SueWorks

Mad Dogs and Britney

I had to share, and I don't like her at all, but "Britney Spears" is an anagram of "Presbyterians". After linking from a blog I really enjoy, I found this fact. Harry's blog is a bit scary at times. He seems to personify "Mad Dogs and Englishmen". It's rather attractive in a way only girls who read instead of danced can appreciate.

This is a stretch but if you were to name a girl child would you choose "Brittany" or "Britney"?

Customer Service

The only segment of the US economy that is showing any appreciable growth is the service sector. This group tends to be the lowest paid, least recognized group of any in the business world. In the hiring world, this is a major revolving door. People leave one position for another paying 25 cents more all the time.

So why is the situation like this? Your service respresentatives are the face of your company. They interact with your paying customers. A smile or kind word separates your business from your competitor's.

We traveled on JetBlue this past week. And today I sent two emails to them. The first was about the hotel. I was informed, via email, that the hotel was provided by a third party vendor. I say, the link to the reservation was directly from the JetBlue site and was positioned as an endorsement of quality. We had electricity most of the time, phone most of the time, and hot water most of the time. We didn't have many kind words or smiles. The second email was about rude gate personnel at Dulles. I received a nicely worded email in response, but I really wanted $50 credit.

I would recommend not staying in Maryland and never being late to the gate at Dulles. Also, I would recommend the Nordstrom Cafe as a great respite at the Fashion Centre in Pentagon City. The food and service are tremendous, lots of kind words and smiles.

A Trip

I'm heading out of town, going to DC for a rest. Is that possible? If my spies are correct, all the political types are at home bugging their constituents for another chance at a free lunch.

If I can manage I'll post from the road.

Talking to Strangers

I had a great idea at 6:00 AM today. I was headed to an ASTD session this morning, and I was going to be one of the guest presenters. So I picked up to two Starbucks gift cards for prizes to encourage active participation. The person behind me in line was wearing a great cap. It was embriodered with "Quality Erectors."

I asked him about it. He and his crew are from WA working on a local power plant construction project. I said that Ccraig would like the hat. We laughed. Craig is my husband. When I got my coffee I gave him my card so that he could call me and let me know how to get a cap like his. He asked for a pen, wrote his number on the back and said, "I have one at the motel." I said, "Motel, hum..."

I called Craig and told him about it. I'll give him the card. Maybe he will get to play on the quality erectors while wearing a new hat.

The moral of story: You should talk to strangers. It's fun.

Making Decisions

I am a horrid decision maker when it comes to my own life. Also, I start to make decisions when I really don't have a decision to make. I obsess about the possible options. This is a classic waste of my good time and energy. The only problem is I can't help myself.

I have not been selected to succeed my retired manager. I haven't been given a good reason why but I think that I could work with the person who will most likely get the job. For the past month I have been reporting to my ex-boss's boss and doing many of the tasks the new manager will do. Yes, I am bitter.

My interim manager has offered me a decision, and he seems to think it's a really good option. After obsessing over the past 24 hours, I've discovered that I actually have three choices, opps, just thought of another one:

1. I can stay at my current job and work harder and be ready for greater opportunities in the future. All this for no more pay, title or peer respect.

2. I can be a Black Belt. I can learn something new and sought after by other companies, as I add a valuable credential to my resume. I've applied for an internal transfer to the Lean / Six Sigma program. I've been told I'm a good candidate but there is nothing in writing.

3. I can stay at my current job and work not more and not less than I worked under my previous manager.

4. I can find a company that respects me and my work.

What should Sue do? I think this is a trick question.

Inaugural Post

I've done it. TypePad actually has my credit card. I haven't a clue what I'm doing only that I'm doing it.

Of course, now I have nothing to say. It's 2:41 right now and I should be asleep. Instead my tummy sick kitties are at my feet and CNN is on in the background. I've previewed a yucky sexual harassment video that corporate recommended. In just over two hours I'm supposed to be woken (awakened?) by my alarm.

These are the reasons "SueWorks" and "Living" are such appropriate names for this blog.

Wish me luck! Also, I'm hoping to keep Adult Learning alive.