Ben Bortner

@MikeBotkin_ @guessworkinvest Was surprised at the companies that didn't report

@guessworkinvest Just as a note. The list isn’t entirely accurate. 1) many companies didn’t report (Juniper for example), and 2) they classify companies as PE based on whoever submitted the survey clicking “we are PE owned”, (e.g., Down To Earth is owned by capital providers)

The two largest non-PE-backed companies in Lawn & Landscape Top 100 are tree companies. Bartlett is family-held (fourth generation, I believe). Davey is an ESOP. I’m glad the two big guys in our space aren’t PE-backed — they act more like industry supporters than sharp-elbowed competitors.

@StrongpointRich I think new trucks and wraps also get a wary eye

I'm convinced that the general consumer has gotten wise to the "technician with a tablet" aesthetic.

@jjtejkl Thanks!

@Slackwatercap Happy birthday!

I would suggest that you have the opportunity to help this person get their life back on track and navigate a challenging time in their life. If this person is showing promise at work, and if offering them a payroll advance equivalent to roughly one paycheck would help them make a change, you should consider doing it. Nothing builds respect and loyalty like helping your team when they need it. And in exchange you get a senior claim on their future income. You can deduct loan payment from their paycheck until you're repaid in full. Assuming you pay your employees arrears, and you cap their advance at around one weeks pay, the odds of you not getting repaid are pretty low. If they quit, you can deduct the remaining balance due from their final check.

@blueprintsmb22 Do you pay payroll weekly or bi-weekly?

Left the factory today around 4pm and checked the back parking lot before leaving hoping maybe Ward would show up to pick up some pallets I could load before leaving. See the new hire’s car parked in the far back. Okay I’m now wondering if he’s homeless. Will drive and check back parking lot when I get in tomorrow around 415-430am to see if his car is there x.com/blueprintsmb22…

@jamesonhaslam Sounds like they will remain a candidate

another day, another candidate asking if there’s a way to avoid the child support garnishment from their potential paycheck

What's a better use of AI? 🤔 A: Reduce staff by 20% to save money. B: Train staff to get 20% more done using AI as a tool.

@Seth_Parker_ Multiple pieces to that question. I did not talk to the customer, but at the end of the day someone has to make the final decision on something like this.

Customer claims we dropped a branch on his railing during tree trimming and we need to fix his railing.

@ArmadaCapital @shawngorham I will roast him in a response if he does. You can't let these people extort you.

@Slackwatercap @shawngorham What if the customer leaves a bad review? That’s the only thing that puts me at the mercy of my customers. Afraid of a bad review on google.

@Travis_Jamison One or two screws and some paint will solve the issue.

@Slackwatercap Looks like perfectly strong wood to me.

@Vondersupporter @homeservicebase @jamesonhaslam Layer number 25 will solve it

@Slackwatercap @homeservicebase @jamesonhaslam Just needs some fresh paint!!

@shawngorham No thanks. We also aren't carpenters.

@Slackwatercap you know that didnt happen... BUT fix it, ask for a review and move on. Cheap marketing to create a fan for life. Oh ya... ask to schedule them for next year too

@Robbie_R23 The broken one will look great at the office.

@Slackwatercap Bought one of these this week.

@GeoffOliverATX More than the cost of the job that we did.

@Slackwatercap These are always so tough. Especially if you have before photos that clearly show the issue. Out of curiosity, what’s the cost to replace something like this? Feels like you have to do the entire railing plus paint. Not exactly something you can send the foreman to Home Depot

@homeservicebase @jamesonhaslam @jamesonhaslam how would you rate this deck?

@homeservicebase We have before photos showing his entire deck and fence falling apart. He needs to call @jamesonhaslam

We even sent our crew back once already to clean his gutters he claimed we filled up.

@blueprintsmb22 It doesn't really matter if we did or didn't (the crew says we didn't). We weren't grossly negligent and aren't responsible for replacing his rotten railing that would've broken under normal use.

@Slackwatercap U believe the customer?

He told me he wants us to put it back the way it was. 😂

They already paid their invoice and left a 5-star review, but I sense that it will quickly be converted to a 1-star review when I don't agree to replace their railing.