[Tommy-G]

So a few months back one of our sister location was struggling. We had gone through 3 managers since January, and lost a number of technicians.

The owners asked me to hire the next manager since they felt unqualified after the last 3 failed. We had 3 FULL, FULL, LONG days laying out a business plan and trying to save the current staff and stopping the bleeding.

They asked kindly if I would transfer to this location and try to pull it from the weeds and I declined. My current shop was my family that I built over the course of 5 years and my office was 4 times bigger and better equipped (couch, Kuerig, Nespresso, 35" TV) and they understood.

Anyway, I suggested promoting one of my best employees as a manager in training and I would back him up on anything he didn't know how to do or any trouble he ran into.
They agreed and felt it was genius b/c the applicants we were interviewing were not making the sun shine, so now I am manager of 2 bodyshops.

It's been super challenging b/c no one wants to work. Its been challenging b/c I now have 2 polar opposite bosses. Its been challenging b/c I have 2 shops with completely opposing levels of morale.

Most of all its been challenging b/c I can't find any time to keep up on my O/T gossip. Not bragging, just wanted to say Hi

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

So a few months back one of our sister location was struggling. We had gone through 3 managers since January, and lost a number of technicians.

The owners asked me to hire the next manager since they felt unqualified after the last 3 failed. We had 3 FULL, FULL, LONG days laying out a business plan and trying to save the current staff and stopping the bleeding.

They asked kindly if I would transfer to this location and try to pull it from the weeds and I declined. My current shop was my family that I built over the course of 5 years and my office was 4 times bigger and better equipped (couch, Kuerig, Nespresso, 35" TV) and they understood.

Anyway, I suggested promoting one of my best employees as a manager in training and I would back him up on anything he didn't know how to do or any trouble he ran into.
They agreed and felt it was genius b/c the applicants we were interviewing were not making the sun shine, so now I am manager of 2 bodyshops.

It's been super challenging b/c no one wants to work. Its been challenging b/c I now have 2 polar opposite bosses. Its been challenging b/c I have 2 shops with completely opposing levels of morale.

Most of all its been challenging b/c I can't find any time to keep up on my O/T gossip. Not bragging, just wanted to say Hi

What's missing here is confirmation that you are being adequately compensated for all of this extra stuff...but hopefully you are!

And I don't miss you at all, still crossing my fingers for a nice alligator / crocodile to plant a bite on you for all your warm weather pictures while I freeze my butt off in the great white north in winter.

[Alfisti]

Most folks want to work, ya just gotta pay em more than the customer is willing to pay.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Most folks want to work, ya just gotta pay em more than the customer is willing to pay.

No, these days they really don’t. They want the pay, but they don’t want to work for it.

[nyalpine90]

does this mean there is an order for white M4??

[spazzyfry123]

I feel your pain! I have been managing another area on an interim basis (60+ engineers) in addition to my existing team until the new guy gets hired. I've been up to my eyeballs.

New guy started this week

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by Watching The World Burn

What's missing here is confirmation that you are being adequately compensated for all of this extra stuff...but hopefully you are!

And I don't miss you at all, still crossing my fingers for a nice alligator / crocodile to plant a bite on you for all your warm weather pictures while I freeze my butt off in the great white north in winter.

No, I told them I don't want a penny until things are running smoothly and we are not in danger of closing the location. This company took on a large legal cost when they hired me to fight a non compete-non solicitation agreement with my last employer so I owe them (some) in my eyes.

And, I'm perfectly fine with your dislike for my perfect climate (except June to October )

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Most folks want to work, ya just gotta pay em more than the customer is willing to pay.

We will pay top dollar. People left the collision industry in droves over the last 3 years. Majority of the workforce was 50-65yrs old so they all just bailed

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

does this mean there is an order for white M4??

No, but I was hunting for a used i8 Spyder. Talked myself out of it though I think

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

I feel your pain! I have been managing another area on an interim basis (60+ engineers) in addition to my existing team until the new guy gets hired. I've been up to my eyeballs.

New guy started this week

Hats off and congrats!

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

And, I'm perfectly fine with your dislike for my perfect climate (except June to October )

And, as I’ve said here before, this is one reason I left Texas for Chicago. Those are the most important months!!! I was talking about this other day and someone said you could escape the summer heat in Texas by staying inside in the air conditioning. My response was, “yeah that’s exactly what I want to do. Stay inside all summer.” If I’m going to stay inside I want to do it in the winter, not the summer. It’s 108 today in Fort Worth. Actually hotter than Phoenix today. It’s 80 here in Chicago!!

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

If I’m going to stay inside I want to do it in the winter, not the summer.

For some of us Illinoians, short pants are year-round, outdoor attire. Just tell those Cannucks to keep those polar vortexes to themselves.

OP, sounds brutal but that's got to be good to know on some level that you're "their guy" and have sway. The morale thing can be tough. Hopefully it's not fractured to the point of no return.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by bosstones

For some of us Illinoians, short pants are year-round, outdoor attire.

SoCal has entered the chat