I have been involved with helping to build a company for about a year now. I have been doing Custom Installations for awhile now. i started out pulling cable and now I do everything from Programmign Crestron systems and Engineering our new systems to Pulling cable in rouged houses if need be. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty and I have shown that in the last year. We have grown to the point that we have needed to hire on a couple installers to help us get the work done and there are these clicks forming. It is becoming a real pain.

My question is that Anybody have any advice on creating a team like atmosphere? I know there is always going to be an issue between the management type people and the installer people where Installer people don't think the managment type guys dont do crap(especially sales people). And sales guys feel like installers are lazy. I feel like I am caught in the middle of all of this and I am not sure how to keep everybody on the same page(Granted this really is the owner's job but I do what I can). I mean we are all trying to make money at this right?

There is an amazing morale building product in Ausralia called... BEER!
I know it sounds stupid, but at one of the companies I have worked for, we all went ten-pin bowling and consumed some social lubricant. People tend to be able to talk about work related problems more easily outside of work.
Also, the boss forking out $20 for pizza every once and a while is much cheaper than training replacement staff.
It seems very one sided, but it seems to make a big difference.

P.S. - Even the non-drinkers enjoy the social outings.

Sometimes one person in the company can take a crew, that until that point was happy and turn them against the company. They constantly keep tell everyone they work with how bad the company is how bad this person or that person is and after a while get a following.
The same strategy Hitler used LOL. Find the one person causing the problem and get rid of him.

With small companies everyone must wear multiple hats. People will 'click' together as this is very normal. The trick is to keep the clicks relatively close by making everyone feel imporant and showing one click that the other has talents they can teach and learn from each other.

lead thru example - Watch Gladiator - thats why maximus was loved

make your employess feel like they are part of something - not just employees. performance bonuses always help but also verbal recognition is bigger than you might think. everyone likes the pat on the back

i take my guys to lunch at least once every couple weeks and we go out for dinner at least 2 times a year. they are great times to get your finger on the pulse of the going ons in the business.

That's funny, we have (and regularly use) the same moral builder here in Canada. I guess the trick is, just be one of the guys (or girls). Make sure they understand that you've "been there". Listen to what they have to say, even the dumbest little suggestion can be helpfull. Let your employees know that.

Good luck!!!!

check your e-mail

toronto122

sorry...popped the wrong e-mail in and you got one too

go Leafs (my favorite Canadian team by far!)

I know I start to piss and moan when someone isn't busting ass like everyone else. Owner, salesperson, programmer, installer. Everyone needs to pull together and work hard. If one of these people aren't doing their share, it goes down hill fast.

Also, I feel nothing pulls a team together like trial by fire or a really ball busting install. (As long as it works out in the end.)

I'm leaving my current job mainly because the owner/salesperson just isn't getting it done.

How about that tried and true method used by many successful Japanese corporations since the 70's.

Every day have everyone come in a hour early for calisthenics and sing the company song.

Coming up with the right song is the tough part.

How about "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall?"

The installers or the "blue collar" workers of the company must avoid the Union mentality. As long as the management listens to their employees and instills a respectful work environment, things should hopefully run smoother. Of course, all this does not apply when stupidity is involved.

We just spent the day at a Zig Ziglar, Peter Lowe seminar. We took our employees and then went to a bar we did the tunes in for a long dinner, drink, meeting session. It was long overdue and the guys really appreciated it. We actually shut our owner mouths and let them have the floor for a long time with no interruption... got a lot of things out and was a very positive meeting. This coupled with the seminar and the fact that were all going to CEDIA in a few weeks seemed to be a good day for morale.

Good for you! I, too, have found that a session like you described does wonders for morale, but perhaps even more important is what you as an owner take away from those kinds of meetings.

As for myself, I realized a long time ago that I don't know it all - far from it, in fact - and I continue to learn from the guys in the trenches. There is an entirely different perspective when working in the field than from office work, or for that matter, when you are in the field, but you're the boss - the owner.

My hat's off to you, Roland, and those that follow in kind, for you have what it takes to be a successful businessman.

Dave

Great to see that peolpe care about thier place of business. Company meetings with an open forum. Please follow me here. Company being job working staff, not office help. Start with typical business stuff; goals, new products, in progrss jobs, upcoming jobs, etc. Do not forget sometime for personal talk. First couple will hav alot of tension in the area, but go with it. For example, Any ideas from the crowd on sales improving? Flip it around and ask about install, or gear, etc. The big thing that I have found is that people want their ideas and concerns heard. They like to know they are important to the bottom line. Kicker; If anyone presents an issue, you must also have an idea to remedy. Business is not easy to own, run, work for etc. Everyone is very important to the sucess of the company!!! Good luck

I just got back from a spot up in the Mt Baker National Forest where cell phones just don't work. Spent 4 days up there fishing and basically playing survivor with NO outside contact (of course I left a message to this effect). It led me to an idea... next summer I'm going to do a company sabbatical with my guys and wives, kids, etc. and include a day for just the employees out on a boat slaying rainbows for dinner and talking about biz. While this business is really hard to walk away from... we've suffered no ill consequences by shutting down the company every year for 5 days of CEDIA Expo. It just seems that every meeting is too short... interrupted by cell phones ... drowned out by restaurant patrons... or short on ideas because of location.

Just thought I'd share my plan in case it sparks anyone elses ideas.