Over the weekend, while I was off, a friend and I decided to go down the street to the neighborhood coffee house. There we sat with our Mocha Lattes and began to chat away the hours. We spoke of what was going on in our lives and even hit on a few dreams which we are aiming for. But, more often than not, we discussed our jobs. We both work for the same company and we each work in a department that provides a service. As talented as we each are, we are finding ourselves slowly slipping into oblivion. And now, we have to learn to accept and move on.
There was a day, when we ran the departments in which we worked. Basically, because no one else wanted to put forth the effort. But, we were happy to accommodate and it provided us with the opportunity to excel in what we did, which in turn provided us with a satisfaction not felt by other employees. In a certain respect, we were the lucky ones. Though filled with constant frustrations, and endless work, we muddled through and took pride in the achievements. Always trying something new, we excelled in our creations and our reward was the customers' delight and praises. To know that we made someones special day even more special, with our talent, made everything worthwhile. For me, those times were even more special because I had taught myself and I look upon this as an advantage because it was the customers that led me. By watching and listening to the customers, I was able to grasp as to what they liked. Taking the customers' ideas, I was able to provide a market that catered to them. Now, things are different. There is a term which I recently heard used when describing sales, 'drop and sell.' This approach is to cut down on employees and payroll and promote more profit with sales. Thus taking away the human touch from the customers.
What we provided, was probably the best kind of Customer Service; giving customers what they want. This approach also provided dedicated customers that came back year after year. We, as employees, knew their names and they, ours. It was a friendly, neighborhood market approach which promoted repeat customers. I find that each of us are glad to have had this experience, it is what encouraged us to excel at what we did which, in the long run, made us better employees. It showed us our capabilities and gave us something to be proud of.
With the Lattes finished, we made our way out the door. It was kind of nice recalling these memories. I never realised how much they really meant to us. The past is missed, needless to say, and each of us are embarking on outside activities. We gave so much of ourselves to our jobs, in previous years, and in some ways it seems to have been for nothing. When in fact, it was the highlight of our employment, for each of us.
Talk at ya later!
There was a day, when we ran the departments in which we worked. Basically, because no one else wanted to put forth the effort. But, we were happy to accommodate and it provided us with the opportunity to excel in what we did, which in turn provided us with a satisfaction not felt by other employees. In a certain respect, we were the lucky ones. Though filled with constant frustrations, and endless work, we muddled through and took pride in the achievements. Always trying something new, we excelled in our creations and our reward was the customers' delight and praises. To know that we made someones special day even more special, with our talent, made everything worthwhile. For me, those times were even more special because I had taught myself and I look upon this as an advantage because it was the customers that led me. By watching and listening to the customers, I was able to grasp as to what they liked. Taking the customers' ideas, I was able to provide a market that catered to them. Now, things are different. There is a term which I recently heard used when describing sales, 'drop and sell.' This approach is to cut down on employees and payroll and promote more profit with sales. Thus taking away the human touch from the customers.
What we provided, was probably the best kind of Customer Service; giving customers what they want. This approach also provided dedicated customers that came back year after year. We, as employees, knew their names and they, ours. It was a friendly, neighborhood market approach which promoted repeat customers. I find that each of us are glad to have had this experience, it is what encouraged us to excel at what we did which, in the long run, made us better employees. It showed us our capabilities and gave us something to be proud of.
With the Lattes finished, we made our way out the door. It was kind of nice recalling these memories. I never realised how much they really meant to us. The past is missed, needless to say, and each of us are embarking on outside activities. We gave so much of ourselves to our jobs, in previous years, and in some ways it seems to have been for nothing. When in fact, it was the highlight of our employment, for each of us.
Talk at ya later!
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