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I have several employees and you have to weed through the bad to get to the good.Sometimes you can spend allot of time with a guy and he won't make it as someone who can be in charge.Some guys are leaders and some are followers.

I would suggest doing a couple wher you stay in the truck from start to finish.Have them tell you when they are done.Then come out & inspect.Or have them call you when they are about 1/2 hour from being finished then drive over and inspect.

You also will need to learn how to let go as well.We can be hyper critical on projects that don't require that level of scrutiny.
I let my guys go from start to finish (painting) and stay out of their way because I know I can always find something but that's not what it is about.It's pleasing the customer not me.

If you can't accept that you will never get off the roof.

I feel your pain Ed!

Time to read the Emyth revisited. I'm reading it for the second time lots of good info for business owners.

Back when i worked at BellSouth as a construction supervisor, I had 23 people every day on different jobs, each driving a different truck equipped with about $50k to $75K worth of tools and equipment. Talk about headaches!!

Company policy stated that we had "safety meetings" monthly, which we also covered job duties and expectations as well. Buy a dozen doughnuts, sit down with your employees and let them talk about what they do,and how they do it. You'll be surprised how much you (and them) can learn usuing this technique.

Worked well in the telcom business.

Gary

Roof Cleaning New Jersey wrote:

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I read Emyth. But we're not flippin burgers here. EVERY job is different. What do you do when your guy calls crying that the quick connect is stuck. Or when gutter cleaning is on the ticket and you stop by to double check the work and you see a huge stick hanging out of the gutter. There were many other items. These guys have really good days but yesterday wasnt one of em. 

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning New Jersey on Wednesday 29th of June 2011 07:55:25 PM

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 The thing that gets me the most is when I job isnt done correctly and was done slowly at that!

Things taking WAY too long seems to be our biggest problem.

Guess we have to keep our eye on the further target.

I have to remember that no one will work as fast as me work as efficiently as me or take as much pride in their work as me. I know none of the jobs I send employees to will get done as fast as I like or as well as I like. Some employees will take charge and get things done others will sit on their asses until you tell them to move. Today I cleaned a deck while 2 of my employees watched. So who is the fool? I know I need to let go and do a better job of explaining my expectations, when they screw up I need to explain went went wrong.

Remember in our heads we are the best technicians to do the job. If we work this way we will only have a job not a business.

man that sucks. We just kicked a guy out today. Shoddy work sucks but when someone lies repetedly... its by by

Just remember U can't make them like U! I agree with Aaron & Gary. I too came from Verizon and dealt with a lot. Steady drip on the forehead of what U want on monthly basis to get what U need. If they don't get it have them move on until U find the right guy.

Sure Clyde. Reach-Around-Friday for the top performer.