On the positive side: Brett “could” be a very true and honest individual. One thing is for sure, you always knew what he was thinking. He had a solid vision of what he wanted from the company, and was very aggressive.

On the negative: A lot of what has been said about treatment is true. I loved my job at S&S at first. However, once I was moved around and placed under a couple of his college buddies, it turned south fast. I could do nothing right, and finally got to the point where I just didn’t care. My last day, I knew I was going to leave, be it by force or by quiting. I intentionally pushed the buttons of the management he had in place the last couple weeks just to get them to fire me because I was tired of the abuse.

One thing that stands out in my mind over all else, and I think was the downturn of my desire to work there, was during a “behavioral interview process” he decided everyone in the corporate office needed to go through. Basically it was an afternoon of being interrogated and grilled like you were being investigated for a multiple homicide. At the end of the interview, he made a comment, and it stuck with me. “You are going to go through 6 months to a year of solid hazing, before I will let you become a full member of this company.”

I had to really think about that comment. When did I apply to be a prospect for a motorcycle club? I thought it was a job?

That was the day I lost all respect for Brett and the couple managers that shared his “vision”. It was the biggest bunch of bullshit I had ever heard in my life.

I will always love S&S as a company. George Smith is a stellar individual, and there are numerous people in the S&S team that will function far better under his management. I have since moved on to much better employment, albeit not in the motorcycle industry. If the opportunity ever arises to work with S&S again, I would gladly take it as long as Brett and his couple of buddies aren’t presiding over the company.

I do, however, wish him the best of luck in his endeavors. I may not have liked working for him, but he takes care of his family, and he is a hard worker. That has to account for something.

And floyd is right he treated his employees like shit and very one I know that is still their was very happy to see George take the riens.

Long live S&S and good luck to George!

“They (the nameless “them”) wanted me to let you know that they’re working on the tanks and it’s going pretty well. When I get any other updates from him, I’ll pass it on.”
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I had the pleasure to work at S&S a few years back. Everything Willie says is true. Brett’s behavior was unprofessional, unacceptable, offensive, and it cost him. Brett made some monumental blunders such as slashing his grandfather’s bonus plan. He also rolled rolled out an incomplete performance evaluation system that disadvantaged the workers. I was the first person to tell him that his system was unfair (Yes even to his face Howard – you sound like a child bringing that face stuff up.). Please note, however, that the damage he was doing to the employees, and the company, was done prior to him being president, with full knowledge of the board and his dad. He was in a hell of a situation. The board wanted more money and Brett was the front man.

It is clear that he doesn’t know how to manage some aspects of the business. He isn’t alone in that regard. Look at our automotive industry. It was easy to see the tragedy in his behavior, but I respected Brett and was loyal to him under all circumstances. There were a few times before he was appointed president, that I would receive phone calls from people who knew the family and wanted to badmouth Brett, maybe get some dirt on him, who knows. I declined to participate.

If Brett were in charge and asked me to come back and help out, I’d be there in a heartbeat. I think he’d do a better job the second time around.

I wish everyone would quit blaming everything on Brett. That is not fair nor correct.

You sound like someone that had a problem with Brett and instead of manning up and saying what you needed to say to his face, you have held it in for just about four years–or more. now that there is an opportunity to beat your chest from behind your computer, you are. Don’t be so intimidated by Brett–pick up a phone and call him and say it to his face (OK, ear its on the phone).

You say you are worried about repercussions????? Please. Your family, your livelihood? Please. As i said many days ago regarding this topic, if you cannot be man enough–or woman enough–to identify your self and say the same words you would present to the person you are talking about, your words are meaningless.

I don’t condone everything Brett has done during his time that I worked for him, his military approach doesn’t always work, but I can tell you factually that what I have learned working for him has raised my skillset to a new level that makes me that much more attractive if i were to seek another position.

I would not have responded to your post–everyone is entitled to an opinion–but you called out my name. You don’t know me, i don’t know you, but you decided to include me in your rant. So, that allows me the position to offer my opinion back. The main difference between you and I is that I won’t hide my identity in anything. If I have something to say, I say it, like it or not, I say what i have to say. This has made me popular among some and considered an ass among others. But, no one questons if they know Howard or not.

I hope this can be the last exchange we have. There is no reason for us, as strangers, to be at each others throats.

Howard

Brett on the other hand is not and S&S will have better moral w/out him. He IS abusive unless you were one of his hand picked and hired buddies or you were someone with many connections within the industry who was at S&S when he came on board and he needed you to put him on the MC industry map. Brett was always easier on those he surrounded himself with.

I was there when “The nod off stand in a corner” happened-how degrading and embarassing. This is not a lie and I know who it happened to as well. I also witnessed him chastise another individual in a meeting in front of everyone because he wasn’t looking at Brett while he was talking. He wasn’t sleeping or doing anything wrong-period! Does this mean the person wasn’t listening? No, it does not. It’s as if Brett had to make sure he could show everyone he was “the man” whenever he felt he needed to do so. This of course, was always at someone elses expense. He had done similar things to me as well but not as severe.

I had the opportunity to move up the ladder about the time Brett came on board. It didn’t take me long to figure I did not want to do this as I started seeing his “intimidation management style” very shortly after he arrived. I wanted no part of it, no way, no how. I started looking elsewhere for employment. I am not a disgruntled employee. I left on my own accord……..because of Brett. I did my job and did it well while I was at S&S right up to and including the day I left.

Can I give my I.D. here? No I cannot. The risk of fallout for both myself and individuals who still work there is too high as I am still tied to the MC industry and as everyone here knows, the industry is small. Everybody knows everybody.

As for you Mr. Kelly, you are fortunate that he simply didn’t threaten you with your job or bust you down the ladder (along with pay) like he did with anyone else who dared to express their opinions. I don’t know you but I’d bet you’re either one of his buddies or you have something he values. Go ahead, tell me I’m hiding behind my keyboard. I have to. I still know many who you work with directly every single day. I often speak with them from time to time. I can’t risk the fallout. If I ever gain a position where I can come clean, I will do so. Maybe I saw things you never did or will. Who knows. If you think Brett’s kind of behavior is o.k. then too bad for you. It’s very unprofessional. I have been in management postions before. You DON’T treat people like they’re scum. You don’t act that way, it is wrong! It doesn’t work. Case in point, ME, I left because I refused to be treated this way. Go ahead, dig in and dis me. I know you will. I really don’t care. I for one, will not live under circumstances that at any time could threaten my livelyhood, home and family. It’s better to leave.

Don’t get me wrong, Brett has done many postive things for S&S by being involved. He went after it with gusto and to that I say great! I do not like his bald faced arrogance and his position of power to intimidate. He seemed to get off on this and that really really sucks. He was not a the least bit approachable even though he claimed his door was always open to anyone. You simply didn’t dare………Brett has a way (In his father’s words) of swatting flies with a snow shovels.

I could go on but why should I? There are many issues I could bring up but I’ve work to do. There may be others who’ve “been there done that” who will write in. Stay tuned…………

Junior
Lifestyle Cycles

How would you like to be made to stand in the corner because you nodded off in one of his meetings?

Look at the posistive atl east he dint make the person wear a DUNCE HAT , i could see him doing that!!

I’ve had my own issues with S&S over the past 20 years and still don’t agree with every move they’ve made but that’s their company, not mine. Bottom line is I still use their motors in just about every custom bike we send out the doors and we won’t use any carb but an S&S so that says something right there. Sure I’d like to see some things change, more respect to those loyal small builders that have supported S&S all these years as well as more respect from their sales team to the shops that have sold a ton of their motors. I realize those are battles I’m probably not going to win so I pick others I can win or at least have a chance at. I’ll still use their products because I’ve had enormously good results over the years, they’re made in the USA and let’s face it, they’re just about the best thing going for any price.

Howard, I’ve said these things in person, never shied away from that and also talked to you in person and said how I feel about yo to your face as well. ‘Nuff said.

Lee

With the company beating down long history of great innovations with their products, S&S Cycles will continue as an industry leader with the products that enthusiasts and manufactures want to have in their bike.

Howard for President ! You have my vote sir, seriously.

Over & Out,

Jeff

Our industry is going to face many serious issues in the next year or two and I suspect all companies and managers will face serous challenges to survive. Many simply, many companies, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and yes – magazines, will not make it through the next two years.

I am betting S&S Cycles will continue to evolve as an industry leader with the products enthusiasts want to buy. This company has a long history of wonderful products and solid innovation. I would be surprised if that changed or lessened going forward – even in this very challenging economy.

It is easy to throw stones at a manager after he or she has left – sort of a tradition in this industry. But I am curious how many of us would have made the large and risky financial investment in a project like the X-Wedge?

MIssed the point, Floydster; If a junior lawyer falls asleep in one of MY meetings, I’ll fire the offender- period.

Is that “abusive” behavior? Tough shit- I don’t think I’m setting the bar particularily high; I find the punishment Mr Smith doled out to his employee rather light-hearted, actually…..

If this is all the better you can do to document your assertation of abuse on the part of Mr Smith, I would remind you that the internet is a surprisingly open world, and an ISP number is pretty easy to trace these days;

Not that I know anything about libel law or nuttin’………..