There may be a change on the horizon for me from a long time single consultant to a group of 2 or 3 analysts and a couple of data dogs (for lack of a better description).

I'd like to hear the good and bad of the changes ahead from some people who already experienced the pains of such growth.

Any advice out there?

That "data dog" could make you or break you, so I might first begin with a better name to represent those you work with and depend on.

Otherwise, its just like life, we are all different and have different personalities, it will be "your" choice how you work with others.

Mike

Thanks for the advice. I have lots of experience working with and managing people and am careful about who I work with so I'm sure I can get along with others fine. Also having years of experience as one, I don't consider data dog to be a derogatory term. It might be tiring, but it pays the bills.

Anything from the logistical side?

More people, more liability and one person with a problem may be your problem. Else it could be the best thing in the world. I don't collect any data anymore so I have to rely solely on squiggly lines in front of me so those data collector personnel represent you ultimately. They must have a code of conduct and know what not to say or promise. The tax burden and one of the seniors that is a high-roller may shrink your expense account. Discuss things like maximum expendures on (all facets), lunches/#of people etc... and maximum overall and/or annual. Take a hard look. Everybody may be buddies at first - just caution should be exercised without getting paranoid from my ramblings.

One good piece of advice from a friend of ours in a completely different field.... hire everybody with a clearly stipulated "probationarny period." At the end of this time (say 6 months), the decison is made to keep the person or not. This provides a way to deal with people who just don't fit.

Jon
Spintelligent Labs

This is a question I have considered for some time now. Growth has to happen. If what you do does not grow then other negative things seem to happen. One person can only do so much.

I can see your point. How do you get the quality that you need. Grow slowly, if possible. Tutor individuals and refine communication so questions, comments or results come across accurately and uniformly. Methods for analysis are set as long as short cuts to not take place during the process.

All are good comments to me! Good luck with your new adventure because that is what I think it would be for me in my situation, an adventure but a very interesting one though.

Good Luck!!

Danny, I just don't think that the data dog is a good option. I think that there would always be resentment there. The guy out getting hot and sweaty is not going to like the fact that he is providing data for someone to sit in an air conditioned office and look at. Data dogging seems like such a dead end.
And, as we have seen on other posts, there is such an analysing advantage when you are out there taking the data.
Now if you are hiring guys to take over for you so that you can play more golf, that is a good thing!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Danny Harvey:
Anything from the logistical side?

Uh.... Nope...

I am guilty once again of answering a question that was not asked, as I have not had to experience growth and that was your question.

I am sorry, I wasn't questioning your ability to work with people. The term "data dog" is not something I would want to be called even if that was all I could do. I guess its dependent on each individual.

I reacted on that term.

Wish you the best

Mike

Sam, Jon, Don,

All good advice and well appreciated.

Vibeguy,

I will never out-grow data dogging. I'll send you a picture of me and my son (aka Tote) and you tell me who is sweatier. Data dogging is not a dead end, either. I don't think I know anybody who started out as an analyst. You learn to collect data first and then you advance to an analyst. The final stage in your career as an analyst is the 18 unit "field analysis" that requires careful scheduling, better know as tee times.

Mike,

No offense taken. It does take a pretty thick skin to be able to work with me. I never was one to spend a lot of time "esteme building" but I am not hesitant to compliment a job well done either.

Thanks again everyone,

Danny,

My absence from these boards is a result of the situation you are considering.

The best way to describe it is ...

huge challenge = huge reward = plenty of worries

But be encouraged, either a business grows or it dies.

Take Care,

Danny,

Lots of extra paper work. Insurance, Federal Employment taxes and forms, State Employment taxes and forms, Unemployment taxes and forms, possible INS forms, OSHA regulations when you have employees, Workers Comp insurance and forms.

I have two great employees, otherwise I would go back to running the business by myself. Good employees make it worth while (my opinion).

John J

John,

I've already got all that. I think I am down to 48 tax filings per year since the Paperwork Complication Act of 2000.

quote:

But be encouraged, either a business grows or it dies.

This is "common" wisdom in business, but it doesn't have to be true. One person can make it just fine, without growing to a point where the business is overwhelming.

You have to chose your customers carefully and work hard to eliminate their repetitive problems and to educate them so they get better at doing maintenance. But there will be times when you are working as hard as humanly possible for days at a time.

For instance, I worked last Saturday, did reports Sunday afternoon and evening, and then worked until 11:30, 10:30, and 12:30 the last three days. That is really hard on a 50-year old. But things will settle out and I'll be back to my routine PdM work which is not too bad, about 13 days a month.

My customers are very loyal, and I am a good fit for them. They like that when they dial the phone, I answer, and I can tell them immediately when I can come, what it will cost, how long it will take. That would change if 'others' were involved.

One issue is equipment. My position has always been that when I roll up to a job, I have everything I need to analyze, balance, align, measure, listen, inspect. The only thing I do not have is a welding machine or torch. If I had technicians, I'd want them to have the same setup if they were going to a job alone.

But I struggle with "what do I do when I am just too old to service all my customers." My concern really is what will they do? (There aren't many options in this part of the country.) But they have never expressed concern about it. When I have discussed the possibility of "growth" with them, they have been unanimous in their opinion that I should contine to go it alone. They know what it's like to deal with employees and beauacracy (sp?).