Finding Employees

REF

How are you doing finding employees? I would love to hear about success strategy. I just need one great tech. Thanks in advance.

Respectfully,

Richard Fox
Hometown H&C Inc.
Hampton NY

thfurnitureguy_2

There are 2 places to be in any service business. Very small (like mom and pop) or VERY BIG. In the middle costs you money, Hair loss and your wife. You will become the one who fixes all the screw ups, goes out when they don't want to, and before you know it they get payed and you do the work. All to save your reputation. Hire one strong stupid boy about 20. You will go through about 10 before you find the one that won't show up late, drunk, wacked out on crack whatever, or sells your tools to buy a fix. Once you find this jem pay him as little as the law will allow. If you pay a living wage he will only show up enough to stay broke by the monday after payday. The less you pay the more he has to work. If he starts to look weak buy him a nice hot lunch. Food = Love. Teach him how to carry all the heavy stuff, clean up the site, wash the truck. You know all the stuff that makes the job work. Buy a good AM radio for the truck and listen only to the talk shows. It is easyer to ignore his stupid rambling while someone else is talking. If you play music he will sing. Now that you have this helper and that I got to have an employee thing out of your system, Its time to do your job. Learn everything about what you say you do. Learn where to findout what you dont know. Leave no job done poorly and charge out the a**. Your competition will be scrounging for the penny pinchers while your repeat customers, that you dont have to advertise for, knock down your door. HELP IS A 4 LETTER WORD! Good Luck.

jeff_51

good employees

are usually made, not found. That can certainly be a tough proposition when you need a good tech now, not four years from now, but you will find yourself in the same spot down the road unless you start doing something about it now. Go out and aggresavly look for that hard working kid who is a self starter and invest in him. Sure you might lose him down the road, but if you develope a reputation as a shop that takes the time to train and teach. they will come to you. If you invest in them and give them the responsablity they deserve, get them invested in the company emotionaly as well as economicaly, you will get good techs. If they are making the co money, then they deserve bonuses and other incentives. I worked for a shop that took everybody to Vegas everyother year, Cost them nothing, they purchased so much heating and cooling equipment, the manufacturer paid it out as an incentive. About a twenty man shop so it wasn't that big. Use the incentives the manufacurers and supply houses offer and pass it on to your techs. Send out pizza to the guys once a month roight on the job. Doesn't have to cost alot. Out scrap copper and brass all came back to the shop and was used to take the guys out to lunch or cook outs or parties or whatever. Twist there arm a little to go to school or whatever and split the cost or pay for it if they pass. They are adding to your value as well as there own. It takes about as long to get a good rep as it does a bad one.

jeff_51

sometimes ya gotta kiss alot of frogs

but you will find that prince.

ScottMP

Jeff

I like your responce much more than the other one. Maybe thats why he's moving furniture or what ever.

My program for finding good help ?? BE A HUMAN BEING !

Golden rule works for me. Treat people like they matter, treat them with respect. When they call in sick, tell them you hope they feel better and let you know if there is anything you can do for them. Take them on seminairs to learn more. Have meetings at the shop and let them speak up and give thier opinion, make sure they know thier opinion matters. When there is a discussion about a problem, discuss it in private, NOT on the job and not in front of others. Pay them as well as you can, you have to be competive in the market, but without thier help you are back to yourself and a truck. If thats what you like, then do it, its what works best for you. Not everyone is cut out to be a boss.

I hire people first, skills second. I can teach "almost" anyone to do the work ( they have to have mechanical ability at least ), BUT you can not teach some one respect. That is done by Mom and Dad a long time before they come to me. If they do not have respect, for customers, for me and most importantly for them selves, then they will not work for me.

You know what comment customers make the most to us ? You've have the nicest guys. I hire people that I would have as friends, And you know what ? They are my friends. I like everyone of my employees. I would hang out with them.

These things work for me. Do I do them all these things all the time. NO, but I try and I learn every day. Guess what ? Right know I have a file of resumes that would like to work for us. Must be doing something right.

Go ahead, treat your employees like crap, guess what you'll get ?

JMHO

Scott

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Wayco Wayne_2

Good reply Scott

I'd work for you. I'm training a young man right now. For the first year he stared at the work a lot like he was trying to put things together, but now seems to be understanding more and more and is working closer to an acceptable speed. He tells me his goal is to be in business for himself. This used to upset me since I'm slowing down and would like someone to stick around and mayby someday buy the business from me, but if he's not the one I'll just keep training and helping him to be on his way. As he gets more independent I'll start training another. If I can't keep up I can always be a sales engineer for someone. WW

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Boiler Guy

Good advice

and attitudes Scott and Wayne.
Your approach to employees is refreshing. There are far too many "takers and users" out there.
While I like my job and select circle of customers, I have lost all respect for my boss/owner. His attitude toward employees mirrors the earlier post with one difference. He does pay decent wages. However, good pay DOES NOT equate to quality skills, workmanship, or people skills. He seems unable to fathom the logic behind employee responsibility, or lack thereof.
I am in a somewhat unique position but regularly feel unappreciated for my efforts and monetarily taken advantage of. I used to give 150% until I recognized I was only a "cost of doing business". Why do I stay? I still have freedom to make choices regarding what I want to do and how hard I need to work, mixed with adequate free time. This alone is the reason I have no burning desire to "do it on my own".
I still believe there is that "perfect position" for everyone of us. Should I be fortunate enough to find mine, his loss will be another's gain. Until then I will give 100% in everything I tackle, but no more.
A horse with a broken spirit will win no races!!

GaryDidier

employees

Scott,
I totaly agree with your response. Treat people with respect[employees and customers] and good things will come back to you. Unfortunately, this is mom and dads job and is difficult to instill in some people. It is rare to find a combination of dedication and maturity that we would all like to find in an employee.

I personally know Rich and his family and they are top shelf people. He owns a young growing HVAC business and is the type of person that has all of the positive qualities discussed in this thread. He would be an excellant boss and is not afraid to pay your worth. Any takers out there?

Your friend and competitor,
Gary from Granville

thfurnitureguy_4

OK Before the Hit squad shows up, I was being sarcastic. I do apologise for the flip responce to a serious question. Employees are the life of every company they can make it or break it. The people I have had for 10 and 12 years are the best in the business. We taught them, pay them top wages and they show their colors every day. For that I thank them. It is the ones that you have for a week or two that make for good venting. Once again sorry for the irresponsible post.

ScottMP

Emilie Latella

" Never mind " ...

No harm done, we had a good discussion

Now whats all this about busting school children .....

Scott

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Wayco Wayne_2

What's all this talk

about endangered feces. Oh.....Endanged species?....well that's very different....never mind. WW

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Wayco Wayne_2

Hey furniture guy

Thanks for clearing that up. I was guessing you were being asarcastic but it was edgy enough I wasn't altogether sure. Whew! :P WW

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Leo

Help

I know what Scott speaks is how he is. While at Wetstock in Baltimore I was speaking to Ken and Scott was asking him ideas for employee benefits. It came through very sincere. I have known one of his employees since I began frequenting these sights seven years ago and this employee always refers to him as Mr Milne. His advice on employee relations is something to take seriously.

Leo

Matt J.

20 year mark

today at my current employer. As a plumber I started out in the ditch as we like to refer to it. Throught the years I got my licenses and steadly moved up the ladder. My boss pays me well with great benefits, tickets to nascar events, guided fishing trip I could go on. But I respect him and he respect me. His door is always open for what ever I need to talk to him about good or bad. Not small shop but not what I would say huge? 30 to 35 people both HVAC and plumbing. I always tryed to learn something new everyday and make my self as valuable to the company as possible.Since I started ther I learned to run the backhoe got my plumbing license grade 6 water operator license and the list goes on, now in the last 3 years I got into radiant because my boss took me to wirsbo headquarter to be part of the home comfort team, and now I'm hooked. All I'm saying is that i showed the effort and if my boss sees that in one of his employees he alway encourages them to improve themself. Paul Rohrs is now on our team and I'm thrilled to have him with us, he's going to be a great asset to our company P.S. My boss is taking paul and I to wetstockthis year so I will no longer be a wetstock virgin. I can't wait to meet all you and talk radiant. Matt J. Lincoln NE

ScottMP

Leo

I am humbled by your comments.

Thank-You

Scott

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Dave Palmer_3

where does Chris fit in?

REF

MY RESPONSE

First let me thank you all for taking the time to respond. We are really trying to take care of our employees. We pay full health insurance, vacation time, purchase hand tools for gifts, and don't **** when someone doesn't feel good. I have decided to slow our growth until we have the next super-tech. I have my eyes open, and will keep in mind some examples from your posts. Oh, by the way I am very respectful to my employees, and use one minute management when needed. GREAT program that is sold on cassette, so you can learn while you drive.

PS. Thanks GARY and TERRY. That was nice to read.

Respectfully,

Richard Fox
HOMETOWN H&C Inc.

Darin Cook_3

This was a nice post to read

We have not yet reached the point of hiring employees. Though that is not far in the future. It is not rocket science to realize that you need to treat people like a human being. I have no illusions what the cost involved is. But satisfied employees are productive employees. I have not hired employees when times were busy because I did not know if I could keep them busy year round. I would rather work the extra hours and not take advantage of someone laying everything on the line for you.. I know how it felt to work at a business and feel unappreciated. When the time comes to hire a mechanic, I want them to feel that they can make a difference and what they do is important and appreciated.







Darin

Mad Dog

Laughing my bloody arse off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you're pisser furniture guy. Very true about staying very small or going very big... I agree. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog

awww c'mon I thought I found a new buddy........................

C'mon dudes....You guys are more urbane and sophisticated than that ...he was playing. All the cooments and posts have elements and truths to them. There are good people out there - not a lot - but some. Treat them as best as you can but don't spoil them...that has been my problem in the past. Bring them up slowly, teach them respect for the trade. make them pay their dues first. Keep a professional disatnce too although this is very hard in small shops....don't look for friends in your employees..it usually leads to problems. IMAO - Mad Dog

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Mad Dog

Matt...it sounds like you would be an asset in any company

you have respect and you appreciate what the boss has done for you and you reciprocate it everyday. Congrats on 20 years. Have fun at Wetstock. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog

Just the fact that you had enough humilty to ask.........

for opinions proves you are a open-minded and introspective employer. Although my opinions and attitudes are often construed as hard-nosed, gung-ho, hardcore (and they are!), the mistakes I have made with several employees have been due to being too generous and lax.i.e., thinking that top pay and bennies = totally-committed and loyal employees. Just be careful. Feed them well, but always hold something back to keep them hungry! Mad Dog

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John R. Hall

Shameless plug

If you get a chance to read about The News' "Best Contractor to Work For" winners you get some good ideas on how these contractors find and keep good workers. Drop me an e-mail if you'd like a copy.