Calling all business owners or those with common sense

[LuckyTaxi]

What do you consider a successful business owner? I wont type the whole story since it would be too long, but my project manager and I have been arguing constantly over our first project. The house we're renovating is 2 weeks past due and I have a tenant who needs to move in next week. To make the long story short, she told me I dont know how to run a company. She went on and stated that I should have hands-on-skills to successfully run our business, which is a real estate development/investment business. She basically doesnt want me on the jobsite and doesnt like when I question the work that was being done.

It's true that my skills arent in the remodeling business, but if the naked eye tells you something doesnt look right just based on common sense, then there's nothing wrong with pointing it out. She went on to say that the big development firms, their CEO knows something about the business they run. Ok, fine so I dont have a degree in construction, but that's why I hire people who oversee that. Unfortunately, she doesnt have the right people skills and organizational skills to oversee a project. I'm learning along the way and I usually dont say stuff unless I have to. I'm not Mark Cuban or George Steinbrenner, but it is my duty to see that the project gets completed on time!

BTW ... she's my business partner's wife. He feels the same way as I do. She's close to being pushed out the door.

 

[FoBoT]

i am a slave to the man, so i don't know

good luck! :moon:

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: lilcam
What do you consider a successful business owner? I wont type the whole story since it would be too long, but my project manager and I have been arguing constantly over our first project. The house we're renovating is 2 weeks past due and I have a tenant who needs to move in next week. To make the long story short, she told me I dont know how to run a company. She went on and stated that I should have hands-on-skills to successfully run our business, which is a real estate development/investment business. She basically doesnt want me on the jobsite and doesnt like when I question the work that was being done.

It's true that my skills arent in the remodeling business, but if the naked eye tells you something doesnt look right just based on common sense, then there's nothing wrong with pointing it out. She went on to say that the big development firms, their CEO knows something about the business they run. Ok, fine so I dont have a degree in construction, but that's why I hire people who oversee that. Unfortunately, she doesnt have the right people skills and organizational skills to oversee a project. I'm learning along the way and I usually dont say stuff unless I have to. I'm not Mark Cuban or George Steinbrenner, but it is my duty to see that the project gets completed on time!

BTW ... she's my business partner's wife. He feels the same way as I do. She's close to being pushed out the door.

Let your business partner deal with her.

 

[PingSpike]

Can you fire her? Or will your partner get pissed?

 

[dullard]

Simple answer: someone who brings in the profits, and the profits grow quickly year after year. If you can do that you are a wonderful at what you do.

Of course, the world isn't always that rosy. A sucessful business owner needs:
[*]to be able to bring in the people with the skills to get the job done
[*]to be able to get rid of the people that hinder buisness progress
[*]to be able to let those remaining sucessful employees to do their job without interference. This is often the #1 toughest thing for new bosses/owners to do.
[*]to be able to generate new customers
[*]to be able to keep current and past customers happy
[*]to do all of the above while maintaining profitablity.

There is no need to know everything about how to do every job. For example, the up-coming head of Intel doesn't have any engineering education. However, fundamental knowledge certainly helps.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Toasthead

Let your business partner deal with her.

He's tried and she's said the same things to him. She wants him on her side, but he states this is all business. Nothing personal and he wants the house done. This all started last night when I went in to finish up a couple of things, only to see that the kitchen floor hasnt been grouted and the wall needs some touchup painting. That along with some other stuff in the basement and I have to give keys to my tenant today.

We consider ourselves a family business and I'm not anal about most things. I stay out of areas where I dont belong such as putting up drywall and stuff, but if the drywall isn't cut right and there's a huge gap between the seams, then I will say something. It's not the point that maybe she'll come back to finish it, why not finish it before you move on to something else?

 

[iversonyin]

SO whos fault was it that the project was overrun by 2 weeks?

 

[radioouman]

I hate to post this, but DHITB!

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: dullard
Simple answer: someone who brings in the profits, and the profits grow quickly year after year. If you can do that you are a wonderful at what you do.

Yes! Since our inception in September of 2004, we currently have 3 properties and we're about a month away from aquiring 24 more properties. Our networth skyrockted, but that's only on paper. We have expenses going out the door like crazy but nothing coming in until the house gets done!

[*]to be able to bring in the people with the skills to get the job done

Right, that's done, just this one miserable b!tch, who also happens to be the most skilled person on our staff. I wouldn't call her all that skill, but she gets the job done for cheap cheap price.

[*]to be able to get rid of the people that hinder buisness progress

Very hard to do since she's my business partner's wife, but he does feel the same way as I do. However, compared to a "real contractor" she's VERY VERY CHEAP.

There is no need to know everything about how to do every job. For example, the up-coming head of Intel doesn't have any engineering education.

My expertise is in the computer field. I can't be bother with putting up drywalls and cutting pipes. I have two other ventures going on and I have people oversee them for me. My business partner handles the renovation department, but his wife primarily oversees it. He has a hard time dealing with her since she's his wife and she doesnt like the fact that she's working for him.

I truly think the smart/rich people who owns businesses surround themselves with talented and smart people. You can't do everything yourself. I'm not going to let someone bring me down because she doesnt think I know how to run my business.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: iversonyin
SO whos fault was it that the project was overrun by 2 weeks?

Well, I let it go since some personal stuff came up with her family and my family. We weren't around as often, but the things that need to be done wouldn't have taken that long to finish. I stayed out of it until today and I knew we were going to run late. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and I'm usually not mean or anal. Well, time is of the essence and now I'm acting like the boss no one wants to work for. GET IT DONE!

 

[Biggerhammer]

If she does cheap good work, keep her and put up with her mouthiness. If she does cheap crap work, and drives you nuts, kick her to the curb. Her work has your name on it, once the tennant moves in.

 

[Amplifier]

I'll respond to your story in two parts because you are experiencing the same things I experienced on my first rehab.

First the whole friend/relative thing... it sucks. When people are using a relative they always think the relative will be honest and do a good job so certain things slide. For instance the contract.

Your source of power is and always will be in your contracts. What are the late fee's in your contract? My contracts have $100/day late penalties on average. I won't make assumptions because I don't know what your situation is. I personally didn't make my relative (a gen. contractor) sign a contract on the first rehab I did and I got the same treatment you're getting! Some people only listen when you hurt their pocketbook .

Secondly your partners wife may be having trouble handling the subcontractors herself and putting that anger out on you. I'm ALWAYS on a job site. If I see something that doesn't look right (even if I'm not familiar with the particulars of a repair) I question it on the spot.

You're in an annoying situation akin to what I was in. The short term pain of axing her will pale in comparison to axing her later on. The wife disrespected you so don't ever use her again. This might sound egotistical but you're the one signing the bills and paying the mortgage, her job exists because of you. There are so many good project managers out there that you shouldn't be stuck using a subpar performer.

Edit: Don't penny pinch with your workers. She may be paid less but how much is she costing you in holding costs? God forbid you're using an HML

Again I don't totally understand your situation so if you want to fill me in more I can be more explicit.

 

[Spencer278]

I can't be bother with putting up drywalls and cutting pipes.

That is a very bad way to look at going into a business. In a fact your saying I can't be bother completing the project on time. You are responisble for putting up the dry wall. When a client comes to rent the house and you say you didn't finish it they are going to blame you and not the mexician you hired to hang drywall.

 

[gigapet]

Originally posted by: iversonyin
SO whos fault was it that the project was overrun by 2 weeks?

always the project manager

 

[chrisms]

From my experience, it sounds like you are the jackass. Now don't take this personally because it can really go either way with the amount of info you gave. Usually when a hands-off boss comes in and tells people how to do things, he doesn't understand that there are reasons people are working the way they are.

Like the boss at the place I used to work.. he'd come in and say "labor is way too high," and then we had a policy where the labor costs could never go above 19%. Well this resulted in people being sent home right after they'd come to work, a complete waste of their time. Many people quit. On top of that, the small staff was unable to handle the large numbers of orders and any unusual increase in orders (which isn't uncommon at a restaurant). So what we ended up with was lines of pissed off customers, half-assed food, and bitter employees. All because the boss wanted to save a few bucks and didn't understand the nature of the business.

EDIT: And if you feel the need to get rid of her, if she is your partner's wife then he needs to do it. If he is reluctant, you need to give him a figurative slap in the face, because you cannot be the one firing her.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Spencer278 - Going into this I knew I didnt have the time nor did I care enough about putting up drywall. It really means, I'm not an expert and I'd rather have some people do it and I'll pay them. Ultimately, I know I'm the one responsible for it and that's why my CEO mentality is starting to kick in. I'm aggravated and I'm coming down hard on my workers. I'm not blasting the laborers, but the person onsite needs to take responsibilities.

I paid her $2,500 for 7 months of work. That is WAYYYYYY below market value. However, going into this, we were strapped on funds and she knows this. Her husband owns 50% of the company, so whatever money he makes really goes into their family. I'm not bitching about her quality of work, but I am pissed off that the house isn't completed when it should've been. I've learned many lessons from this job and if I continue to use her for our next project, I will have a contract. I will be giving her work-orders since she likes to do things her way.

I'm always on the jobsite since my business partner and I go in during the evenings to do our part. I dont know much about renovating, but I chip in here and there cleaning the floors and painting and stuff. But for her to criticize how I run the company is uncalled for. She thinks it's easy and it's not. I have to worry about every aspect of the business.

 

[desteffy]

fire her!

sometimes people do know the inner workings of what their businesses do, but you dont need to. I met some incredibly rich guy who owns like 15 restaurants and a bunch of real estate and he owns some really popular soul food restaurant and he was like " do you think i know anything about soul food?! i've never eaten the stuff!!"

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: chrisms
From my experience, it sounds like you are the jackass. Now don't take this personally because it can really go either way with the amount of info you gave. Usually when a hands-off boss comes in and tells people how to do things, he doesn't understand that there are reasons people are working the way they are.

Hmmmm ... she said the same thing, but not once did I criticize her work. It's my duty to see that the job gets done. If she decides to take long on a particular area of the house then I'll yell at her only if I know it should've taken X amount of days to complete. For example, she layed a tile floor down. Why did it take 3 days to lay a floor down for a room no bigger than 12x10. Well, she decided to install the tile in a diamond formation. Therefore, pieces had to be cut to fit in the gaps. I wont question you on what you're doing, but if there's an easier way to do something, then do it.

EDIT: And if you feel the need to get rid of her, if she is your partner's wife then he needs to do it. If he is reluctant, you need to give him a figurative slap in the face, because you cannot be the one firing her.

Someone eluded to it earlier and it will be tough. She's working for a bargain so I'm kinda stuck. It will be different on the next job since everything will be documented.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: desteffy
fire her!

sometimes people do know the inner workings of what their businesses do, but you dont need to. I met some incredibly rich guy who owns like 15 restaurants and a bunch of real estate and he owns some really popular soul food restaurant and he was like " do you think i know anything about soul food?! i've never eaten the stuff!!"

Exactly, I read an article about P Diddy. He owns a restaurant and some other stuff. The man's forte is in the music business and I wonder how in the world did he open a restaurant. Well, he hired some good people who oversees the daily operation. I dont agree with some of his business principle, but I'll do everything I can to make sure my business runs smoothly. I dont like to fire people, but if I had to I will.

I'm very easy to get along with and like her husband said, I'm too nice to be yelling at people. She was very shock to hear me lash out @ her this morning. She asked me why I changed all of a sudden, and then I barked back and told her the project needs to be done and I'm not happy. I guess she didnt like it.

 

[captains]

sell your half and get out

 

[everman]

In business, relationships are key to success. You need to manage your employees, partners, and customers effectively in order to succeed. You need to learn how to manage conflict like this.
You don't need to be an expert in everything, you do need good people working for you.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: lilcam
Spencer278 - Going into this I knew I didnt have the time nor did I care enough about putting up drywall. It really means, I'm not an expert and I'd rather have some people do it and I'll pay them. Ultimately, I know I'm the one responsible for it and that's why my CEO mentality is starting to kick in. I'm aggravated and I'm coming down hard on my workers. I'm not blasting the laborers, but the person onsite needs to take responsibilities.

The point is you need to do what ever job isn't getting done or bring some one in to do it for you. It doesn't matter if it is the dry waller or the manger. If you care about the project you need to be on-site everyday. Ever here the saying when the cats away the mice will play. Wel the mice where playing on the job site. You can't expect that if you hand some one a check and walk away they will complete the job to correctly.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Spencer278

Originally posted by: lilcam
Spencer278 - Going into this I knew I didnt have the time nor did I care enough about putting up drywall. It really means, I'm not an expert and I'd rather have some people do it and I'll pay them. Ultimately, I know I'm the one responsible for it and that's why my CEO mentality is starting to kick in. I'm aggravated and I'm coming down hard on my workers. I'm not blasting the laborers, but the person onsite needs to take responsibilities.

The point is you need to do what ever job isn't getting done or bring some one in to do it for you. It doesn't matter if it is the dry waller or the manger. If you care about the project you need to be on-site everyday. Ever here the saying when the cats away the mice will play. Wel the mice where playing on the job site. You can't expect that if you hand some one a check and walk away they will complete the job to correctly.

Yea, thats' one of the things I've learned on this project. The next jobsite will be completely different! Like I said, I'm learning along the way and if it doesnt get done, then I'll find someone who can get it done. I agree with you 100%.

 

[Amplifier]

Originally posted by: lilcam
Spencer278 - Going into this I knew I didnt have the time nor did I care enough about putting up drywall. It really means, I'm not an expert and I'd rather have some people do it and I'll pay them. Ultimately, I know I'm the one responsible for it and that's why my CEO mentality is starting to kick in. I'm aggravated and I'm coming down hard on my workers. I'm not blasting the laborers, but the person onsite needs to take responsibilities.

I paid her $2,500 for 7 months of work. That is WAYYYYYY below market value. However, going into this, we were strapped on funds and she knows this. Her husband owns 50% of the company, so whatever money he makes really goes into their family. I'm not bitching about her quality of work, but I am pissed off that the house isn't completed when it should've been. I've learned many lessons from this job and if I continue to use her for our next project, I will have a contract. I will be giving her work-orders since she likes to do things her way.

I'm always on the jobsite since my business partner and I go in during the evenings to do our part. I dont know much about renovating, but I chip in here and there cleaning the floors and painting and stuff. But for her to criticize how I run the company is uncalled for. She thinks it's easy and it's not. I have to worry about every aspect of the business.

How is your contract worded with your subcontractors?

How are you financing these properties?

Why are you responding to people who aren't rehabbers ?

www.flippinghomes.com would be a better forum for you.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Amplifier
How is your contract worded with your subcontractors?

This first project is different since we did most of the work. We really didnt have subcontractors besides the ones who did the siding and roofing. The rest of the work was completed by the b!tch, her two workers and my business partner and I.

How are you financing these properties?

Hard money lenders.

Why are you responding to people who aren't rehabbers ?

It's a simple business question. I was just seeking the advice of business savvy people.