Memo review

MEMORANDUM

DATE: November 19, 2020

TO: Professor Cheng and Classmates

FROM: Eric Ruiz, Lot Attendant; Tina Mateo, Controller

SUBJECT: COVID-19 Challenges in Organization

I am writing this memo on behalf of the challenges my organization, Greiner Buick GMC, has faced during the pandemic. We at Greiner have had few challenges since the pandemic started, only the rules that have been enforced by the State and County, no changes or enhancement needed. Most challenges with communication are outside of Greiner, where it’s out of our control.

Greiner Buick GMC is a family owned auto dealership with an in-house parts and service department. We have been in business for over 30 years with approximately 60 employees. The Dealership consists of a division structure model, for example Owner to General Manager to Business Office and then branches into three departments which are Sales, Parts and Service. Communication throughout the dealership is handled by the managers of each department, regardless of the structure being divisional, the entire dealership works in a team based manner.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that started mid-March, communication throughout the dealership never changed. Our business was able to remain open due to being an essential business. The biggest challenge that we faced came from the manufacturer, General Motors, due to the closing of the plants. This made it difficult for special ordered parts and vehicles to make their way to the facility. The communication between employees has stayed the same, nothing has changed aside from the fact the mandating rules of mask regulation and sanitation of the business daily to ensure public safety to the customers. Another challenge that affected the communication is trying to reach GM Offices, transport companies, insurance companies, warranty offices, and vendors. This is all due to most office employees now working from home; most have difficulties to help customers and business due to obstacles at home, and high call volumes; and with vendors changing store hours, closing down for several months, having a shortage of employees and other obstacles. From the article pulled from Wall Street Journals(U.S. Car Business Vrooms Back From Pandemic Nadir), as GM moves into the last quarter of the year 2020, GM has started to improve communications with its retailers by having workers do overtime in order to fulfill the high demands of vehicles and supplies.

As you can see the challenges that we have faced lie with insurances, warranties, transports, distribution centers, and vendors. At Greiner, our communication has stayed the same from the start of the pandemic till present time, no need to enhance or improve communication. As for communication with others, we have absolutely no control over their businesses and we cannot tell them what to do nor how to improve. This pandemic should never be an excuse to cause a lack of communication in any aspect of a business setting.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Eric Ruiz and Greiner Family