Work getting me nowhere

LegacyUser

Iv been working in my fathers company for the last 2 years and lets say its been through a lot in that short space of time and i, along with a few other people have been instrumental in keeping it from going belly up. Its a small-medium company and we employed upwards of 30staff this time last year. A few drastic decisions and events happened that resulted in us shedding 20 staff and dropping back to 10. The company remains at the same turnover level and output level, we just had a huge change of tact....

Anyway, things are going great again after a very tough year. A new woman has started in sales and is very good at her job but i resent her as she is the type of person that wants to be teachers pet and has struck up a particularly strong rapport with the MD (My Father). Iv been working quietly on a couple of major flies that remain in the ointment so to speak and have gotten a few of them to the point of fruition however, the MD and the Saleswoman have decided to muscle in and make it their baby now that all the hard work has been done.

This in a word makes me feel like ****. I have tried to make how i feel known to top level management but as the new woman is very good at sales shes hearlded as the saviour and decare would you say anything against her. She has wormed her way into a position with the MD that he is afraid/doesn't want to say anything to upset her as if you do, she turns on the waterworks and says she cant cope and is going to leave.

I have spoken on the qt to a few long term trusted fellow employees who agree that they (they have given themselves the self appointed title of sales 'team' - there is two of them) are extreemly hard to work with but im the only person that has to deal with them on a day to day basis. They arrive and dump all their issues on me and only want to focus on sales and the 'enjoyable part of their job' all day. Truth be told they are very good at the selling part of their job, but very bad at everything else like paperwork, details, selling the right product etc.

I dont want to leave my job on the head of this person, i like the industry were in and i think after putting in the hard graft to get the company turned around to a position where were making good profits again (i dont mean i did it single handidly but a joint effort) that i deserve to maintain my position here and feel like i should be a valued member of staff.

One project i was working hard on has come to a head and theres a meeting over it tomorrow but the sales woman has appointed herself spokesperson (despite having no prior knowlege of the problem as its an ongoing thing that spans 2-3 years, shes been working here 1 year in January). I feel like throwing the file iv compiled at her and letting her off to fcuk it up on everyone as i resent what shes let do. Theres not even a need for her to attend the meeting but she wants to go anyway just to take the kudos when things (hopefully) get sorted out.

I dont know what i want answers wise and im not even sure that my post is completely coherent but its kinda theraputic to write it down in a way... It would take me 3 pages of text to tell the story in its full complexity... Sometimes i feel like im going out of my mind here.

Beruthiel

It has been said, that working with family is a very, very bad idea.
You have just given a really good reason why this is the case.
You are family, you'll never be treated as a normal employee, you are expected to 'take it' where others wouldn't.
With normal employees certain lines will never be crossed, there are no lines where you are concerned.
This won't change you know, nothing you say or do will make a difference.
You have to put some hard questions to yourself.
Is this the way you want to spend the rest of your life?
You say you love the industry, what's stopping you finding a job elsewhere in the same industry? Is is fear of the unknown?
My advice to you would be to give it a go. Send out your CV and see what happens.

K_P

You belittle this woman by saying she's "wormed her way in" and that she wants to be a "teacher's pet", yet it sounds like nothing more than jealousy. What exactly is your problem with her other than that she's good at her job, gets on well with your father and wants to get invoved in other aspects of the business?

I've no doubt you're good at your job and it sounds like you've brought it through some tough times. But your attitude, to other staff members especially, is appalling and unprofessional.

Ontheverge wrote: »

they have given themselves the self appointed title of sales 'team' - there is two of them

This would be the sales team who you resent for spending their day doing sales work, while admitting that they're very good at it.

Ontheverge wrote: »

I have tried to make how i feel known to top level management

That would be your father, yes? Time to stop throwing your toys out of the pram. It sounds like you have some great staff and good prospects. Focus on that and leave issues with your father outside work

Drummerboy2

Totally agree with Beruthiel. My partner works in a family business. She continuously complains of being taken for granted.

LouOB

This is a very difficult situation for yourself and your dad also. As he torn

I would go into that meeting with all gun's ie back up why you would best suit to take on the new project, existing problems on 'sales team' that sales team leader has not cleared. Would you have any figures or stats to back up you? ie the amount of times/hours you gave to her team cos work not done properly of mis-selling etc.

If you want to show your MD that the work your doing is good you cant just rely on the fact that he is your dad. Step up and show you want the job and be in the company - not just because it 'family'. Sending out cv will just show MD that you dont want to be there and rely more on the new person

padser

Drummerboy2 wrote: »

Totally agree with Beruthiel. My partner works in a family business. She continuously complains of being taken for granted.

As opposed to almost every other employee in the world?

I can't remember the last time I heard and an employee NOT complain that they were underpaid, overworked and UNDERVALUED.

Seriously OP - most of the workforce feels like this. Its prob a little worse for you since you have personal ties with management but really I think you need to just suck it up - or move on if you can't.

LegacyUser

K_P - I have said that they are good at the 'selling' part of their job, ie getting in to meet clients by means of using sexual orientated messages and flirting (on the saleswomans part) there have been 2 incidences since she started here where clients made inappropriate advances on her because of the messages she sends out.

My father (MD) does nothing to discourage her from portraying herself as a sexual object to males in a construction based industry. This, i think is wrong. Bad for business in the long run as we should be gettin work based the merit of our company, not by someone flashing clevage and using sexual innuendo. Thats a whole nother days work and if thats how the 'sales team' want to roll then so be it.

"This would be the sales team who you resent for spending their day doing sales work, while admitting that they're very good at it." - In response to this, they are good at getting business, but there are repeated mistakes made in selling the wrong product, the incorrect amounts getting ordered, delays between us ordering and receiving the product and the customer actually taking delivery of it etc etc. They are good at selling and talking the talk, not what follows. And dont get me started on cashflow and collecting accounts - that is a bit OT but i wanted to clear it up. I have brought these issues forward to MD but his opinion is 'as long as were selling were ok'. Bear in mind he was MD when the company got into difficulty in the 1st place.

'Top level management' as i put it referrs to my Father and Mother (MD's).

LegacyUser

@ Padser

I could take being taken for granted etc on the chin if the other member of staff thats directly involved here was treated the same way. Theres no reason for her to be treated any differently to anyone else in the company thats been here through the tough times. She started when there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Thats good advise LouOB, but like i said, if i try and make any points to show up inadequcies in the 'sales' team, she turns on the waterworks and runs back under his wing, at which point he begins to defend her.

She actually complained to him before that i was 'not nice to her at work' , i approached in a calmm friendly manner at lunch and asked her what was up, she started crying!!

professore

Assuming your side of the story is correct, and you haven't twisted the details to suit yourself :

Go to your dad and demand a profit share, more power and equity in the business. If you don't get it, walk - or better still, set up a rival company and poach the good staff. It sounds to me like you can run the business better than pops, so why not? You'll quickly see how they will be back to square one without a good organiser on board, which is what you come across as. At the very least they will want to come to some deal. Companies take people for granted because people let them. Being related makes no difference. All's fair when running a business.

You managed to have the same level of turnover (no mention of profit though, the important thing, although I assume that must have increased even more as you have far less overheads) and output with 1/3 of the staff. That's a 300% increase in productivity. Anyone who can manage that is a damn good manager and should be treated as such.

If you let that salesperson continue the way she is going she will piss off the people who turned the company around and they will walk too. If she's not happy to sell and stay out of the other areas of the business then she should be fired. There are lots of other good salespeople out there who can sell your products or services for decent commission. On the other hand, the team you have built is a rare thing in today's world.

Drummerboy2

padser wrote: »

As opposed to almost every other employee in the world?

I can't remember the last time I heard and an employee NOT complain that they were underpaid, overworked and UNDERVALUED.

I'm talking about not being paid commission, where non-family members are, for doing less work. I'm talking about working longer hours than anyone else. The list goes on.

TomMc

As Beruthiel says working in a family business is not ideal. On the one hand you tend not to get a comprehensive & businesslike training, more of the softly softly approach. On the other hand if you are around for quite some time, you can often be taken advantage of, seen as part of the furniture and taken for granted. He who is willing is asked to do more. And so feel unappreciated or undervalued as a result. Also where wages are concerned, liberties are often taken, especially if you are living at home. While parents love their children they may not respect your opinions as much if they perceive that you have a cosy existance in a family business rather than have shown the initiative and proved yourself in the wider business world. Having said that if you like the type of business itself well then it is only natural to have entered into the ready made family one.

What I would say to you is that you have to get it across to your father that you have a real passion for the business and while sales are its lifeblood, without the unsung heroes in the background, things would not be so rosy. Sales are one thing but overall management (managing incomings/outgoings), getting the best out of staff by giving them your support is what ultimately counts if a business is to be successful.

Also without sounding bitter or undermined/jealous of others, point out that sales people look out for no 1, they are usually very driven people and loyalty tends not to be that highly valued. They will jump ship if something better comes along, thats for sure, so not to overvalue them either. You are the loyal one, who gets on with things without fuss or fanfare or stealing the limelight. If he sees that you fight your corner and are not living in a comfort zone and is made to see clearly what you bring to the business, he will respect you more for it and take your ideas more seriously. You have to be subtle though or he might tell you to bugger off into the real world and prove yourself or become more independent.

Also I don't know what age you are or if its a limited company or whatever but if you have been around for a good while, decade or more and in your 30's + you should discuss having some sort of share in the business. If you have put in a lot and have not got more than a wage, then its by no means out of order. But subtlety is highly recommended!

TomMc

Personally, I think no family business is worth staying in unless you are getting an excellent wage (to offset the added hassle), a share of the business (for unpaid overtime) or are guaranteed to inherit same for all your endeavour. Otherwise parents can easily retire, sell the lot, give you a modest handshake and your back at square one, if all the wiser for it.

No job is for life anymore and even family business's come and go. FTR, Nothing gets your life into a rut more quickly than a family business.

Ishindar

unfortunately in a work situation u have to protect your own interests. u have to challenge and block people from muscling in on your projects etc.
its damn annoying but has to be done. limit their access to your information and if someone is self appointing themselves u have to assert yourself.
in this situation u have to now focus on protecting your hard earned status.
for example approach your MD on the subject of this college self appointing herself in a key area of a project u have sweated over for 2 years with her limited knowlege of the whole scope of the project etc. put pressure on your MD and assert yourself and dont take any bull**** from him.
unfortunately now u have to focus on retaining your status and making this part of your daily routine in work.
I think its likely this college is in your MDs ear constantly throughout the day, this is how to get on in a company and she is playing hard.
so u have to play hard also. u should also approach your MD with regards getting just rewards for your part in turing the business around and securing your future in the company. As his son he should be giving u some sort of share in the company and a special status unobtainable to her for example.

LouOB

Ontheverge wrote: »

admitting 'as long as were selling were ok'.

OMG alarm bells are ringing in my ear - didnt read other after i read above

This whole scenario reads like an assigment or question in an exam. The CEO is autocratic - controlling- head of sales, worth a shag nothing more- ahhh

Sounds like you are holding the company now.

1.Set out family meeting re issues
2.If company have loan from bank - talk to bank
3.If you can afford it - buy into the company with loan from bank. This will give you more power at meetings.
4.Maybe ask accoutant or solicitor to sit in on meeting if you do not think business is being run corrrectly ie it being run into ground.

Few ideas - maybe the whole investing into co might waken up MD's

Are there any other investors? eg bank loan, private loan from family members that are silent partners etc

LegacyUser

The bank branch I work in sounds like the OP's place of work. All about the sales. Its only when things go wrong, that's when the fingers are pointed. Boils back down to the common demoninator - blinded management. At least OP you can make a change by buying a stake in the company. I wish I could buy my bank. I'd sack about 3 layers of management.

LegacyUser

So we had the meeting, it went OK, im not delighted with the outcome but it was an outcome none the less, to a problem thats been ongoing for the last two years.

In fairness to the saleswoman she kept fairly quiet and just kept a watchful eye on proceedings and interjected where she felt something was overlooked or a mistake had been made by our client, so she was a help from that point of view.

During the meeting, the client as assured many times by the MD that 'Since he and [Saleswomans name] had taken over that things were turned around and we were running a different ship now etc etc...
Once or twice it was hastliy added that i was there too but it was obvious to the client to the point that even thought i had all the answers in front of me, he would direct questions to the saleswoman that only i could answer, at which point she redirected him back to me.

Its not her problem really, shes difficult to manage and needs watching but is valuable to the company if managed correctly, but thats not happening as her boss gives her no direction and lets her operate as and how she feels. I know shes the sort that needs definite instructions to work from as does anyone as its very hard to get a feeling of success when theres no objectives set out or goals made and reached. She feels a lot of pressure due to this and has told me so.

I have a feeling that now that things are sorted out with that particular account im going to be politely shoved out. I know my mother (other MD) doesn't want me gone, to put it in her own words 'those two need watching and your the only one can do it' but the crux of the matter is that my father feels under pressure from me on a day to day basis as i try to get him to do thing the right way, not his tin pot way and like anybody, he would prefer not to have that pressure in his life - he has told me such on an occasion too.

Have been browsing through job websites all morning. No motivation left to work at all. Kinda pissed that he agreed that account without letting me take figures home and reassess them. Was going to e mail client this morning for a copy of the spreadsheet we worked so hard on but iv lost all interest...

Just to give you some background on me: Im female, 26 Studied business in college but have grown up in one so i have a fairly natural head for business on young shoulders. I dont profess to be a genius but i have a good instinct for how things should be done.