Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - LUCKY US!

"It just makes you feel happy!" commented one of the employees.  And he was right, it does.

Once again the corporate office has decided to start moving managers around.  We haven't decided, yet, if there is a particular reason for this action or if corporate just seems to get bored every now and then and decides to shake things up a bit.  But as for us well, it just doesn't seem to faze us anymore. 
 
We just kind of 'go with the flow', so to speak.

What we have found to be true, is that there are different categories for managers.  Not all managers are equal.

Some managers are good, while some are not so good.  And in order to define the difference, between these two categories, I have provided a list of qualities that depict a good manager;

1)  Being a good person
2)  Being a reliable person
3)  Hard worker
4)  Team player
5)  Providing a good working atmosphere
6)  Being respectful to the staff
7)  Showing appreciation
8)  And being able to provide a laugh or two sure helps.

So, why are the employees happy?  Well, last week we lost a manager that we really liked - a lot!  But, at the same time, we received the good news that a former manager that we really like, a lot, was returning.

Managers make all of the difference in how employees perform.  I have seen the morale of the store go up under one management, only to come crashing down under a different management.  This morale change can happen as a single department or as a whole store.

Whatever, managers are the key factor and I guess you might say that we just got lucky.

So, like the employee said - "It just makes you feel happy!"

You bet it does.

Talk at ya later!


 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - A SURPRISE OR TWO

Every once in awhile, you can have a day that is uplifting with a surprise or two.  Such was the case this last holiday weekend.

As with all holidays, customers were busy shopping for the weekend festivities.  Everyone preparing  to celebrate the last hurrah of summer.  Everyone but us, of course.  Be that as it may, everyone seemed to be in a good mood.

Unfortunately, there was one customer that didn't quite see it that way.

This was a busy weekend for the Deli and the waiting lines did have a tendency to grow.  One of the big ticket items, for the weekend, was fried chicken.  The fryer and Deli employees were constantly busy trying to keep up with the demand of this highly popular item.  No sooner was one batch of chicken done, then another batch would be put in the fryer and the prepared chicken would end up selling quickly before the next batch was done.  A never ending cycle. 

Even though the employees went nonstop there was a customer who felt that that was not enough.  Disgruntled that the new batch of chicken was not ready, a customer voiced their opinion as to what was needed in order to keep up with the demand; more employees/more fryers.  And with their opinion (demand)  being given to an employee, the customer wanted to take it a step further and see a manager.  Okay.

By now the customer has received so many apologies and the attempts to please the customer were ignored - the customer stomped out of the store.  Thus leaving one poor Deli employee, who had taken the brunt of the complaint, worn down after so many attempts to take care of the situation.

A little later I happened to walk by the Deli and saw that very same customer, she was back and standing in line in front of the Deli counter.

The Deli employee, being professional, greeted the customer and the two exchanged words.  And here's the good part of all of this, the customer apologized to the employee.  By now, the chicken was done, the customer's order was filled and everybody went away happy.

I guess that we all talked about that for the rest of the afternoon.

Later in the evening things had quieted down and it was my turn to go home.  I happened to be walking out the door the same time as another customer was leaving.  The customer, holding her shopping bags, stopped and asked me if I would mind doing her a favor.  In one of her bags was a box of ice cream bars which she pulled out and opened. 

According to the customer this ice cream is the best and having had a discussion with the cashier, who had not tasted this yet, she wanted to send her an ice cream bar.  So, the customer gave me two ice cream bars, one for each cashier, and I was more then happy to be the bearer of such a tasty treat.

The cashiers were surprised and delighted.

Even though we did not get to celebrate the holiday weekend like others did, we did, however, have a day that was uplifting with a surprise or two.

Talk at ya later!

 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - IN CELEBRATION

This is the day that we celebrate the American workforce.  A day that has been set aside to honor us. 

With more of the public working less, earning less and worried more, it is safe to say that we need a moment just to chill.

It is the workforce that has always been called, the middle class.  This is the public  that financially supports the nation, communities and businesses alike.  They, in fact, are the life of the economy.

But with the latest threat of health care reform costs, etc., businesses are cutting that very livelihood in half.  Without thought as to how these cuts will affect the very nature of their own businesses, they are depleting  the spending power of the workforce in order to save costs.  Ironic isn't it?

Last week a long time customer, while shopping, said that he wouldn't be coming in anymore to shop.  Having worked two part-time jobs, in order to maintain 35 hours, he had just been laid off from one of the part-time jobs.  He would have no choice now but to patronize one of the local food pantries since he would not be able to collect very much in assistance.

"I'm so sorry." was all that I could say.  This left such a sad feeling in me, one I still feel, unable to help in any way and yet, also feeling a fear of my own future and those of my fellow co-workers.

When, or if, things will turn around has yet to be seen and what will be done in the meantime, is any one's guess.

So, go on and celebrate. 

You have worked for it and deserve it.  In fact, you are possibly working harder now, then ever before.  And while you celebrate, remember that you are the staple of the economy and that your very existence is needed in order for this country, community and businesses, alike, to survive.

Talk at ya later!


 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - TWO YEARS RUNNING

Since this is the second anniversary of this Blog, I decided to list the posts which got the most recognition;

NEWBIES - 10/25/11
HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW? - 11/5/11
RESPECT - 1/14/12
FAMILY - 1/1/12
THE DREAM - 7/4/12
THANKS OPRAH - 6/3/12
HELLO - 5/28/12
THE MEMORY - 5/15/12
AN INSPIRATION - 5/1/12
REFLECTIONS OF DAYS GONE BYE - 4/17/12
THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS - 4/12/12
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES - 9/20/12
CHILI COOK OFF, BOOK REVIEW AND DREAMS - 10/24/12
FLOWER POWER - 9/22/12
THE WILL TO SUCCEED - 9/20/12
HERE'S TO THE LAST TEN YEARS - 9/2/12
HERE'S TO A JOB WELL DONE - 10/10/12
I HEAR VOICES - 4/10/13
MY INSPIRATIONS - 3/28/13
THE WISH TREE - 12/21/12

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CINCIGAL GROCERY STORE CLERK!

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - TELL ME NO LIES!

With the amount of people that I run into on a daily basis it is amazing, to me, all of the conversations and incidences that I can seem to recall.  In fact, my memory is so sharp on these matters that I find that there is not one detail of which I do not remember. 

Which has always made me wonder as to why my mind cannot be that sharp on my own personal matters like remembering to pay the water bill, forgetting the grocery list or trying to remember where I put the car keys; in the car and it is locked.

But, this is the way my mind operates and it continually upsets me.

On the other hand, sometimes it is a good thing.

Yesterday, I was told that a customer called the store and complained about me.  It seems that this customer wanted to speak with the store manager, and followed through with a complaint about how rude I was.  She, the customer, mentioned the department, day and how this was to have occurred.  The store manager, being professional, took the complaint and that was that.  Or, so I am told. 

The reason why?  Because the incident occurred in front of the store manager and, I am told, I was not rude.  In fact, there was no incident at all.  Which left us to wonder.

Over time, I have watched as some customers have complained about certain employees.  When this occurred, it was almost always guaranteed that the customer could receive a gift card, sometimes as high as $50.00.  It did not matter if the customer was in the wrong or not; most generally they were.

Then I have witnessed times, where a customer would complain about an employee only to have another customer, who had witnessed the incident, come from behind to act in the employees defense.

There are always going to be complaints, I guess.  And unfortunately, it is the employee who most generally ends up on the short end.

But, I was fortunate.

This ordeal happened on Saturday night and the store manager had come to get me since a customer needed assistance.  Together we walked out to the customer and I asked as to how I could help.  Her response;

"When did you start working in produce?"
"I always have." I said.

With that the customer backed off and said, that she didn't need any help and off she went.

Yes, the incident was hard to understand but I figured it out. 

This particular lady likes to find product that she thinks she can get marked down, in fact that is all that she buys, and my guess is that she has approached me in the past and I did not do as she wanted.  So, she does not want me to wait on her.  In fact, she doesn't want me in the department - she likes the guys better.

So, there you have it.

Even though this ordeal is rather strange, to say the least, there is something to be learned here.

A customer calls in a complaint on an employee, and the complaint is basically a lie.  Had the store manager not been there, or the girl from the deli not witnessed it, what would have happened?  Would I have been believed?  Or, would this customer have gotten her way?

Something to think about!

Talk at ya later! 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - NOT MUCH TO TALK ABOUT

There hasn't been much to write about, lately.  And much, of what I do see, is rather discouraging.

It seems that so much of our loyal traffic, has ceased to come to the store on a regular basis.  And those that do come are often bewildered by the changes that have taken place.  As are we.  And to watch this is not only discouraging  but, leaves one to ponder the security of the future.

So much of the new traffic, that has started coming to the store, is often rude. abusive and seems to be looking for a reason to argue. Not at all what we are accustomed to.  Don't get me wrong, we have had this type of customer coming to the store for years but there was a balance.  You could be shot down one moment, only to turn around and be praised by another customer the next moment.  Everything evened out.

Since customers don't patronize an establishment anymore and so many employees have become part-timers, who don't look upon their employment as their future, the way of doing business has changed.

The change evolves over years; remodeling, resets, downsizing staff, downsizing stock and eliminating services.  After so much change, the customer can't depend on the business that they patronize and sooner or later they begin to go elsewhere. 

Changes made don't seem to take the customer into the equation.  In other words, companies don't think like customers when making these decisions.  The only thought is to improve the bottom line which only seems to continue to 'downsize', despite the changes made.

And employees have changed.  Employees, once made a difference for a company.  The interest, dedication and hard work were once the staples used to strengthen a business that provided staying power.  But that too, has changed.

Take for instance the deli department where suggestive selling is practiced.. An employee, from another store, was telling me that she noticed that the part-time employees do not make an effort at this.  They simply do a job and leave.  But, like I was told, who can blame them. 

Today's employees come a 'dime a dozen', so to speak.  They are hired in as part-time, at a minimum wage, work a schedule with irregular hours and are without the benefits that once drew qualified help.  And even if they are offered, let's say, health insurance they find that they are unable to afford it.  Not a pretty picture.

It seems that what companies have tried to avoid,  has only increased with the decisions that have been made.  In an attempt to make a profit, or maintain business, companies have only continued to make things worse.  Not just for their business but their decisions and practices have helped to keep the economy in a stalled position; retail jobs do not provide spending power for the average employee.

For some reason, the employees in our store still give their job that 100% that they always have.  And our part-time employees seem to follow the same footsteps.  But the frustrations are there and the looks of dismay show up from time to time.

Today, these people still act as they did when I first entered these doors almost eleven years ago.

The only difference is, there are fewer of them.

Talk at ya later!


 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - WHY WORK HERE?

You know, you would never know how important grocery stores are until you search the web; pages, Blogs, interviews, commentaries, web sites, articles. etc..  And the reason, I guess, is because it is considered such big business.  Just look at all of the companies that are not grocery stores, but they still handle groceries.  So if you forgot to get milk, when doing your grocery shopping, you can stop by the drugstore and pick some up on the way home.  What convenience.

Yep, everyone handles food and has sales.

But when reviewing these sites, and reading these articles, I find that they most generally have nothing to do with groceries, the majority are all about the business of; Customer Service, technology, customer appreciation programs. 

Now recently I read a posted question, on a grocery site, requesting some ideas on preparing an, 'effective interview guide for hiring' employees.  The concept is simple enough, 'improve Customer Service, decrease turnover.'  I am sure that this basic formula would alleviate a lot of future hassles.

But, why does a company have to go to such great lengths to find good employees?  I mean, perhaps the company itself is lacking in something.  Why would employees not want to give good Customer Service and, why would there be a turnover?

So, I got to wondering - how did we get hired and manage to stay?

Although I cannot speak for the others I can, however, speak for myself.  I had an interview, answered their questions and knew nothing about grocery store jobs or the business thereof.  That was it, HIRED!  Why?  I, to this day, have no clue.  After all I was the least qualified person you could think of. 

Years later, I would learn that I was not expected to stay.  They were sure that I would keep looking,  find a job that I was qualified for and would hand in my notice. 

Fooled them!

But when I take the other employees into consideration I can see how they, not only managed to get the job, but have maintained a long history with the store.  

The secret to hiring so many with staying power?  The type of people that were hired.

These people did not come in with Resumes or a long trail of previous companies they had worked for.  They were just ordinary, hard working people that needed a job.

In the process the company gave them something to work for and the employees, in return, provided a good work ethic, great Customer Service and staying power that has lasted, for many, 15 to 20 years.

Why did I stay?  Well, I have to be honest.  After all I was making the same amount as I would downtown, didn't have to pay for parking, was only seven minutes from the house and my wardrobe was made simple with a uniform. 

But the real truth, as to why I stopped the job hunt, is the kind of working atmosphere that surrounded me.

I have learned a lot about business and how to create sales.   But the most important thing that I have learned, is the type of people it takes to make it work.

As for the posted request, a comment was posted from a retired grocery person who felt they could assist the inquiry since they had the knowledge acquired by the experience of many years in this field.  Of course none of which was posted.

So, what's the answer?

I think I just laid it out.

Talk at ya later!