Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - TAKING IT PERSONALLY

"Are you ready?", were the words that I heard as I made  my way in the door. The store was busy and everyone seemed to be hopping.

Stocking, restocking, flexing on register - there was no down time.

Towards evening, I was stocking the front display of peaches when a customer said, "You're busy today."  "Good."

The customer went on to say, how much she likes coming to the store and how personable everyone is. 

We conversed for a few minutes and I thanked her for her compliment.

Later in the evening, I got to thinking about a statement that this customer had made; "I was talking with a friend of mine, and she said that this is the best store in the company."

Imagine, being told that we are the best.

In this business, an employee can have a tendency of taking their job personally.  In fact, the one liner I hear more than any other is, "You can't take it personally."

But, for some of us there is no choice in the matter; the job just becomes a part of you.

It's in the preparation, organizing, maintaining, planning and how you work it that makes the difference.  You are putting yourself, physically and mentally, into what you do.   The outcome of the job, becomes that of personal satisfaction - because there is no extra pay or recognition.

And although this is a valuable tool for a business, it can end up being discouraging for an employee.

I often think that I need to distance myself from this job but so far, I have not been very successful at it.

So even though there are discouraging moments and the thought of, 'Why, do I do this?,' crosses my mind from time to time, you find that it doesn't always go unnoticed.  For every once in awhile, you will hear those words that give you a sense of recognition.

And wouldn't you know - it will most generally come from a customer.

Talk at ya later!

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE PERFECT DESCRIPTION

So, the other day I am having a conversation with someone who works for the company and goes from store to store.

"Have you ever been to the other ______ stores?"  they ask.
"No."  I said.

Well, they go on to tell me how nice the stores are, in fact the word, 'pristine' was used; shiny, waxed floors - and the list went on.  Of course, as I take a quick look around me, I can say that that particular adjective does not apply to our store.

Considering the appearance of the other stores, it is no wonder employees go into culture shock when they get transferred here

"But this store is unique."  they said.  And, that it is.

From the time I entered this building, there was a phrase that was repeated annually, 'The store is going to get remodeled.'  Ten years later - the phrase continues to be repeated.

While other stores have been remodeled, some up to four times, we just get a 'reset.';  something else customers don't like.

We don't see the store being remodeled in the future, nor do we see shinny waxed floors, new computers or anything else that would improve the store's appearance and function.

But even though the  store shows it's age, and the front doors stick from time to time,  it is what's inside the store that sets us apart from the other stores.

The people that work it.

And that adjective, Unique? It's a perfect description of who we are.

Talk at ya later!

 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - CORPORATE ETIQUETTE

Yesterday, was the usual Thursday; delivery, stocking, watering and anything else that came along. But something occurred earlier, within the day, that has stayed on my mind; being ignored.

I had just finished cutting a couple cases of flowers and had taken them out to the floor, where I was soon joined by corporate officials.  Well not joined, exactly, more like within their presence.

Standing a foot away from me, they were examining a spot where the plants are located.  They conversed amongst themselves and not once looked at me or acknowledged my standing next to them.

I have only been to the corporate office about twice in the last three years.  The first time, the main man shook my hand and commented on how much I looked like Sandra Bullock.  Cool!  The second time, I don't even remember seeing any corporate officials.

But yesterday there I stood, with my name badge on, and was not even given any form of acknowledgement.

Guess I don't look like Sandra anymore. 

But, a customer came by, pushing a cart, and guess what?  These corporate officials went out of their way to speak to the customer.  Customer Service!

A few months ago, I read an article about a company located on the east coast.  This company has been in business for five generations and was originally located in Hungary but came to America in the 18th Century. After five generations, this company remains owned and operated by the family. 

As for the employees of this company, past and present, there is no recollection of any layoffs.

Their secret?  The company takes care of it's employees and the employees take care of the company.

Needless to say, much has changed over the last few centuries but the one thing that has remained the same is the strength of  this business.  Strength that can only come from the unity of a business and it's employees.

I guess that there is a lesson to be had here.

Talk at ya later!



 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - ACTIONS vs WORDS

They say that, 'actions speak louder then words' - I will have to take their word on that.  Whoever, they are.  But, if you ask me, I believe the two are equal.

With all of the new faces showing up at the store, over the last month or so, I have noticed a change in attitudes and grammar amongst some of these new customers.

Now granted, we have our usual - like 'Indiana Jones', a well deserved nickname because this customer looks the part; complete with sidearm.  We just wish he had the personality that his romantic, heroic namesake portrays.  Unfortunately, he does not.

Then there is the lady who likes to throw things.  As I walked by her one day, without a word, she  tossed a flattened loaf of bread at me and said, "I don't want this."

But on the whole, I have to say that I am spoiled.  Most of our customers are really nice to us.  It is just that every once in awhile, we have to remind ourselves of that.

But a change seems to be taking place and it is starting to surround us on a daily basis.

There are far more people that are rude.  And as I stock the tables at night I find more bags of food that have been opened and taken from.  As if that were not enough, some that come through the store seem to be on a power kick.

The other day, while in the Produce Department, a young woman approached me concerning  a cake she had ordered and that she was there to pick it up.  With no one in Bakery, at the time, I told her that I would get it for her.  She gave me the name and I found her cake and brought it to her.  Handing her the cake, I waited to make sure everything was correct and was about to thank her for her order when she said, "I guess I'd better look at it and see if every thing's okay or if I am going to have to kick someones f______ ass."  With that, I turned and left and didn't look back.

At home I have a sign hanging next to my easel, which reads, 'Humor, never leave home without it.'

Although I may believe in what the sign says,  I can honestly say that lately, I am having a hard time practicing it.

Talk at ya later!

 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - FAMILIAR FACES

With all of the changes that we have faced recently, along with the unknown developments we are about to encounter, I have to admit that it leaves one just a little skeptical of the future.

While the store was busy this weekend, and that felt good, I happened to realize one important detail - all of these customers were unfamiliar faces.

For a minute, I stood there in the produce department and took a good look around me and not one familiar face did I see.  People were hustling through the department picking up the produce as they made their way through the store, asking for directions to further their shopping.

I was amazed.

But as I started to think about this, I realized that I hadn't seen many familiar faces throughout the last couple of weeks - or so.

There are certain shoppers that will shop on specific days of the week and then there are some shoppers that will show up two to three times a week; this is how one keeps track of the local traffic.

These customers, which we are use to seeing, are familiar faces and familiarity is a good thing; something one can count on, a sense of security.

As the weekend came to an end, I have to say that I was a little disappointed that most of the usual customers didn't seem to be coming around anymore.  Maybe it's because, when working in this type of environment you look forward to the casual conversations, the compliments - that familiarity.

After all, it's the customers that you really work for and if they don't come around then why are you working so hard - if not to please them?

Talk at ya later!