trying a reply to another bus Q I recalled how my Dad started bringing to client meetings at an early age. I learned alot about how to read customers and what to ask customers from just sitting, watching and listening.
Got me to thinking about how I try to open my boys eyes to the way I do business.
He’s 7, and I’ve been keeping him posted since he was a baby. I also tell my 2 yr old daughter work place stories.
I drive my boy to school every morning before work. Just last week I told him I had to stop at the convience store on my way to the site.
Told him I had to remember to get George, my helper, a hot chocolate.
He asked “why” …
I said … well, all last week when I was off work with a sore back, George went to work even though I wasn’t there and worked hard all day all by himself.
And it’s been a cold, windy week … and I know George likes hot chocolate …
so I thought I’d bring him a cup of hot chocolate for working so hard.
wouldn’t you like a cup of hot chocolate?
He said Yup … agreed it was a good idea.
he’s 7 … maybe 15 – 20 years from now he’ll keep a helper happy my handing him an unexpected cup of hot chocolate. Or a co worker … or a hot chick!
My Dad never “taught” me one thing about running a business … but I sure learned alot from him.
I even get the boys advice on bidding and building. Lats job I told him “we” had a choice. We could use cheap screws fir a bit of framing … or use more expensive galvanized deck screws. He asked what the difference was ..
I said first off … money. Second … one will probably rust and it’ll all fall down and maybe kill someone … and the more expensive screws won’t rust, nothing will fall down … and no one will get killed.
He decided we’d “lose” a little at the end but it’s worth buying the better screws.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Replies
I did a lot of the same with my boy as he was growing up. Thought I was raising a smart kid. When he was 20 I asked if he'd like to quit what he was doing and come work for me.
He said nope. I ask why and he said." I remember all the fights you and Mom had when you weren't working. I know you love doing this kind of work but it hasn't been good to you."
I think about what he said a lot at times like this when works down. He's 27 now and doing ok.
For all the good stories and fun times we had on my jobs it turns out he was paying more attention than I thought.
Sorry to be a downer. But in a way it's kinda a good story.
sounds like he was paying attention at home too.
me and my wife never fight at the job site!
pretty much never fight at home either ... sorry to disappoint.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Remarried now, 3rd time. Took a while of wearin down to make me a good husband. I couldn't ask for a better wife, hardly a handful of disagrements in the last 14 years.
In 18 years with my son's Mom we had at least a hand full of arguments every month.
Amazing what growing up and having a wife that can kick your butt can do for one's temperment.
Works ups and downs haven't changed but my home life has turned out just fine.
big part of a successful remodeling company is an understanding/ realistic wife.
edit to say so far I'm one fer one!
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Edited 2/22/2009 1:30 am ET by JeffBuck
Yep 1 fer 1 is a pretty good batting ave. 1 out of 3 aint bad as long as you got one.
If I was still with my kids Mom and out of work this long she'd already packed my bags and sent me out.
But this one is so great that when she gets home and sees the laundry and dishes done, the house picked up and dinner started she says I can stay. 8)
my kid would probably suggest you buy the wife a cup of hot chocolate.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
This word we are living in is missing a lot of the basic wisdom that kept things rolling for generations. I started by talking to my 4 year old son about what a promise is, what it means, and how when you don't keep your word and lie you are cheating yourself and stealing truth from another man. I figure that after a decade or so of drilling this into him and leading by example that he may just retain some of it.
we've covered it all before ... but just last week I asked my boy is he knew what "the golden rule" was.
He didn't. I explained it, do un to others ... he picked up pretty quick.
my work truck has ahistory of getting tagged/ spray painted .. so he's well versed on "keeping your hands off other peoples stuff" ... as far as he knows ... U touch/spray someone elses stuff ... U get your fingers broken when they catch you.
The golden rule came up from his karate class. They do basic grappling. I wasn't at the class, but he beat a new student and was excited. Came off tha mat's excited and told Mom how "easy" the kid was to beat.
She had a long talk with him ... I let it set a coupla days then got to it again on the ride to the next class. Told him try like hell to beat the kid, any kid, in class. Then right after you beat them, help them up ... and if U can offer any advice on how they can do better ... help them and tell them. At the very least ... don't gloat and be polite.
Promises, honesty, being a good sport.
it's all business. I'm not big on team sports ... but team sports done well can and has lead to a solid business career. Business is another form of competition.
full contact at times!
I know for a fact I've closed deals simply based on the fact the clients liked me more than the competitor. Promises, honest and being a good sport all play into that.
"This word we are living in is missing a lot of the basic wisdom that kept things rolling for generations."
Couldn't agree with that more. Sad but true.
we don't throw "promise" around alot ... but I know if I ask my boy "promise ?" ...
it's something I can count on. I save it for the big stuff.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I can remember cleaning chimneys with my dad when I was about 10 years old.
He'd come home from his day job and ask if anyone wanted to go to work with him at night.
I would say I took from him
A.) His work ethic- He worked 8 hours at his normal job then he'd work another 4-6 every night of the week. Worked on saturdays and sundays if need be. Still found time to be my little league coach.
B.) Doing more than was expected- I remember vacuuming, holding the vacuum while he cleaned the chimney was my job. After picking up all the drop cloths, vacuuming the area around the fireplace and cleaning up all the tools I would have to vacuum the whole room where we worked and where we walked. I always wondered why we put the drops down if we were gonna vacuum anyway.
C.) How friendly he was with the customer and if they were watching, how he explained what he was doing and why he was doing it.