All Aboard! (Dumb Ass Stupid Management)
The stereotypical plaint is that government doesn’t treat small business well. While that’s occasionally true, the larger problem is that small business owners often don’t know their gluteus maximus from their synovial hinge joint.
Recently, I wrote to four builders of model trains (electric trains). My intent is to take my large collection out of storage and have professionals build a new layout in a property I buy or lease for the purpose. I built my first two, but it’s time to have the pros do it right. (My electrician told me he could lose his license if he so much as looked at the wiring under my layout.)
Two builders never responded. (These people run major ads in magazines and have major web sites.) One responded, we had a phone call, and he cited a reasonable charge for the design stage. I sent him a check. Another responded, and on his call he wouldn’t shut up. He kept warning me his company was expensive (I’ve just purchased a Rolls) and that he couldn’t get to my project for several months (I’m patient about this, I don’t have the property yet). He then failed to send me what he promised two weeks ago.
If you want to run your business with sloth, or paranoia, or like a candy store, or idiosyncratically, fine. Just don’t expect to be successful, or simply call it a hobby. But please don’t complain about the government, because the government didn’t make you stupid, arrogant, or oblivious.
© Alan Weiss 2016
Thack Faugstad
I agree! I only have one caveat: The government work (usually RFI/RFP) is confusing, riddled with poor communication, and hinders BOTH sides of the fence. Once you realize that half the RFPs you respond to are created by a new government employee who is conducting their first or second RFP, you will feel more sorry for them than yourself. They still want help and advice like any other client – treat them as such!
Unless you are dealing with HR or vendor management. Then no, they are just being cumbersome for the sake of it and you may want to save your time. They cannot purchase and they love long processes.
Alan Weiss
Why would you even deal with an RFP and a new employee who is a mere functionary? That makes no sense.
Dennis Snow
Alan, that’s so frustrating to hear about your experience with clueless builders. But on another note, what you are doing is so cool. I look forward to seeing some posts with photos. In my younger years I worked at Walt Disney World, and my all-time favorite job was driving the old steam trains around the Magic Kingdom. I’ve been a fan of trains ever since.
Alan weiss
I’ll post photos. If you send an email to [email protected] I’ll show you my prior layout.
Jeffrey Summers
Sometimes I do so much work in managing their processes. I ask for an employee discount. Then the fun really begins.
Pat Ferdinandi
now that is funny except it is also sad.
Lucien Canton
Alan –
As usual, you are so right. Our backyard fence blew down in the winter and I contacted several local contractors about replacing it. Two never returned my calls. One contractor met with me and discussed the job and promised me a proposal. Several week went by and I had to contact him to find out he was too busy to take on my job. Same issue when I was looking for some roof work. You can bet these folks aren’t getting any referrals from me!
Alan Weiss
Someone needs to teach small business 101, assuming they are capable of learning. It’s astounding that they make squirrels burying nuts they may never find again more efficient at business planning.