Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - MERRY CHRISTMAS

Some were wearing Santa hats while others chose to wear those funny looking antlers - all in the holiday spirit.  There was card giving along with some gifts and even the customers got in the act, giving cookies and candy.  Employees, and customers alike, were in good spirits and you could hear laughter and the phrase 'Merry Christmas' coming from each department and up and down every aisle.

And, well, I guess that is about all there is to say.

Except for maybe one thing - if one has to work on a holiday, or the eve thereof, then I can't think of a better place to be or a better group of people to be with, then here at this store.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - SOMETHING IN RETURN

All too often there have been moments of frustration, with this job, that just seem to keep building up.  And, as a matter of fact, I clearly know as to were these moments stem from.

It's from not being given the opportunity to improve things.

Things that are out of your control, when in fact you know of so many ways that things could be improved on.  But, no one is listening - at least not the ones that are in control.

I'm not the only one, about every employee I work with is going through the same thing.  But, even though they feel frustrated they seem to have resigned themselves to the way things are.   I, on the other hand, am out there wearing it like the name badge attached to my uniform.

Frustration is a funny thing, and it leads to a slight depression that can actually kill the spirit;  the spirit that pushed you to strive for the best.  And when that happens then sadness creeps in and takes over of what remains of that spirit.  There seems to be nothing to look forward to, which leads one to fear what might lie ahead.

So, I have come to the conclusion that this is what happens when a person not only likes but invests themselves in where they work - they care too much.

This only leads to a personal dissatisfaction.

The other day, while helping an employee with a task, I kind of let it get the best of me and found myself making a statement, "I think I have been here too long."

"Oh, don't say that."  she said.

Now, I can't give a direct quote but she went on to say something about how she thinks that I get something in return, for working here, and she was not implying the paycheck.

Most of these people that I work with, now and in the past, possess a strong character.  With each job that they do they provide an incentive to others to perform to the best of their abilities.  Their common sense approach and genuine personalities provides customers with the best service.They work their jobs as though they were working for themselves.

Amongst them, they share similar beliefs and feelings and are hard working and genuinely good.  And certain social aspects, that pose problems in the world, do not seem to exist within this store. 

There has never been any set policies that make these people the way they are, it is just the kind of people that they are which makes the difference. 

So having looked at my job in that respect, instead of the business itself, I would have to say that this employee was right.

For it is not just the job, that I do, but more importantly it is what surrounds me while doing the job that makes the difference.

Talk at ya later!


 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - IT'S ALL ABOUT US!

Considering that there  are less employees on the floor, these days, we do not always get the opportunity to hear the comments that shoppers make as they trek through our store.  And some of the comments we do hear are negative and not about anything that we, as employees, have any control over.

But I find that the things that the employees do have control over - well, we rate very high according to customers.

Usually in the evening there are new faces coming through the store, checking things out.  These people are easy to notice.  They walk slowly as they make their way through the departments eying the shelves, one by one.  Most usually these new customers are carrying a basket, instead of pushing a cart, and their heads seem to swivel back and forth.  Of course, you can't help but say, "Is there something I can help you find?"  Which is usually met with a smile and a nod of acknowledgement.

And since this was a week approaching a major holiday, there have been a lot of new faces along with some remarks as to what these shoppers think of our store.

I was stocking bananas when a customer came over to me and said, "You have a very nice Produce Department."  And later, as I was coming out of the prep room, I heard a comment as a couple passed me, "Yeah, but the store is so clean."

Sometime later I approached a customer, who seemed to be walking in circles, to find out if she was finding everything she needed.  "I must have that look." she said.  "Everyone here is nice and helpful."  "I have never shopped here before."

But, that's not all.

One of our weekly shoppers told our store manager that she had "a good crew here."  While another customer sent an email to corporate, praising the staff at our store.  The customer went as far as to say that they would never shop at K_____, as long as these employees, meaning us, were at this store.

To me, it is quite evident that what shoppers do like about our store is the cleanliness, assistance, personality and the department maintenance.

And when taking all of this into consideration, well - it kind of puts a whole new outlook on those so called, Mystery Shoppers. 

Don't ya think?

Talk at ya later!
 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - OPTION RECALL

It seems that everything going on, right now, is up for debate. 

No, I take that back - nothing seems to be up for debate, decisions are being made for me.

Be it at work, health insurance coverage (mandatory/cost increase), utility suppliers (chosen for you), phone service (services added w/o consent), to name a few.  Sometimes, I feel that I am only here to pay the bills.

And now another decision - this Blog.

I, like so many others out there in cyber-space, am now facing the wrath of Google Plus.  It took me awhile to figure that out.

Since technology is not my 'forte', I had to teach myself every aspect of not only putting together a Blog but also learning to put together a Youtube video.  Success was a long time coming but, as you can see, I managed to do it.

And then it changed.  Some of the options, that I had, were now gone.

The Blog page appearance had now changed.  No longer were the Followers posted on the page but instead I found them listed in the profile.  Now I am ecstatic to know that I have followers on this Blog, even if they are few, and I want others to see that, yes, some people do like to keep up with this Blog.  It's simply an ego thing.

And besides, it took me hours to figure out how to put all of this together - leave it alone.

But then I couldn't get into my Youtube account without my Laptop freezing up.  And then 'it' wanted me to use my name for the account, instead of the Blog title.  Of course, one cannot find another 'being' to talk to about these matters.

It was just one thing after another.

So I started asking around and searching on the web and found these problems to be normal and what they were related to and why- Google Plus.  In fact, mine were nothing compared to others which I read about.

So I searched and found out how to get rid of the headache and then ran into a different set of problems.

The Followers are now posted on the Blog page, but no comments can be made and the page cannot be recommended unless one is signed up with Google Plus.  No longer do I have Friends/Circles (I only knew 2).

Youtube is not posted on my tool bar any longer and I have to get into the account another way.

Within the last four days, and nights, that it has taken me to resolve part of this problem I have found that I am beginning to sympathize with customers.

I find that options are getting narrower and one must rely on the supplier, even when we don't want to.  And having it our way, is becoming an extinct notion. 

Nothing seems simple anymore.

Talk at ya later!



 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE WORD; PASSIONATE

With all of the changes that have taken place, at the store, and certain events that have been witnessed - it would not be surprising to find employees becoming disgruntled.  This type of reaction would only be normal.

And to be honest, the mood has changed and the talk is different.   That is, until these employees begin their job.

Quite a few years ago, we had a manager that put a new word into the store's vocabulary - Passionate.  And that word came to be, because of me.

It was a usual working day and this manager had been given some instructions on how to change the Floral Department.  The change was that of a physical nature and not one that I was in support of.  The conversation between us, went back and forth; him with his instructions and me arguing the opposite.  And then finally, it was over.

He looked at me and said, "You are so (deep breath) passionate about what you do."  Later we realized that what he really was thinking was that of a different word (b----y), but was professional enough to use the word 'passionate' instead.  From then on, every time an employee would become argumentative in regard to their department the response would be, "Quit being so passionate."

Although I have not heard that word used in quite awhile I have, however, witnessed it being practiced.

We have gone through many changes these last few years, changes that have taken away the familiarity of what we were accustomed to and instead replaced with sadness, insecurities and financial loss.

But, for some reason, these feelings are not reflected in the jobs that these people do.

They still over extend themselves in their work performance, customer service and team work. 

And though their efforts may be overlooked, they choose to carry on as they have done for so many years.

Honestly, I don't think that it is a choice at all but instead it is just the type of people that they are;

Passionate!

Talk at ya later!
 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE THANK YOU

Another vacation and what have I accomplished? 

Well, I was really looking forward to coming to the house, barricading myself in and beginning my new project.  But, though I got started, I really did not accomplish that much and instead have a clean house and all the laundry is done.  Not exactly what I had in mind.

I tried, I really did, but was totally unable to concentrate.  Everything was ready!  I had purchased some canvas, had taken inventory of my brushes and paints and, more importantly, I knew exactly what I was going to paint.

As far as I got was putting the canvas on the easel and selecting the brushes and paints to use - and, then it was over.

For as quickly as my excitement came, it was gone. 

My mind would not stop thinking about, THE STORE.  This is pathetic.

Usually when I have something on my mind, I find cleaning is a great way to work out the stress of the situation.  Cleaning is basically motion memory so, I do not have to concentrate on what I am doing which allows for my mind to wonder.  And, more often then not, I come up with solutions while performing these tasks.  I call it, 'cheap psychology'.
 
But this time it hasn't worked.

The more I cleaned, the more frustrated I became.

Believe it, or not, the biggest concern right now at the store is that of the score of a Mystery Shopper's report and how this score can be improved.   And for all of the employees, this is like a slap in the face.  You see the score is based on greeting customers, department floors that are unattended, etc..  Oh yeah, and pop machines that are 'out of order'.  These reports do not take into effect as to what an employee was doing at the time or why the floor of the department was unattended or the fact that possibly the pop machines are not the property of the store - just the fact that these occurrences happened.

So, getting back to cleaning, I find that throughout my house there are reminders of what customers think of our so called, Customer Service.

As I clean the bookshelves I find these figures that are made from dried flower pods and seeds.  There are two figures, approximately 5" tall, resembling dancers with tambourines and flowing skirts painted in vivid colors, a clown's head reminding one of Mardi Gras and the little duck as he paddles across a never ending pond.

These figures came in a box that was given to me by a customer.  The customer's sister was a Botanist and made these colorful and imaginative creations.

As I put my laundry away, I open my closet and am reminded of another customer.   Sitting on a shelf is a little bag made of lavender tulle and tied with a lavender bow.  The contents of the bag is dried lavender which the customer had harvested from her own garden.

After cleaning, it was time to water my many plants.  High on a shelf, above the kitchen sink, sits a plant that over time has began to cascade down to the kitchen counter.  This plant came as a starter that was given to me by a customer who loves plants.

And every day, as I open the refrigerator, I am reminded of one of our smallest customers.  There on the fridge hangs a portrait done in colored pencil, of Miss Gizzy in all of her splendor.

Then there are all of the deserts, cookies and pizzas that have been brought to the store, by customers, for all of the employees to enjoy.  And let's not forget all of the hugs, greetings, advice and recipes that come our way.

Noticing all of this memorabilia, and how it came to be in my possession, makes me re-think Customer Service.   Maybe they are right.  Just maybe we do not give real Customer Service and we need to take another look at it.

Because looking around my house I realize that one does not receive gifts for giving Customer Service. 

But, instead, these are tokens as a 'Thank you' for just being who we are.

Talk at ya later!
 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

Although this is a Blog that essentially writes about a grocery store, today I found another side of Customer Service - of all places - at a car dealership.

With 27 years under the belt, it is time to retire my Suzuki Samurai (at least until I can find someone to work on it) and resort to a traditional, everyday vehicle.  Alas, I am not different anymore.

So when my cousin decided that it was time to park the little Suz, I listened and agreed.  You see I have come to find out that there are certain times that I need to listen and - trust me - her, I listen to.

We started our venture last week and to tell you the truth, I just couldn't get into it.  With each car dealership we went to, the salesmen were there following and asking questions, when all we wanted to do was look.  But, no one would heed our "We're just looking.", until we got in the car and left.

But today, we tried again and I was told to be prepared to drive home a car.

Okay, so we start our venture and 'cuz', that's what I call her, knows exactly where we are going. 

The atmosphere at this dealership was not only far more relaxed, but it was also respectful.  We looked and then we were ready to ask some questions, get some keys and try them out.

It was while we were doing the paperwork, that I realized why I had enjoyed this little shopping spree of ours;  the Customer Service.

The personalities were down to earth and although outgoing, they were respectful in their approach and very sincere when answering our questions.  They provided us information that we had never thought to ask and followed up with a call in the evening to make sure that everything was fine with the vehicle.

All of this seemed familiar to me, because this is how we are at the store.

You can greet every customer you see, as we had been, but it is the sincerity that is projected that makes a customer feel that you are glad that they are there.  This is what makes good Customer Service stand out - sincerity.

Well needless to say, our venture is over and now I must learn to drive, park and adjust myself to this new vehicle sitting in my driveway.  And should anyone ask me where I got it, I will definitely tell them where and give the dealership a high recommendation.

So, the Suz is now parked in a nice garage after so many years of reliable service. 

And beside the Suz will sit the new gal in town - we call her, KIA.

Talk at ya later!

(A very special thanks to Chris and everyone at Kings KIA, Cincinnati,OH)