And how is it strange that one 0f my favorite past times is roaming up and down the aisles at a local plant nursery so that I can appreciate and revel in some of the finest of God's creations on this lovely planet earth?
Because I am a horticulture nut. There I've said it. I just am. And I won't apologize for that--ever. I just can't get enough of evergreens, Lorapetalum, tall ornamental grasses and various tropical plants. I love to wander up and down the aisles even if I'm only there for the view; even if I'm not buying. It's like walking around in and taking in the beauty of a well kept, victory garden with plants en masse--which are just coming into the height of their splendor.
So what I'm saying is this: nurseries are fun places to hang out. You should try it sometime if you haven't. But careful. You'll want to watch yourself or you could end up falling in love with everything you see and completely blowing your paycheck before you know what happened.
It's easy. I do it all the time. Every season...no matter how much I promise myself that I won't succumb to the shiny green leaves and pretty flowers.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Excusez-Moi I'm English Speaking
When I was in Europe several years ago, I needed no one to interpret for me. I didn't require a handbook--even in the most remote places. No Bulgarian to English translation for this chick. Because everyone there spoke English. Well not literally everyone. Not the random five-year old child in Brussels. That's not what I mean.
But everywhere I went from Paris to Rome to Zagreb, there were a ton of folks who knew English. And I don't mean that they knew basic, tourist instructional English either. I mean, they know how to expertly conjugate verbs and how to hold a decent length conversation. I mean that they actually read and write in the language which has become as prevalent as the Euro.
And it's kind of a shame. I mean, because I so wanted the rich experience of distending my comfort zone, (as opposed to expanding it :) I wanted to work hard to understand my European fellowman. I wanted that thing.
I wanted to feel that I'm awesome because I can survive in a land where everyone speaks something foreign and where I am a guest. On my best behavior. I wanted to be different.
But everywhere I went from Paris to Rome to Zagreb, there were a ton of folks who knew English. And I don't mean that they knew basic, tourist instructional English either. I mean, they know how to expertly conjugate verbs and how to hold a decent length conversation. I mean that they actually read and write in the language which has become as prevalent as the Euro.
And it's kind of a shame. I mean, because I so wanted the rich experience of distending my comfort zone, (as opposed to expanding it :) I wanted to work hard to understand my European fellowman. I wanted that thing.
I wanted to feel that I'm awesome because I can survive in a land where everyone speaks something foreign and where I am a guest. On my best behavior. I wanted to be different.
Say Cheese; It's a Wedding.
If there's any industry around this valley that's in higher demand, then I have no idea what it is. That's right, I'm talkin' bout a Utah Wedding photographer. Cause I think there are possibly more nuptials taking place in the Wasatch range than any other place on the face of the earth.
It's a pretty popular event.
If you ever trek down I-15 and take notice of the billboards then you'll know what I mean. There's sign after sign for Wedding websites and bridal wear and knee shorts and plastic surgery. This is the way that it rolls and it doesn't let up from as far north as Ogden all the way down to Payson and on. Now once you get south of St George, things begin to give way to strip clubs and Las Vegas oriented entertainment. The Utah LDS wedding thing begins to fade out and the thrust is more toward 'hot babes' and such.
The 1-15 corridor is like a little irony of life. It's episodic and chameleon-esque in that it plays up to the demographic of one area only to segue into the next as you drive further along.
It's a pretty popular event.
If you ever trek down I-15 and take notice of the billboards then you'll know what I mean. There's sign after sign for Wedding websites and bridal wear and knee shorts and plastic surgery. This is the way that it rolls and it doesn't let up from as far north as Ogden all the way down to Payson and on. Now once you get south of St George, things begin to give way to strip clubs and Las Vegas oriented entertainment. The Utah LDS wedding thing begins to fade out and the thrust is more toward 'hot babes' and such.
The 1-15 corridor is like a little irony of life. It's episodic and chameleon-esque in that it plays up to the demographic of one area only to segue into the next as you drive further along.
Good Choice, CI've spent a year of my life selling shoes. And what an interesting occupation it was. I've got stories toan I Get You That in a Size 8?
I've spent a year of my life selling shoes. And what an interesting occupation it was. I've got stories to tell which is more than I can say for a few other jobs. And the stories are rich but the job wasn't especially lucrative. In my store anyway. The most expensive shoes ran $39.99 back in the 80's except for a few Lariat boots in mens. Now I know of some people who both excel at this type of sales work and who also make bank, by the way.
In cases where the retail sales team management does a significantly great job and if your shop carries quality footwear--not that vinyl made in China junk, but nice Italian leather shoes--then you can likely do well. But it depends on the stock and the training about feet and their natural asymmetry and the leather being 'likely to stretch' and a slew of dozens of other little phrases and sales tricks you need to know to succeed. It's learning to connect with your clients and up-selling the wares. And you need quality stock you can believe in and promote with a clear conscience. That's how you make bank selling shoes.
In cases where the retail sales team management does a significantly great job and if your shop carries quality footwear--not that vinyl made in China junk, but nice Italian leather shoes--then you can likely do well. But it depends on the stock and the training about feet and their natural asymmetry and the leather being 'likely to stretch' and a slew of dozens of other little phrases and sales tricks you need to know to succeed. It's learning to connect with your clients and up-selling the wares. And you need quality stock you can believe in and promote with a clear conscience. That's how you make bank selling shoes.
Take Leave off Your Partner; Focus on Your Own Actions
Too many people go into marriage feeling as though they want to control everything. It's their inner A-type personality. Actually sometimes it's the outer A-type personality. They go in with the belief that it's all about partner management; that they should be watching what their spouse is doing and correcting them when they err. They fail to focus on themselves. They fail to realize that despite whatever their partner is doing, they are only responsible for how they respond to it.
This is the type of marriage that is doomed from the get-go. They don't pause long enough to take the focus off of themselves but rather they want to point out everything that is lacking in their partner.
I've seen this type of relationship. Up close and personal. And it's not pretty. It's the type of deal where the one responds by having a talking to with the other when they do something considered unsavory or mean. In a healthy relationship, one spouse or partner is more focused on the humanity they serve up and the principles they keep, regardless of what the other person chooses to do.
This is the type of marriage that is doomed from the get-go. They don't pause long enough to take the focus off of themselves but rather they want to point out everything that is lacking in their partner.
I've seen this type of relationship. Up close and personal. And it's not pretty. It's the type of deal where the one responds by having a talking to with the other when they do something considered unsavory or mean. In a healthy relationship, one spouse or partner is more focused on the humanity they serve up and the principles they keep, regardless of what the other person chooses to do.
Can I Help or Are You Just Looking?
If you've ever worked in the mall, or simply just shopped, you'll know what I mean when I say that there is a great need for decent retail sales management. Along with the good and the ugly, there are a ton of bad sales people out there who need better training.
I'm just talking about those who simply aren't intuitive at all about their customer needs. I'm talking about the evaders....those salespeople who see a customer in need but who play hard to get and avoid having to help them. I'm talking about the sales people who are too dang pushy and won't give the customer space but who camp right alongside them and eventually just scare them away. I'm talking about other deviations in between.
What makes the best sales and the happiest shoppers is being intuitive enough to assist a customer without crowding them out.
It's a balancing act but after a lot of experience and training and simply by paying attention to body language, a salesperson should be able to pick up on these cues.
I'm just talking about those who simply aren't intuitive at all about their customer needs. I'm talking about the evaders....those salespeople who see a customer in need but who play hard to get and avoid having to help them. I'm talking about the sales people who are too dang pushy and won't give the customer space but who camp right alongside them and eventually just scare them away. I'm talking about other deviations in between.
What makes the best sales and the happiest shoppers is being intuitive enough to assist a customer without crowding them out.
It's a balancing act but after a lot of experience and training and simply by paying attention to body language, a salesperson should be able to pick up on these cues.
Got skymiles Will Travel
My brother-in-law works for a company that sells ammunition practice ranges. He gets a lot of big contracts with all kinds of huge corporations. The U.S. military for one. Major city police forces for another. He sells the ranges and then helps install them when necessary. Whoever coached his field sales training at the beginning of this career--well, they did a fine job.
Because he's been with this company for a while and he has had a very lucrative run. A lot of people rely on him heavily and he spends a good deal of time traveling and ensuring that the product delivered arrives as promised and up to specification. He's very good at what he does.
My sister (his wife) is at home on her own with their four kids while he's in the field and at times it exasperates her beyond anything. Because little kids are difficult on even the best days and she has four under the age of ten and it's hard.
But the upside is that with all of his travel, he racks up sky miles and they get to travel alone a lot. They go to the Caribbean and Peru and the middle east. They've been to Egypt and Vancouver B.C. as well as a lot of other exotic locations, on his sky miles alone. Not a bad deal.
Because he's been with this company for a while and he has had a very lucrative run. A lot of people rely on him heavily and he spends a good deal of time traveling and ensuring that the product delivered arrives as promised and up to specification. He's very good at what he does.
My sister (his wife) is at home on her own with their four kids while he's in the field and at times it exasperates her beyond anything. Because little kids are difficult on even the best days and she has four under the age of ten and it's hard.
But the upside is that with all of his travel, he racks up sky miles and they get to travel alone a lot. They go to the Caribbean and Peru and the middle east. They've been to Egypt and Vancouver B.C. as well as a lot of other exotic locations, on his sky miles alone. Not a bad deal.
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