Someone here once suggested bringing milk and cookies to the jobsite. I wasn't sure about it, but I started bringing donuts. It may be my imagination, but the workers do seem more motivated.
Any other ideas on motivating the workers? A trip to Krispy Kreme is a small price to pay for the improved productivity!
I know my men. Not only their names but about their families, girl friends, etc. I remember their birthdays - the whole crew gets a catered lunch (big deal: sandwiches & soda) everytime someone's b'day comes up (I usually only have 5 guys working for me so it's not really much to do).
They get fresh flowers at the end of the day to bring home to the wife on their anniversary. A small gift for their kids b'day. A turkey at Thanksgiving. Bonus at Christmas, esp. if it's been a good year along with some presents to put under the tree for the kids & the wife. My DW helps out with all these ideas and remembering names, dates, likes & dislikes, etc. Big end of summer party at my house - all families invited along with some others.
And, perhaps, most of all, I listen to them. I don't know everything - they come up with some darn good ideas. I try to respect them. And I demand the same from them - I'm upfront with them - no drugs, no booze, no one hungover on the job. And, I expect them to work when we're working - they know the economics of business.
And I think it's paid off - the newest of the 5 has been with me nearly 7 years. In the end, it's not realy that big a $ investment, but the payout is real and genuine. I've made friends I am honored to have. And the personal satisfaction is unmatched anywhere else.
One of the things you might want to try is letting your crew vote on working 5 eight hour days or working 4 10 hour days. Usually they will vote for that 3 day weekend evertime and you will find that they are not any more tired after a 10 hour day and that your production is up. You will be gaining the set-up and clean-up time of one day---anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour per week. Your crew will like having some control over their working hours and that 3 day weekend!chester_oliver2@yahoo.com
Originally posted by John Griffin: I know my men. Not only their names but about their families, girl friends, etc. I remember their birthdays - the whole crew gets a catered lunch (big deal: sandwiches & soda) everytime someone's b'day comes up (I usually only have 5 guys working for me so it's not really much to do).
They get fresh flowers at the end of the day to bring home to the wife on their anniversary. A small gift for their kids b'day. A turkey at Thanksgiving. Bonus at Christmas, esp. if it's been a good year along with some presents to put under the tree for the kids & the wife. My DW helps out with all these ideas and remembering names, dates, likes & dislikes, etc. Big end of summer party at my house - all families invited along with some others.
And, perhaps, most of all, I listen to them. I don't know everything - they come up with some darn good ideas. I try to respect them. And I demand the same from them - I'm upfront with them - no drugs, no booze, no one hungover on the job. And, I expect them to work when we're working - they know the economics of business.
And I think it's paid off - the newest of the 5 has been with me nearly 7 years. In the end, it's not realy that big a $ investment, but the payout is real and genuine. I've made friends I am honored to have. And the personal satisfaction is unmatched anywhere else.
Working for homebild is exactly what you don't want to do. No one likes to be treated like a nobody slave by some arogant, cheap tyrant, especially at the poverty wages with no bennies and lousey working conditions the construction trades have to offer. I would be alot more inclined to work harder for John Griffin than I would that other jack*** homebild. I bet John Griffins houses are alot nicer too.
