Lowering standards and expectations

djm

djm

Participating member
Location
Seacoast NH
I am a small business owner and I am still shocked at the lack of qualified employees out there. I never thought that cleanup was that difficult of a skill to teach but I'm astounded that i am having trouble finding people that can operate a rake. It seams that the majority of people,want the standard lowered rather than rise to the standard. I' m amazed by this. 16 years ago when I got into tree work if you couldnt clean up you got no further and then got replaced.

Thoughts?
 
My helper hates to rake! He would rather grab the Br600 instead. There are times when one works better than the other and more often when one is faster than the other, but in my opinion both are needed to do an efficient and satisfactory job. He can also sharpen and run a saw without guidance, maintain the chipper, basically everything I do, even climb. So where am I going with this? Money. I am sure what you are offering is sufficient, but is it enough to keep the new guy interested in moving and doing an excellent job. In the beginning I had a hard time paying the worth of the man versus the worth of the job, but I have changed my ways and so far he's here everyday going on 18 months.
 
Cleanups are so important and often the cleanup is why you get the next job. As a business owner I hate rakes (can't seem to find ones that don't break). Having a high power back pack blower helps.
I put it on my foreman to inspect and sign off on the job before we bill it out. I either walk through with the customer or use digital photos, depending on the job and availability of the customer.
It may not seem like much, but I offered a end of the week lunch/cookout if we went a entire week with no issues or follow up. The incentive is cheaper than a follow up and it has proven to work out well.
 
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In the beginning I had a hard time paying the worth of the man versus the worth of the job, but I have changed my ways and so far he's here everyday going on 18 months.

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In which way did you change?
 
In which way did you change?

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I have found that paying the man his worth worked better for me. If he/she feels appreciated, a better job is the result.

AC, try the groundskeeper rakes. They are nearly indestructible and do an awesome job.
 
Too often we hire out of desperation instead of planning. Finding someone who is motivated to do a good job regardless of what that entails is difficult, especially for basic semi-skilled labor. Many at that level seek a job because they need money not because they need to work.
 
I think the concept for paying people what they are worth versus what they job pays is good. We offer full benefits and competetive pay. We also pay for people to go to training. To me your ability to cleanup is the first test. I' m not going to invest in someone that cant or is not willing to cleanup. Its basic. Thats how it was when I got started. I agree with treehumper about planning your employees and what ive been told is that this is what they want to be doing. I dont believe it anymore. Ive had employees sitting on $2/ hour in raises if they completed some training material and they didnt do it. I think there is a point to keeping people motivated but i also think people should just do their job. Ive paid people all over the spectrum. I dont think money motivates i think its if they are interested in what they are doing. I also think its an internal motivation. I think in the tree industry the pool of motivated people is small.
 
It must be a cultural thing because my two guys are motivated by money. Barely make a utterance of a bonus to get difficult jobs finished and tidied up and I could eat off the ground when they are done. Stuff miraculously disappears and the pace resembles a grand prix race at the end of the season. However that being said I have had to spend numerous hours coaching and setting a standard through example, if I can't rake how do I expect them to. My standards are very high with no shortcuts. One guy has been here 4 years and the other 3 years and they don't ever miss work. I am truly grateful to have them as employees as there is so much laziness in unskilled labor on the island.
 
Not everyone is a Larry Bird and your always gonna have some very talented towell wavers on the bench just collecting a check.No matter what you do some employees you WILL never change.I say if they dont have it,save yourself some trouble and find people that do.But your right theres not to many Larry birds out there and you cant create them,its in their DNA.I remember when Greg Ostertag the Center for the Jazz in the 90s said if I he had Karl Malones work ethic he would be a hall a famer.He had the best coaches,the best trainers,equipment,size,potential,and money but he still was missing one the the desire.
 
Wow! How many days ago was was that post of mine putting my helper on a pedestal? He ran off to Ct to help an old boss two weekends ago ( be back sun night) and shows up Thurs at 1 pm looking to go to work. What?! Come to find out he's back on the opiate train. I will not allow that on my crew. It is more than just one life at stake in this industry. I never saw it coming. Well back to the pavement, I need to find someone soon as things are picking up fast. Damn!
 
I dont know why people hate raking so much. I try to look at it as that much closer to getting payed.I also feel that is a vary important part of the job to keep a customer. Most home owners cant tell the difference in a good climber and one who scuffles. thay a amazed to see a man swinging in a tree but a home owner can tell the differenc in a good rake job and a poor one. I think our labore pool is vary poor. I am no supper hero but it seems labores lack the satisfaction of a job compleat / a honest days work and the motivation to do it day in and day out. I hear it all the time and would love to fire people that say cant see it from my house. I feel phisicaly tired but emotionaly fullfilled after a hard days work. I think it just satisfaction of my abilities and proudness of work ethic.
 
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