GardenofWeeden
10-22-2004, 09:58 AM
Need some solid business advice. One of my Designers was on a job she designed and easily throws on some gloves and assists the crews. She is a fantastic designer with an excellent reputation in our area and enjoys working in the field. At this job site, another "Landscaping" company approached her after 45 minutes as they wandered on our customers property. At the time, she wasn't sure if the customer had some additional services being performed or if he was just being a low-baller looking for an opportunity. She felt as if it was more or the latter and decided to take hold of the situation. She asked him if he was a landscaper, "Well, (grinning with shiny gold capped teeth and two employees leaning and smoking against our truck...) Yeah, we do all kind of things." I know her personality and I am surprised she didn't find a better use for the shovel she was using, but she asked what they needed from "our" crew. The SOB continued to walk around the property and distracted the other workers. EVERY one of our employees knew something was just not 'right.' WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE? Remember, this is a Redneck (no offense) area and she could have been your wife, child or girlfriend. She said she lost about 1.5 hours or production time and the crew was uncomfortable. She came back to the office and was obviously irritated and concerned.
From a business standpoint, this bottom-feeder must do anything for cash as his truck Magnetic Sign says, "Landscape & Driveways" and Incidentally he was installing a garage door opener. Hmm....
From a personal standpoint, Beth (LD) is like family and I want to follow her to the job site and 'meet' this jack of all trades . But...his infringement and being a bottom-feeder isn't violating anyones 'rights.' The community we are in is a newly designed development of houses ranging $250,000 and up. So the 'market' doesn't suggest much of an opportunity for Sanford and his sons and his landscape and driveway service.
I am just concerned over the overbearing nature these guys had over Beth and the other workers.
So as a new day starts, I am concerned and have contacted Beth on the phone...(yes...checking in on her.) She is fine but with some obvious concern in her voice as the Good Ole Boys are still in the area.
My point is this....Beth is an expirienced professional business lady, I spoke to the homeowner and he stressed his concern for his residential area as well...But it is a new development that sees many of this sort of crap.
Maybe I am blowing this out of context, but I can wait and see if there are more distractions or should I be proactive and show up and risk offending Beth and her ability in business as she has many many years in.
What would you guys so? Without opening a can of whoop-ass, as a professional...what would you do???????
From a business standpoint, this bottom-feeder must do anything for cash as his truck Magnetic Sign says, "Landscape & Driveways" and Incidentally he was installing a garage door opener. Hmm....
From a personal standpoint, Beth (LD) is like family and I want to follow her to the job site and 'meet' this jack of all trades . But...his infringement and being a bottom-feeder isn't violating anyones 'rights.' The community we are in is a newly designed development of houses ranging $250,000 and up. So the 'market' doesn't suggest much of an opportunity for Sanford and his sons and his landscape and driveway service.
I am just concerned over the overbearing nature these guys had over Beth and the other workers.
So as a new day starts, I am concerned and have contacted Beth on the phone...(yes...checking in on her.) She is fine but with some obvious concern in her voice as the Good Ole Boys are still in the area.
My point is this....Beth is an expirienced professional business lady, I spoke to the homeowner and he stressed his concern for his residential area as well...But it is a new development that sees many of this sort of crap.
Maybe I am blowing this out of context, but I can wait and see if there are more distractions or should I be proactive and show up and risk offending Beth and her ability in business as she has many many years in.
What would you guys so? Without opening a can of whoop-ass, as a professional...what would you do???????