Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: LWC on December 11, 2010, 06:13:52 pm
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Im having chats with someone about working with me. Hes had enough of his job, he has amazing drive and is very determined.
Ive had a pretty rubbish year in all fairness, still earnt me money etc but lost interest, 3 years ago i was on fire.
We've had chats etc, ive got loads of leaflets i was going to give out when i was on fire then lost interest, 5 people basically messed me about working for me and completly shattered dreams and ambitions. But never mind about that.
Ive got a different feeling about this chap, he WANTS to go out and canvass work etc, he came to me WANTING to clean windows, not asking for a random job to pass time. Hes relit my fire and hasnt even started yet, last few weeks with the freeze in my usual state of mind i wouldve said stuff it but made myself get out there and felt all the more better for it.
Hes got bigger and better plans like i did but have told him we need to walk first etc.
Do you think its a good idea cause ive made a hash of it in the past so many times? Im thinking to pay him well and keep hold of this one. Money talks
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I just had a string of fools shatter my plans too , thing is i was fair , gave min wage but there was big bonuses for good days , still i got kicked in the teeth , my expirience shows me that fools cannot be relied upon , but at the other end of the scale you i would think have to be wary too , if they are too on the ball , then it could be bad for you , i have heard of people getting in with the customers, saving there money , dropping you in it and low and behold turning up with a van and taking half your round with them , remember we are in tougher than usual times and its crazy what some customers will do to save a few quid .
Rich
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Ive seen a couple of your posts p@f, do you have msn?
I was thinking having him with me, and then working out a %, this way he'll want to work more, and ill get more and give me that push again
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matt add me to msn as my other accout got locke dby MSN seemingly it was being use dfor sending spam out and i haven't bothered to go through having to open it again mate
jsmca74@googlemail.com
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Added mate
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r u busy up in oswestry ways m8
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Just be a bit careful on what you promise.
I had a guy like that a year ago, that I got more in how the business work.
Now the last month I really had to work to get rid of him.
You can get problems with him knowing to much of the business, and then face two problems:
1. Starts for him self, because he see how to run a business.
2. Takes cust. from you, this is especial important if you have big commercial contracts.
If you go though something like this, write a really good and detailed contract with him. That covers you in many ways.
I did that, and I am really happy about it! :)
I have learned from some other in the business here, have a lot of family members that have warned of many dangers of how you hire.
What I am currently only looking for, is people that are on the "low level IQ" or are a bit "special" but know how to work, come to work on time, and not be a guy that are always sick.
What I have seen on my familes companies is that these kind of people can stick with you all their life. They have had some people in over 30 years, and most of these guys are in this category.
People with too much motivation can easily start their own company in mine point of view.
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Just be a bit careful on what you promise.
I had a guy like that a year ago, that I got more in how the business work.
Now the last month I really had to work to get rid of him.
You can get problems with him knowing to much of the business, and then face two problems:
1. Starts for him self, because he see how to run a business.
2. Takes cust. from you, this is especial important if you have big commercial contracts.
If you go though something like this, write a really good and detailed contract with him. That covers you in many ways.
I did that, and I am really happy about it! :)
I have learned from some other in the business here, have a lot of family members that have warned of many dangers of how you hire.
What I am currently only looking for, is people that are on the "low level IQ" or are a bit "special" but know how to work, come to work on time, and not be a guy that are always sick.
What I have seen on my familes companies is that these kind of people can stick with you all their life. They have had some people in over 30 years, and most of these guys are in this category.
People with too much motivation can easily start their own company in mine point of view.
so you fear people with intelligence? jesus mate have a word with yersel LOL. a very insecure way to live
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A very good friend in the plumbing game likes to refer to good employees as drones,
Not disrespectful but just a way of describing a guy that wants to come to work, work ,get paid at end of week with no responsibilities.
MrB
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JSMC:
A too intelligent person would not work as a window cleaner as a employee in my mind.
They would probably find another profession, or run a company them self.
Well, that's at least how I see it :)
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JSMC:
A too intelligent person would not work as a window cleaner as a employee in my mind.
They would probably find another profession, or run a company them self.
Well, that's at least how I see it :)
u either have to pay them a stupid high wage, or get some one who cant work for them selves
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Ola you dont by any chance have a copy of your contract i could have a look see over please?
I understand what your saying. But if business pushes forward in direction i want it to go good wages well be well worth it imo
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do u do a lot in oswestry m8
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do u do a lot in oswestry m8
Yeh mate, replied in other thread, why you keep asking lol
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Im having chats with someone about working with me. Hes had enough of his job, he has amazing drive and is very determined.
I don't want to appear negative, but a year of hard graft (if he lasts that long) may knock all that drive and determination out of him.
I once sold a wadge of work to a n00b whom I met through this forum. This guy was successful at his employed occupation, but wanted to work for himself. He took out a huge bank loan, bought a lot of work, van, and employed his best mate.
He had big ideas and a lot of drive.
He lasted about four months, jacked it all in, and went back to his old job.
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JSMC:
A too intelligent person would not work as a window cleaner as a employee in my mind.
They would probably find another profession, or run a company them self.
Well, that's at least how I see it :)
spot on ola!the best workers i ever had were a bit thick with not too many ideas above their station.too daft to start up on their own but loyal and worked pretty hard.problem is working with them!not much company!i prefer to work on my own these days! ;D ;D
sensai LWC i would NOT employ this guy!he could be a threat!you need to look why you have nt the motivation to kick on and improve!dont rely on anyone else!!
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do u do a lot in oswestry m8
Yeh mate, replied in other thread, why you keep asking lol
damm it was going be trying for more work up
there m8 didnt wanna step on yr toes so to speak
i do sum in oswestry st martins 2
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Would like to have shared it with you, but it is in another language :)
Do not think that you would understand too much of it.
And I have tried as well as I can to make the contact to each person.
But here is something that I at least would have in my contract.
1. Be sure to write in his contract that everything that has with your business is confidential. Prices, customer’s relationship and so on - he is not allowed to use anything of it, in any kind of role.
2. He has 2 year "ban" after he has worked for you in an important role (as a sales leader or something) to start his own cleaning company (I think in EU rules that if you give people a type of contract like this they have to have an important role at your place, you don’t have to say that to him).
3. He has 5 years "ban" for doing any kind of sales work with any of your customers, or of any kind of customer’s relationship that he has gotten while working for you. He cannot use any of this information in another kind of work. Like say someone tries to give him another job that has with sales and stuff. Or that hi is not allowed to share some information if he starts working at another company.
4. Installments of GPS devices could be done in the company’s cars.
There are companies that I know both the management and the employees. Some of the guys that make really good money, they always want more. And since they work on commission - and if the job is not enough paid, they do a BAD job. Thats a big problem.
Those companies are about 35 years old, and one has about 25 men, and the other about 10 men.
Same problem.
They both pay about 50% to their employees.
I will not go down that road at all.
I will give out jobs that do not have too much salary as a baseline, but bonuses for how they preform quality of work and sick days will really have much to say how much they earn.
Perhaps about 50% of what they make.
I would not promise too much, just say that in my company - you have to show over time a working spirit.
A good salesman is worth gold, and they have to be paid good as well. But he has to preform.
That was at least how I look in to matters like this.
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Matt. I would be concerned about his amount of drive. all you need is someone that grafts but just gets on with it. you don't need the grandure or big ideas. Ideally you want someone that enjoys just working for a living but enjoys that you take the hassle of running your own business. Hope that makes sense.
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Ever though about employing someone that is Autistic? there are verying levels of this condition and whilst I'm not sure about the absolute working abilities i.e own own, driving etc...
Perhaps if your looking for someone to work with you a person which Autism might be a possible solution...and we are talking about a person that would otherwise not be able to obtain employment otherwise.
Just a thought.
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A bit thick is best if you ask me,
When i used to work in a window cleaning company there was a lad who worked there for 9 years hes in his 40's now. A nice bloke looked a bit dirty here and there moans about everything and anything all the time probably P**d you off most days moaned about the boss etc etc!!
Didnt half work hard!! just a tad thick slightly he probably even knew he could earn his wage doing it himself but never has! he still working for him now on basic minum wage i imagine 14 years in total works the week goes home and thats it.
I employed 2 idiots in the past myself the last one "supposed" to be experianced had 2 kids of around 1 years old hardly done anything no ladder work or WFP jus ground windows trad bloody useless! i think interviews are rublish best bet is small interview along with few hours on the glass to see what there like
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If you want a good employee you need to:
Pay Well
Motivate them
Set Targets
Give Bonuses
This should give them a drive to work for you and rewards for loyalty and hard work.
Ive had employment problems before with my fiance`s sisters guy who was constantly bothering me over a pay rise that i didnt think he deserved. I now employ my farther in law to be and hes doing well and will get a pay rise in 2011. Im also considering employing a very hard working lad who is currently a window cleaner but his boss is retiring next year. He gets paid very well and works very hard for more hours than i currently work.
What i would be worried about here is if this guy has more motivation and ambition than you and he starts to pull you and your company forward. You have said you have your fire back but i prefare to lead from the front and know more and be smarter if possible than who i employ.
If he wants to go canvassing to earn more money thats good, if you give him guidence. If he wants to start now he might be trying hard to impress you as the boss to get the job. If he starts to see hes earning you loads of profit and you dont appreciate it then he may see that hes the crucial part to any success you have.
Many people are smarter than me and have better experience and other skill sets i dont have but what i like to think i have is the instinct. I read people well and have the business instinct that i use to succeed. I also handle people well and know how to get the potential out of workers. Not everyone is meant to be in business thats why many try and fail but if you have certain instincts then you are less likely to fail.
Only you know whats really best for you and your company
Good Luck
Danny