because of this that the staff of Southbank have become a family.  We all care about one another, we all relate to each other and we are always there for each other. 

Southbank Blogger: What do you hope customers feel when they leave Southbank Dodge? 

Martin Gonzales Medizabal: Firstly, when customers walk into Southbank, I want them to feel confident that they are in capable hands.  I want them to feel comfortable enough to ask any question they may have concerning their vehicle.  When they leave Southbank, I want them to feel satisfied that they received the best possible service and more importantly that they feel like they too are part of the Southbank family.  

Southbank Is Proud to Introduce Our New Service Manager: Peter Lafrance

At Southbank, we believe we are only as strong as our staff.  We consider ourselves to be a family; we celebrate each other's successes and stand by each other during our tribulations.    It is because of this that we are proud to introduce to you: Peter Lafrance, Southbank's new Service Manager.  I sat down with Peter to talk to him about his new role at Southbank and what he believes are the core values that build and maintain a strong Service Department.

Peter Lafrance, Southbank Service Mgr

Southbank Blogger: Good morning Peter.  Can you please tell us how long you have been with Southbank Dodge?

Peter Lafrance: I have worked at Southbank Dodge for eleven years.  I began my career as a technician and from there was promoted to Shop Foreman and then to Assistant Service Manager, before beginning my new role as Service Manager.  Eleven years has certainly flown by and I am excited what the next eleven have in store for me at Southbank.

Southbank Blogger: Peter, what do you think is the most important duty of a Service Manager?

Peter Lafrance: I believe the most important role of a Service Manager is to make sure that all of the service staff, from advisor's to technicians work together as a team with the rest of the Southbank staff in the pursuit of one common goal: to ensure that the Southbank customer always comes first and is satisfied with the service from the moment they enter the drive-thru until they drive off with their vehicle.  

Southbank Blogger: Peter, what do you believe sets the Southbank Service Department apart from other service departments in Ottawa and the surrounding communities? 

Peter Lafrance: Our service department is set apart from other service departments in the city for a number of reasons and it is difficult to just pick one.  I believe an important factor that sets us apart from other service departments is my staff`s loyalty to Southbank.  A large number of my team members have been here for over thirty years and I believe this is a testament to the dedication each customer will receive when they come to the Southbank Service Department.   Another important factor is in the way that any service staff member is willing to work as a team for Southbank as a whole, which in turn transcends to the customer.  Over my eleven years here, that is one of the greatest things I have seen, it does not matter if you are from service, sales or parts, you are willing to help any customer or team member.  

Southbank Blogger: What do you hope customers leave the Southbank Service Department feeling?

Peter Lafrance: I hope that every customer that leaves Southbank feels that they are part of the Southbank family.  From the first day I started, I felt that Southbank was different and I hope that is carried onto the customer.  I hope that each customer leaves satisfied with every step and aspect of their visit to Southbank Service.

Southbank Blogger: Peter, what are three things that you would like to communicate to Southbank Service customers? 

Peter Lafrance: One, would be to make sure every customer is happy with their visit to Southbank and if for some reason, they are not, please tell us how we can make you happy.

Two, is for our customers to know that the entire Southbank staff works as a team.  I must stress this.  We do not draw departmental lines.  Every Southbank staff member is here to ensure the customer`s complete satisfaction, no matter if you are a service, parts or sales customer, you are part of the Southbank family and we are here to serve you.

Three would have to be that as Service Manager, my door is always open to any Southbank customer.  My job is to make sure every customer is happy with their Southbank experience.  I want to get to know the people that allow Southbank to continue to succeed.  Without you, there would be no Southbank.  We owe it to you.  

Please come in to see Peter and the rest of the Southbank team and see for yourself what makes Southbank different.  

Tis the Season - The Southbank Dodge Pot Luck

 

Christmas is just around the corner, with only 28 more days and the Southbank staff is getting into the spirit of this festive season.  Our Christmas tree was put up and decorated yesterday evening, by members of every department; Whilst it is not Rockefeller centre, we are quite proud of it. 

 

From left to right: Michael Leblanc, Mr. Jeep and Robert Lariviere

 

Today was not just any average Thursday, because it was Southbank's annual pot luck lunch.  Staff from all departments brought in their favorite dishes to share with their colleagues.  While the majority of staff brought in home made creations, our culinary challenged colleagues were not criticized... Well maybe just a little!   

 

We had dishes that brought us from our showroom to all over the globe, ranging from hummus, to Jamaican pattys, to the very original barbecued lasagna.  The highlight and award for most creative dish was awarded to Dave Baerg, our diesel specialist technician;  His Diesel Dave Venison Stew was a huge hit.

 

Hungry technicians

Thania Hamilton-Green setting up the desert table

 

Rick Cain barbecuing his home made lasagna

 

A panorama view of the festivities