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  1. ward

    Estimating Large Jobs! Whats your trick?

    The difference between you and an estimator who is only a salesman is that you are actually doing the work. It will matter to you if your numbers are way off. You are going to pay the price in your own body and in your bottom line. Large jobs are weird and I just usually assume that a large...
  2. ward

    Estimating Large Jobs! Whats your trick?

    Great question in this thread. I almost never actually get the really large jobs--and I don't think its because my prices are too high but because the competition underbids the work. I think that there is an inability of most estimators to do exactly what you are trying to do: factor all of your...
  3. ward

    Employee Policies

    I don't think that a responsible use policy is only for angels, nor does it assume that employees are devils, either. It is not a nitpicky thing either, for in my case at least, bonuses remain high on account of maintaining a good balance.
  4. ward

    Employee Policies

    Awesome. You went through all stations of the cross with the final apotheosis: the employees laying down their checks like holy knights in an act of contrition and rectificatory justice. Amen. It is a testament to good employees that they want to make it right, I don't have to really ask...
  5. ward

    Employee Policies

    Levi--when you have employees these questions will begin to come up for you, too. Until then enjoy your freedom!
  6. ward

    Employee Policies

    Thanks for that bit of wisdom. Much appreciated.
  7. ward

    Employee Policies

    Just off the phone with the Oregon Dept. of Revenue. My understanding is that If the employee is given the option to pay for damages/loss of small tools and he chooses that, there is no problem. The other option is to lose employment. The employee decides. It is worked out with the employee and...
  8. ward

    Employee Policies

    Gross negligence is the key. Accidents do happen and we don't charge our guys for normal things. Its when stupidity and negligence enter into the equation that it becomes a question of justice between two parties. If your friend borrows your skis and destroys them by rock skiing, would you not...
  9. ward

    Employee Policies

    I don't believe it is illegal to do this. If you deduct the loss from their paycheck and they make less than minimum wage on that paycheck, then it is illegal. Compensating the company for loss or damage to its property is acceptable up to a point. You are right, though, that in some cases...
  10. ward

    Employee Policies

    Responsible Use Policy goes something like this: To the extent the company provides high quality climbing equipment and rigging equipment for you to use using safe rigging procedures: the employee is entrusted with that use and must use equipment responsibly. Your job is to protect the equipment...
  11. ward

    2015 - Best decisions and lessons learned

    Best decision: continue to invest in people. Be a leader by setting a good example and understanding the motivations and needs of your workers. Hire learners. Learned: replace old, failing equipment fast: don't let an older machine keep shackling you to the repair shop, wasting precious time...
  12. ward

    The Games Customers Play

    Interesting situation and nicely handled. Good to be firm about what you do work for and what you won't do. I've been there before with the same kind of guys. I think there is a cultural divide problem here. It's important not to stereotype groups or to treat individuals as though they are mere...
  13. ward

    2015 Best Photos Thread

    120 I think
  14. ward

    2015 Best Photos Thread

    greetings from me and the crew
  15. ward

    2015 Best Photos Thread

    on the deck
  16. ward

    2015 Best Photos Thread

    winter's view
  17. ward

    2015 Best Photos Thread

    "Hey!"
  18. ward

    The Games Customers Play

    The tree is always guilty until proven innocent. It is not uncommon to find a causal relationship between the size of the operation and the willingness of the sales arborists to label everything a removal, to use tree risk assessment as a green light for unnecessary work, cloaked in the...
  19. ward

    The Games Customers Play

    I don't think what you're doing here is a form of games playing. It looks like the service that is provided by an exemplary crew leader with a lot of good experience, one who can discern "the arc of the day" and organize the work around this. I hope they are giving you good money for your...
  20. ward

    Arboriculture Degree Programs in the US and Canada

    Not quite a degree, but it is worth mentioning as we have gotten 2 of our employees as graduates from the ACRT Job Corps Program. Both are solid guys. Its a "job corps" program, but guys get properly trained in all major safety protocols around tree work. They gave them the right skills for...

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