I know for myself that I feel really good when you can sit back and see that you have made a difference in a installers life and made him better for it, it feels even better when they come to you later and say "hey, you were a dick, but I got it and I'm better now for it"

I have seen it in 2 guys in the past few years and it makes me feel good..........

They rest of them can **** right off.........

^ I must not know those 2 guys - everyone I talk to just says yer a dick :laugh: :cheeky4:

"Wondering how a guy that works one day a week has so much opinion on the Install Standards in Canada..."

Hahahaha

People who like their bosses and coworkers tend to work far harder and care about the environment in which they work.
Have you thought theres possibly personality conflicts with you and your employees ?
You've done a good job of distinguishing between "us" (owners) and them (employes) and if your dealings with them are anything like our dealings, i can understand why you're in the position you're in.

and finally,
..... of course you're going to care more about it all when you have a vested interest in it :dunno:

I think shop owners need to take some blame for the US and THEM theory here. Its easy to wash your hands of this and blame installers, but at the end of the day the bosses/owners are the guys pressuring installers to be faster, paying less and expecting more.

Just a theory... at the end it doesn't affect me as i am neither US or THEM.

I think you are missing the point:

Namely, taking pride in your work.... I have worked in more than a few different jobs and seen more than my share of dog f*&kers... there is no excuse to bang the pooch -- pride is as pride does...

No one starts at the top, you have to earn your way there and THAT is the point, WTBs do not want to earn anything, they want mommy, daddy you and me to GIVE it to them.

Us is the people who care about quality work, They are the people who don't, it has nothing to do with owners and employee's.................

Theres a number of points you're making from dog ****ing to silver spoon. For argument sake, i will agree, read below.



Though i disagree with the last statement i do believe there are other variables that make one "care", i do agree with the overall sentiment that the quality in the field has gone down. I believe its seen everywhere from the trades to car audio.
An owner will always (generally) go that lil bit further to please a customer where as an employee doesnt care as long as he gets a fat pay cheque.
Passion and care isn't easily found, and when it is, usually shop owners are not willing to pay for it.

Being a owner has nothing to do with personal pride in what you do, I've been doing this for over 17 years and only two have been as a owner and I have always taken pride in doing a good job, it's all about pride and taking value in your reputation....

That's the problem. no one now adays care to even have a rep never mind trying to have a "good rep"

Question: How many people/customers follow you from shop to shop?

I have about fithteen of them programed into my cell from my AB days that drive out from Vancouver to Langley just to have me work on theirs cars. They trust me, and only want me to work on the cars. I take the time to understand their needs, want and what the want out of the system.

This has nothing to do about being the boss or not,,,,,,just personal pride in what you do each and every day in any tyoe of work you do. Thats is what I look for not only in a co-worker or an employee, but also life long freinds.