Quote from Sandybestdog:
Thank you for the kind words. I�m posting a link here about a previous post I made that answers the issue of higher prices for higher salaries. I know that this concept will take a lot of money. Let me say that I have worked for all 3 major pizza chains in my area, all franchises. People there hate their jobs. Granted many are what some would think of as losers, and frankly I can�t disagree with that about a lot of them. But they are hungry for opportunity, I just know it. They are sick of seeing the profits keep going up and they are always asked to do more work for less pay. They keep working because they don�t have the time, money, or desire to find something better. Putting them out of business is much easier than it sounds. They are literally always a few people away from not operating.
Did you know that that $2 delivery charge that you pay does not even go to the driver? None of it. They added it because they want more money and don�t want to raise the prices. So the customer thinks the tip is already included in the price and reduces the drivers tip. Isn�t that rediculous? The driver pays the entire cost of operating the vehicle and the delivery charge that is charged for delivery goes straight to the company. It�s a deceptive business practice and the driver pays for it. I have contacted my elected representatives about this, but I realize that the odds of fixing it are slim to none. I have better odds at just competing with them and taking their business.
Let me be clear, I�m not a big believer in just paying people big salary�s and not expecting more out of them. Frankly I think paying them minimum wage and then a cut of the monthly profits is much better. I want to change the way business is done. Instead of paying the least amount possible to hire someone who is going to work the least amount possible, I propose to create a new system where everybody is rewarded by how well the business does as a whole. Laziness will not be tolerated. Not doing what is in the best interest of the customer, will not be tolerated. Respect for your fellow employees and always seeing how you can improve the business for yourself and your fellow employees will be the standard. Obviously accountability so that nobody steals or doesn�t do there fair share will be essential. Also those that want to be in this system will need to take the risks that go along with higher opportunities. When times are bad like now, they will take pay cuts (bonus checks will be less). But even in this economy, restaurants are still making money.
Lastly, I would like to set up a system by which people can reinvest their bonus checks so that the business can expand. I�m not just going to invest a bunch of money and take all of the risk so that other people can have good jobs off of my hard work. They will be required to work their butt off, and they will, because they will see how their hard work pays off. Imagine how much is possible when people are given this kind of opportunity. We can change the world together. Even in this bad economy there is a lot of money out there.
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=2168931#post2168931
You make some very good points, and there's money to be made in the DC region and plenty of immigrants willing to work for half of the minimum wage. This makes things much more difficult for honest businesses to compete with the greedy ones.
Maybe its going to be easier to understand if you look at it from the employer point of view: he makes the pizza, he pays all the bills, he pays for the products, the ads, etc....and gives you $5 an hour weather he sells one or 10 pizzas an hour. If he only sells one pizza in that 1 hour: he is taking a cut on his part, he's giving away the potential profit to you. If he sells many pizzas during one hour, you're also making money because you'll get more tips. So from his point of view it's a win-win situation. That $2 delivery charge pays for the $5 he pays you, which is a rip off, but the employer figures that if there are very little or no sales he can still guarantee you the $5 an hour. ( You mentioned earlier that they make you work during off time, that's bad, and if they do, you should be getting paid the same per hour as the other employees that work at the shop).
Also, most business don't make ANY profits during the first 3 years (I think that's the standard, correct me if I'm wrong), and even if they finally start making money, they are not too eager to give it away in good salaries and bonuses...simply because they remember the difficult times and know that the good times will not last forever, not to mention that most are in debt. They would have no choice if there was no unemployment, and no immigrants willing to work for less....and this is not the case.
You have some great aspirations and ideas, but I think it's difficult to judge the situation if you have never been in the position of a business owner. It's not as easy as you think. as a business owner you will come to the realization that 90% of all businesses and people that work for them are there only to make money, and not there to improve the world. This will be the people you're dealing with, and it will make you sick! Once we realize it, it's much easier to become bitter and selfish just like them...it's a vicious cycle....unfortunately
I wish you all the best, and hope you can start a profitable business one day, survive the competition while you rewarding and treating your employees right
