Jun
21
DAMAGE CONTROL
Filed Under Uncategorized
This has been a very stressful week. We experienced multiple employee problems that resulted in the termination of three of our security guards. That is never a pleasant task. Filling their shifts with new employees only adds to the stress. We typically go through 10 applications to find one quality candidate. This week was no exception.
On the brighter side, my wife and I had dinner with Chip and Lisa St. Clair Thursday night. We finalized plans to open the Butterfly Foundation offices. For the time being, we will use the rear portion of our building in Rochester. Half way through our meal at 220 Restaurant in fashionable Birmingham, Michigan, Sigourney Weaver and a male companion came into the restaurant and sat two tables away from us. She is in Michigan filming a new movie. That was cool!
On Fridays I visit a select group of customers, yesterday was no different. I mounted up and rode my 2004 Harley Davidson Road King to a nasty section of the Motor City. For those of you not familiar with Detroit, it was at one time the Jewel of the Midwest. My Father and Grandfather grew up there, I was born there as well. My dad had very fond memories of Detroit and often told me stories of taking the public transportation alone and safely, hanging out with his pals and roaming the streets in what is now considered to be one of the most violent cities in the United States. What happened? To quote my late dad, his theory was simple. He would always say that, “The city of Detroit or any other city is only as good as the people who live there”. He applied the same logic to business. “Our company is only as good as the people who work there”, he would say. Makes sense to me.
That being said, as the owner of a business, it is imperative that I hire the best of the best. The above reference to terminating three employees this week is a direct reflection of me and my company. Our employees should be our ambassadors. When they aren’t, they risk everything, and that is unacceptable. We are now entering into Damage Control mode. We will survive!
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