Recognized around town as the guys in the TV commercials touting their One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning business, Ryan Kletz joined his dad, Todd Kletz, at work in 2008. Theirs is a story of appreciating the strengths of each other’s generational skills and norms.
Todd Kletz
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Residential Sales, Service and Maintenance of Home Comfort Systems
Jewish News: How do you collaborate professionally with your son?
Todd Kletz: Our business was founded in 1979, and Ryan joined our team in 2008. After several years of entry level and mid manager positions, he ascended to a leadership position around 2010. As part of the management team, he was included in our daily/weekly managers meeting where he watched, listened, and learned. That continued until several years ago, when he assumed the role of general manager. At that same time, I relinquished most of my daily responsibilities. A good portion of our collaboration from the beginning has been done in a more informal setting, usually involving conversations on business philosophies and specific operational challenges, as well as long range goals and aspirations for the business as well as us as individuals.
JN: Do you find generational differences in the operation of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning? If so, what are they?
TK: First, communication style. I adapted to email quickly, finding it to be useful in both my internal and external communications. I still have not embraced texting, however, to the extent that Ryan and his team has as a preferred method of communicating.
Second, work ethic and attitude. For the most part, Ryan’s work ethic aligns with mine; however, he has cautioned me through the years that our work force tends to emphasize work-life balance, often prioritizing flexibility and purpose over traditional notions of loyalty and hours worked.
Third, technology. Ryan and his team are quick to embrace new tools and platforms while I am more cautious.
JN: What have you learned from each other?
TK: Working together reinforces shared values about hard work and responsibility. Additionally, we have learned about each other’s strengths, appreciated the different
perspectives, and gained a better understanding of cooperation.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
TK: The primary focus should be on shared goals that benefit the organization. Encourage honest communication but recognize that there ultimately needs to be a well-defined process of making major decisions. Clearly outline each person’s responsibilities. Acknowledge the need to separate work and family time and avoid family dynamics that can undermine work relationships.
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Ryan Kletz
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Residential Sales, Service and Maintenance of Home Comfort Systems
Jewish News: How do you collaborate professionally with each other?
Ryan Kletz: There is a ton of communication, mostly via quick emails; however, phone calls and in-person meetings are not out of the question. I have over 45 years of business knowledge just an email away. How lucky am I?
As we make decisions, I like to think there aren’t any key decisions which haven’t been vetted through the other person. Our team in general is a collaborative effort, so seeking others’ opinions on key decisions is something that is not unique for anyone on our team. I just have the luxury of having him (Todd) as one of my points of reference.
JN: Do you find generational differences in the operation of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning? If so, what are they?
RK: I don’t think that there is any way that there are not generational differences, simply because, well, we are from different generations. Culture has changed over the years. Values have changed over the years (time off for our team is of more value than money at times). As a business, we would be unfair to our team and our customers if we didn’t evolve.
All these things can be a challenge to adapt to. However, our core remains the same. We look to serve our customers, our teammates, the stakeholders of the business, and the community.
JN: What have you learned from your father?
RK: I consider my father to be the smartest businessman I have ever personally met. When you have a direct line to the person you hold in such regards, what I have learned is endless. While some of the biggest takeaways are fundamental business principles, watching him live them and instill them in our team has been my foundation.
There simply is not enough time or space to list individual things I have learned from him.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
RK: “Oy vey” would be a great place to start!!! Family business is a challenge. I currently work with both of my brothers -in-law as well. Whether it is my dad or my siblings, a quote for family business that I like to use is “the highs are higher, and the lows are lower.”
It has been a constant learning
process on how to separate business from family. My advice would be, from day one, to focus on separation of those two things.