Hello from Corvallis, Oregon

[size=14]Hello Everyone, My name is Shaheen Ghiassy and I'm a new Manager-Tools convert, approaching zealot. I’m 25 years old and started my company, [url=http://www.wallbedfactory.com]Old Creek[/url], 2 years ago after graduating college from the University of Oregon. Fortunately the last two years have been great. But as with any growing company, I’ve had to hire employees to sustain the growth. The transition from a single dogged employee to a manager of 7 direct reports has been quite a struggle. As a high-D / high-C, I’m not a naturally gifted manager/communicator and further exacerbating the problem, is that I’ve never been managed professionally. So I had absolutely no clue on how to hire, fire, interview, review, etc employees when I started (even though it sounds like no one else knows either). [b]I was at the mercy of the winds as a manager[/b] in that I couldn’t find good employees nor manage their performance. Good ones came and did good work for me and vice versa with the bad ones. But as a manager, I had no ability to direct what I wanted. It was a negative feedback loop, to the point where I detested dealing with anything managment related. [b]But after listening to Manager-Tools I’m now for the first time excited about Management![/b] What was once my biggest weakness will now, with a lot of work, become a strong suit. MT has really benefited me and as a direct result, has improved my future. [/size] [size=18]Thank you Mark Thank you Mike.[/size] -- Shaheen Ghiassy Owner / President Old Creek Wall Bed Factory [i]shameless plug[/i] [url=http://www.wallbedfactory.com]www.wallbedfactory.com[/url]