what a weird last couple of days it has been for me, started by getting to work thurs morning, walking in and i notice the parts managers truck is not there, oh well, go ahead and go in, i am immediately greated by a co-worker telling me, rob quit (the manager), and three more people are loosing their jobs today, ok, holy shit, what the f is happening here, 9:15am, general manager, service director and hr lady are in the parts dept.  We need to have a meeting and discuss what is happening, all of us know what has already happened and what is supposed to happen, so its a tense little meeting.  An hour or so later the same three walk in and ask if i "have a minute", then ask the asst. manager to come along.  Ok time stands still at this point, now i have just dropped a load in my pants, what the f**k did i do to get my ass fired, i havent fought with anyone lately, i am on time, no problems.  So the mind starts racing, hell if they are going to fire me, i am going down in a blaze of glory, let them have it, rip every one apart, give the the whats for.......no, not the best move, lets see what is going on.  Ends up with the wholesale guy, tire guy, asst parts manager and myself in a meeting with the above three and the owner.  After about 30 min the owner follows with, by the end of the day, one of you four will be my new parts manager.   Time stands still again, holy shit you idiot, bet your glad you kept your mouth shut arent you (talking to myself),  each has an interview with the owner.   4:00pm  meeting with owner, general manager, service director and hr lady------congrats Bill, you are our new parts manager (another load enters the drawers).. so yesterday is a blur, show up today, first day as new manager and come to a very harsh reality,  the only person who knows how to do this job...quit yesterday, so now i am flying by the seat of my pants....please return trays to their upright positions, its gonna be a bumpy ride...............and the asst is not to happy right now, since i got promoted over him........sorry so long but holy shit i am exited/scared/freaked/drinking etc etc.

You'll figure it out. Just remember what he did and don't do that! The biggest thing stepping into mgmt. is you have to look at things from a different angle. From the owners angle. It ain't Bill's Car dealership, it's whoevers. Your biggest challenge is going to be gaining respect from your former peers, tho. That will come. Won't change overnight.

Wayyyyy back when, when I was first promoted to manager, I remember my District manager's first visit. The fokker waited a month after promoting me to visit me the first time. He asked if I had any problems. I said, other that not knowing what the fawk I'm doing or what the fawk you expect me to be doing, none. I remember his words. "You run this business like you owned it, and we'll never have an issue, that's why I promoted you." Use that philosophy to this day.

BTW, who took the new SL65 for a test drive to get fired?  

Ray

And congratulations!

Hey Bill CONGRATS!!!   

X3 Bill, Congrats!  Does this mean you get to take that mean fockin SL65 out for a night on the town???  Maybe just a lunch run??? 

Hey Nordic80... You are a very good "thread jacker" my friend... seems to be a habit of yours.

typical newbee doesnt know jack shit...

glad someone with 50 something post can lay down the law and say whats going on here...

You're right... I was wrong... My bad... No need to get testy though.  Sorry if you had a bad day.  I just went and introduced myself to Jack Schitt...  Met his whole family.  You must know them very well since you apparently spend so much time on the pooper...

Don't hate, masturbate then ejaculate.  But never procrastinate and always...


CONGRATULATE!!!

Now back to you, Bill....

Congrats 

The only way to be a good manager is to treat everyone the same.  You have to have consistancy in how you handle your people.  You can't be friendly with a couple people and indifferent with others.  Give praise when appropriate, be fair when assigning tasks and you should earn the respect you deserve quickly.

Good luck and have fun   

Congrats....now get to work!

congrats

Congratulations Bill. A big one for most owners is "no surprises" Keep em informed on issues that could make them look bad or affect their bottom line. All of your staff have different styles and communicaitons needs. Like Crewchief commented, you have to treat all fairly and be consistant. Just some like/need real direct communication or direction and some you gotta be a little warm n fuzzy to get them to work at their capacity. One last thing it is easy to expect them to give 150% if that is what you do. That is your work ethic and you have to set the example, but try to get each to work up to their ability with what is the minimum acceptable standard being all you can demand. OK, one last, last thing. Most people want direction, want to do a good job. Bullshit misbehavior is usualy a symptom of something else...poor communicaiton, not knowing what is expected, jeolousy etc. When you have negetive interactions with your folks (and you will cause now you are the boss and not their friend), look at what you are doing to cause it first, then and only then at what they are doing. Sorry for so much input, I have just made almost every stupid management mistake that can be made, in my years of managing a really difficult work group. Good luck and have a blast. Remember, "if you cant dazzle them with brilliance, bafflem them with bullshit!"
DT