Counting widgets

I just spent an entire weekend counting and supervising the counting of merchandise. Yep, that really fun process known as inventory. All retailers take inventory a little differently, I guess. But the basic concept never changes. And because of the physical, mental, and for some reason, emotional demands of counting every single thing in a huge location in a short amount of time - the drama that surrounds the event never changes. It just gets kicked up a notch or two depending on who all is involved and what all is going on around you.

You learn a whole lot about people after spending four hours Friday night, 14 hours Saturday and four hours Sunday with them. Those you like and admire will crumble before your very eyes. Those you thought were idiots will prove they can hang (at least long enough to count some shirts) and those you didn't know until now will impress you with their ability to imitate others in the group with amazing accuracy. Some will win friends and influence people because of the snacks they have brought for the weekend; others will make you want to choke them with said snacks because they ask the same questions again and again. But mainly?

Mainly, people will whine.

And because they think you have some sort of power, they will whine specifically to you. And then they will whine some more. And then on Monday morning after it's all over, they will whine still more. And I'm sure there will be more whining when I get there today.

I know it means I am old when I start spouting off about how these people would never have made it back in my day. But I can't help it. I just can't see most of these folks ever being able to survive the retail boot camp known as the GAP Management Development Program. Of course it probably had some much more clever name that I cannot recall at the moment, but basically, it was hard work dressed up as opportunity. And I loved every minute of it. And I had no idea that it was difficult or that I was working too many hours or that I could whine and get my way. I just did what was expected, and for the most part, kept my mouth shut. I was learning, I guess. Funny how you don't realize what all you really are learning until much later in life.

Before I say too much, I will change the subject.

Like the new look? Slade did it for me. HE ROCKS. Always has. (And even though I am supposed to be on a different subject, I will tell you this - he could hang with the retail big dogs. I had the pleasure of working with him in that environment for quite a while. And he did not WHINE.) Anyway, he also added another feature...you can now subscribe to my blog through Feedburner. If you do this, you will get an email when I update the blog. At least I think that's how it works. I signed up last night through my work email, so I can experience the process myself. So, if you are interested, look in the sidebar and hook yourself up. And thank you, Slade. You're the reason I do this, you know. I will remember to credit you when I'm sitting across from Oprah promoting my new book, Why Whining Gets You No Freakin' Where.

Oh, and I realize I need to change the banner photo. I will do that later today while folks are filing in and out of my office to whine.

Comments

[o-no]

looks good!!!!!

my book i write about corrections will be called...
" you ain't listening to me... i'm in jail"

[vanna]

we have started doing a rolling inventory at the scrapbook store. through this, i have learned that not only do people whine a LOT, but people STEAL a lot, too.... and that we should do inventory more often.