Friday, June 30, 2006 - 02:35 AM Act Like you own the joint!
Posted by: Bud
The first of two articles I wrote in the forum that got me banned...it was my signiture:)
Act Like you own the joint! Part One
Copyright Bud Goodman 2006
Several months ago I have decided to trade in my HVAC business for a “simpler life”. Twenty plus years in the trade, many of them as shop Forman (usually working) both installations and bench. Great record with the industry and left no bridge burning (maybe one) this is important gang. After the place I was employed through for several of those years was forced to shut the doors, I decided that my name on the truck would be a pretty cool thing to do.
And for the next few years I found out how cool it is to be self-employed. Even though we worked hard to become one of the industries rich and famous, someone had a different plan and stuck us with the industries “independently broke” group There are advantages to working for yourself (for those who are thinking of this) you can work all the hours you want, and you usually do. You can run around at night and meet new people and work for them during the day. You get to nap between jobs, especially the ones in the middle of the night. You can choose not to service your customers when they need you most. If you do this they’ll be more then understanding that you are very busy and will have no problem letting you rest. This is when those big ads in the yellow pages pay off. They’ll find them, bet on it. You get health insurance and the greatest thing here is, you get to choose which type of plan you want and how you’d like to pay for it?
You get it! Before you pull the plug and decide to run your own business from the J.S. part house take a moment and think of all the choices you’ll have and if you really want them. There is no doubt, if you “manage” the business and not let the business manage you, you may be successful in your venture; remember successful doesn’t necessarily mean rich. But it becomes very hard if not impossible to manage a very competitive business from the front seat of your truck.
But I really can’t loose, the company I work for only thinks about themselves. Well first of all, it’s obvious that they think about more then themselves. You’re working right? You have metal on the shelf, you have a roof over your head, and how do you get to the job? But even if they do think about themselves, aren’t you? Don’t we all? What’s wrong with that? Here’s what I suggest and it’s just a suggestion I’m going back to work for someone, because that’s what I was good at. I’m going to work and hang out acting like I owned the joint!
Yes! Stay where you’re at and Act like you own the joint!
And one way of doing this is to become a Silent Partner! That’s right, become a silent partner for the company you work for, everyone can do this and you don’t need the owners’ permission. Many employees are already doing it and they’re not even aware of it, why? Because they’re attitude is on a different more positive level, and so they’re ok with the way things are working and they’re a part of the partnership that’s working just fine. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
Here’s how I became a silent partner. (Not necessarily in this order)
1. Learn how to maintain a (PMA) positive mental attitude. Ok, easier said
then done? Not really, but as everything else, enough practice and you’ll
see and feel the difference. We’ll discuss this more later.
2. Take the time to learn everything all there is to know about you’re
position. Get educated and spend some time 101ing on your job, doesn’t
have to be school or college (although it won’t hurt you none)
3. Think like important people would think. Seriously, have you ever thought
to yourself, how do important people think? What makes them click, why are
their decisions any better then yours?
4. Walk into the joint like you own the place. Not with the attitude where
everyone looks at you like “does he think he owns the joint?” but
where everyone looks at you like, “Man I wish he / she owned the joint!”
Start your day by dressing up with the right attitude, yes you heard me right,
while you’re brushing your teeth or combing your hair look in the mirror
and with an unbiased opinion ask yourself this question, if I were a customer,
would I like what I see. Ok, this shouldn’t have only taken a second
at most. It is the first impression, the instant your customer sees you, and
they’re forming their opinion about you.
I am now a silent partner! If they can think about themselves, so can I, right?
It’s only fair. So I’m going into work today just thinking about
myself. I’m going to think about different ways I can be a better mechanic,
I’m going to think about how I can do my job more efficiently, because
now I’m a partner. I’m not going to worry about what the others
are doing, as a partner I trust that they are doing the job as they were hired
to do. If there should be any concerns with this issue I will leave a note
for my superior partner (AKA – boss, supervisor) to deal with it and
go back to what my job and my role as a partner.
More on this subject, sure to follow. Feel free to jump in and let’s
talk about the other side of the industry such as “What qualifies you
as a preferred mechanic”.
How can you become a silient partner?
Bud Goodman
www.HeatingGuide.com
www.TheSheetMetalShop.com
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