It is 3 years today since I posted for the first time on the PCH Blog. Wow...what a ride!

There is a kind of irony in this, as today was my farewell lunch with my incredible team of work mates at MSA. The 7 of us
enjoyed each others company at lunch. It was relaxed, nurturing and so satisfying. We talked and laughed and I heard some lovely stories of what they thought about working with me. I have never really felt like "their boss". We each had a role to contribute to in the small team and we have done it so well. I leave with a feeling of satisfaction of the achievements we have accomplished together. 

I am sure there will be more about this as I reflect over the next few weeks.

What is the best departure from a job you have ever had? What was the worst? 

DC

Recently, the simplest comment drove home to both Tez and I how much older we are, suddenly, than so many others...when he purchased a box set of Elvis Presley movies for me and the girl behind the counter asked the other girl “who is Elvis?” I started to think about how much older we have become!! Like so many “Monkey. Monkey underpants” moments this led me to some of the TV series’ I have loved over the years. They have had a profound influence on me and I have related on so many levels…so here is my best ever TV series list from pre 2010...

How many did you watch? How many do you still watch??

1972 - MASH

1976 - When the boat comes in

1977- Rock Follies

1981 Hill Street Blues…”Hey, let's be careful out there!” "Let's do it to them before they do it to us"!

1987 Thirtysomething

1990 Northern Exposure

1992 Picket Fences

1995 Hamish Macbeth

1997 Ally McBeal

1998 Sea Change

1998 Sex and The City

1999 The Sopranos

2000 Monarch of the Glen

2000 Gilmore Girls

And the equal top two that have had the greatest influence...

1983 St Elsewhere – because it was the forerunner to all the great medical/nursing orientated TV series. After all, my career has been all about healthcare, so I relate.

Finally, the greatest love of all began

1985 – Moonlighting – when I first met and fell totally in love with Bruce Willis!

Tell me which ones do you still think about and maybe, even watch old episodes of?

DC

So while folk were hanging out and enjoying the art of conviviality, they were also gathered for the purpose of farewelling some people from their workplace.  It was interesting listening to people reflecting on workplace memories, as they shared stories about the guests of honour. 

Listening to people chatting away made me reflect on the “why we move on” decisions we make. Maybe this was of particular interest for me right now, as my own head space is all about the next move. I have always been fascinated by the moments of clarity that occur for people and those moments on which we make decisions, sometimes huge, life re-directional and mammoth change type decisions.

Often, I observe that the essence of the decision is something to do with a need or direction within self or family. Such decisions are often heart felt and can be quite unexpected. However, when made with love, consideration and balancing up what is right for their situation, I can’t help but admire the human spirit that is demonstrated. Sure we are so acutely aware of the bad happening in the world, but let’s not lose sight of the good and wonderful love that is around us. Let us not lose sight of the fabulous stuff people around us do every day in everyday life.   

Do you have a “moment of clarity” story?

DC

 

*thanks to Sophie for the pics* 

Sometimes I catch myself getting irritated by seemingly “little stuff”. I try to analyse and work out what is my responsibility in the situation that has created the reaction.

Recently I visited the local shopping mall to grab a couple of items from the supermarket. I go to this particular mall, as over the years I have built a rapport with a number of the traders and I feel looked after. Especially in light of the small business, they all know we run a small business and we seem to look out for each other. I also like the sense of “customer service” I receive when I shop local.

One of the  stores that I regularly visit seemed to be very low on stock and lots of “SALE” signs around. This particular store (of a popular and well identified name), has been a very big supporter of Plough Creek Cooking School. Promoting our classes, offering discounts for participants in the classes who went there to purchase kitchen items and would also happily source items I required, at short notice. Generally, I receive VERY good customer service.

“What is going on?” I asked the proprietor. “We were a franchise and the owner of the franchise has decided to not renew any of the many leases around Australia and will take over the running of the stores himself," she replied. “Did you know this was coming?" I enquired “for a short while," she said.

After a long conversation she disclosed that the owner also owned a considerable number of the manufacturing businesses of the common brands that supplied the stores.

My local store owner is now reflecting on what her and her husband will do after this unexpected early departure from their business.

Today, I zipped past the store again and it was chocker-block with stock; large sale signs everywhere and lots of shoppers. I thought it seemed odd and wondered if they were having one more, last minute, stock clearance. 

The response from the young woman in the store when I inquired was a brisk “oh we are now corporate and have taken over all the previous franchises. We are here to stay and not going anywhere!”  It was not what she said, but how she said it, that caught me off guard. I felt a tad dismissed by her officiousness.The brisk and sharp edge to her voice was not what I expected. Neither were the limited variety of brands and stock-lines now lining the walls.

In one short response, the aura of that store changed so much for me. I did not feel the same sense of customer service and I felt cranky when I left having purchased nothing. I started to analyse the way I felt and started to wonder if I was just expecting too much to want polite customer service? Do you think it matters or don’t you care about it anymore?

Guess I will be shopping elsewhere in future.

DC