Good Evening Mon Cheri, Beloved, Thursday evening and the weather is as turbulent as the economy. I drove an employee home as he had no way. The freeway was terrifying. We closed at 4:00 because the weather was so bad. On the way home, I remembered a line from the movie, Dr. Zhivago. When Laura and Dr. Zhivago went to the country house and it was all frozen and wolves were howling outside, Laura turned to the good Dr. and said, "It is a terrible time to be alive". Quote:
A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Jesus Christ (0-33 AD)
It is just you and me Mon Cheri. The family has left the building. My son Hugh has moved on and I am sure Abby will be soon gone as well. Now, it is just a Body shop owned by a lady, not a family. My heart is broken and I won't go into anymore of the family drama.
We had a gentleman come in to get an estimate on painting his old truck. Les was doing his estimate when I walked by and he was complaining that 5 hundred something was outrageous to paint a truck. I stopped and nicely said, "Sir, it is not 1950 anymore and this is not Earl Schibe. that is a great price to paint a pickup. He left his truck and it turned out great and he was a happy guy. I have got to get my people selling. We need business. Les commented to Abby later that I was "fiesty" today. GET THE CAR.
Tomorrow is a new day and the beginning of a weekend, a needed weekend. We will see how we do next week. Lord, please do not let me be gullible anymore. I need my tallons out!
Bon Nuit.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Drunk Dialing on Friday Nights
Mon Cheri, Good Morning on a cold Sunday. A quote:
"A TRUE WARRIOR IS INVINCIBLE. HE COMPETES WITH NO ONE BESIDES HIMSELF, ONLY TRYING TO DEFEAT AND OVERCOME INNER FEARS AND LIMITATIONS."
Bumbleananda (1434-1535)
Lets start with an embarassing moment. As I have told you in the past, we repair many squad cars. I was in my office trying to make more room as the office serves as storage and was rear end facing the door and bent over putting away toners in a bottom file drawer. A voice behind me said, "this is a stick up" I flew up, realizing what I must have looked like, and saw a friend of mine, a police chief, standing there. We both had a laugh and a hug. He was bringing another squad car for an estimate. We talked for a while, (I heard crime stories you do not read in the paper and I cannot repeat here) what a world and what is it coming to?
I had corporate reps in all week. That is a good thing as much was accomplished and done and learned. I ended Friday with 10 pages of notes and much to do to get business up. Q1 goals and objectives with strategys need to be written.
My estimator Les had a day where we all felt that a full moon had her name on it. She had three nasty people in a row rip on her and walk out for no reason at all. One told her point blank he wanted to talk to a man. She got Brandy, the body man and he looked at the car and told him the same thing. The customer then ripped her again and walked out. After a few of those, they started to get her on the phone. It was laughable. I repeatedly ask her to tell them she would like to get the owner to help them. Come on Les, let me have them. Especially the one who wanted to deal with a man. What fun I could have.
She left early for a Dr. apt. and it was just Abby and I there for the last 45 minutes on Friday night. several people walked in for estimates and we were busy. The phone rang around 5 and I picked it up. I could tell the caller was in the bag. He was a customer and proceeded to tell me he knew all about me as he had me checked out and started describing our first date. I tried to tell him I did not date, but that did not stop him. (the power of alcohol) He told me when my divorce would be final. Now, bear in mind, I keep my life very private and my son does not even know that. So, drunk guy, you got my attention. No sir, I would not go out with you. As he kept going, I started to throw paper clips at Abby who was with a customer. I held up a sign "Help" and she knew what to do. She came running in and yelled in the phone, Lynn I need help with this customer. I got to go...sorry....and hung up.
Hopefully, he won't go there again, but that night I locked all my doors and put on the alarm as soon as I got home. The thought that some of these people out there in scary land could have my address was sobering, for me anyway.
We had a good week and several very happy customers. We are painting a car for cost only for a Pastor who said his church was giving it to a very needy person in their flock. He came in and was very gracious and came back with his wife to meet us. Well, maybe the whole world is not going down the tubes, Chief.
Speaking of....I saw a man in church who came in my shop and was so awful that another customer walked out, costing me business. We made eye contact and I wondered if he remembered who I was. Do you think, Mon Cheri, that humans are capable of looking in the mirror at times and seeing who they really are? Do you think he thought about his behavior as he distributed the Body of Christ to his fellow Catholics? I am no better, I guess, as I should have prayed for him instead of wondered those things. Lesson: the person you are showing your ass to on Wednesday, may see you in church the following Sunday.
God Bless the World my Beloved. Tomorrow is a new week. Just can't wait! xoxoxoxoLynn
"A TRUE WARRIOR IS INVINCIBLE. HE COMPETES WITH NO ONE BESIDES HIMSELF, ONLY TRYING TO DEFEAT AND OVERCOME INNER FEARS AND LIMITATIONS."
Bumbleananda (1434-1535)
Lets start with an embarassing moment. As I have told you in the past, we repair many squad cars. I was in my office trying to make more room as the office serves as storage and was rear end facing the door and bent over putting away toners in a bottom file drawer. A voice behind me said, "this is a stick up" I flew up, realizing what I must have looked like, and saw a friend of mine, a police chief, standing there. We both had a laugh and a hug. He was bringing another squad car for an estimate. We talked for a while, (I heard crime stories you do not read in the paper and I cannot repeat here) what a world and what is it coming to?
I had corporate reps in all week. That is a good thing as much was accomplished and done and learned. I ended Friday with 10 pages of notes and much to do to get business up. Q1 goals and objectives with strategys need to be written.
My estimator Les had a day where we all felt that a full moon had her name on it. She had three nasty people in a row rip on her and walk out for no reason at all. One told her point blank he wanted to talk to a man. She got Brandy, the body man and he looked at the car and told him the same thing. The customer then ripped her again and walked out. After a few of those, they started to get her on the phone. It was laughable. I repeatedly ask her to tell them she would like to get the owner to help them. Come on Les, let me have them. Especially the one who wanted to deal with a man. What fun I could have.
She left early for a Dr. apt. and it was just Abby and I there for the last 45 minutes on Friday night. several people walked in for estimates and we were busy. The phone rang around 5 and I picked it up. I could tell the caller was in the bag. He was a customer and proceeded to tell me he knew all about me as he had me checked out and started describing our first date. I tried to tell him I did not date, but that did not stop him. (the power of alcohol) He told me when my divorce would be final. Now, bear in mind, I keep my life very private and my son does not even know that. So, drunk guy, you got my attention. No sir, I would not go out with you. As he kept going, I started to throw paper clips at Abby who was with a customer. I held up a sign "Help" and she knew what to do. She came running in and yelled in the phone, Lynn I need help with this customer. I got to go...sorry....and hung up.
Hopefully, he won't go there again, but that night I locked all my doors and put on the alarm as soon as I got home. The thought that some of these people out there in scary land could have my address was sobering, for me anyway.
We had a good week and several very happy customers. We are painting a car for cost only for a Pastor who said his church was giving it to a very needy person in their flock. He came in and was very gracious and came back with his wife to meet us. Well, maybe the whole world is not going down the tubes, Chief.
Speaking of....I saw a man in church who came in my shop and was so awful that another customer walked out, costing me business. We made eye contact and I wondered if he remembered who I was. Do you think, Mon Cheri, that humans are capable of looking in the mirror at times and seeing who they really are? Do you think he thought about his behavior as he distributed the Body of Christ to his fellow Catholics? I am no better, I guess, as I should have prayed for him instead of wondered those things. Lesson: the person you are showing your ass to on Wednesday, may see you in church the following Sunday.
God Bless the World my Beloved. Tomorrow is a new week. Just can't wait! xoxoxoxoLynn
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Looking at it from the inside out
Dearest Mon Cheri and Gentle Reader, glorious and blessed Saturday morning. I speak to you from my bed and am happy to still be occupying it.
Yestday, I woke at 3:00am and could not sleep thinking about the shop and what is going on in the back. Business owners, you know exactly what I am talking about. I have never done this before, I got up, washed my face, etc., no shower put on crummy clothes and opened the shop at 6:00AM. I worked on cars (with tools) all day. I came home bone weary, filthy and with a better idea of my business. The guys always work harder with me in the back, that goes without saying. It was snowing, so I knew it would be slow up front. I learned how hard the work is physically, which I learn every time I am out there. I also saw where the holes are and education and training I have to give to who. I decided my two front people should each take a day and work in the shop. They thought it would be a good idea. I also think I will have the shop manager spend a day as an estimator and deal with the customers and phones. The more honest communication I can promote, the better I believe we will run.
Also, I am so sad to report, Mon Cheri, there is great strife between Hugh, my son and I. Family business owners, I know you know what I mean! It is more destructive than the building burning down. It causes me so much pain, I cry at my desk. I would rather have 100 customers cuss me out at once than have one moment of disagreement with my son. This business is for him and nothing sends me to emotional hell faster than just one look of anger from him let alone a shouting match. 2011 will be a make it or break it year. That is all I will ever say about the family drama. It is private and out of respect for Hugh, I will keep it that way.
May 2011 be a blessed year for all, may pain and suffering world wide lessen, may God's will bring all of the human race closer to Him and to each other. Happy New Year!!!
I cannot wait to see what kind of surprises the Body Shop will bring to us this next year. Love, Lynn Moore
Yestday, I woke at 3:00am and could not sleep thinking about the shop and what is going on in the back. Business owners, you know exactly what I am talking about. I have never done this before, I got up, washed my face, etc., no shower put on crummy clothes and opened the shop at 6:00AM. I worked on cars (with tools) all day. I came home bone weary, filthy and with a better idea of my business. The guys always work harder with me in the back, that goes without saying. It was snowing, so I knew it would be slow up front. I learned how hard the work is physically, which I learn every time I am out there. I also saw where the holes are and education and training I have to give to who. I decided my two front people should each take a day and work in the shop. They thought it would be a good idea. I also think I will have the shop manager spend a day as an estimator and deal with the customers and phones. The more honest communication I can promote, the better I believe we will run.
Also, I am so sad to report, Mon Cheri, there is great strife between Hugh, my son and I. Family business owners, I know you know what I mean! It is more destructive than the building burning down. It causes me so much pain, I cry at my desk. I would rather have 100 customers cuss me out at once than have one moment of disagreement with my son. This business is for him and nothing sends me to emotional hell faster than just one look of anger from him let alone a shouting match. 2011 will be a make it or break it year. That is all I will ever say about the family drama. It is private and out of respect for Hugh, I will keep it that way.
May 2011 be a blessed year for all, may pain and suffering world wide lessen, may God's will bring all of the human race closer to Him and to each other. Happy New Year!!!
I cannot wait to see what kind of surprises the Body Shop will bring to us this next year. Love, Lynn Moore
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