tonight is the fifth night in a row I have had dinner with my family.
i can't remember the last time we had dinner together more than 3 times in a week. usually it's twice a week we'll all sit down and eat together.
it's so sad.
i really need to work less.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Sunday, April 20, 2008
your happiness is our happiness
I work in retail, and at my job, I see a lot of people. Some days more than others.
Some of these people come in, avoid eye contact, get what they need, then get the hell out of the place.
Some people come in, walk a few circles, look see look see, then get the hell out of there.
Others ask for your help, receive it, pay for what they want (or don't), and then get the hell out of there.
But there are also those who come in and talk to you about what they're looking for. You listen to them, then they listen to you. You try to help them as best you can - tell them about the product, give them advice, a better price (if possible), and above all, you make them feel as if their needs are important; and then you meet those needs.
And you can bet the next time they need something electrical, they'll come back - at least to check it out and speak to someone about it.
Myer is (apparently) Australia's leading departmental store - and we want to keep it that way. We do this by offering a wide range of the latest in fashion, apparel, gifts and homewares. On top of that - and probably most importantly - we offer the best customer service that we can in order to give you the best shopping experience possible.
No, I was not paid to say that. I was told that during training.
But I think after working a very, very busy Saturday yesterday, I finally understand what that means. I think I'm really beginning to see why people will shop at Myer, even though we might not necessarily be the cheapest place to shop.
It's because shopping at Myer becomes addictive.
It's nice, you know. It really is. I'm speaking from experience. We shopped at Myer before I started working there. And no, not everything there is more expensive than other places. If you know how to shop, things become really cheap.
Especially now, with staff discount.
But that's besides the point. Customers have said to me that they prefer to buy from us because of our customer service - even though we might be a little bit more costly (like by $15 or something, which is small when you're dealing with big electrical items).
And when I look at how hard everyone else in my department is working, I can totally see why.
We were expecting yesterday to be a quiet day.
Rick Hart had a new store opening in Belmont, and was selling everything there dirt cheap. So cheap that our manager was joking about how she would send our whole department home now to save herself some money. Joking.
It turned out to be the busiest - and best, $$wise - Saturday we've had in a while. It was crazy. We were actually understaffed for a day like that. It's a massive headache trying to juggle so many people who are all waiting for help. But we tried.
And people just kept coming.
I thought I worked pretty hard yesterday, but I'm sure that all the other staff worked even harder. And when customers see how important they are to us, it makes them feel happier, which in turn makes us feel happier (although this is usually because we've just sold them a $3000 TV).
How important are you to us?
The staff can complain about work, and dream of going home throughout the entire shift, but when they see you coming, they still smile at you (in totally non-creepy ways) and try to help you in any way they can.
Many times, they are missing their lunch and/or tea breaks to help you find what you need.
They tell it to you straight. If it's crap, it's crap. They don't want to cheat you into buying something that's third rate, even if it means losing the sale.
After losing that sale, they usually gain a new one by recommending the best option for your needs.
They don't earn commission on almost all of the stuff they sell, so the fact that they bother at all says something.
You have no idea how often they operate at a loss to keep you happy. No, seriously.
At the end of the day, your happiness is our happiness. -Ish.
I saw that yesterday, in all the people I work with. Finny and Ken will understand this. They really work so hard, and the company is not lying when they say that they have fantastic customer service.
People will shop at Myer because of this customer service. It's nice to know that you can walk into a store, and will receive useful help when they need it. It's nice to know that people who work there have a sense of humour, remember you from last time, and are just short of being your friends. It's nice to feel important.
It also makes us happy to know that we've done our good deed for the day.
And this is Jason, on finishing work yesterday...
let's make like an egg and roll.
let's make like a fire and exit.
let's make like a tree and leave.
let's make like a rock 'n roll.
let's make like a hockey player and get the puck out of here.
Some of these people come in, avoid eye contact, get what they need, then get the hell out of the place.
Some people come in, walk a few circles, look see look see, then get the hell out of there.
Others ask for your help, receive it, pay for what they want (or don't), and then get the hell out of there.
But there are also those who come in and talk to you about what they're looking for. You listen to them, then they listen to you. You try to help them as best you can - tell them about the product, give them advice, a better price (if possible), and above all, you make them feel as if their needs are important; and then you meet those needs.
And you can bet the next time they need something electrical, they'll come back - at least to check it out and speak to someone about it.
Myer is (apparently) Australia's leading departmental store - and we want to keep it that way. We do this by offering a wide range of the latest in fashion, apparel, gifts and homewares. On top of that - and probably most importantly - we offer the best customer service that we can in order to give you the best shopping experience possible.
No, I was not paid to say that. I was told that during training.
But I think after working a very, very busy Saturday yesterday, I finally understand what that means. I think I'm really beginning to see why people will shop at Myer, even though we might not necessarily be the cheapest place to shop.
It's because shopping at Myer becomes addictive.
It's nice, you know. It really is. I'm speaking from experience. We shopped at Myer before I started working there. And no, not everything there is more expensive than other places. If you know how to shop, things become really cheap.
Especially now, with staff discount.
But that's besides the point. Customers have said to me that they prefer to buy from us because of our customer service - even though we might be a little bit more costly (like by $15 or something, which is small when you're dealing with big electrical items).
And when I look at how hard everyone else in my department is working, I can totally see why.
We were expecting yesterday to be a quiet day.
Rick Hart had a new store opening in Belmont, and was selling everything there dirt cheap. So cheap that our manager was joking about how she would send our whole department home now to save herself some money. Joking.
It turned out to be the busiest - and best, $$wise - Saturday we've had in a while. It was crazy. We were actually understaffed for a day like that. It's a massive headache trying to juggle so many people who are all waiting for help. But we tried.
And people just kept coming.
I thought I worked pretty hard yesterday, but I'm sure that all the other staff worked even harder. And when customers see how important they are to us, it makes them feel happier, which in turn makes us feel happier (although this is usually because we've just sold them a $3000 TV).
How important are you to us?
The staff can complain about work, and dream of going home throughout the entire shift, but when they see you coming, they still smile at you (in totally non-creepy ways) and try to help you in any way they can.
Many times, they are missing their lunch and/or tea breaks to help you find what you need.
They tell it to you straight. If it's crap, it's crap. They don't want to cheat you into buying something that's third rate, even if it means losing the sale.
After losing that sale, they usually gain a new one by recommending the best option for your needs.
They don't earn commission on almost all of the stuff they sell, so the fact that they bother at all says something.
You have no idea how often they operate at a loss to keep you happy. No, seriously.
At the end of the day, your happiness is our happiness. -Ish.
I saw that yesterday, in all the people I work with. Finny and Ken will understand this. They really work so hard, and the company is not lying when they say that they have fantastic customer service.
People will shop at Myer because of this customer service. It's nice to know that you can walk into a store, and will receive useful help when they need it. It's nice to know that people who work there have a sense of humour, remember you from last time, and are just short of being your friends. It's nice to feel important.
It also makes us happy to know that we've done our good deed for the day.
And this is Jason, on finishing work yesterday...
let's make like an egg and roll.
let's make like a fire and exit.
let's make like a tree and leave.
let's make like a rock 'n roll.
let's make like a hockey player and get the puck out of here.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
how we try to be gangsta
We were tired and bored at work today, and someone started giving everybody rapper names.
Kev, Fendi and Greg formed a rap unit and called themselves K-Fen to the G-unit.
Yolanda came up with Ne-Yo, or Me-Yo, or something like that.
Then they looked at me, and said...
They thought that was pretty funny. I couldn't see why.
I am tired.
Kev, Fendi and Greg formed a rap unit and called themselves K-Fen to the G-unit.
Yolanda came up with Ne-Yo, or Me-Yo, or something like that.
Then they looked at me, and said...
"Li'l Kim!!!"
They thought that was pretty funny. I couldn't see why.
I am tired.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
i got a foot cramp today. at work. in the middle of helping a lady decide between Mario vs. Donkey Kong or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for her nephew's Nintendo DS.
it hurt like hell. the foot cramp, i mean.
she ended up getting Ninja Turtles.
chocolate and lollies are ever in abundance behind the cash registers where i work, and saturday was a day of spoiling myself (and my teeth) on them.
me: (when offered MORE) i've already eaten so much.
w1: (the feeder) well then, have some more.
w2: he's trying to fatten you up.
w3: yeah, like the wicked witch in Hansel and Gretel.
it hurt like hell. the foot cramp, i mean.
she ended up getting Ninja Turtles.
chocolate and lollies are ever in abundance behind the cash registers where i work, and saturday was a day of spoiling myself (and my teeth) on them.
me: (when offered MORE) i've already eaten so much.
w1: (the feeder) well then, have some more.
w2: he's trying to fatten you up.
w3: yeah, like the wicked witch in Hansel and Gretel.
Friday, February 22, 2008
sore knees
i called into work this afternoon to cancel my shift for tomorrow, but there was no one in the office, and my manager wasn't in either. so i was put through to the manager for the ground floor, who knows me only as "small kim" (there's another kim who works for her downstairs, hence the adjective before my name).
this is how the conversation played out.
-________________-
and if you thought I was random... you have obviously not met my physics teacher.
on circular motion:
you know, when an egg and a sperm come together, they form the first human cell. this is a giant cell which, when it divides, splits into two smaller cells within itself. and it keeps doing that until the cells are the correct size... which means you're not actually getting any bigger. okay, so when i'm spinning this thing here, the circular motion is caused by the forces i'm exerting towards the centre of rotation. interestingly, the sperm actually has to rotate the egg before fertilisation, and the rotation is also a form of circular motion...
what. the...
this is how the conversation played out.
kim: hi, this is kimberley, from upstairs.
man: kimberley croning?
kim: err... no. kimberley chieng.
man: kimberley croning?
kim: err... no. kimberley chieng.
*silence*
kim: umm... you know? the small asian one?
man: OHH... yes, yes. (starts laughing).
man: OHH... yes, yes. (starts laughing).
-________________-
and if you thought I was random... you have obviously not met my physics teacher.
on circular motion:
you know, when an egg and a sperm come together, they form the first human cell. this is a giant cell which, when it divides, splits into two smaller cells within itself. and it keeps doing that until the cells are the correct size... which means you're not actually getting any bigger. okay, so when i'm spinning this thing here, the circular motion is caused by the forces i'm exerting towards the centre of rotation. interestingly, the sperm actually has to rotate the egg before fertilisation, and the rotation is also a form of circular motion...
what. the...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
peacocks and pink
an elderly lady came into the store today and was looking at the Tripp luggage. i asked her if she needed help, brimming with confidence seeing as i'd just, you know, tidied the entire section up.
she said "i've got a suitcase at home and i was wondering if you've got the hand carry in the same colour..."
"oh, what colour were you after, ma'am?"
"umm... i can't see it, so i'm not sure if you have it. it was a peacock sort of colour."
kim's brain thinks what the hell is peacock? ok, think. that one there is black, that one is maroon, and the other one is definitely a mauve-ish colour... so by process of elimination, we do NOT have peacock... whatever the hell that is...
while kim's mouth says "hmm... no, i don't think we have any of those ones in peacock anymore ma'am."
thankfully the lady buys it and went on to buy something else.
and indecision from a myer employed, anti-scancount, science student...
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
kimmyting
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
when's your birthday dear
kim says:
my birthday... is.... err... in a few months
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
april isn't it
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
NONOn
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
NONO
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
october
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
NONO
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
...........
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
june
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
NONO
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
it's april!
he got it right the first time.
she said "i've got a suitcase at home and i was wondering if you've got the hand carry in the same colour..."
"oh, what colour were you after, ma'am?"
"umm... i can't see it, so i'm not sure if you have it. it was a peacock sort of colour."
kim's brain thinks what the hell is peacock? ok, think. that one there is black, that one is maroon, and the other one is definitely a mauve-ish colour... so by process of elimination, we do NOT have peacock... whatever the hell that is...
while kim's mouth says "hmm... no, i don't think we have any of those ones in peacock anymore ma'am."
thankfully the lady buys it and went on to buy something else.
and indecision from a myer employed, anti-scancount, science student...
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
kimmyting
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
when's your birthday dear
kim says:
my birthday... is.... err... in a few months
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
april isn't it
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
NONOn
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
NONO
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
october
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
NONO
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
...........
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
june
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
NONO
† [penguinnyfinfin ```p53k] says:
it's april!
he got it right the first time.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
today was the day of the pissy customers
first up, i made a mistake. i won't deny it.
i screwed up one bit.
details are a bit much to spit out, but... yeah.
anyway, i went out back to look for something for my pissed off customer, praying damn hard we had it cause he was SO ANGRY.
we didn't have what he wanted.
...and i knew i was so screwed.
i ran into jason and yolanda (workmates) on the way out, and we had the saddest conversation.
J: (to me) did you find your thing?
K: no. i didn't... i'm so screwed aye.
J: yeah. he's really angry.
K: i don't wanna go back out there. i really don't.
Y: you wanna swap? this woman... i've been with her for an hour, and she can't even speak english properly.
K: really? (super hopeful) swap?
J: nah man. her dude is really angry. even i wouldn't swap with her.
Y: seriously, i've been with her for so long.. she asked for a manager, so Jemma pretended to be my manager and told her we can't do that. but she's still... ugh.
J: yeah, but you really don't want to take that guy.
K: yeah, i can't do that to you. he's... ohcrap. i'm so dead.
J: ok, ok guys. *does the hand pile up thing* all for one?
ALL: and one for all.
J: let's do this.
then we walked out together, and faced hell.
i saw Yolanda's customer and ok, her english sucked, and her face was set in a permanent grimace. not fun. and she started scolding Yo even before she'd gotten within speaking distance.
but my guy definitely took the cake.
there was a point where everyone nearby just stopped and stared at us.
by the end of it i felt totally defeated. i stood there all while he was complaining to my manager (half of it was about me), just so i could apologize to him properly. and he didn't freaking give a shit.
forget anger.
forget embarrassment.
i just wanted to cry.
i screwed up one bit.
details are a bit much to spit out, but... yeah.
anyway, i went out back to look for something for my pissed off customer, praying damn hard we had it cause he was SO ANGRY.
we didn't have what he wanted.
...and i knew i was so screwed.
i ran into jason and yolanda (workmates) on the way out, and we had the saddest conversation.
J: (to me) did you find your thing?
K: no. i didn't... i'm so screwed aye.
J: yeah. he's really angry.
K: i don't wanna go back out there. i really don't.
Y: you wanna swap? this woman... i've been with her for an hour, and she can't even speak english properly.
K: really? (super hopeful) swap?
J: nah man. her dude is really angry. even i wouldn't swap with her.
Y: seriously, i've been with her for so long.. she asked for a manager, so Jemma pretended to be my manager and told her we can't do that. but she's still... ugh.
J: yeah, but you really don't want to take that guy.
K: yeah, i can't do that to you. he's... ohcrap. i'm so dead.
J: ok, ok guys. *does the hand pile up thing* all for one?
ALL: and one for all.
J: let's do this.
then we walked out together, and faced hell.
i saw Yolanda's customer and ok, her english sucked, and her face was set in a permanent grimace. not fun. and she started scolding Yo even before she'd gotten within speaking distance.
but my guy definitely took the cake.
there was a point where everyone nearby just stopped and stared at us.
by the end of it i felt totally defeated. i stood there all while he was complaining to my manager (half of it was about me), just so i could apologize to him properly. and he didn't freaking give a shit.
forget anger.
forget embarrassment.
i just wanted to cry.
Monday, December 17, 2007
bananas and ladders
being the most accident prone person that you are ever likely to bump into (literally), i'd used up most of our band-aids at home. so i went to the pharmacy before work this morning to pick some up in case of emergency (e.g. in the event that i accidentally cut my left foot off. God forbid -_-).
however, GENIUS that i am, i left my wallet at home.
this was not only very embarrassing when the lady at the pharmacy gave me this aww-you-poor-little-idiot look, but also horrible because it meant i couldn't get lunch, and i hadn't had breakfast.
i was reminded of this sad fact when i finally did get my lunch break, and my workmate jumped around in front of me going "subway? foot long? *hand actions*". all i could say was "no... *sad look* left my wallet at home", to which he gallantly replies "hey, no problem", brandishing a red twenty in front of me.
but seeing as i'd only known the guy for ten days, i shook my head and settled with bananas for lunch. thank God i brought two. not quite enough, but not too bad.
in other news, i took a ladder to the head today.
sigh.
i was just standing there.
in front of a ladder leaned against the wall.
then it suddenly tipped forward, and hit me on the head.
painful.
guy: you should report it.
kim: why?
guy: dunno. you can get like, medical fees if you need them.
kim: it's just a bump.
guy: hey, who knows. you might need to amputate your head.
sigh, i don't wanna go to work tomorrow.
however, GENIUS that i am, i left my wallet at home.
this was not only very embarrassing when the lady at the pharmacy gave me this aww-you-poor-little-idiot look, but also horrible because it meant i couldn't get lunch, and i hadn't had breakfast.
i was reminded of this sad fact when i finally did get my lunch break, and my workmate jumped around in front of me going "subway? foot long? *hand actions*". all i could say was "no... *sad look* left my wallet at home", to which he gallantly replies "hey, no problem", brandishing a red twenty in front of me.
but seeing as i'd only known the guy for ten days, i shook my head and settled with bananas for lunch. thank God i brought two. not quite enough, but not too bad.
in other news, i took a ladder to the head today.
sigh.
i was just standing there.
in front of a ladder leaned against the wall.
then it suddenly tipped forward, and hit me on the head.
painful.
guy: you should report it.
kim: why?
guy: dunno. you can get like, medical fees if you need them.
kim: it's just a bump.
guy: hey, who knows. you might need to amputate your head.
sigh, i don't wanna go to work tomorrow.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
on pounds and ladders
i was having a chat with a very dear friend of mine over MSN just then. we haven't seen each other in years, but we're still pretty good friends. the first thing he says to me today is...
he's always been a little bit on the chubby side, but he's chubby cute, you see. the conversation then plays out...
him: i weighed myself just now... i'm 113... kg, not pounds. i didn't realize i put on so much weight.
me: really. where do you put it all?
him: in a backpack.
me: *ignores* how much are you usually tho?
him: around 90-105 kg like that. (he's not short la!)
me: well... if it makes you feel better, i'm about 105-110.
him: pounds.
me: uh huh.
him: really meh?
me: what, you don't believe ah.
him: ...not really. you so light meh?
me: -______- 105 is about 48, 110 is about 50.
him: yeah. very light wad.
me: (suddenly thought of something) does it help if i tell you that i'm only 160cm tall?
him: oh. OHH. ahhh.... now i see...
man, i really love talking to people like this XD.
*not being sarcastic. really.*
work today was not a particularly fulfilling affair. i was left by myself for a few hours in a department i had no clue about... and then i received instructions via a piece of paper, telling me to get a big ladder and move stuff around.
so i climbed up and down a ladder that was taller than me several times, to remove hampers that were really rather big, from a shelf that was really rather high. managed to cut myself in the process (don't ask me how).
the ladder is weird. it's one of those clever designs with legs that are shorter than the wheels so that you can roll the ladder around. once you put weight on it tho (i.e. climb it), the springs depress and the legs touch the ground at the same level as the wheels so the ladder becomes stable.
basically, the ladder is shaky, but will become safe and steady once you start climbing and put your weight on it.
yeah right.
it's obviously designed for sumo wrestlers.
become stable my ass.
"kim, i'm overweight."
he's always been a little bit on the chubby side, but he's chubby cute, you see. the conversation then plays out...
him: i weighed myself just now... i'm 113... kg, not pounds. i didn't realize i put on so much weight.
me: really. where do you put it all?
him: in a backpack.
me: *ignores* how much are you usually tho?
him: around 90-105 kg like that. (he's not short la!)
me: well... if it makes you feel better, i'm about 105-110.
him: pounds.
me: uh huh.
him: really meh?
me: what, you don't believe ah.
him: ...not really. you so light meh?
me: -______- 105 is about 48, 110 is about 50.
him: yeah. very light wad.
me: (suddenly thought of something) does it help if i tell you that i'm only 160cm tall?
him: oh. OHH. ahhh.... now i see...
man, i really love talking to people like this XD.
*not being sarcastic. really.*
work today was not a particularly fulfilling affair. i was left by myself for a few hours in a department i had no clue about... and then i received instructions via a piece of paper, telling me to get a big ladder and move stuff around.
so i climbed up and down a ladder that was taller than me several times, to remove hampers that were really rather big, from a shelf that was really rather high. managed to cut myself in the process (don't ask me how).
the ladder is weird. it's one of those clever designs with legs that are shorter than the wheels so that you can roll the ladder around. once you put weight on it tho (i.e. climb it), the springs depress and the legs touch the ground at the same level as the wheels so the ladder becomes stable.
basically, the ladder is shaky, but will become safe and steady once you start climbing and put your weight on it.
yeah right.
it's obviously designed for sumo wrestlers.
become stable my ass.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
