Porta potty king
Some weeks ago I found myself in a lot full of porta potties because the owners wanted me to push back prickly blackberries. The invaders were creeping in from neighbouring commercial lots.
So, I put on my hard hat with ear protection and face shield and went to work with my Stihl brush cutters. And as I navigated between the porta potties, I laughed at how ridiculous it looked. Here I was, a proud Red Seal journeyman horticulturist, hacking back prickly blackberry canes in-between porta potties.
But I did it because I was asked to do it and I like to deliver good service. That’s what professionals do. No excuses or delays; no delegation to junior staff.
Normally I maintain the front landscape of the commercial building bi-weekly and it looks fine. I rarely venture inside the back lot but it’s nice to know what’s there and what shape it’s in.
Small business lesson
Because today was a statutory holiday Monday in British Columbia I opened up the Globe & Mail newspaper while my son practiced soccer with his academy just down the hill from me. And while reading, a small business article caught my eye. One of the lessons in the article is that in small business nothing is beneath you. As the owner you have to do and know everything, at least in the beginning. You can let go of some tasks once revenue goes up.
The article mentions a funny story about an MBA hire reporting for his first day at work. The owner gives him a broom and the guy mentions that he’s an MBA. Unfazed, the business owner tells him that it’s OK, he’ll teach him how to use the broom!
Shock and awe
Workers also like it when the boss knows everything about the business. The workers I supervise often show surprise and shock when they see the boss using a machine in the landscape. They have lots to learn.
So there you have it. When you run a small business there is nothing beneath you. Learn to perform all tasks and functions even if it takes you into a lot full of porta potties.
