Anyone here do that?
I’m thinking about going to 4 days on site…then have either a Mon or Fri…..probably Fri…..as the run around/materials/paperwork/bid/meet new prospects/etc day.
I know of bigger companies where the boss drives around on Fri and passes out the paychecks and picks up customer checks…..but as a one man show….I’m still thinking this thru to see if it’ll work.
I’m thinking 4 organized 9 hr days would get me plenty done in a week. Especially if I eliminate all/most material runs.
I think this might actually make me more efficient in the long run……no more putting off adding up bids and typing them out at night…….also I’d try to stress real loud and hard that client meetings happened on Friday…so let’s give them all week to make the arrangements so both can be there sometime on a Friday.
This idea came up when talking about our daycare options for the kid, as the wife’s back to working FT..and daycare is much more affordable at 3 days as opposed to 5. Figured I’d drive the kid around on material runs, and even bring him on secondary client meetings.
On the times I’d have to meet someone and actually carry on a conversation I can always drop him at the grandparents for the necessary time…though sometimes it can’t hurt to walk in holding a hungry kid!
Who see’s a flaw in my plan?
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery…..While U Waite
Replies
I don't see any flaw if you hold to it. I have a hard time holding to 5-9's when on a larger job. End up working saturday to stay on schedule, or pick up work, friends etc. The problem of the one man operation. If you stayed to 40 per wk, you probably could do it.
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Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
That is what I (try to) do. But it varies from job to job. Sometimes the weekly site meeting is Tues. so that becomes the run around day. This allows me to show up for meetings, showrooms, go-sees in my civies. Much better presentation. No work clothes or heavy shoes covered with concrete or paint. I seem to get better service - maybe because I am not as rushed and so am greeted by everyone as a peer. (I know who I am but they still only know what they see.)
It has also forced me to become more organized by compartmentalizing my activities/ days and preparation of the materials I'll need later on in the week. We once worked it out at the begining and figured it cut 14hrs of random running around down to 8 1/2hrs of stratigic running around. Not bad.
Funny though, even my guys like to see me in nice clothes. It makes them think the Co. is doing well. HA!
I see the flaw! On Friday, you will spend 50% of your time dealing with your child. Do you really want to meet with a perspective client with the distraction of dealing with your child. The message that the client will get is that you cannot dedicate your time to what they are paying you for. They may find someone else!
I am not trying to be heartless. I know that this is the case because I have four children and I know that they need attention when in your presence.
Which is more damaging to your bottom line/family budget:
1. A half-days pay on Fridays
2. Paying for one days worth of daycare
In the office at home...I can live with the 50/50 split. I know time will be distracted with the kid.....that's why I'll probably still be working late on a Fri at the computer.
The client meetings....they won't see the kid if anything important has to be discussed.......and they won't see the kid if I haven't developed the relationship with them yet and ask to meet him. Most of the time..he'll get dropped at GrandMa's.
Don't apologize......opinions are what I was looking for.
Thanks, JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Jeff,never-ever dealwith customers with you kid in tow. Suppliers are a different matter.
When I was starting out I first started using a particular supplier. It turned out this supplier was a very religous and very family oriented business.I didn't fully know that at the beginning.I think the founder of the business has something like 70plus grandkids now---and climbing.I would go in on a rainy day with one son in a "snuggy sack" and another held by a hand.For years the owner would come out from the back office to play with my sons briefly or take them over to the vending machines and buy them candybars.I think it was such a juxtaposition with a line of dirty macho smelly roofing contractors and me standing there with my little clean cut boys.This supplier started giving me some nice referalls to friends of his family and other folks who were members of his church---people he cared about.I still get those kinds of referalls from his business.
I didn't realize what that man was doing at the time---but I appreciate it it now.I use other suppliers only as a last resort .I will kind of admidt that family business has been kind of a role model for me----although I will never be as successfull as they are.I often drive 1/2 hour out of my way,past other suppliers just to buy a couple of tubes of geocel or a bundle of shingles for a repair for an excuse to sayhello to the counter people at this supplier.A lot of time could be saved by faxing in most of my orders---and sometimes I do fax. but something is lost by not stopping in and transacting business in person.Price is not a consideration.
Jeff..I started just doing that about a few months ago...Mondays are for getting the paper and run around done for me. Actually scheduling time with current and prospective clients, (instead of off the cuff and reacting). I'm trying to believe that I need to get work stuff done at work, not on my 'family' time. (Your weekends/evenings) Looks good on paper, but boy is it hard to do.
Sometimes I feel as if that I am missing out or not getting things done as they should be. Guess its been those few years of going 24/7. Hard to slow down back to a "normal" schedule. But it has allowed me to give a day a week to work "on" the business, instead of "in" it. I am trying to spend the time on marketing, better coordination, etc. So far, by better focusing on the projects, they have resulted in better customers and a little better $$$(per unit), although fewer number of projects going and a little less stress. Hope this is a good sign. (Wife likes it better too.)
Let us know how it goes...
It sounds like a good idea if you have the discipline to stick with it. A big problem with small business is not having a point man dedicated to doing what you want. So it's a good reason to do it. I wonder if Friday is a good day though. That's the traditional day to start three-day weekends. In summer it might be a problem. You will defiantly get a lot more done if you are lined up with clients and materials for the week, instead of taking time each day to do it. I wouldn't take the kid to client meetings though. You might not see it but it's a big distraction. Even if you think you know them well enough it's really not professional.
Jeff, been their done that. My daughter knows some of my suppliers just as well as I do and has met many clients. For several reasons MY best day to attempt office stuff and running around with a child in tow is Monday.
There were numerous times I felt severally handicapped and wished for the day to be more productive. Thinking about it, I wouldn't trade any of those days I had with my daughter. Their only little once... Enjoy!
Jeff,
I do this type of schedule somewhat. I generally schedule my larger jobs Monday thru Wednsday. I leave Thursday and Friday open for small jobs and try to leave all or half of Friday open to do the items you mention. I do have to work 5 days when doing bath remodels but the rest of the time it works out great. I don't know about the kid and clients. It would annoy me and I would feel it looked unprofessional. As far as suppliers go, no problem, after all you are paying for that privledge. DanT
Jeff as you know I work for a rather large company (hehehehe) anyway they offer the 4 /10s most guys do take either fri or mon...When it was up for discussion I chose wens. It seemed like it would be great. But now I work 4/9s and a 4 . I get off before lunch on fridays. Its seems to work out better for me.
At Darkworks Customer satisfaction Job One..Yea yea were all over it , I got my best guys on it.........
We have tried in the past to work 4-10's but have never been able to keep it up consistently. For two reasons. 1) If the customer is living at the site or if there are neighbors in close proximity, it is impracticle to start the work day before 8 am. Sometimes even this is pushing it. The same is true on the other end of the day. 2) If one of your reasons is to spend time with your family, you need to be with them at the beginning and the end of the day. Especially if your wife works, she will need your help in the morning getting the kids off to school. After school there are all sorts of activities that your kids will be involved in that you don't want to miss. You will miss plenty of them anyway.
If your kids are very young now, you are in for a tremendous and rewarding challenge. I don't regret a single moment of missed work to be with them. If your wife is working, it really is less important that you work as much as you can.
Sounds like a wonderful life ! Let us know if it happens . I have an eight year old grandson that is with me all day when he is out of school, and Im home at 4 pm to meet him off the bus. I run around with him from 4 to 5.30 on my running around. Sometimes I pick him up at school if it works better for me . I treasure the time spent with him , but its costly. Daycare is cheaper . I just dont care if it is more expensive. The time spent with him is pretty rich . He is well trained , so customers are not a problem.
Tim Mooney
Edited 1/2/2003 12:59:02 AM ET by Tim Mooney
I'm pretty sure I'll give this a shot starting in Feb.
I'll keep ya posted as to how it goes. I think done right, I might even be more productive, when paperwork and bids are factored in. One more "on time" bid might lead to one more job.....or one more month scheduled out in advance.
I could work 4/10's in need be.....but I'm thinking I won't have to.....the time dedicated to working straight thru on site should make up for it. Maybe. As it is I work 8 to 4 or later. The company I sub for starts 7:30 and the lead is usually there even earlier.......so an earlier start could work if need be.
Yer focusing too much on the kid thing! He's small...he don't eat much. Sometimes he's more professional than me, too.
I'm still torn between Mon or Fri. Those are my 2 choices. Monday would probably make for a more productive day on the computer. Either would be fine as a materials run day. Either would also be fine as the on site work day....
But I'm leaning to Fri "off" as I think most customers like to see ya there working first thing on a Monday morning. Even though you'd be getting the same work done.....might be a pshchological boost to their thinking that someday their remodel will end.
The way I plan this too......most Fri's I'd be dropping off materials at their site sometime on Fri anyways...so they still see me 5 days a week.....and I think coming in on Mon that taking off would just confuse them!
On a side note.....I've thought back....and most of my jobs are 4 day tile jobs......or larger/longer tile/trim jobs that average a month or so. Probably about 70% being the longer version. So the 4 day gig fits that nicely too.
I might even clean out the van more that twice a year.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Jeff,
I'd add to the chorus of 'think agains' about watching your child and trying to work. He's little now, but when he is walking and talking he will be demanding your attention, and he will do things to get it. I work on a computer out of my home office, and my daughter can't stand the idea that I am home and unable to play with her. She will come into my office and say 'Mommy No Work'. Now, as pleased as I am that she is sort of putting sentences together at 19 months old, it still makes me feel like a crummy parent at the expense of being a good employee. Furthermore, strapping her into a car seat for 4 hours of running around from supplier to supplier seems a little like torture - she can't entertain herself for more than 15 minutes.
As a client, I would resent having your 2 year old at our meetings, and it would hurt our relationship - even if it had been established well at the onset. With older children, it is a different story. Then these types of decisions depend on the maturity of the child, but there is no such thing as a mature toddler.
So, I'd suggest to go ahead with the 4 day work week. But, instead of trying to watch your child and work, move your Friday (or Monday) to the afternoon/evening. That is, spend the morning with your kid. Wear him out until he's ready for a good long nap. Spend the afternoon with your kid going to suppliers that are closed on weekends, but schedule in plenty of breaks, snacks and out of car play time (the job site doesn't count!). In the evening, or on Saturday morning, your wife watches the baby while you do paperwork and those suppliers who are open on the weekends or extended hours. Do the client meetings on another day without the baby, but stack them together for efficiency.
Good luck, and enjoy your family. They are worth scheduling around!
Will you have an issue where clients think their job is not getting full attention on the day you are not on the jobsite? Interested to see how it works out for you.
Gregg Tompkins
That's one of my concerns too.
But.....I think if I explain if fully.....it shouldn't be a problem with "most" customers.
I've discovered one big flaw already......
Got a call on referal last nite....talked to the guy today......even though I can't get to him for a few months.....he wants to meet asap...so he knows what direction to start his planning.....
Only times he can meet are evenings and sat's.
I just realized till I have a seperate office or showroom.....people just aren't going to make life convenient for me!
Looks like Grandma will be spending a few more hours with the kid this Sat...unless the wife's school don't start till next week.
Ahhhh...to be self employeed!
Could be worse...the guy coulda NOT called!
Another kitchen......I love kitchens.......
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Mostly I tend to use Monday as the nitty gritty meetings and supply day ,.....seems most people think bout what they want to do over weekend and will cut into time on Mondays to discuss their ideas.....having said that it really is a matter of what suits YOU best.....lotta hours spent on last minute things during the week can be done on Mondays......week is free ahead of you and hopefully any panic sits. can be postponed till next Monday.....
Let me know how it works for ya
troll