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Trying to save some jobs!

#1

gfp55

gfp55

I'm not sure this is the right forum for this, if not please move it where it should be. I have friends that have a lawn care/landscaping business. Lets call them Dick and Jane. Dick started the company some 20+ years ago as a hobby kind of thing to keep himself busy, Dick and Jane are loaded and don't have to work. Dick had four people plus himself working there. Dick did the jobbing, two did grass cutting/edging/ect. Two did tree trimming/planting/beds/ect. Dick had some good people working for him that did good honest work, all have families/kids/grandkids. Dick good cancer and died a few months ago. Jane wants to keep the business going. Now here is the problem, Jane has a kid that is mean, disrespectful (just a real piece of work). Jane thought it would be a good idea to let the kid run things, the kid knows nothing about jobbing/pricing and how to talk to the people that work there. Two quit so far and one is looking for work some where else. None want to leave but can't work for the a-hole kid. Jane wants to keep the business going so the people that have been there have a job, but can't see that her kid is no good. Here is the question, should Jane just sell the business/equipment or fire her kid and get someone that knows the business and keep the people that have worked there for years working? I know what I would do but would like to get thoughts from other people. Thank You for your thoughts.


#2

Carscw

Carscw

Was the kid working with dick before he died?
I would fire the kid.

If he was not doing this with dick I would not have put him in charge.

Should have gave to job to one of the workers that have been there and knows what he is doing.

Sounds like the kid needs a good ole country azz kicking.


#3

gfp55

gfp55

Carscw said:
Was the kid working with dick before he died?
I would fire the kid.

If he was not doing this with dick I would not have put him in charge.

Should have gave to job to one of the workers that have been there and knows what he is doing.

Sounds like the kid needs a good ole country azz kicking.
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I should have given more info on the kid. The kid moved back home to help with Dick when he was dying. The kid did not work there before. More info on the kid; The kid is a girl,so a--kicking will get nothing but trouble, not that I don't agree with you. Thanks for the input.


#4

Nwatson99

Nwatson99

First off sorry for the loss of your friend.
From Jane's stand point to keep the business, kick the kid to the curb and beg the former employees back to keep the business going, I am sure out the employees there is one competent enough to be the lead man or foreman.
However since Jane is loaded and if it is close enough to you, buy out the business, hire back the good employees and then you have the satisfaction of firing the worthless kid.


#5

M

Mad Mackie

With most of my working life having been at small private businesses, I have seen this situation sadly happen and the companies close. I admire and respect the people that have the drive and skill to organize, operate and manage small businesses. Sadly, the skills and talent that these folk have is generally not passed on thru family members.


#6

Carscw

Carscw

Have you talked to Jane about this?

It's a shame this girl is running all dicks hard work into the ground.


#7

D

dannyjr

gfp55 said:
I'm not sure this is the right forum for this, if not please move it where it should be. I have friends that have a lawn care/landscaping business. Lets call them Dick and Jane. Dick started the company some 20+ years ago as a hobby kind of thing to keep himself busy, Dick and Jane are loaded and don't have to work. Dick had four people plus himself working there. Dick did the jobbing, two did grass cutting/edging/ect. Two did tree trimming/planting/beds/ect. Dick had some good people working for him that did good honest work, all have families/kids/grandkids. Dick good cancer and died a few months ago. Jane wants to keep the business going. Now here is the problem, Jane has a kid that is mean, disrespectful (just a real piece of work). Jane thought it would be a good idea to let the kid run things, the kid knows nothing about jobbing/pricing and how to talk to the people that work there. Two quit so far and one is looking for work some where else. None want to leave but can't work for the a-hole kid. Jane wants to keep the business going so the people that have been there have a job, but can't see that her kid is no good. Here is the question, should Jane just sell the business/equipment or fire her kid and get someone that knows the business and keep the people that have worked there for years working? I know what I would do but would like to get thoughts from other people. Thank You for your thoughts.
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Jane needs to start her son at the bottom and let him work his way up. Either she do Dicks job or hire someone or let one of the crew do Dicks job.


#8

exotion

exotion

Yes. Kick the kid to the curb.... Let one of the other guys run it. If the kid protests have her start as a laborer position to learn the value of time... And she can work her way up naturally.

Shame the business is going to fail. Without competent leadership, the experienced workers leaving. The business is going to go under fast. Faster than they will expect. Might consider selling while you still have something to sell


#9

gfp55

gfp55

First; Thank You all for your replies. I see you all are thinking what I've been thinking. If I were 20 years younger, I'd buy the business and try to get the people back and sh-t can the kid. I can't think of one place to put her in the business that match her skills. My friend Jane asked me what she should do, but I wasn't sure. After some thought and advice from you all, I think Jane needs to hear the truth. I hope Jane will do the right thing. It's just to bad that good people are going to be looking for work pretty soon. Again Thanks


#10



DJlawnboy

Glad the kid burned the business down. That's what happens when you don't raise children correctly. Lesson learned


#11

gfp55

gfp55

Nwatson99 said:
First off sorry for the loss of your friend.
From Jane's stand point to keep the business, kick the kid to the curb and beg the former employees back to keep the business going, I am sure out the employees there is one competent enough to be the lead man or foreman.
However since Jane is loaded and if it is close enough to you, buy out the business, hire back the good employees and then you have the satisfaction of firing the worthless kid.
Click to expand...

I need this like a hole in the head, but I bought the business and the good employees are back to work, all but the kid. I said I want everything but her. She cried to mom, mom talked to me and I said no. The kid tried to get some money from mom and others to buy it but failed. I going to thin the herd of old machines and machines that never get used. That will free up some money for some newer stuff and a building, I leasing a building from Jane for one year, but hope to have mine up by winter. Got to get my ducks in a row. Again I need this like.........If this gives me a stroke its your fault Nwatson Just joking


#12

gfp55

gfp55

DJlawnboy said:
Glad the kid burned the business down. That's what happens when you don't raise children correctly. Lesson learned
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I couldn't let good people lose their jobs. You can raise kids right, but they can become bad all by themselves.


#13



DJlawnboy

gfp55 said:
I couldn't let good people lose their jobs. You can raise kids right, but they can become bad all by themselves.
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Good on you for helping the good employees. Just watch out for sabotage by the kid or something crazy.


#14

gfp55

gfp55

DJlawnboy said:
Good on you for helping the good employees. Just watch out for sabotage by the kid or something crazy.
Click to expand...
New locks, alarm system. Lease states who can and can not be in building. I'm the one with the codes. I put in a new driveway and blocked the old entrance and have signage with my logo and number. Local cops know I own the business now and my people all got long overdue pay raises. All the big trailers, trucks and machines that are for sale that will not fit in the building are at my farm. I should have my building up and filled in about two months if the weather is good.


#15

Nwatson99

Nwatson99

gfp55 said:
I need this like a hole in the head, but I bought the business and the good employees are back to work, all but the kid. I said I want everything but her. She cried to mom, mom talked to me and I said no. The kid tried to get some money from mom and others to buy it but failed. I going to thin the herd of old machines and machines that never get used. That will free up some money for some newer stuff and a building, I leasing a building from Jane for one year, but hope to have mine up by winter. Got to get my ducks in a row. Again I need this like.........If this gives me a stroke its your fault Nwatson Just joking
Click to expand...

LOL well I hope you do not have a stroke, but you did the right thing and congrats on expanding your fleet and business. :thumbsup:
I am sure you have already done this, but have you already contacted all your new clients and informed them of this merger / take-over?


#16

R

Rd05lly

The right thing to do is not always an easy one. You did the right thing.


#17

Lawnboy18

Lawnboy18

I know this is an old thread, but how is the business going?


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