How should the business increase profit?

"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst) 12/31/2013 at 13:41 • Filed to: coworkerproblems

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So my boss is starting the yearly question of how to increase profit.

I aim to cut expenses. Lower power usage, green energy appliances, reducing wall warts, etc etc (I work in computers). I'm looking to set up an energy audit soon as well.

The best way to increase profit? Sack my two useless coworkers. I can't fucking stand them. Neither one is patient at all (can someone working in computers afford not to be?) but most importantly, they do shitty jobs. There's pretty much a 1/3 split between my secretary, myself, and my boss who is the owner. We get everything done. And by everything, I mean everything. Down to keeping the cars clean, floors clean, garbage taken out, and all of the customer computers.

I came into work today, and there was no internet. Blasphemy! I literally can't get a whole lot of the current jobs done without internet. Updates, transfers, security cameras, literally, the whole 9 yards. So what did I do? I unplugged the server that was set up as a DHCP server, I unplugged the Sonic Wall (which is a POS anyway), I unplugged the 50 port switch, I found the network cables for the essentials, and I set up a router and got it all back up and running in about 25 minutes with a lot of swearing because I couldn't find the paperwork easily.

Then I started looking closer at the wiring and a lot of the network cable jacks have to be cut off and replaced because the ends weren't crimped properly and they'll fuck up the ports on the switch. I already had to re-do a lot of the wall plates because they aren't done right.

Oh, and on top of that, I was wondering why websites weren't working all the time and service was cutting out. Then I saw that the DNS servers were entered incorrectly in the Sonic Wall, so when it should have had "167" it had "168."

Damn kid does work like this....

....and thinks it looks good/acceptable and calls it a day.

I can't even. At least it's New Years, and that means I get to play video games with the lady, and then fall asleep on the couch with her, because neither of us could be bothered to go out this year (much like last year, and all of the years before that).

Lets Just Drive > JGrabowMSt 12/31/2013 at 13:44

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The best way to increase real profit versus finding areas to save on the yearly budget is to offer a better product and grow your brand.

Sadly, most of commercial North America seems to have forgotten that.

f86sabre > Lets Just Drive 12/31/2013 at 13:53

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Yup. Make the customer want to come back. Give them a reason. Make it easy for them.

In my industry we have vendors who do nothing but make life hard with us. They are cocky and think no one else can do way they do. They are large multinationals. I call BS. There are smaller companies who are hungry, know the rules, are willing to be partners as opposed to advisories. Those are the peoples we try and go with.

JGrabowMSt > Lets Just Drive 12/31/2013 at 13:53

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We have been increasing our services to include small business support. Slow going, but we're also setting up a cloud server to offer our customers a cloud backup alternative where they know where the "cloud" is (something carbonite and many others don't really mention at all).

In terms of our repair shop (what I'm specifically referring to), offering a better product starts at increasing the quality of work. I've managed to get my boss to stop buying crap brands, so we stock somewhat more expensive inventory items, but I've had computers come back to get recycled, and the newer components were in good enough shape we've been able to re-sell certain components.

I agree that North America has forgotten about branding and products, but work quality has plummeted far faster and farther down the ladder.

JGrabowMSt > f86sabre 12/31/2013 at 14:05

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I do want to be clear though, the question at hand is just asked every year. Our services are not what's in question, my boss is always looking for ways to increase profit. We (my abilities) have an incredibly loyal customer base and are recommended pretty widely. I've had packages overnighted to the shop from out of state because someone away at college wanted me to fix their computer.

My beef is with the quality of work out of my coworkers who just lack the ability to recognize when they need to shape up. One of the techs in question has been fired a couple times, but my boss just keeps hiring him back over the same sob story.

When he first started working with us and I got on his case about doing a shitty job, he told me I was being an asshole, and he could push carts at a supermarket for $9.50 and hour. At the time, I told him if he'd be able to keep the job (two things he's really good at are drinking and being late). I'm amazed he hasn't lost his license (he just turned 21 this year) but most importantly, that he gets away with so much.

The Transporter > JGrabowMSt 12/31/2013 at 14:22

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Collect underpants.

KB Garage > JGrabowMSt 12/31/2013 at 14:30

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I asked for marinara DAMMIT

KB Garage > JGrabowMSt 12/31/2013 at 14:30

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I asked for marinara DAMMIT

Lets Just Drive > JGrabowMSt 12/31/2013 at 15:23

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Agreed.

It's not the fault of any one individual, it's just a fact of business in our two countries.

I wasn't trying to be glib or provide critical commentary on your workplace or business model. Sorry if there was any insult in my tone - I meant it more in terms of a general observation.

I hate when it comes time to try and squeeze the budget to make the year end and I feel like it's a failure when employers are forced to look for "profit" at the expense of their employee base such as cutting costs etc.

My regional manager, he feels the same - if we come to year end and have to look at our expenses to make the numbers work, it means we haven't grown the brand enough in that year; we haven't found new clients and contracts etc.

It's a hard reality of doing business in this market but it's the core reason why I stay with my employer. It's down to corporate culture and whether or not yours is based on exploiting employees versus growing the brand and giving back to same.

JGrabowMSt > Lets Just Drive 12/31/2013 at 15:55

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Oh, no hard feelings anywhere. Im more aware of my bosses finances (personal and professional) because Ive been with the company almost as long as its been open, and two techs have been flat out fired for behavior. My boss has gotten a little softer more recently, and Im not totally sure why. Finances are balanced, but Im looking to keep the expenses in check because we moved into a larger building and because the tech industry is always changing, spending has to happen. I just look for better long term options, and higher quality. I dont mean to tout myself as king of the world (im by no means perfect) but my coworkers have years of schooling specifically for computers, and I dont. I have an old school work ethic because of how i was raised, and my coworkers, 32 and 21, both act like children. "I dont know" is something that shouldnt even be in the vocabulary here. Sure, I have many years of experience far beyond them (i got lucky with some jobs previously as well as in school), but that doesnt give them a pass to not notice very basic problems that are very obvious.

One was told not to work on computers for a while because they were screwing up so often, and now the other one was told not to come in for a few days and to get recertified or find a new job.

Then all the jobs fall back on me, so here I am, working late on NYE so computers will be ready to pick up when our two stores open again on Jan 2.

Im sure most of the older crowd is leaning back with a 'been there, done that' smirk, but for reference, Im not even out of college yet. I just hit the point a couple years ago where i just grew up. It feels good, dont get me wrong, but im still in school, so there is no break...i didnt even get a vacation this year...maybe in a week ill get away for the weekend...maybe...

Manuél Ferrari > JGrabowMSt 12/31/2013 at 20:47

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It's definitely a combination of the two. You have to have a great product/service and constantly weed out unproductive workers.

Wasted salary expense is the #1 killer for most companies. It adds up to way more than you can save by cutting costs in other areas. Anytime an employee gets paid for 8 hours but only does 4 hours of good work you're in trouble. If you are lax your competitors won't be and you'll be at a cost disadvantage. And if the employees make mistakes or produce bad product you'll be really screwed.