-
Management - help!
Does anyone have any success stories of negotiating with the club's management? The management at my club is, for lack of better words, OUT OF CONTROL, right now.
I know the usual answer is, "time to change clubs!" but I'm just not ready for that. I LIKE my club and everyone I worth with, but the management's level of incompetence and their disregard for exploiting the dancers has just got to change.
Any advice?
-
Re: Management - help!
I'm sorry that your experience with management is that bad! I've worked in three different clubs (I still work at all as I like to move between them for variety).
It's amazing how management can affect the environment. It can literally make or break the whole experience.
I like to think of myself as a proactive type who will try to make a difference when things are wrong. In dancing, I've learned that I can only work from within myself when it comes to dealing with obnoxious behavior of others. I've been saddened at how many dancers take abuse from management. I don't mean that they are to blame because, essentially, we are working in an industry where we are VERY vulnerable, both politically and from the standpoint that we can literally lose our job at a club at any moment for anything. So, the managers that are with the power to do this-we are at their mercy, so who would make waves?
If there is one person (within management) you could trust to talk with about your problem, I'd recommend that. And be clear, with real examples, so you don't appear to be just complaining about someone you don't like. I've never seen this actually work, but if other dancers could band together, there's power in numbers, but most dancers won't risk their day of earning potential for that to happen.
I wish I could give you more positive insight because I know how frustrating this situation can be. This type of thing, though, taught me the value of getting me education (I'm also a nurse) and pushed me to work hard. It's also nice to know that incompetent SC managers wouldn't likely survive anywhere else and wouldn't be respected in any other business environment if they're with such bad styles.
-
Re: Management - help!
What specifically would you like them to change?
Sometimes going higher up might help. In my last club, the housemom gave the dancers the bookkeepers number so we could call and complain. (She was in very very well with the owner of the club.) We actually got a manager fired that way. Speaking directly to the owner anonymously might help something get changed. It all depends on what you see as the problem/problems.
Telling someone else how to run their business is out of the question, whether you're talking to management or owners. You really need to speak their language when you talk to them, especially the owner. Are the managers allowing an illegal activity that could cause the club to shut down? THAT"S something the owners should care about. It all depends on what the issue is.
If it's how the dancers are treated, then that's a philosophical issue, and that will probably not be able to be changed. If it's something where the club is loosing money or is outright unsafe, then they might care. Might.