Shop opens February 1st

Concours.John said:
I fully understand that. I'd rather take someone who knows nothing but motivated than someone stuck in bad habits.

I'm not a cheap person and the money comes with dedication, honesty, and hard work.

I've always said that a great detailer with the right training would make the best restoration specialist because they know the end result already.

If I had a dollar for everytime I found something on a restored car that could have been fixed with a little more time before paint.
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good to hear but you might be looking for the needle in a haystack ...

yes, i loved doing restorations after I had been detailing for some time, but it's a slow process comparatively.
 
I just had another thought pop into my head. Why not put your employees in the position of being personally accountable to your customers for their work? They not only represent you and your business, but they represent themselves as well.

For example, create a rear-view mirror hang tag that is placed in each vehicle prior to delivery back to the customer. On it, say something like "This detail was completed for you with pride by: _<NAME>_. I take your satisfaction very seriously; if you have any questions or concerns I will personally be happy to help you to the best of my abilities. Thank you for choosing John's Concours Detailing!"

This way while it's clear that they work for you and the customer should continue coming to your shop, it gives the employee a chance to develop and maintain a reputation of their own. They will know that if they slip up, customers will know, and if you start getting customers that request a certain person NOT work on their vehicle, it raises a red flag for you to investigate why that's happening.
 
This job sounds 100% like me! I'm a 23 year old and love working on my car (mechanical and body) and correctly work at a Chevy dealership here in Illinois. I am now leaving again for my spring semester of College (1 more year :). My grandparents now live in Ohio and during the summer break I plan on going out there again; I would love to help you out when I'm in Ohio!

When I have to detail a ZR1, Z06, Grand Sport, SS Camaro or even the constant body shop cars I have; I always give the exact amount of focus and care in to each (many at the shop including my assistant think I'm crazy for doing so). I do admire the cars for what they are, modern marvels, but I also love making them look their best. The way a ZR1 looks sitting on fresh snow reflecting the light of the panels is hmm :drool:. I am an extremely dedicated worked (references available, but let me work and I'll show you) and I still have much to learn about detailing (wish classes where offered in northern Illinois. Anyone know of any?)

Well let me tell you, I wished I was in Ohio to give you a hand in starting up; even if it was part time for some time...you would hire me full time later, I know it :). For me there’s passion in making a car look just freaking amazing! I love getting customers who when I drive up just stand there and go :).

I hope I get the job Boss!:thanks
 
Steve said:
you might be pushing it to get a perfect employee unless you are going to be paying some big $$$ ....
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I suspect salary may be important. I have seen some detailers seem to want someone almost as good as them but then pay their help significantly less than they want themselves.

If you want better people, you usually have to pay more to keep them especially if they want to be in the biz for some time rather than just picking up cash.
 
Bunky said:
I suspect salary may be important. I have seen some detailers seem to want someone almost as good as them but then pay their help significantly less than they want themselves.

If you want better people, you usually have to pay more to keep them especially if they want to be in the biz for some time rather than just picking up cash.
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I may be an exception realizing in order to grow this to what I want there has to be sacrifices personally for some time. I make much less than anyone I have subbed work out to on the hour. In order to maintain growth and retention the burden of gain does not hit my pocket for some time.

Having worked in a high end shop I understand the need for appropriate pay to experience. I've seen the results of overlooking this. Making sure a shop can maintain those with experience relies on the owner to forcast and be sure thse funds are there.

I was a victim of this direct isssue giving my own money up in a shop I didnt own and 1000's of unpaid hours to promote it after an asset purchase to retain long term customers and gain new. No raises for 4 years.:mad:

I want to be an employer who can be counted on and do not want anyone to have this experience. Knowing the right time is key. The purpose of this thread is to bring up some issues that might be missed.
And Thanks.:bigups

This might explain why im so obsessive. I'm not arrogant enough to believe I know and think of everything.

My schooling is in electronic engineering but previous career was Quality Assurance in the prototype industry. ISO technical writer. Although it has directly applied to being detail orientated.:D
 
Steve said:
you might be pushing it to get a perfect employee unless you are going to be paying some big $$$ ....
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Come on, Steve... I know you had to overlook Pockets' little pyromania problem :D but is really that hard to find kids with no prior serious felonies or drug problems these days? Please say it ain't so, Boss! :(

Now the level of detailing skill and dedication that John is looking for... I would think that presents his biggest challenge.
 
JohnHenry said:
Come on, Steve... I know you had to overlook Pockets' little pyromania problem :D but is really that hard to find kids with no prior serious felonies or drug problems these days? Please say it ain't so, Boss! :(

Now the level of detailing skill and dedication that John is looking for... I would think that presents his biggest challenge.
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While there may be a few kids left with morals, the needle becomes finding the employee that not only doesn't have any other problems, be it a record, drugs or even a drinking problem which you can't test for, but one who has the interest, desire, and drive.:redface: When and if you find the needle, it will be the Boss's job to figure out how to keep the needle and keep it sharp;)
 
Steve said:
While there may be a few kids left with morals, the needle becomes finding the employee that not only doesn't have any other problems, be it a record, drugs or even a drinking problem which you can't test for, but one who has the interest, desire, and drive.:redface: When and if you find the needle, it will be the Boss's job to figure out how to keep the needle and keep it sharp;)
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Exactly!
 
been a deail freak for 40 years and a business during all those years too.
in calif. sub contractors can be a truly trick thing. govt or those very subs can bite you. i will never use em any more , so that said i have found, rather culled out after years some miraculous employees. you must learn to read them before even giving them a start. sounds tough but i is your job to grill them and find the gems. certainly not easy if you screw up it is a mess. i hired people based on my life experiences with the ones i met in life and then just asked myself is this one a keeper. success was not perfect but all in all i did good. small details and your own knowledge will lead you. if you choose wrong just dont wait to pull the plug. one is out there in line that is you years ago. hope this doesnt sound too new age or like crap. it is just a story of my business. just being a small owner and doing what you have done up to now is impressive. communicate and it will happen
 
I have heard that comment since I can remember even when I was young. in regards to my generation. In certain types of jobs, it is hard to find the right people especially when hard work, attention to detail, etc. is needed.

Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Sad that this statement even has to be made, and even more sad is that it's 100% true :wall
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Bunky said:
I have heard that comment since I can remember even when I was young. in regards to my generation. In certain types of jobs, it is hard to find the right people especially when hard work, attention to detail, etc. is needed.
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Bunky, I think every previous generation says something to this effect about the current generation. There probably is some truth to it in each case. As we've moved away from a labor force that used physical labor to produce a product to a technology work force much has been lost.

That said, there are many sources that now state that the "Text Generation" have lost the skills required to sit in a job interview and sell themselves to a potential employer. We've become lazy during this process. Saying to the person interviewing you, yo dude, stopping to return a text or wearing flip flops to a interview aren't likely to land a new guy a job. I say "We've become lazy" because as parents of this generation we failed to imprint these skills on our children. We haven't demanded this level of intensity and detail and it hasn't miraculously appeared in this generation. Really makes me wonder about the generation that will follow the "Text Generation."
 
GearHead_1 said:
That said, there are many sources that now state that the "Text Generation" have lost the skills required to sit in a job interview and sell themselves to a potential employer. We've become lazy during this process. Saying to the person interviewing you, yo dude, stopping to return a text or wearing flip flops to a interview aren't likely to land a new guy a job. I say "We've become lazy" because as parents of this generation we failed to imprint these skills on our children. We haven't demanded this level of intensity and detail and it hasn't miraculously appeared in this generation. Really makes me wonder about the generation that will follow the "Text Generation."
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Totally agreed! I'm actually 25, so technically part of this "texting generation" and I find it tough to relate to a lot of people my age for exactly these reasons. The amount of disregard for standards that have long been held as important is really just astounding to me.

Have we really reached a point where technology has gone from being a means of advancing society to it now serving to degrade all that it has built? :crazy:
 
I've noticed a big difference in people who have working since they could push a lawnmower vs. those who never applied for a job till after college. There is a sense of entitlement no matter what the industry.
 
Concours.John said:
I've noticed a big difference in people who have working since they could push a lawnmower vs. those who never applied for a job till after college. There is a sense of entitlement no matter what the industry.
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I can relate to that. I'm soon to be 23 and I'm still in college, but I started cutting grass and maintaining the yard when I was 9. Not to mention helping my parents around the house in any way needed. I started working when I was 15 and have been since then. I had to work to pay car insurance, gas, and anything else except for food at the house.

I know people that have only had jobs to earn money for things they want. Their parents pay for the car, insurance, and everything else. Although I'm friends with some ppl like this, I do see that they have no idea what any kind of hard work is like and they have no idea how to grow up.

There are those among us younger people that do have their heads screwed on straight, but I can't blame people that stereotype most younger folks because for the most part they're right.
 
YellarStang99 said:
I can relate to that. I'm soon to be 23 and I'm still in college, but I started cutting grass and maintaining the yard when I was 9. Not to mention helping my parents around the house in any way needed. I started working when I was 15 and have been since then. I had to work to pay car insurance, gas, and anything else except for food at the house.

I know people that have only had jobs to earn money for things they want. Their parents pay for the car, insurance, and everything else. Although I'm friends with some ppl like this, I do see that they have no idea what any kind of hard work is like and they have no idea how to grow up.

There are those among us younger people that do have their heads screwed on straight, but I can't blame people that stereotype most younger folks because for the most part they're right.
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There is no stereotype. It's all about dedication. When you view people as clients and not customers it speaks volumes. A customer is someone who spends money with you a client is someone you have a true relationship with.
Make that a priority. Employers and customers notice that. If you want to get big customers understand they did not get the cars they have by being ignorant to that fact. Most of the people I deal with are business owners, surgeons, and doctors. They are not stupid.
Work hard for them and they will trust you.

John
 
I completely agree with most of what has been said in this thread about work ethics and today's society. It's very hard to find a good employee these days. I had one a while back and had the same issues that all of you had. He was a great worker and listened to what I said, but he killed me because he could not put down the damn cell phone. My wife was pregnant at the time and I didn't pay as much attention to my phone as he did to his. Also, he always had somewhere else to be. While he had no problem doing the physical work, he was always missing things because he was in a rush to get them done.

I don't know, I am 31 and have had a job since I was like 12 years old. Granted that when I was in my teens and early 20's I may have slacked off a bit, but at some point people have to grow up. I sometimes wonder what my grandfather would think about people's work ethics these days. He worked because that is what you did, period. You went to work. Then you had some dinner, went to sleep and got back up the next day and went to work.

"It's called work for a reason, it's not called fun time, it's not called play time, it's not called having a good time, it's called work" - Larry Winget

Oh, and IF anyone is looking for some help, I LOVE to travel and go work at other shops. :D
 
GothamAuto said:
He was a great worker and listened to what I said, but he killed me because he could not put down the damn cell phone. Also, he always had somewhere else to be. While he had no problem doing the physical work, he was always missing things because he was in a rush to get them done.
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did Pockets used to work for you :rofl:lol2:

I think the cell phone or iphones or what ever the latest is, is actually an extension of today's kids hands. :notme:
 
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