Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - MANAGERS; THE CYCLE OF CHANGE

There's a lot to be said about managers.  Some are hard working while some, are directors.  There are those that create a team and then those, that stand alone.  And somewhere along the way there are those that just get by - usually, due to the competence of their staff.  And although there are different types of managers the one thing that stands out the most, is the change that takes place when a new manager comes in; appearance, organization, emphasis, contributions, efficiency, work load and morale.

During the last 12 years and 7 months, I have been through eight managers.  And for the last year, the department I work in has been through four managers. 

Over the years we had three managers that were, what you would call, 'team players'.  They were as dedicated as their staff in providing a good department.  And what stood out the most was the dedication to customer service.  This is something that can only be achieved when a staff is able to work together and morale is high.

But times change and, as the old saying goes, 'all good things must come to an end'.

In the midst of change, this time, one has decided to 'jump ship', while leaving the others to contemplate their positions.  The morale is gone and the direction has changed.

I don't know if things will ever get back to the way they were, at this time it seems doubtful.  But, for the first time, I have now witnessed how easy it is to take a good department and break it down.

And all it took, was the changing of managers.

Talk at ya later!
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Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - MY STUFF!

In my home is a collection of 'stuff', which I often refer to as my 'collectable clutter.'  It is my 'stuff', a collection of things that reminds me of where I have been, who is dear to me and those that I have lost. 

In all reality it is, my world.

Much is the same for me in the store where I work.

Having been told that we are about  to have a big cleaning spree I find that I have some 'collectable clutter'.  Sitting on my work table is a black, plastic container that holds scissors, ribbon, pinecones and wire, all things necessary for making floral arrangements.  But, tucked underneath these tools are a pile of note cards and envelopes all, of which, are addressed to me.  So I took a moment and went through them one by one.

These notes say, 'Thank you', 'Much appreciated,' 'You're the best', and more.

The notes are a reminder of everything I have done.

For all the years I have been doing this job I sometimes lose sight of, just maybe, what I have accomplished.

Things are different now but, not too long ago I provided customers with something that they liked, wanted and apparently were appreciative of.

So I will take these cards home and add them to the rest of my collectables.  Somewhere down the road I, once again, will find them and take a moment to read the words written inside.  And, again, I will probably get that feeling of accomplishment.

I don't do all of the things, at work, like I use to because anymore it is of little concern to the company.  And that I have had to learn to accept.  But at least for now I will have the reminder that, at one time, what I did made a difference. 

For me, that means that it was all worthwhile.

Talk at ya later!


 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - CUSTOMER SERVICE: THE IRONY OF IT ALL

Recently, I had to take a trip to our local ER.  Now it wasn't anything that was life threatening just something that kind of needed immediate attention.  And even though I was clearly dreading this experience I was, more or less, surprised.

The lobby was empty and the receptionist was very outgoing and full of conversation.  In fact, I was made to feel so welcome that I got the impression that everyone was glad I was there.  Had the visit been under different circumstances, I am sure, I would have felt the same.

But what got my attention, more than the atmosphere, was a sign posted inside the automated doors.  As I made my way into the building there, on a post, hung a sign with big letters that read, CUSTOMER SERVICE along with a small description of the ER's promise of this service.

Now if memory serves me correctly Customer Service is a term, used by businesses, to ensure customers a pleasant experience while using their services.  At this point I did not consider myself a customer but, more like a patient since I was in need of medical attention.

As a patient, one is filled with all sorts of emotions; fear, pain, anxiety.  And for a patient there is nothing more important then the skill and knowledge of a medical team.  The comforting words of a medical professional, the caring skill of a nurse and the abilities of a physician are what provide the patient the care needed.

Having grown up around a hospital, and been a patient more than a few times, I was somewhat familiar with the operation of medical care.  And it was in 1969, when my father told me that I would witness medicine become big business in the future.  Something I could not have imagined at the time - but, happened it has.

So what are we now, patients or customers?

When I enter a facility, for medical assistance, I am there for their knowledge and abilities.  I am there to have my pain eased, my symptoms taken care of and my being put back together again.  And if they smile at me and converse well, that's great.  But in the meantime, I would rather they go about there job and do it well. 

When it comes to customers, at our store, we are impressed to give good Customer Service so that they keep coming back.

But at an ER?

Now that's a trip, hopefully, I don't intend making anytime soon.

Talk at ya later!

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - 'CHANGE IS GOOD' (?)

I recently received an email, from a friend, who mentioned that she had not read any new posts on this Blog.  She likes reading them, she said.  Well, I emailed her back and told her that there wasn't anything to write about.

So I thought about it. 

What was there to write about?  The morale of the employees - uh, there isn't any.  Compliments from the customers?  Sorry, haven't heard one in awhile - in fact, just the opposite. What about the closeness of the employees?  With the amount of new hires there have been, it is not uncommon to come into work and say, 'Who's that?'  And the only response you get is a blank look and shrug of the shoulders.

To put it simply, it's all changed.

And from the way it looks, I don't think that we will be able to get back what we once had.

Now I don't know if it was the intention of corporate to deliberately change this store to what it has become or, if it just happened due to the changes made.  What I do know, is that it definitely is not the same anymore.  So much so, even the customers are talking about it.

We had something once and it was kind of special.  And with the changes made it is disappearing

Which kind of leads me to that saying, I have heard repeated so many times; 'Change is good.'
To which I ask, 'For whom?'

Talk at ya later! 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE PRIVILEGE OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas has changed for me, over the years.  Where once it was filled with anticipation, of what was in the beautifully wrapped presents under the tree, it is now filled with knowing who I will be spending the day with that excites me.  It's knowing that I will be able to embrace and share with those that bring so much into my life.

Having worked with the public, for so many years, I have come to the conclusion that this holiday is one of privilege for there are some who do not have anyone to be with.  Be it for lack of family, friends, home or health there are some who do not get to experience and enjoy what so many of us do - being with the ones we love.

And now that shopping, gift wrapping, baking, etc., are done, and exhaustion has begun to set in, take a moment and look around.  Look past the sparkling tree, beautifully wrapped gifts and all the decorations and into the faces of all of those that will surround you.  For having these people in your life, those that you get to be with and share with, makes you privileged.

So enjoy the moment of being together, the laughter and the pictures that will take this holiday and make it into memories.  And no matter what your belief or how you celebrate above all, don't forget the true meaning of this day for it is this that has provided you these moments - this privilege.

Merry Christmas everyone - pass it on.

 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE RUMOR MILL

When I came to work at this store, it was under another company.  And the very first thing I heard, were rumors.  The rumors were not about other employees, instead the rumors were about the company itself.  There were two actually; 'The company is for sale.' & 'The store is getting remodeled.'

Well I cannot verify the first rumor but the second rumor, was just that - a rumor.  The only store that has never been remodeled; and it shows. 

And now, well actually for the last 4 years plus, there has been another rumor.  A rumor that seems to have been started by customers which just recently was put to rest - or, so they say. 

But this last week another rumor started making the rounds.

A funny thing about rumors, you never know if they are true or just someone's way of passing the time.  But no matter, they have a tendency of keeping one on their toes.  Kind of preparing you for what might be just around the corner.

If the rumors were to come true then, more or less, some employees would shake their heads, shrug their shoulders and say, 'Yeah, I knew that would happen.'

I've heard said that there is 'a grain of truth' to rumors.  If that's true, I wouldn't know. 

But what I do know is that, only time will tell.

Talk at ya later!

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE WAYS AND THE MEANS

Last night I attended our store's annual mandatory meeting.  It is a time used to provide employees with the latest company/store information; earnings, projections and future changes.  Kind of like where we've been and the direction we are going.

Our meeting was led by our store manager. 

Now there are some things that you have to know about the lady that manages our store.  She is one of the hardest working managers ever known.  Not only does she physically contribute numerous man hours to this store but, she does it in the best of humor.  And although there are times, we can tell, that she is completely exhausted you only have to give her a little time before she bounces back and continues on.  That is one description of her.  The other, she basically is a good person and always seems to do her level best in managing, not only corporate demands but, customer and employee issues.   Always trying to do what is best.  Not an easy task for sure.  But she does it none the less.

So with her exuberant personality, she led the meeting.  Trust me, with her attitude she could have given the State of the Union message and had all America convinced that they are in great shape.  In fact, one of her frequent sayings is, "It's all good."

But even with the numbers presented and the ideas of the changes to come, along with some rumors being put to rest in a positive nature, there was no positive impression made - at least to all of us who have been here a long time.

Not by the fault of the store manager leading the meeting - quite the contrary.  It was knowing how some of those much improved numbers came to be, that was the downfall.

All that these employees have lost is what contributed to so many of these, so called, improved numbers.

The changes to come will be primarily what other companies are doing; technical changes which I read about last summer.  And there was no mention of how, or if, employees would get back their original status.

Over the last year, or so, there has been much written about the employee market and the job market.  The companies that pay minimum wage, dropping full-time hours to part-time hours and benefits that have been taken off the table, followed with the cost of health care,  are now beginning to be faced with some realities.  A public with lack of spending power.

Not only has the job market changed the economical standards but it seems to have changed the very employees who work it.  Along with uncertainty there seems to be a change in the work ethic - something that, at one time, was of so much value to an employer.  Now people are busy working two, if not three, jobs in order to survive.  And with this kind of schedule, who has time to become invested in their jobs?  Not to mention, there is no incentive to give it your all and to extend oneself to benefit the company they work for.  So, one goes to work and collects their earnings and then heads off to their next job - no thought given.

This is just a glimpse of what is to come. 

Now you will not see these numbers or hear about these statistics in a company annual meeting when reviewing and providing future goals.  Most generally it will be where to cut in order to meet projections.  And that is a shame.  Because when discussing the future of company growth it might be better to talk about future investment.  And what better investment for growth then the very people that work the business. 

So as we witness workers protesting and making waves, maybe it's time for these companies to change their future projections when they do their annual meetings. 

Just maybe, it's time to embrace the employee market.

Talk at ya later!