In a Pickle

On the agenda today: Pickle Training.

Pickle what?

I was a bit skeptical spending my morning in Pickle Training, which I later learned is just "Give 'em the pickle" training. Does that clarify things? Ha.

The training is designed to improve customer service and build leadership. Our company's session was based on the popular "Pickle Training" offered globally probably by Bob Farrell. It stemmed from a customer complaint he received when he owned a restaurant. Patrons always got a second pickle if they asked for one. This person didn't one day and wrote a letter of complaint and said he wouldn't return to the eatery again.

Mr. Farrell reminded his employees to focus on keeping their customers happy and satisfied. If they want one, give them the pickle! It's not worth losing customers over.

Our group today represented a handful of different departments – all of us with both external and internal customers. It was both entertaining and interesting. Basically, the Pickle principles for great customer service are these...

While this might apply to our work, it also applies to our volunteer efforts, boards and committees we serve on, and relationships in general. Doesn't that make sense that we should try to serve others, maintain a positive attitude to keep them happy, consistently be there for them, and build each other up?

What is your pickle? What do you have (or do) that can be applied to those four categories? Knowledge, creativity, humor, support... You probably have a number of pickles to give! 

I think we undervalue the positive impact of a listening ear, a compliment or a hug. This was a good reminder today it is simple to do more for others in all corners of my little world.

I guess when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. But when life hands you pickles, you give them away!

Workforce Development

The resume building has begun.

Today was Carter's first official day joining the workforce. I mean the serious, official kind of work the requires the W-2 and W-4 and W-whatever forms to get started. And, more importantly, get paid.

It was interesting. He was at the fitness and aquatic center all last week for the Adventures in Leadership program -- and has spend numerous summers going in and out of those doors. But today, knowing it was his first day on the job, he was a bit nervous. On the commute over, he taps my shoulder from the back seat and whispers, "Mom, will you walk me in?" Awww. My baby isn't all grown up just yet.

We picked him up after we were done for the day and he said it went well. His main duties "on the clock" are assisting with swimming lessons -- getting needed equipment ready for various age groups and helping (possibly comforting) them in the water during the lessons as needed.

"Did you have any fun?" I asked. Yes, he said, it was cool getting to know all the kids and the lifeguards, too. (No doubt.) One kid follows him around all day and keeps inviting him to his house. He thinks Carter is so cool. Don't we all?

So of course we had to celebrate with some King Cone on the way home! He deserves it, you know!

Obviously, he'll have to learn that we can't stop every day. Most definitely when Mom drives, though!

Daily Commute

Today was Carter's first day commuting with us to Iola. This week he is doing the Adventures in Leadership program. Next week he'll start his job duties.

It was a long ride without his iPod. He survived.

We had to pick him up by 2:45 to get back into Rapids for a 4 p.m. appointment. Knowing we were on a tight schedule, he still asked if we could stop at King Cone. Unfortunately, I had to say "no." Right now, between our two detours en route to work, we don't even go by King Cone anymore. It is actually out of the way. But there have been times we have still been able to find it. We are nothing if we are not diligent!

One of these days, when we aren't pressed for time, we'll stop in. Hopefully the road construction ends soon so King Cone returns to our route. I'm fully aware Wisconsin only has two seasons -- winter and road construction -- but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

I imagine Carter and I will make up for lost time later.

Hey, we have to have some perks to our jobs!

Adventures in Leadership... and Baseball

It looks like our summer is quickly taking shape... around Carter's schedule, that is.

Actually, we couldn't be prouder of some news we recently received. One, Carter made the Rapids baseball tournament team again! Looking forward to 6 or 7 weekends of baseball. I'm serious, we love it! And so glad Carter's hard work in the batting cage this winter paid off.

The second bit of news was that he has been accepted into the new "Adventures in Leadership" program at the Iola fitness center this summer. Since he is 13, he is officially too old to go to the Kidz Camp child-care program. We weren't sure what we were going to do with him this summer so keep him active enough not to die of teen boredom. Then we heard they were starting this leadership program for teens going into 8th and 9th grade. They will learn skills like CPR and photography, but also help with the younger "kids" at the Kidz Camp while learning team leadership skills.

He had to fill out a lengthy application for this -- very lengthy in his mind -- and we let him fill it in his words, not ours, run-on sentences and all.

When asked "What are the top five things at which you are best?", he listed: Math, Band, Baseball, Soccer and making people laugh.

His greatest asset or strength? "My positive attitude. I'm easy to get along with because I'm smart, sensitive, friendly, and have a great sense of humor."

Sounds like my kid!

What does leadership mean to you? "To me, leadership means to be a good role model and setting good examples. It does not mean bossing people around, but working well with them, too."

I think we should hire him, don't you?

So our summer schedule looks like he'll commute to Iola with us Tuesday-Thursday, then we'll travel to tournaments Friday-Sunday. His Mondays are open. We had previously talked to someone about babysitting a day a week. I asked him, "Would you still want to babysit on Mondays if that's your only free day?"

"Well, Mom, how else am I gonna make money?"

Oh boy, this summer will be an adventure, indeed!

And personally, I can't wait.