Power surges a.k.a. Hot flashes officially suck. They mess up my sleep pattern! You don't know if you are going to have a period or not and all of your symptoms (PMS) are still present even though "Aunt Flo" does not visit. Total mayhem!
On the plus side, I have found life without "Aunt Flo" to be sort of a blessing in disguise. It is amazing when you can go through life without having to change a tampon through out the day!
I also have found a new found peace in knowing that all those crazy things that I used to worry about when I was younger are just not that important! Life truely beings at 40. Now that I am 4 months away from 50, (ok...that number looks bigger in print than it feels when I say it), I am looking forward to life being even that much more fun! If we only knew at 20 what we know now. 20 year olds would be dangerous! There is no trade off for Experience. Life was meant to be lived that is certain. And experiencing all of it.........aaahhh.......that's where you begin to unfold all of what life has to truely offer!
Well I am off to do my hair and get ready for work. If only I were financially independently wealthy :)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Coffee, Breakfast and Reviews
Today is my last day of working on reviews for my associates! I have finally completed the daunting chore of getting them done. Three more to deliver by tomorrow. Then it's off to my favorite copy/fax joint Fed-Ex/Kinko's to get my review packet prepared to send off to my DSM so she can then send them to corp. Oh wait........don't forget you'll need three copies of each review. One to keep at the store, one for the associate and one for corporate. Then its time to review all their individual goals for the year! When all we want to do is sell, sell, sell to the customers and make money. You see our company pays out a personal bonus for hitting different dollar amounts of sales. So........my staff really just wants to know did they do well, did they get a raise and can they get back to the sales floor before someone else gets the "money maker" of a customer!
The new reality for our company is now its time to shift gears and not worry about the extra money you can make, lets focus on lots more customers (increase our conversion rate and make a difference in all their lives),not just the $$BIG$$ $penders. This is a hard concept for most of my staff as they are all "Big Money Honey's" looking out for number 1, and in case you haven't figured it out it is all about their paycheck.
We are having growing pains to say the least! Revamp the Bonus structure to reward smaller sales and that will happen with the current staff or cut full time hours to 30 rather than 40, put on more part-time sales people in order to get to more of the customers and we will convert more customers. OK....so I am not being so positive here, but the reality is...I have a well seasoned staff, they know how to sell and they anticipate the tasks and get them done. As a manager I understand and support the company's new direction, see the benefits from the company's POV. From a roll-out stance......it is hard to teach old dogs new tricks and even harder for someone in a sales position (who works commission) to see any benefit to them. So...I may need to invest in a hair color company before its all over!
I am also looking to hire a part-time sales lead to help open and close the store in my assistants absence during her maternity leave. That quest is currently moving in a positive direction with at least applications to review and people to call. I still think my opportunity is to recruit someone fab-u-lous, but one would have to be able to get out of the store for that!
On a much brighter note.....I am seriously looking forward to this weekend. Walking, lifting, reading my oxygen magazine and finishing "The Secret" which I started during our trip back from Florida two weeks ago. My honey is going to visit his son Friday-Sunday and I will be working Fri and Sat, but will have the day off Sunday to do with what I wish. Sleep in.................
The new reality for our company is now its time to shift gears and not worry about the extra money you can make, lets focus on lots more customers (increase our conversion rate and make a difference in all their lives),not just the $$BIG$$ $penders. This is a hard concept for most of my staff as they are all "Big Money Honey's" looking out for number 1, and in case you haven't figured it out it is all about their paycheck.
We are having growing pains to say the least! Revamp the Bonus structure to reward smaller sales and that will happen with the current staff or cut full time hours to 30 rather than 40, put on more part-time sales people in order to get to more of the customers and we will convert more customers. OK....so I am not being so positive here, but the reality is...I have a well seasoned staff, they know how to sell and they anticipate the tasks and get them done. As a manager I understand and support the company's new direction, see the benefits from the company's POV. From a roll-out stance......it is hard to teach old dogs new tricks and even harder for someone in a sales position (who works commission) to see any benefit to them. So...I may need to invest in a hair color company before its all over!
I am also looking to hire a part-time sales lead to help open and close the store in my assistants absence during her maternity leave. That quest is currently moving in a positive direction with at least applications to review and people to call. I still think my opportunity is to recruit someone fab-u-lous, but one would have to be able to get out of the store for that!
On a much brighter note.....I am seriously looking forward to this weekend. Walking, lifting, reading my oxygen magazine and finishing "The Secret" which I started during our trip back from Florida two weeks ago. My honey is going to visit his son Friday-Sunday and I will be working Fri and Sat, but will have the day off Sunday to do with what I wish. Sleep in.................
Thursday, April 3, 2008
No baseball caps here!
Florence, SC. WOW...definately no women in baseball caps. Sweats, sneakers, jeans, old ratty clothes yes..., but no baseball caps. Good thing I wasn't stoned in the "Bible belt" of America. Wow..........who knew a road trip from New Port Richey, Florida would take so many turns. It started out great, then turned into the trip from Hell as we proceeded to break down, get towed, spend 36 hrs in limbo, get back on the road and have lots of time to reflect:
1. Got to see 4 states are not for me for many reasons.
2. Learned that southern hospitality is a myth.
3. Alcohol should not be prohibited on Sundays anywhere.
4. A road trip is only as fun as you make it.
5. Sunny skies and warm weather are a definite must for my future.
Florida here I come..........To live and sell muffins. (thanx Lexi for the muffin suggestion)
It was exhilarating to see the rolling hills of Pennsylvania as we dropped the "mojo" challenged car off at the garage for a little love. I think the good luck charm in the car has to go. Sorry Mom.
1. Got to see 4 states are not for me for many reasons.
2. Learned that southern hospitality is a myth.
3. Alcohol should not be prohibited on Sundays anywhere.
4. A road trip is only as fun as you make it.
5. Sunny skies and warm weather are a definite must for my future.
Florida here I come..........To live and sell muffins. (thanx Lexi for the muffin suggestion)
It was exhilarating to see the rolling hills of Pennsylvania as we dropped the "mojo" challenged car off at the garage for a little love. I think the good luck charm in the car has to go. Sorry Mom.
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