Careful what you wish for

Yesterday I was talking about my wish to travel, but I had no idea what was in store for me.



The last few weeks at work have been very busy. Boss Lady has been away on holiday and as is the usual way with these things this week (now that she has returned) so far is quite a bit quieter. It means we get a bit of breathing space to catch up with all the things we have been too busy to do.



Whilst she has been away a couple of things have been happening, things that those of us who work in the sales office have either been unaware of or not informed about. It became apparent to the powers that be, that we need at least one other member of staff so that we can fullfil all the duties of our department. PB interviewed a few candidates but we got no feed back about any of them. Yesterday some of them were back for second interviews. I was just saying to BG that we probably won't know who is joining us until their first day, when Boss Lady came over to us with 'an intriguing announcement'.



If either of us are able to sell any of the end of line paint brushes that are on offer at the moment we get 10% commission on them. They have been talking for months about finding a way to give us either a bonus or commission on our sales but there is no foolproof way of telling which of us has earnt it. (I made my first sale of these particular brushes today) wooooohoooo me ;-)



Before she went home last night Boss Lady told me that between interviews and meetings today she wanted to have a talk with me.



'nothing serious, but I want to push you in a slightly different direction, I know you are capable of doing it'.



So last night I was puzzling this over. Either I was being pushed into specialising in Customer Services..........There were several comments yesterday about me doing my 'Customer Services bit'. (going above and beyond what is expected of me to make sure that our customers get a good service and or doing what I can to put things right when there are problems). Or I was going to get a more active Sales role. I did wonder if this might mean going out on the road to look after the customers in our local area, Bob has been doing this in the last few months.



I wasn't particularly worried just curious what this mystery was all about. I was not prepared for what happened this morning.



When I arrived at 7.45am an interview was just coming to an end. I just got on with my work, Boss Lady made the early morning tea then asked me to join her in the boardroom with our drinks.



The upshot of it is that I ahve been offered the opportunity to take on my own area. One of our Agents who work out on the road serving customers in their own area has resigned and the area has been offered to me as my own customers to look after. For the moment this will be done entirely from the office. I will still be looking after the customers who place their orders directly with the office (so no need to panic LV) but I shall have full control of all the customers who have always gone through their Rep for this area.



I expect you are wondering which part of the UK I have. Could it be South West England? South East, Wales London, East Anglia, Midlands, North East, North West or Scotland? I will tell you in a moment.



I was also given an envelope containing this letter.



Dear LiR



In recognition of your hard work and enthusiasm, it is my pleasure to advise you that with effect from 1 July 2008 your salary will be increased to .................



Your efforts have been noticed and appreciated - keep up the good work!



Yours Sincerely

Boss Lady

Sales Manager



It isn't a huge pay increase but it is appreciated especially as I didn't need to ask for it.



At the moment none of this is common knowledge. (well the pay rise won't be anyway). I have felt like I have a silly grin on my face all day (nothing unusual there then). One thing Boss Lady said to me at the end of our talk was that I am the one person in her team she would not want to lose. I have only been doing this work for 6 months but have already proved my value. If there were three of us like me then my boss says she would have no worries.



Do you think my bum will look big in this?

Monday 18th June 2007 join Company as part time data input clerk for 3 months to cover maternity leave.

Tuesday 17th June 2008 offered position responsible for all accounts in Scotland