[Gary4271]

I bought a roof and gutter cleaning business last year with two old trucks and have just bought a new F150 to replace an '89 F250. I have always made it clear to my crews that I expect the trucks to be kept clean, but with these old trucks (the other is a '78 Chevy that will go to the crusher when the new truck is put into service) the standard was pretty relaxed.

I am having the new truck outfitted next week--bedliner, rack, toolbox, signage, etc. and look forward to surprising my top crew after the 4th of July. I am struggling a little bit with how to convey in a positive way that while I expect that the new truck (and another two coming in the next couple of months) to be fully used as a work truck (and enjoyed) that the new truck will serve as advertising for us (we had no signage on the trucks before), that a nice radio is not be a loud radio at or near work sites, that french fry wrappers under the seats are no longer an option, scratches and dings will now be noticed a bit more, etc. Essentially, I recognize that the new truck will not look so new for very long but I am not wanting it to be treated as casually as the old trucks.

I know this sounds self congratulatory, but I am a great boss to work for. I treat these guys as adults, give them plenty of freedom and recognition, and they return it all to me in spades. In a business where employees can be pretty transient, I mostly keep mine and think that is a real asset to the business.

If anyone here has the experience of taking a small company "to the next level" how have you handled expectations and old habits as you have provided better, safer, nicer equipment? What kind of problems have you had, if any (maybe I am concerned about a non-issue)?

Gary K.