Is Micro-Managing Really Necessary?

Is it difficult to earn the trust of an employer in just a season?  Does it seem that ground is gained and trust is earned, just as it is time to leave?

A sense of trust is something all employees want from their bosses, Workampers or not.  Workampers have the more difficult challenge of earning that trust in a shorter period of time.  In order to feel at ease and good about oneself, an Employer’s trust is necessary.

Today, one hears a lot about the issue of “micro-managing.”  Micro-managing is when superiors constantly have an eye on and correct their employees.  Often the managers don’t allow for new insight or new approaches, stilting their employees.  Looking at both sides of the picture, it is a fine balance.  For larger employers, there may be multi-leveled management.  The supervisor of a Workamper may be in a hierarchal situation with a manager concerned about upper management or an owner looking over his shoulder.

There are other considerations also that might cause Employers to be unwilling to trust their employees.  As a Workamper, you may be following in the footsteps of someone who has done an outstanding job; or,  you may be following in someone’s footsteps who left an absolute mess.  Either way, the Workamper is subject to scrutiny.

Workampers would like Employers to realize that if they are too judgmental and prone to micro-managing, they may cause more damage to the work situation by causing poor morale and destruction of the Workamper’s self- respect.  An unhappy workplace can lead to lost profits for the Employer.

Workampers want Employers to allow them to do their day-to-day work independently, after an initial training period.  Employers should be available for help or guidance if they need it; but not constantly hovering over them.   If at all possible, those that hire Workampers should be enablers:  enabling Workampers to have the freedom to do a job to the best of their ability by providing insight not overwhelming oversight.

The end result will be a more satisfying experience for everyone.

What’s Happening in RV-Land

Although I am regularly adding posts to the “RV Industry” pages (to the right of this column), I thought I would let you know about some things that are happening that you might want to make plans for as you travel the next six months.

Recent Press Releases–

• Winnebago Industries Inc. has announced details of its 2011 factory tour schedule.

Winnebago’s factory in Forest City, Iowa, the largest RV factory in the world, has been featured in such hit television shows as National Geographic’s “Ultimate Factories” and the Discovery Channel’s “How It’s Made.”

Visitors will get to see first-hand what was featured on these shows, with tours of their Forest City manufacturing facilities offered twice daily from April through Oct. 28, and once daily Oct. 31 – Nov. 23.

Each tour starts at the Winnebago Industries’ Visitors Center. The behind-the-scenes look into the building of an RV starts with a 20-minute video that offers a preview of the manufacturing process. After the video, the tour bus (constructed on a Winnebago Industries Commercial Vehicle shell) departs for a drive-through tour of the grounds, and a walk-in tour of the Chassis Weld facility and the main production area aptly named Big Bertha since it is equivalent in size to eight football fields. From a mezzanine overlooking the production lines, visitors are able to get a bird’s eye view of the magnitude of the motorhome manufacturing process. Each tour lasts approximately ninety minutes.

Before or after the tour, visitors can also tour the Winnebago Industries Museum which is located in the upper level of the Visitors Center. The museum chronicles the company’s 53 year history, as well as the design and construction of the Ccmpany’s motorhomes. Last year, nearly 10,000 people stopped at the Visitors Center to tour the factory and the museum.

• 10 RV Rallies Convene at Fairgrounds in 2011 [Reports RVBus. Apil 19 by Steve Bibler]

Management at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds in Northern Indiana expects a normal season for RV rallies this year, despite the uncertainty of gas prices this summer.

Ten rallies, with attendance ranging between 100 and 300 rigs each, are on tap this season, starting with the Holiday Rambler Pusher 419 Rally set for April 30 to May 5.

“That’s about typical what we do,” Tanya Swihart, rental manager, told RVBUSINESS.com. “In light of everything, I’d say it’s a good year.”

The fairgrounds, located on the edge of Goshen, can accommodate up to 900 units. In years past, big events, such as those featuring the Escapees RV Club, have nearly filled the fairgrounds. But such large groups are not booked for this season.

The fairgrounds site has become popular since operators upgraded the site more than a decade ago. It is conveniently located to many RV manufacturers. The Elkhart County Convention and Tourism Bureau assists groups in planning tourist activities while attending the rallies.

The 2011 rally schedule follows:

• Holiday Rambler Pusher 419 Rally – April 30-May 5.
• International Area Organization (INTO) Rally – May 11-15.

• RVFEST 2011 Rally – June 20-27.
• Passport America Rally – Aug. 16-20.
• SunnyBrook Rally – Aug. 21-27.
• GMC Motorhome Rally – Sept. 9-15.
• Montana Owners Club Rally – Sept. 21-28.
• Thor Diesel Rally – Oct. 2-7.
• RVing Women Rally – Oct. 8-16.

RV Transporters Report Busy Season

In a Press Release April 11, 2011 by RV Business, drivers who own 1-ton pickups are in the greatest demand.

Spring is the busy season for RV manufacturers, thus RV transport companies. The RV industry holds its annual trade show in early December and a lot of orders are taken there. Then the building begins for the spring and summer RV shows.

Said one transporter, “I am just happy the industry is doing well. The last time the prices (fuel) went up this way, RVs didn’t sell,” he said.

RV transport companies adjusts its fuel surcharge for manufacturers based on the current price.  Then drivers are given a fuel payment adjustment.  The cost of fuel is passed on that reflects a higher freight bill back to the dealer.

All the transport companies agreed the RV industry is doing much better this spring and there is a lot of work for transporters.  Dealers are buying.

“What happens when the fuel prices go up? The permanent site campers go up. It doesn’t change the buying public, but it does affect their mind set,” said Dave Titus, general manager at International RV World in Elkhart.

The only thing he has noticed from customers is that some of them say they will cut back the length of their trips due to the fuel prices.

At the Workamper News Forums:

Join the discussions on these hot topics!

• Can you help answer an “Electrical RV Grounding Question”? Add yours at the Workampers  Forum.
• If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper Employer Forum.
• Post your images at the new Subscriber-only Workamper Images Forum and check out the ones already there!
• What do you do with a “1099-misc issued by BLM“? Share your ideas at the General Workamping Forum
• Have you “Found the local library”? Have you gotten a card? Let us know at the Fulltiming Forum
• Let’s hear from solo workers at the Solo Workamping Forum.
• Check out the latest projects at the new DoIt-Yourself (DIY) Mods & Upgrades forum. You can upload photos too!
• “How many of you guys have discovered FACEBOOK?” Is it safe? Weigh in at the Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.

Log in (or register at) Workamper Forum

What Employers Want from Workampers                

Employers would like prospective Workampers to take an honest look inward.  Employers are looking for an excellent result that requires the Workampers to honestly assess whether they can accomplish that result.

Truthfully, most Workampers have retired from their career jobs and are often looking for workamping positions not as a means to earn a lot of money, and,  certainly not to earn prestige, but to enable them to travel somewhere with great scenery or serenity.   In many instances, they know the jobs they are applying for are mundane maintenance jobs they may be “over-qualified” for.   But location, location, location is the great qualifier.  So is less stress, possibly fewer hours or less responsibility.  This doesn’t apply to all workamping jobs, but just as Employers need to understand where workampers are coming from, Workampers need to honestly evaluate whether they have what it takes to fulfill the Employer’s need for an excellent outcome for a full season.

Employers, then, would like Workampers to honestly ask themselves if they can perform to the best of their ability the job that is offered.  Self-assessment is often a difficult task.  Truth is, if a Workamper honestly assesses himself before applying for a job it will turn out better for everyone in the long run.

Jobs are like shoes: some fit better than others.  Shoe companies know this.  A comfortable yet attractive shoe is often offered in many colors, and if the shoe is a good fit, customers often buy it in several colors.  The shoe, in this case, is workamping job-types. A full season of workamping is a long time to work in shoes that don’t fit (e.g., a job that isn’t a good fit).  Workampers that take on jobs that are a great fit will be under less stress and “happy campers” which is healthier!

Trying something new or challenging isn’t exactly a bad thing.  One just needs to be certain to limit the challenge initially. It is best for a first-timer to not be the only person relied on to get the job done.  If it happens that the shoe doesn’t fit, be sure there others that do!  For example, a Workamper that imagines a job outdoors would be enjoyable—perhaps because the Workamper, after thirty years trapped in an office, is ready to experience working outdoors–needs to be certain there are others sharing the job.  The employment opportunity might allow for some “apprenticeships,” if you will, as long as the Workamper has honestly assessed his or her own physical strength; willingness to learn; and innate abilities.  For those pursuing a job in reservations, bookkeeping, customer service or  store sales—require people skills, mental acuity, the ability to manage money, and patience as characteristics a Workamper needs to inwardly identify with.

Great desire is often a great motivator.  Just be sure you are honest with yourself, as well as with your prospective employer,  as to your personality, abilities and motivation.  In the end, that great result will make everyone happy!

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Workamper Campfire – Tuesday, April 19th – 3-4p.m. CST

Join other Workampers and Workamper Dreamers who have questions about Workamping and would like to have them discussed around the campfire. You can submit your questions and we will do our best to provide answers during the live event.  This is a free event for all.
Please submit your question(s) when you register if you can. We will also take live questions during the Campfire event.

1 p.m. PST/2 p.m. MST/3 p.m. CST/4 p.m. EST

Register to attend at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/474812515

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At the Workamper Forums–Join the discussions on these hot topics!

• What are your ideas for “Making a campsite a home?” Add your ideas at the Workampers Forum.
• If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper Employer Forum.
• Post your images at the new Workamper Images Forum and check out the ones already there!
• Can you afford to drive to a job with “free hours” for your site? Weigh in at the General Workamping Forum
• How about “Turning Off the Propane Tank While Travelin’”  Should you? Join in at the Fulltiming Forum
• Let’s hear from solo workers at the Solo Workamping Forum.
• Check out the latest projects at the new DIY, Mods & Upgrades Forum. You can upload photos too!
• Do you have any “Quotes ,Sayings and Ditties” to add? Share yours at the Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.

Log in (or register at) Workamper Forums

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Up-To-Date Cell Phone Laws Posted               

The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety posts up-to-date cell phone laws on their website at www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.

There are laws against driving while talking on hand-held cell phones in nine states:  California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah and Washington; as well as the District of Columbia. If you are talking on the cell phone while driving in Utah, it is not an offense unless you commit another moving violation other than speeding.

Various other local jurisdictions within the country ban cell phones or text messages also.  The use of all cellphones by novice drivers is restricted in 29 states and the District of Columbia.  Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 30 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, novice drivers are banned from texting in 9 states (Alabama, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia) and school bus drivers are banned from text messaging in 3 states (Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas).

To view a table that shows in detail the laws restricting cell phone use and texting by state, go to www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws and refer to it before you get on the road in those states.