posted
I've had many, many employees through the years. Our business has expanded and contracted depending on the jobs we've taken on. We work in many locations and sometimes hire locally on a temporary basis.
I always hire for a trial period of two weeks or a month, with careful screening the start of the process. This time is to make sure they like working with us and we with them. Many folks think they would like to work for me, for some it is even a dream job. About half of whom I try make it through the probationary period. I expect a lot from my employees. In return I will give them more than they expect... it's a two way street.
Without fail, every one who starts with us very quickly figures out that the work we do is difficult, physical and not that glamorous in its execution. We work with steel, concrete and paint... all messy and dirty, all heavy. We are often out in the weather, on the road, and often work long hours to achieve our deadlines.
But we have a great deal of fun working together and achieve some remarkable results. The key ingredients for every prospective employee are to be a team player and have a strong work ethic.
No matter how talented, each new employee must first pay their dues on the grunt jobs, helping others who have been there longer. No matter how much they think they know, it's important to do things our way, so that everyone's work blends into one cohesive style, seamless throughout.
Over the years I haven't had much success with experienced folks. They want top dollar to start and I find their training period not much shorter than a newby to our industry.
I hire instead looking for young people with a strong work ethic and a keeness to learn. A cheerful attitude and quick smile are worth much in my book. The ability to work with others and share a genuine friendship is worth much more than experience.
Most of my new employees are still in school, or not long out when they start with us. Many are not yet sure of where they want to go in life.
I take great pride in the many who have worked for me over the years. We have helped a bunch of them as they worked to pay for their educations. Some have gone on to wonderful careers in other professions - two nurses, an emergency worker, a fireman, an animator, a professional golfer, some mothers, two professional artists and many more remarkable careers.
The ones who made the cut with us have all achieved much in the time I have known them. All of them I am still proud to call friend. Many we keep in touch with long after they move on.
This is my proudest calling... to have the pleasure of mentoring many fine young people as they start their their journey through adult life. Its great to have a positive influence on those around us while at the same time doing the work we love!
-dan
[ May 20, 2004, 01:25 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8740 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Some nice musings. I too feel that those who have worked here are today some of my friends. While I hated to loose them, they maintain a friendship with me I always will treasure. Most of them would help me in a heartbeat if needed.
The CEO at Domino's once said the most important person in that orginization is the delivery guy. I feel much the same way. I am nothing without the people who help us succeed every day.
I have an unbeatable staff today. Any one of them I would be proud to say that they work for me. And I hope they feel the same way. I am not the boss.....just the guy who happens to sign the checks, and I happen to love the sign business1 I always want to be remembered as a great guy to work WITH, not FOR.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3489 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
I have been balking hiring anyone here, but my load this year forced me to hire a full time employee for the summer. She is a very dilligent worker, listens well and is very artistic. She has just finished her 4th year at University and I am very pleased with her performance. But then I raised her.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Referring back to Dan's piece, I noted that he had problems with the "Experienced" who came in, wanted rocket science pay, to be an "Employee". Don't get me wrong, employees are essential to any multi-tasking business, some doing one specialized job, another doing something that requires skills and training. But most "Experienced" Hires would be working for themselves in the sign business, were they as qualified as they think they are.
Being in the Auto Art Business, and for many years running a shop that painted Pro Drag Cars as well as Lettering Trucks and pinstriping, I, of course found that it was necessary to employ one or more people who had similar skills. Never found a guy that could letter or stripe that didn't know more than me after about a week, and of course, wanted more money than the shop generated.
Finding and keeping skilled artisans is kinda like "Herding Cats"! Even prep guys can get testy. But as Dan says, there is a certain satisfaction to becoming a boss, teacher and mentor to a "Newbie" and seeing him go out and make it in our profession or another, being partially guided by things we impressed upon that person.
Thats why I choose to teach now, in my later years, it's a little "Payback" and to see that you've made a difference in someone's life, and not used them up in the process is pretty neat! It'll help me sleep better when that's all I have to do!
posted
Just a clarification note on 'experienced hires'. I've had a few great employees who have had experience. All have taught me a few things too.
The biggest trouble we have is that our work is so different from the norm out there. Even with decades of experience myself, EVERY job I take on is stretching the envelope, going where we've never gone before. I learn lots on each job we tackle.
But in the end I'll take a strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn over experience most any day.
Once in a while I get real fortunate and find these qualities in someone with experience... and that's the true treasure! I share a special bond with those who possess the same PASSION I hold in my heart for life and the craft I practice daily.
Each day I earnestly look for more of these people.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8740 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Employess are great. I just wish it wasn't so difficult to find the good ones. On a different twist, you gotta look at management too. Here's a note that we passed around yesterday.
THE FIVE TEMPTATIONS OF A CEO
Putting personal status and accomplishment above the company’s success. – Make Results the most important measure of personal success.
Wanting to be popular with your direct reports instead of holding them accountable. – Work for long term respect, not affection.
The CEO is not making it clear what direct reports are accountable for doing. The CEO is feels the need to make the “correct” decisions, to achieve certainty. This is impossible in a world of imperfect information and uncertainty. – Make clarity more important than accuracy. People will learn more if you take decisive action than if you always wait for more information. Paralysis by Analysis.
The Desire for harmony. – Tolerate discord. Encourage your direct reports to air their ideological differences, and with passion. Tumultuous meetings are often signs of progress. Tame ones are often sign of leaving important issues off the table. However, don’t allow personal attacks.
The Desire for invulnerability. – Actively encourage your people to challenge your ideas. Trust them with your reputation and ego.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I am an "experienced hire" who has basically worked himself out of any sign shop position. In the past year I have interviewed at 12 different places and I either was offered some extremley low amount, or told that I would not be happy there. The past few years I have taken steps to start my own business and I know a few people I would have work for me, when the time is right, most I use now for work I can't get to, all of them needing some experience to do the job right. I hope I view employees and having thier own business in a sense that, they need to grow, feel worth, respected and rewarded when the time is right. When I told my boss last week I was thinking of leaving because of the pressures of making it to work, he gave me a 10% raise and 6,000.00 bucks in my 401k. It's not about the money though, and I'm still confused about what he did, to me it's about the work environment, getting praise and reward when it is due, getting a kick in the arse when needed and knowing what is actually going on in the office the shop and to some degree thier lives. I am still working toward my goal, slowy, so that I get to do the work I was trained to do, hopefully it will be a rewarding experience for everyone. The young me would have fit right in to Dan's company...now that I have done it....I want Dan's job, I actually do...but for someone else, but on my own, that would be fun.......
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1539 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I have always bent over backwards for my people. Anything they need , within reason, I will do or help them get. Very few appreciate this. On occasion, you find that diamond in the rough. Do whatever it takes to keep them, again within reason.
Rick: Sounds like you need to be self employed. You may be maxed out, and the type that treats the employers buisness as you would your own....a rare find for the employer. Some people are that way, and never feel impelled to start out on their own. These make great employees, who eventually become managers or partners. These usually are honest, trustworthy people who help secure their employers market. Many times, these valuable people are the reason our clients stay with us. Why not reap the benefits, and step out onto the ice.
Regards,
[ May 22, 2004, 10:31 AM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3489 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Hi! I read your post and I'm very I guess I know why you have problems with your employees. After I read a lot of messeages from others forums I saw that all americans wants big salary, a lot of bonuses, an 8 hours daily programs, with free weekends, with high rate for extra hours at work. Am I right? I'm totally agree with 2 or 3 weeks for evaluation period, here in my country are 2 or 3 months for evaluation period. In my opinion, all the employee must do is to help his employer to raise his business. And I want to put a question which give me a headache: why no american employer don't want to employ alien workers? It's too hard to employ they? Why not only for seasonal job? Personally, I try to demonstrate that I'm good as an american native, but no one believe this. Why? Why are you afraid to employ an alien worker? I told to anyone that I will work for free 2 or 3 weeks to demonstrate my knowledge in signs, I will pay my relocation costs, and I will work for less money than others with my experience, but all I got from some employers was "Sorry!". Why?
Thank you for your responses, Cat-Man
-------------------- Catalin Dretcanu TIPART GROUP Ltd www.tipart.ro Address: Bucharest, ROMANIA Phone: +40 722 621 512 E-mail: catad@yahoo.com
"Do or do not...there is no try" Posts: 83 | From: Bucharest, ROMANIA (Europe) | Registered: Sep 2003
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