Employment issues - any and all advice welcome!

[Bates Detailing]

Alright guys, heres the story :

A month ago I had to let go of 2 guys. 1 guy worked super hard but did not treat this as a real job. His last day he came for an hour and a half and left (saying something important came up) making B & B lose $400 for the day (jacked the whole day up). The other guy just sucked when it came to quality.

Hired a new guy 3 weeks ago and 1) He is late 3 out of 6 days a week..... including today where I did not call him to see where he was, just left for a job and received a call 2 hours later with an , "Im sorry!". Im done with this guy :bash:.

My guys make anywhere from 75 to 200 a day - depending on the amount of work we have and the amount of guys working. Growth has been ridiculous and myself and Tyson cannot handle any more work than our regular clients right now - so what are your alls methods of finding good guys?!?!?! Am I doing something wrong here?!?!? We pay well and have a great working environment - what else can I do here?!?!? Anyone experienced with these issues and overcome them?!?!?

 

[langman37]

Hey best of luck in your search. If it was a year ago, I would've gladly worked for you.

 

[Bates Detailing]

Hey best of luck in your search. If it was a year ago, I would've gladly worked for you.

Well - you would've had a great opportunity my friend..... not sure why others don't see this?!?! I need someone to basically take care of my clients in the field so I can start subsidiaries or produce contracts - no one seems to understand how big I plan on growing this company and how great it would be to get in early lol

 

[LSUFAN]

Man i wish you the best of luck on finding good help. ive hired an fired 10 guys in the past year alone. im not as busy as you are so im doing my regular clients by myself. pays the bills but not much room for growth. Id say id come work for you but your about a year too soon. i plan on moving to TN in about a year or so. (long story) but i just planned on starting my biz back from the ground up once moved. But be good for you being i have my own trailer an equipment lol. But best of luck with finding good help. everyone wants a check but nobody wants to work.

 

[Bates Detailing]

Man i wish you the best of luck on finding good help. ive hired an fired 10 guys in the past year alone. im not as busy as you are so im doing my regular clients by myself. pays the bills but not much room for growth. Id say id come work for you but your about a year too soon. i plan on moving to TN in about a year or so. (long story) but i just planned on starting my biz back from the ground up once moved. But be good for you being i have my own trailer an equipment lol. But best of luck with finding good help. everyone wants a check but nobody wants to work.

True - VERY true...... astonishing with the economy that is apparently tough to get work in lol?!?!? What part of TN you moving to? If you come to middle TN definitely hit me up man (not for work if you are starting your own thing, but just to hang out - I'll show you around) - its amazing how much business is out there in this bad economy..... only I can't tap it without the ability to get in the office everyday! Tyson is willing to go through 100 people before finding the right one, I don't understand how people don't just work hard and take pride in their work to begin with - behooves me :dunno:

 

[LSUFAN]

True - VERY true...... astonishing with the economy that is apparently tough to get work in lol?!?!? What part of TN you moving to? If you come to middle TN definitely hit me up man (not for work if you are starting your own thing, but just to hang out - I'll show you around) - its amazing how much business is out there in this bad economy..... only I can't tap it without the ability to get in the office everyday! Tyson is willing to go through 100 people before finding the right one, I don't understand how people don't just work hard and take pride in their work to begin with - behooves me :dunno:

Well my an old friend lives in Morristown TN which is about 3 hours away from where your located from what i can see. Weve been talking alot lately and if i didnt already have multiple clients with year contracts then i would have been out of LA long ago. Location isnt an issue just have to find the right location or job opportunity. Will be making a trip to Nashville in a few months. will def get ahold of you. Always nice to meet an talk with other detailers

 

[LSUFAN]

But your right i have plenty of work. But have to hand if off to a few other detailers i know bc i cant take it on being that im by myself an booked weeks in advance. Ive had them all guys that have never detailed an guys that have had 19 yrs detailing an everyone of them either is always late of something always come up an have to leave early, or i have to constantly go behind them an re vac or redo windows. its much faster doing it myself at times

 

[Bates Detailing]

Will be making a trip to Nashville in a few months. will def get ahold of you. Always nice to meet an talk with other detailers

:iagree: Hit me up man

But your right i have plenty of work. But have to hand if off to a few other detailers i know bc i cant take it on being that im by myself an booked weeks in advance. Ive had them all guys that have never detailed an guys that have had 19 yrs detailing an everyone of them either is always late of something always come up an have to leave early, or i have to constantly go behind them an re vac or redo windows. its much faster doing it myself at times

Had a girl that "detailed" for 5 years come for one day lol - all she had to do was clean door jambs, was not impressed at all lol (old habits I guess). I have the same issue with going over work but that will have to end for sure - I plan on starting an aircraft detailing company, fleet washing company, and having a shop very soon - if I have to go over everyone's work then I will work myself to death - and Im already close to that scenario already unfortunately lol!

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I don't understand how people don't just work hard and take pride in their work to begin with

C'mon man...people! That's kind of like saying "why don't people wash their new cars!" There's an old saying when you own your own business, don't expect the people who work for you to care about it like you do. As far as employees it's kind of the same sliding scale, just like there are very few you's, there are only small number of people who can be a supv/lead man, a slightly larger number who can be a decent employee, and the rest are going to be crap.

 

[Bates Detailing]

C'mon man...people! That's kind of like saying "why don't people wash their new cars!" There's an old saying when you own your own business, don't expect the people who work for you to care about it like you do. As far as employees it's kind of the same sliding scale, just like there are very few you's, there are only small number of people who can be a supv/lead man, a slightly larger number who can be a decent employee, and the rest are going to be crap.

True - so I just need to find a way to sleep at night with low quality work done?!?! I hope not :/ I completely understand what you are saying and sadly agree - but what would be the method of attracting these true leaders/sups? Trial and error, or is there a better way from experience?!?!?

 

[LSUFAN]

Had a girl that "detailed" for 5 years come for one day lol - all she had to do was clean door jambs, was not impressed at all lol (old habits I guess). scenario already unfortunately lol![/QUOTE]
Sounds like the guys i hired with 19 yrs detailing. all he had to do what clean wheel wells, rims, an tires. help dry vehicle vac an windows ( all the things that i dont like to do -LOL) An one day was enough old habits are hard to break lol

 

[Cosmin]

so far i have only 1 helper, i think is more important what quality the person has.
he has to be able to listen and execute , and to be liable.
if he step on the side , he has a warning , after that he is out.
i treat him as a friend and help him but i can`t get attached , is business !

 

[Bates Detailing]

Sounds like the guys i hired with 19 yrs detailing. all he had to do what clean wheel wells, rims, an tires. help dry vehicle vac an windows ( all the things that i dont like to do -LOL) An one day was enough old habits are hard to break lol

Yep :bolt:

so far i have only 1 helper, i think is more important what quality the person has.
he has to be able to listen and execute , and to be liable.
if he step on the side , he has a warning , after that he is out.
i treat him as a friend and help him but i can`t get attached , is business !

Im starting to feel the whole don't get attached thing man - never felt that way till the past month, but it is starting to get irritating to train these guys and realize that I wasted my time. If good pay isn't motivation, or the chance to grow with a company isn't motivation, then what else can I offer?!?!?

 

[arack]

It is tough to find good help. We just hired 22 people for my company, which is a Fortune 500 company. I am meeting with HR tomorrow. We are going to fire a couple of people already.

Some young, dumb, disrespectful people who were emailing inappropriate pictures and information. These idiots are going to get fired from a $ 42,000 a year job with benefits.

You could try getting some referrals. You could also advertise a job fair for a day. Try some folks out, just to see how they do.

Bring in 4 guys. Let them work for free for one day. Watch them closely, are they on time, how do they dress, talk. Integrity does matter.

Check out their facebooks. We find all kinds of crazy stuff on employees on facebook. It is tough to find consistent dependable people

 

[Cosmin]

I wasted my time. If good pay isn't motivation, or the chance to grow with a company isn't motivation, then what else can I offer?!?!?

are 2 things to motivate people : with reward or warning , see what works ...
also if in the first week he doesn`t have a good work manner , cut it loose.

 

[Bates Detailing]

It is tough to find good help. We just hired 22 people for my company, which is a Fortune 500 company. I am meeting with HR tomorrow. We are going to fire a couple of people already.

Some young, dumb, disrespectful people who were emailing inappropriate pictures and information. These idiots are going to get fired from a $ 42,000 a year job with benefits.

You could try getting some referrals. You could also advertise a job fair for a day. Try some folks out, just to see how they do.

Bring in 4 guys. Let them work for free for one day. Watch them closely, are they on time, how do they dress, talk. Integrity does matter.

Check out their facebooks. We find all kinds of crazy stuff on employees on facebook. It is tough to find consistent dependable people

Wow - crazy about the already firing a few :/

Not a bad idea about getting them out for a day and testing their punctuality, work ethic, etc. May be a serious option - thanx man.

I did the facebook thing lol - and the guy Im bout to let go had some ridiculous stuff on his facebook (alot of cursing and stuff) does not portray that in person though, odd. Thanx for the advice man :dblthumb2:

 

[Bates Detailing]

are 2 things to motivate people : with reward or warning , see what works ...
also if in the first week he doesn`t have a good work manner , cut it loose.

:iagree: and need to implement that - I may be too lenient and give people too much of a chance sometimes.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I completely understand what you are saying and sadly agree - but what would be the method of attracting these true leaders/sups? Trial and error, or is there a better way from experience?!?!?

Unfortunately IMO you just never know until you've got them on the job, no matter how well they interview.

 

[mwoolfso]

B&B.... all told I think you are doing the right thing with employees that are already in the job. Based on your description the factors could be numerous but the pattern seems to be lack of dedication and respect for the client and you (the boss).

So for the moment I would ask you to focus on a few things to reconsider and potentially modify in terms of your management approach:

1. Find a way of setting expectations you have of your prospective employees more clearly during your interviews, and with current staff.... maybe validate commitment ahead of a big job from your staff a little different than how you do it today
2. Hire people that can demonstrates to you that they are passionate about detailing (not just a paycheck), and understand #1 (simply ask them how they would go about their job to satisfy #1)
3. Understand what drives them (ask them and then validate for yourself as you witness how they go about their day on the job.

There is much more that can be expanded on the items I have illustrated and certainly there are other areas you can cover. Overall, its not that you need to completely revamp your style; rather think about it as slight modifications of how you manage and lead. This is the best I can do in 5 minutes. Hope this helps.

 

[Bates Detailing]

B&B.... all told I think you are doing the right thing with employees that are already in the job. Based on your description the factors could be numerous but the pattern seems to be lack of dedication and respect for the client and you (the boss).

So for the moment I would ask you to focus on a few things to reconsider and potentially modify in terms of your management approach:

1. Find a way of setting expectations you have of your prospective employees more clearly during your interviews, and with current staff.... maybe validate commitment ahead of a big job from your staff a little different than how you do it today
2. Hire people that can demonstrates to you that they are passionate about detailing (not just a paycheck), and understand #1 (simply ask them how they would go about their job to satisfy #1)
3. Understand what drives them (ask them and then validate for yourself as you witness how they go about their day on the job.

There is much more that can be expanded on the items I have illustrated and certainly there are other areas you can cover. Overall, its not that you need to completely revamp your style; rather think about it as slight modifications of how you manage and lead. This is the best I can do in 5 minutes. Hope this helps.

This does help man - thank you. Good info here for sure :xyxthumbs: