Monday Jan 27 2020

Orlov Property Development and Management

When Bobbie dropped Maddy off at Charlie’s, Joanne was there with the kids. June was visiting her parents with baby Ansel. Bobbie understood how June wanted to be with her parents right now but also knew that Charlie wasn’t too happy about her travelling with their new born.

She drove back to the motel and stopped on the way to pick up some donuts. She headed into her reception area and offered Quinn and Lacey a donut. She took the rest upstairs for the meeting with Trixie and Barb.

They were in Greg’s office. “We kicked him out. This can be our office now and Greg can do his business from home. I think we’ll let Frank stay in that other corner office though.”

Frank came up the stairs with Marshal. “I like my corner office. I’ve never had one with such a great view. Let’s meet in my favourite boardroom, that I now have to share, even though I don’t want too.”

Trixie laughed, “Aww, poor Frank. Here, have a donut.”

They all went into the boardroom and Barb brought some coffee and mugs and plates for the donuts.

A few moments later Rocco arrived. Trixie greeted him. “Hi Rocco, we have a lot to discuss.”

Marshal introduced himself to Rocco and opened his laptop. “We set up a business called Orlov Property Development and Management. I refer to it as OPDM.”

Bobbie laughed. “I’m a former government employee; I do like a good, cryptic, acronym. I wanted to include ‘Management’ because we are going to be managing the condo until we can set up a board and we already manage a motel and I want to bring that into the new company. I’ll have to have a meeting with some of the motel staff because some of their duties could change.”

Frank nodded. “I have been leaning into the motel and condo financing and payrolls and logistics for the condo and I’m already billing you for 40 hours a week; you’re practically my only client these days.”

Marshal said, “I have outlined the staffing I think you will need. Check the document I sent you.

Bobbie is the owner and along with Barb and Trixie comprise the upper management team. Barb will help Bobbie manage the whole operation and Trixie will conduct yearly financial audits.

You will have a financial team, managed by Frank who will stay in his office, with a view, and he needs to hire a financial assistant.

Bobbie already talked to Quinn and she agreed to head up a graphic design group but still wants to monitor the motel reservations. She will work partly from home and on location at the motel reservation desk like she is already doing, and will contract out extra work when she needs help.

Rocco will manage the construction projects. He wants to step back from running his own business and will be under the OPDM umbrella regarding pay systems and insurance, etc. Bobbie is sure he’ll be a good project manager because he understands all the trades and knows a lot of the workers. He also needs an assistant to help him organize the big projects. Rocco needs an office. The assistants, when they are hired, will use these two middle offices.”

Bobbie had some ideas about Rocco’s office. “So Rocco, we have two boardrooms here. One is smaller and doesn’t connect to the kitchenette and I was thinking we could turn that into your office, plus a small meeting room.

Rocco followed Bobbie into the smaller boardroom. “I see how that would work. I can move the door here, and make a new wall with a door. The office will have a window and the glass wall that overlooks the gallery will provide a ton of natural light. I don’t know where would I set up a desk. I’ll have to get Lorne to help me I guess.”

“You are a smart boyfriend. Have you got any ideas for who might be your assistant?”

“I used to work with a lady who started construction in her 30’s after working at a lumber yard for years. She had a messy divorce and left the trades for a while but I think I can talk her into working here”

Marshall shifted in his chair. “Um, I have a nephew who just graduated from a business course who would make a good assistant for Frank.”

Frank narrowed his eyes. “Do you think he’d have trouble fetching the coffee? This isn’t like Mad Men.”

Marshal assured him that his nephew would just be happy for the chance.

Trixie said, “This would all make a great segment for my financial show. Do you think they would work with actors and play ‘You’re Hired’ with me?”

Marshall laughed. “For sure! I don’t miss an episode of your little show. I’ll get Devon to watch it, I’m sure he’ll go for it.”

Rocco shook his head. “I don’t think Millie will have any interest in pretending to apply for her job on television. I hope that’s not a problem.”

Trixie assured Rocco that there was no way the job depended on going on the show. She explained that the segment was to demonstrate the best way to dress and behave to get a job and how the employer would usually conduct an interview. It was just the little hook to exclaim “You’re hired!” at the end.

They all left the boardroom and Bobbie and Trixie and Barb went back to the office that was formerly known as Greg’s. They chatted for a while and decided it would be better to get rid of the big desk and have large work table with space for four workstations. That way they could have a place to meet and work when they needed to. They would give Lorne a budget and he could make it work for them.

“It’s a good thing I’m made of money,” said Bobbie sarcastically. “How am I supposed to pay for all this and what should I pay Frank and Rocco? I’m going to have to pay Mark in the kitchen more. Technically he manages way more staff than Frank or Rocco. Will does too. And Quinn’s roll has expanded. And Mink will be paid more; their salary matches Mark’s”

Trixie put her hand on Bobbie’s arm. “These things aren’t your responsibility anymore. I mean you have a say in the rates of pay and all that but now the company pays for everyone. You are still thinking like when you built your motel with Alex’s investments and paid for people from your interest income and pension money. Now it’s not that way at all; all the money will come and go to the business.”

“I was happy when the salaries could be paid from the profits of the motel. I’m not naturally a business person I guess.”

“Don’t worry Bobbie, we got you. You keep your pension and motel profits; no matter what and your house is paid for. Actually, all your houses are paid for. I’ve been talking to Frank about your ranch.”

“Oh Trixie, I’ll have to pay for that with the condo profits.”

“The condo profits and what’s left of Townes’ trust go into the company to pay the loans for building the new projects but the company will build your ranch Bobbie; you need a place to conduct the company’s cattle business. And I’ll need a place to stay when I audit that part of the company too.”

Eventually Bobbie, Trixie and Barb came up with a salary scheme for her employees where there were managers at the top salary level. Supervisors were next and then three rungs of workers that were hired at one level and advanced a pay level every year. The managers and supervisors would get bonus’s instead of pay raises each year. Will, Mark and Mink were managers at the hotel. Frank and Rocco were managers at the business office. Effie and Quinn were supervisors. The workers were Gina, Jane and Sipho in the kitchen and Roger and Drey in housekeeping and maintenance. The assistants would be hired as workers at the base pay rate. Things like overtime and vacation and pensions and savings opportunities were set by the upper management team.

Bobbie left to pick up Maddy thinking everything would be a little better. She was even more hands off than before with the running of things. She could still take an interest but she would have more time to focus on her family.

Charlie was already home when she pulled up to his house. The kids were doing a puzzle and watching TV with Joanne, and Charlie said he wanted to talk to her.

He looked agitated, “I just got a call from June’s mum and she says June isn’t very happy. She wants to fly back with June and baby Ansel this weekend. I don’t know what to do. She’s not happy here with us and doesn’t want to be at her mother’s. I don’t know how to make her happy anymore.”

“Charlie, June’s hormones are all over the place after having the baby. She was a little off after having Suzy too, wasn’t she? Maybe this time she should talk to someone. It’s one thing to have a few blue days but post natal depression is really a thing. It’s only been a few days but if she’s not better after she gets home next week, we have to get her some help. I can reach out to Jarrod and he can suggest someone.”

“It’s not fair to my girls, not having their mom around and having me being a worry wart. Do you think you can take them to the motel? They love it there. Niko feels so grown up going down to the restaurant alone.”

Bobbie was thinking of her new found freedom. “Sure, Charlie that sounds fun. Why don’t you come too. I can tell you about my new company.”

“Should I ask Joanne to come too? I have to work this week. I’m taking some parental leave but that doesn’t start until next week. I’m working a day shift so I can take Suzy to school. Oh, we forgot Eddie’s kids come here too. I’ll get Joanne to stay at the house and be the after-school care like usual and bring Niko over for the evening when I get off work.”

Bobbie agreed that was best. She and Maddy and Suzy would spend the days together and then Charlie and Niko would come for supper and stay each night. She was already planning things to do with the little girls and decided to get some little starter skates that fit onto their boots and texted Johnny to ask him if the skating rink in the lower overflow parking area was done.

Skating was a great winter activity and the kids were too little to go skating on the frozen river.

She got the girls ready for bed and snuggled them and read a story. They were sleepy and it was no time before they fell asleep. Bobbie went into the home theatre and put on some music and did a little knitting she thought wistfully about how Alex would know so much more about running this business. And shook her head and got ready for bed too.

She went to the door of the Maddy’s room, went in and leaned down and picked Suzy up. She took her to the washroom and set her on the big toilet. Suzy was barely awake and kept her arms around Bobbies neck. She did pee, Bobbie wiped and carried her back and slid her back in bed. Then she did the same with Maddy. She hoped the little beds would be dry in the morning.