I am absolutely sick of this whole employee thing!

[Nick Chapman]

Re: I am absolutely sick of this whole employee thing!

Just because there is more work than 1 person can handle, doesn't mean it has to be done. YOU have the option of telling them you will add them to the list and call when it's their turn. You don't have to do anything.

The possibility is that you lose those customers. You would keep the dedicated others though which would be good.

While I agree with your post and it would be fine if I was still working out of my garage, and didn't have bills to pay. But, now that I have a shop, rent payments, van payments, insurance payments, etc... I need to have someone working for me to bring in that little bit of extra money to help cover the cost of expenses.


Nick

[Scottwax]

Re: I am absolutely sick of this whole employee thing!

This is a tough business to find good, reliable and long term help. It's too hot, it's too cold, you expect too much, we don't take enough breaks, why do we have to do that? No one sees it but us, etc. Ugh.

My kids worked for me in the summer, and my older boy worked for me a whole year that he took off between his freshman and sophmore years of college but now both have full time jobs and are in college out of state. They both do high quality work and complain very little. Detailing isn't in their blood though, and to be successful in this business long term, you have to enjoy detailing.

No real answers to your problem, haven't been able to answer it for myself.

[Scottwax]

Re: I am absolutely sick of this whole employee thing!

Shop is in Haltom City.

You should stop by some time.......but wear some work clothes

Where? I'll have to stop by next time I am in the area or we have a rainy day.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: I am absolutely sick of this whole employee thing!

Where? I'll have to stop by next time I am in the area or we have a rainy day.

It's funny that Scott and I live in the same city, and pretty close to each other also. Yet after all of this time, we have never met

6522 Midway Rd
Haltom City

Make sure you call first. We don't have actual "shop hours". But we are there quite a bit, depending on the day and what we have going on.

Nick

[Renny Doyle]

Re: I am absolutely sick of this whole employee thing!

Sorry for the delay in jumping in on this Mike...we have been busy to say the least! The People connection is always an important topic within business. The people side of a business can make a business or break a business.

I won't bore all of you with the many challenges we have faced but instead will share with you some of the short-cuts we have located to help us locate and keep good people!

The McDonald's Connection - Love or hate McDonald's food...you gotta admit they have systems and processes that have been the center of their success and the people who assist at managing stores understand systems, processes and managing people. The above are several reasons why we hire shift managers away from McDonald's. We will watch the staff and find that one dedicated person and if we find out they are car people...that is when we move in and take that good person...we build them up, train them and usually can offer a much better monetary situation for them so its a win/win situation for both parties! Sounds crazy but all of our lead detailers at this time have a McDonald's background...they understand processes and systems and successful detailing businesses are built around both!

For our short term or seasonal help...we turn to the local high school auto body or auto repair teachers...these students are "car people" and we have had some fine young professionals work all summer over the years with great outcome...sure beats the local paper classifieds.

Entice - Good people respond to good situations. We offer our leads profit share along with benefits such as vacation and they even have a health care option. Staff leasing helps with the befits and there are great ways to tie in longevity to profit share to assure you have a long-term staff member! Our profit share has served us well over the years and is something I suggest to each detail shop owner I train and work with!

Hope this helps guys...again sorry for the delay Mike...happy detailing all!