Jonathan K

Revitalizing a 105 year old pest and termite control company in San Diego

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@therobertbrooks Literally the “stretch” goal. Congrats!

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

This is awesome. Lost productivity from not being on top of the fleet is painful revenue wise and from a customer service perspective. We’ve got older vehicles we are cycling out but have the luxury of having a fleet repair mechanic located next door. After we relocate we are going the mobile mechanic route too.

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@WilsonCompanies Good guidance - thanks!

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@Glynnfleet Looking forward to getting all these analytics in place for our company @Hydrex_SanDiego!

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@FrontierBDesign Makes sense. Tech accessibility is prob one of the biggest blockers. Many of these guys struggle to even check email!

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

When we were working through working capital adjustment mechanics in our purchase agreement, I made sure any adjustment would result in cash being paid one way or the other. Not an adjustment to a seller note, for example. Man I’m glad we held the line on that one.

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@FrontierBDesign True but it’s the two-factor authentication that makes it challenging. There’s a lot of “hey forward me that passcode…”

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

Beginning to think every deal in the lower-middle market should include a seller note/escrow conditioned on successfully transitioning all account log-ins and passwords.

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@CollinJHumphrey Niiice

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@FrontierBDesign shares some gems on here…

[John Claborn @FrontierBDesign]

3 questions that expose whether your org chart is real.

1. Who can decide this without me?

2. What outcomes are expected in each role?

3. Does each role outcome have one clear owner?

If you cannot answer all three clearly, the org chart won’t work.

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@FrontierBDesign Woot!

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

There’s a tech who has worked at our company for 30+ years. Hasn’t been smooth sailing with him post close. During sales training last week, he was visibly emotional when describing his time at the company as being part of a family. It’s a reminder:

Have empathy for employees post close. They may not just snap to the new reality. That’s okay.

Ownership change in a small business is a huge adjustment. What’s coming across as “resistance” may just be a sense of loss of control/comfort.

My partner and I are taking the time to get to connect with everyone. Doesn’t have to be big/formal. We make a point to say hi in the morning and stop and talk to them.

Snap judgments about personnel in the context of a post closing transition may end up costing you a “saveable” employee.

Of course at some point you make the call because it’s a team, not a family.

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@sourcesandmuses @fortinbras96 @Hydrex_SanDiego 10x revenue. Think we got a really good deal ;)

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

Reintroducing myself: I recently purchased a 105 year old pest and termite business in San Diego called @Hydrex_SanDiego. We are one month into running it. I'll be posting about our experience. Hopefully helps someone / can learn from the group.
https://t.co/HJfOqe2Ai1

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@jamesonhaslam @Hydrex_SanDiego Hey hey!

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@pestctrlguy @Hydrex_SanDiego Thanks @pestctrlguy! I’ve learned a lot from following as you grow your company!

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

@RandBusiness @Hydrex_SanDiego Thanks!!

[Jonathan K @jbenkaplan]

https://t.co/mDK7a7HPp1