Work ethics

by freedom96 4 Replies latest jw friends

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  freedom96

  A while back, in one of the businesses I have, I needed to hire a salesman. I was thinking of running an ad, and then thought to myself, I should give a friend of mine the job. I have known "John" for over ten years, and he needed to make money bad.

  John would need a little training, but I thought would work out fine. He spoke spanish perfectly, which was needed for the position, and he was completely trustworthy.

  John always talks about how successful he is going to be. He wants to be filthy rich one day, and has himself completely convinced that it will happen one day. Which is great, I encourage all who have the desire to go out and do something, go make things happen. He has no capital to start a businesss, and therefore is looking for other ways to make money. Over the last few years, he has spent nearly $50,000 on "get rich quick" books and tapes. You know the ones, on late at night. For only $150 we will show you how to make money at real estate with no money down. He has all those. And more. He has seen several opportunities that will work, but if it is not his style, he won't do it. He must like it. I told him that many successful people do what they do because it makes sense, and it provides their lifestyle. Rarely is it because they like it. So he has passed on several chances to make money.

  So, as so wildly ambitious like he says he is, he feels that he must spend every waking minute on the computer, checking out business opportunities. He has spent so much time on the computer, his wife has banned him from even turning it on Sundays. Every morning, he is up looking up sites on the computer, and as soon as he leaves work he goes back on.

  But he is so convinced that he will find that opportunity on the computer, his job is suffering. This business here is based on sales. The fact is, that the more time you spend here, the more chances there are that there will be a sale, to make money. There is no guarantee when there will be a sale, but here it usually happens late afternoon/ early evening. He is in bad shape financially. Big time in trouble. One extra sale a month would do wonders for him. But he insisted on hours, which I approved, which means coming in usually a little later in the morning, but yet many days leaves early. Has to have two days off period. If he were to work until 6-7 every night, and work Mondays, which would still give him Sundays off, he would likely make another $1,500 to $2,500 a month on top of what he already makes. It just seems to me, that under his circumstances, he would work whatever hours he needed to in order to have money to support his family and have extra.

  What is it with his thinking? Is that normal? Or am I just extra ambitious and willing to do what it takes to support my family without giving up valuable time have with them?

  Sorry, just had to vent a little. But really, I am curious. If you needed money bad, would you work the extra hours, trying to get that extra money?

  Seems to me he is missing the whole idea. My opinion is this: Those who are successful at their business are usually successful at most of what they do. They do their best at work, at home, whatever.

  I have never seen anyone slack off at work, and yet go tear up some other business. Work ethics should be the same.
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  BadJerry

  First, have to disagree with your assumption that if successful at work will be successful at home. Too many people in my industry (software development) have proven extremely successful in their business ventures but failed miserably at the homefront. But,
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  Xandria

  The thirst for success and to have his own business, has over-ridden common sense. I have seen this desire for things like this in many forms. He has his head in the clouds, he wants to do it his way ( FAST and Quick ). Many people do not stop and think. Self discipline and investing wisely to prepare for the future you want is the steps to good business.

  If he was truly serious, he would quit buying those late night info-merical crap at a $150.00 a pop and invest that money into a CD or Short term account that will give interest on your money saved.

  There is nothing wrong with having dreams. Write them down, make a itemized list, do the planning, and venture forth. But it is all about balance. You can not suceed when you neglect your family, your job and basic needs. It is also about balance. To truly be successful, you must balance your family, thier needs, and so on. Else you end up a man who may have a kingdom of a business, but no one to share it with. Or a fool who is easily parted from his money. The choice is thiers.

  Success at all costs is not success.

  Edited to add: Also there is nothing wrong with taking calculated risks with a venture. To fail is not as bad as not trying at all. Just think it through.

  Xandria

  Edited by - Xandria on 20 December 2002 13:6:56
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  Skeptic

  Xandria, you are very wise.

  First, have to disagree with your assumption that if successful at work will be successful at home. Too many people in my industry (software development) have proven extremely successful in their business ventures but failed miserably at the homefront. But,

  All too true, BadJery. All too true.

  Richard
• 

  caligirl

  What freedom is referring to is successful at home in terms of business, not relationships. "John" is not in business for himself, at this time and it is unlikely that he ever will be. He says he wants to be, and that he wants to make the big bucks, but the point is that he puts in minimal effort at work- which at the moment is his main bread and butter, and is unwilling to go the extra mile or work harder to help get himself out of the financial hole he has dug for himself. If he works late one day, he will come in late the next day to compensate. He is unwilling to leave his "comfort zone" for anything, will not under any circumstances do an ounce of work that was not included in his original job description because it is "not what he was hired for".No real ambition to succeed. What he wants out of all his time on the internet researching get rich quick schemes is a business that will not require him to do anything he doesn't want to do, such as talk to people. He is a fan of those " send out 2000 postcards, don't have to talk to anyone, mentor anyone, or put any effort in besides mailing the postcards" kind of businesses. The point is, he wants to make the $$ but refuses to extend himself in any way, shape or form. He is essentially unwilling to grow, adapt or change to achieve his "goals" . If one has a true goal to accomplish something above and beyond the ordinary, then they are usually willing to step up and do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals, and this he will not do.