Dudes, I have to do some holiday shopping. Can someone take over for me, today, and recognize a talented or thoughtful person out there? Who’s doing something great? Who is kicking butt? Does anyone have any good news to share?
Thanks for filling in for me. I’ll be loading up on triple grande peppermint mochas and drinking too many free samples of hot apple cider at Williams Sonoma.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Laurie – In honor of your shopping day and many stops at Starbucks, I’d like to acknowledge the talented and gracious Baristas at the Starbucks at Short Hills Mall in NJ. Yesterday’s lines were out of the door, and the customers were cranky, but the folks behind the counter kept smiling and doing their job. Now if only the salespeople at the other mall stores had been doing the same I might have spent more money yesterday!
Seriously though, part of retail training (and I think Bed, Bath and Beyond does a great job of this) is making sure your team always presents a positive face to the public. This is especially key during the holiday season.
A major upscale retail store in the same mall had lots of staff on the floor yesterday…and they were all hanging around talking to each other and ignoring the customers. Major fail. I won’t be shopping there again soon BUT I will be going back to Starbucks for more peppermint mochas!
Happy holiday shopping!
You know who I’m lovin’ on these days in the world of HR or business blogging? Alicia Arenas. (http://www.sanerapdc.com/about/meet-alicia/ or http://twitter.com/AliciaSanera) Her post on The Cure for a 2010 Business Hangover was just bril. (It’s at http://www.sanerapdc.com/2009/11/the-cure-for-a-2010-business-hangover/) She consistently puts out high quality posts with amazing insights and serious depth. Thanks Alicia for doing such excellent work!
So, I’m gonna go ahead and be “that girl”. Wanna know why? Cause I’m recognizing you.
Not only have you been a phenomenal mentress (sure it’s a word) but you’ve been a great friend.
From the flowers yesterday (which OMG were the nicest things EVAR) to keeping my spirit up during the job hunt, I’m not sure I would have stayed sane.
So thank YOU Laurie…oh, and pick me up a grande skim chai while you’re there. Kthnxbai.
PS: Oh yeah, did you see I have my very own URL now? I’m like a big-girl pants blogger now!
@Andrea Awesome recognition.
@FrannyO GREAT piece of recognition. I met Alicia in Florida and she’s as charming as she is smart. I was blown away.
@Dysfunction Junciton I saw your new site http://icanhasissues.com and I’m so proud. You are such a big girl. Also, I adore you. I’m glad you were brave enough to tell me that we would be good friends because you were right. xoxoxoxo
In no particular order:
You, Laurie, for offering the HR-side of things and for virtual-webbing slapping me when I needed to get my ass in gear for new work. It’s appreciated. And the humor doesn’t hurt, either.
My co-workers at my community college bookstore. I went in thinking it would be a 2-month gig, max. That was in April and I’m still there, am now the receiver and even got a raise. It’s a good, hard-working group and I appreciate that we can all live with our eccentricities and still find the BIO 201 packs.
My co-workers at the mall. We move non-stop for 7+ hours at a time dealing with every type of person under the sun. We’re not always perfect or nice or have the right answer but we try, and I will always scratch the back that scratches mine as well. We make it happen.
And for my friends and family who continue to think I’m the best thing since sliced bread.
Mwah!
My friend who may be deployed to Afghanistan.
Hello. I’m an HR major and for our final in one of my classes, we have to come up with a movie that is HR related? Can you suggest any good storylines?
@Simone You are a doll. xoxoxoxo
@econopete Well that’s sad news.
@Cat Surely you can do this, right?
I’m going to echo Andrea Levy’s comments, and give a shout out to the employees at the Starbucks at the corner of Metcalfe and Slater in Ottawa, ON. They’re always great, friendly and fast no matter whom they’re dealing with.
As well, a shout out to all my former retail colleagues who are still manning the front lines this December. I’ve worked with a lot of great people in retail who have toughed it out when they’d rather be kicking back and enjoying the holiday season.