I have to say I'm a little fed up with Travelodge... not withstanding the fact that it's a fine institution for the traveller on a budget.
But this week, I've had my fill and I want to come home.
It's been a strange old week, even by my standards in that I seem to have travelled across most of the sound of England, which has been pleasant enough given the time of year.
I was up at three on Sunday morning to drive from Edinburgh to Lowestoft and I left in the light, which was nice. It's my Dad's birthday next week and he wanted to take all of us out to the Chinese Buffet in Norwich. The plan was I would then leave from Norwich to drive to Kidderminster this shortening my journey by about half an hour.
The plan worked out in almost every detail except one. I left my wallet at my parent's house and so had to drive back to Lowestoft (which is as far east in Britain as you can get without falling off the edge) before coming back west to Kidderminster.
I was quite tired when I arrived at Travelodge, Kidderminster ( which is next to the Watermill pub).
Monday and Tuesday were delivery days at ChipsAway. The two day business building programme was, shall we say, challenging and leave it at that.
Then it was into the car and down to Bedford for a coaching session before driving on to Travelodge, Cheshunt where I had pre-paid for my dinner. My beef lasagne was microwaved to perfection (including the salad) and indeed was hot almost all the way through.
It was four miles up the road to Waltham Abbey the next morning for three more coaching sessions. The first was scheduled for 10.30 and when it got to the appointed time and no-one had arrived I got a little suspicious. I called the fella and was met with the classic response: 'Oh,was it today?'
Doh!
I emailed the organiser of the coaching sessions and received a three word response: 'That bloody man!'
Anyway two good coaching sessions happened and it was in the car onto the M25 and across the Dartford Crossing (where I sat for half an hour... although the view up the river was excellent in the sunshine) to Travelodge, Dorking.
This is my first visit to Dorking and the outskirts at least seem to be very nice. Don't think I'm going to see too much more though.
By the way, by some strange twist of fate, the closest pub to Travelodge, Dorking also turns out to be called The Watermill. Am I stuck is some strange Surrey based version of Groundhog Day?
Tomorrow morning it's back in the car for the trip to Redhill, three more coaching sessions and then the drive from Surrey to Edinburgh.
The funny things is, I've stayed in three Travelodges this week and I now have three emails asking me to complete a short questionnaire about my recent stay... one for each hotel.
My problem is that they're all indistinguishable from each other... which on another day, in another life would be a good thing. Consistency, after all, is the name of the game!
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Friday, 18 April 2014
That Time of Year
It's been a funny old week really... but it is that time of year.
Although, I have to say, Easter seems to be a little different than usual. Perhaps it's because it's a bit later than other years? Who knows.
Anyway... as to why it's different. Well, it's just so... busy.
It's really strange. Not that it's busy but because the roads a re quieter like they always are during the holiday periods but I can't actually work out who's off work.
I called Teresa Jackson from www.icomplete.com earlier and asked tentatively whether she was working. She sounded generally surprised. 'Of course! Why wouldn't I be?'
Well, because it's Good Friday sprung to mind but I kept stum.
I subbed at a BNI meeting this morning and the room was packed... there were a few people on holiday but they'd all managed to get substitutes and business was passed.
And then it dawned on me. I really do think the recovery is taking proper hold. People seem to be doing business more and more and confidence is returning. It's even manifested itself to us in the TaxAssist business here in Corstorphine.
January is usually our busiest month in terms of work completed, new customers signed and cash generated. In 2014, January was as ballistic as it always is... perhaps even more so. But what's really extraordinary is that March has been just as busy as January; at least in terms of new customers who have joined us.
It's brilliant.
Long may it continue is what I say, but I have a hint of nervousness about it, too. Me saying it's the long awaited recovery is simply that... Me saying it. I have no proof of what I'm saying, just a feeling.
What if it's something else?
I don't think it is, but what if it is?
As you can see, my self doubt has reached a crescendo so I need your help.
Can you see the recovery happening? Is business on the up or is it just because the sun is shining and it's a bit warmer that I'm looking at the world with rose tinted glasses?
Answers on a post card from the beach would be good.
Although, I have to say, Easter seems to be a little different than usual. Perhaps it's because it's a bit later than other years? Who knows.
Anyway... as to why it's different. Well, it's just so... busy.
It's really strange. Not that it's busy but because the roads a re quieter like they always are during the holiday periods but I can't actually work out who's off work.
I called Teresa Jackson from www.icomplete.com earlier and asked tentatively whether she was working. She sounded generally surprised. 'Of course! Why wouldn't I be?'
Well, because it's Good Friday sprung to mind but I kept stum.
I subbed at a BNI meeting this morning and the room was packed... there were a few people on holiday but they'd all managed to get substitutes and business was passed.
And then it dawned on me. I really do think the recovery is taking proper hold. People seem to be doing business more and more and confidence is returning. It's even manifested itself to us in the TaxAssist business here in Corstorphine.
January is usually our busiest month in terms of work completed, new customers signed and cash generated. In 2014, January was as ballistic as it always is... perhaps even more so. But what's really extraordinary is that March has been just as busy as January; at least in terms of new customers who have joined us.
It's brilliant.
Long may it continue is what I say, but I have a hint of nervousness about it, too. Me saying it's the long awaited recovery is simply that... Me saying it. I have no proof of what I'm saying, just a feeling.
What if it's something else?
I don't think it is, but what if it is?
As you can see, my self doubt has reached a crescendo so I need your help.
Can you see the recovery happening? Is business on the up or is it just because the sun is shining and it's a bit warmer that I'm looking at the world with rose tinted glasses?
Answers on a post card from the beach would be good.
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Some Days
Do you ever find some days... well, trying?
You know the sort of day I'm talking about: nothing seems to go right, everything seems to go wrong and you end up doing nothing that you expected and your production is much lower than you hoped for (or indeed, needed).
As you can probably tell, I had one of those days the other day.
First of all, it was raining and as the woofer still needs to, errr, do his thing it was off up Corstorphine Hill for me... I got wet. The same thing happened at lunch time, although this time I did have the rather large TaxAssist umbrella with me.
In the meantime, though, back in the office, at about 10.15 there went up a shout: there's a leak!
A river would have been more accurate. And the be fair to the builder, he was out like a shot to find out what was what. Of course it couldn't be fixed there and then but he did come back the next day to sort things out for us... still, quite a lot of water did come in, soaking carpet and doggy blanket.
The shout at 10.15 was followed by a shout at 10.16... I can't read attachments on my emails.
OMG so some investigatory work revealed that our email system had gone tits up and was quarantining all attachments cos it thought they were dodgy.
The only way to get them back was for IT Support to do some jiggery pokery and send all the attachments to me for onward distribution. There were 1,029 of them!
Next shout came at 10.27: My email's not working at all.
Oh, bloody hell... ring IT Support yourself. Here, I have to say, we have a confession. We were blaming IT Support for our emails not coming through correctly. Actually, it turned out that we'd out a rule on our system that diverted emails with a certain word in them to a different folder!
Sorry!
By the time I'd worked through that little lot it was 6.30pm and time to start the day's work, so that's what I did before walking home, where my very patient parents were waiting because they're up from Darn Sarth to visit for the week.
Hmmm... I'm sure they're having a wonderful time.
But this blog is going to end in a different way than I intended.
I'm in McDonalds, Oldbury, near Birmingham writing this.
I'd eaten my double sausage and egg McMuffin and had a cup of latte already (well, I am on a health kick) and was just thinking that I needed to move on because I was being a bit cheeky sitting here for an hour.
But the guy who had been walking about, cleaning tables and emptying bins just brought me a second cup of latte, without asking and for free!
So you see, none of the crap that happened the day before matters... everything will be all right in the end.
And if it isn't alright, it isn't the end.
You know the sort of day I'm talking about: nothing seems to go right, everything seems to go wrong and you end up doing nothing that you expected and your production is much lower than you hoped for (or indeed, needed).
As you can probably tell, I had one of those days the other day.
First of all, it was raining and as the woofer still needs to, errr, do his thing it was off up Corstorphine Hill for me... I got wet. The same thing happened at lunch time, although this time I did have the rather large TaxAssist umbrella with me.
In the meantime, though, back in the office, at about 10.15 there went up a shout: there's a leak!
A river would have been more accurate. And the be fair to the builder, he was out like a shot to find out what was what. Of course it couldn't be fixed there and then but he did come back the next day to sort things out for us... still, quite a lot of water did come in, soaking carpet and doggy blanket.
The shout at 10.15 was followed by a shout at 10.16... I can't read attachments on my emails.
OMG so some investigatory work revealed that our email system had gone tits up and was quarantining all attachments cos it thought they were dodgy.
The only way to get them back was for IT Support to do some jiggery pokery and send all the attachments to me for onward distribution. There were 1,029 of them!
Next shout came at 10.27: My email's not working at all.
Oh, bloody hell... ring IT Support yourself. Here, I have to say, we have a confession. We were blaming IT Support for our emails not coming through correctly. Actually, it turned out that we'd out a rule on our system that diverted emails with a certain word in them to a different folder!
Sorry!
By the time I'd worked through that little lot it was 6.30pm and time to start the day's work, so that's what I did before walking home, where my very patient parents were waiting because they're up from Darn Sarth to visit for the week.
Hmmm... I'm sure they're having a wonderful time.
But this blog is going to end in a different way than I intended.
I'm in McDonalds, Oldbury, near Birmingham writing this.
I'd eaten my double sausage and egg McMuffin and had a cup of latte already (well, I am on a health kick) and was just thinking that I needed to move on because I was being a bit cheeky sitting here for an hour.
But the guy who had been walking about, cleaning tables and emptying bins just brought me a second cup of latte, without asking and for free!
So you see, none of the crap that happened the day before matters... everything will be all right in the end.
And if it isn't alright, it isn't the end.
Friday, 28 March 2014
A funny old week
I don't know about you but this week seems to have lasted forever but at the same time has flown by.
How can that be?
As an aside, does anyone else think that 2014 is flying past rather too quickly, what with the clocks going forward Sunday morning and it being April on Tuesday?
After the speed that 2012 flew by I said to Renee, 'We just have to slow down 2013.'
She just looked at me as though I was some kind of idiot. 'Are you some kind of idiot?' Asked she. 'It's October!'
This week started on Monday morning (predictably) with a early alarm call - up at 4.00am to get down to Northampton as part of the team delivering the final module of a management development programme.
The other facilitator was going to be there at 8.00am and I was going to get there for 9.30... 5 hours is about right for the trip down from Edinburgh.
Hmmm... not on Monday it wasn't. The Thelwell Viaduct was stationary for an hour and I was bustin' for a wee the whole time.
Here's another aside and you may want to skip this paragraph if you are in any way easily offended.
How much liquid is there in an average wee? I've never measured it or even really thought about it, to be honest. I did on Monday morning though, because the Costa Coffee takeaway cup was almost pressed into action. In fact, it was so close I was even considering the logistics of it all...
Anyway, I eventually made it to Northampton at 10.30am. The course went off without a hitch and it was back up the road on Tuesday night. Here's a thing: the journey was exactly the same in reverse. An hour stationary, on the M1 this time.
I have to say I'm not a massive football follower but I've started listening to football commentary of Radio 5 Live. On Tuesday it was Manchester United vs Manchester City and I was just thinking to myself that I rarely hear a goal on the radio when City scored - 43 seconds in to the game!
Wednesday it was farewell drinks with Margaret at the White Lady here in Corstorphine. I left after a couple of pints and walked Barney home. Renee got home... later. But still, I have to say, made it to BNI on Thursday morning.
Thursday evening was our first networking event here in the shop... everything seemed to go well and we had three brilliant presentations from @joworrall, Alan Johnston and @Grow_potential. Here's Alan Johnston practising his Power Pose...
Brilliant.
All good stuff.
So, it's Friday.
I had 4 meetings lined up today (including an interview with a potential new member of staff) all of which got cancelled.
The new member of staff sent me an email which said, (something like) 'I'm not coming 'cos I've got an interview for a job I really want.'
I mean, I ask you...
To wrap the week up it's off to friends in Livi tonight. I really hope it's not a late one!
So what I mean; it's been helluvva week and my parents are up next week... and Renee and I have to go to Birmingham and we have a new member of staff starting and we're getting work done on the shop...
How can that be?
As an aside, does anyone else think that 2014 is flying past rather too quickly, what with the clocks going forward Sunday morning and it being April on Tuesday?
After the speed that 2012 flew by I said to Renee, 'We just have to slow down 2013.'
She just looked at me as though I was some kind of idiot. 'Are you some kind of idiot?' Asked she. 'It's October!'
This week started on Monday morning (predictably) with a early alarm call - up at 4.00am to get down to Northampton as part of the team delivering the final module of a management development programme.
The other facilitator was going to be there at 8.00am and I was going to get there for 9.30... 5 hours is about right for the trip down from Edinburgh.
Hmmm... not on Monday it wasn't. The Thelwell Viaduct was stationary for an hour and I was bustin' for a wee the whole time.
Here's another aside and you may want to skip this paragraph if you are in any way easily offended.
How much liquid is there in an average wee? I've never measured it or even really thought about it, to be honest. I did on Monday morning though, because the Costa Coffee takeaway cup was almost pressed into action. In fact, it was so close I was even considering the logistics of it all...
Anyway, I eventually made it to Northampton at 10.30am. The course went off without a hitch and it was back up the road on Tuesday night. Here's a thing: the journey was exactly the same in reverse. An hour stationary, on the M1 this time.
I have to say I'm not a massive football follower but I've started listening to football commentary of Radio 5 Live. On Tuesday it was Manchester United vs Manchester City and I was just thinking to myself that I rarely hear a goal on the radio when City scored - 43 seconds in to the game!
Wednesday it was farewell drinks with Margaret at the White Lady here in Corstorphine. I left after a couple of pints and walked Barney home. Renee got home... later. But still, I have to say, made it to BNI on Thursday morning.
Thursday evening was our first networking event here in the shop... everything seemed to go well and we had three brilliant presentations from @joworrall, Alan Johnston and @Grow_potential. Here's Alan Johnston practising his Power Pose...
Brilliant.
All good stuff.
So, it's Friday.
I had 4 meetings lined up today (including an interview with a potential new member of staff) all of which got cancelled.
The new member of staff sent me an email which said, (something like) 'I'm not coming 'cos I've got an interview for a job I really want.'
I mean, I ask you...
To wrap the week up it's off to friends in Livi tonight. I really hope it's not a late one!
So what I mean; it's been helluvva week and my parents are up next week... and Renee and I have to go to Birmingham and we have a new member of staff starting and we're getting work done on the shop...
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
The Gibson Hotel, Dublin
Do you know what?
There's so much to write about this week, I don't know where to start... so I'll start where I am right now.
That's the Gibson Hotel, in Dublin, just next to the Irish O2... where Beyonce is playing for the next two nights. Quiet my stay ain't.
Anyway, The Gibson is a great hotel; it's modern but quirky and I love that. For example, there a very lifelike model of a sheep in reception (which is on the 3rd floor) looking down at the floor and reading a newspaper.
Last time I stayed here was back in September 2013. There's a really good restaurant called the Coda Eatery and the company I work for are kind enough to put me on a dinner, B and B package.
The issue is that the nice restaurant doesn't open on a Monday night and, if you're on the dinner package, you're left with something called the HemiDemiSemiQuaver Bar... and I'm not kidding.
The HSDQ Bar only Thai food which is okay except every dish has prawns or noodles in it and I don't like prawns or noodles. So I asked if I could order something from the Room Service menu and have it delivered to the bar.
This was met with a flat no so I had to slink off to my room and eat on my own like a sad git.
At the end of my stay I was given a feedback form and I mentioned the incident on the form. A couple of days later I got a call from the General Manager asking for more details. He agreed with me that to deliver Room Service to the bar wasn't a big issue and he apologised. 'Next you stay with us', says he, 'let me know and I'll sort you out a couple of drinks.'
Okay, fair play... situation closed in my mind.
So I'm back at The Gibson and had forgotten the problem I had and I certainly didn't make myself known to claim my free drinks. But as I checked in the receptionist really surprised me: 'Welcome back, Mr Lambert. I know you had a bit of a problem last time you were here so please accept a complimentary upgrade and some drinks vouchers.'
Aha... this is more like it, thinks I. Brilliant service recovery, fantastic systems, expertly delivered.
So, I have a suite a 4 vouchers for drinks.
I ventured down tot he bar on Monday night for my dinner... after all, if they've listened to my feedback surely they would have done something about Room Service being delivered HSDQ.
'Can I order something from Room Service?'
'No, sorry you can't.'
More drinks for me at my next stay?
There's so much to write about this week, I don't know where to start... so I'll start where I am right now.
That's the Gibson Hotel, in Dublin, just next to the Irish O2... where Beyonce is playing for the next two nights. Quiet my stay ain't.
Anyway, The Gibson is a great hotel; it's modern but quirky and I love that. For example, there a very lifelike model of a sheep in reception (which is on the 3rd floor) looking down at the floor and reading a newspaper.
Last time I stayed here was back in September 2013. There's a really good restaurant called the Coda Eatery and the company I work for are kind enough to put me on a dinner, B and B package.
The issue is that the nice restaurant doesn't open on a Monday night and, if you're on the dinner package, you're left with something called the HemiDemiSemiQuaver Bar... and I'm not kidding.
The HSDQ Bar only Thai food which is okay except every dish has prawns or noodles in it and I don't like prawns or noodles. So I asked if I could order something from the Room Service menu and have it delivered to the bar.
This was met with a flat no so I had to slink off to my room and eat on my own like a sad git.
At the end of my stay I was given a feedback form and I mentioned the incident on the form. A couple of days later I got a call from the General Manager asking for more details. He agreed with me that to deliver Room Service to the bar wasn't a big issue and he apologised. 'Next you stay with us', says he, 'let me know and I'll sort you out a couple of drinks.'
Okay, fair play... situation closed in my mind.
So I'm back at The Gibson and had forgotten the problem I had and I certainly didn't make myself known to claim my free drinks. But as I checked in the receptionist really surprised me: 'Welcome back, Mr Lambert. I know you had a bit of a problem last time you were here so please accept a complimentary upgrade and some drinks vouchers.'
Aha... this is more like it, thinks I. Brilliant service recovery, fantastic systems, expertly delivered.
So, I have a suite a 4 vouchers for drinks.
I ventured down tot he bar on Monday night for my dinner... after all, if they've listened to my feedback surely they would have done something about Room Service being delivered HSDQ.
'Can I order something from Room Service?'
'No, sorry you can't.'
More drinks for me at my next stay?
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Maternity Leave and The Law
Now I have to say we're pretty hot on the ol' HR Law but I was so shocked by a recent discovery that I had to get it checked out by several highly reputable sources.
This particular aspect of HR law covers maternity leave. Personally I think Maternity Leave is a brilliant thing and we have a number of people working part time for us; returning to work after starting a family.
However, they weren't working for us when they were pregnant so my knowledge and experience of Maternity Leave isn't that extensive...
Let me explain the situation.
We had a lady (predictably) working with us who was having a baby. Come the appropriate moment she went off on Statutory Maternity Leave. We continued to pay her but claimed back via National Insurance.
So, six months passed and we asked our member of staff about her intentions and she said she wanted to extend her Maternity Leave to the full year.
Okay, not ideal, but not much we could do about it.
The year was almost up so we got in touch again about coming back... now here's where I entered uncharted territory for me.
The lady asked to come back part time... fine. But the part time hours didn't match our business needs. The request to come back part time is officially known as a request for Flexible Working. Because it didn't match business needs we were fully entitled to reject the request, which we did.
Of course, this being the law in general and HR law in particular there were standard letters and processes to be followed which we did to the letter.
The upshot of all this was that our lady handed in her notice... all amicable and everyone was happy. Or, if not happy, then at least accepting!
Here comes the bit I had to get checked out and although I believe the advice I was given implicitly, I just don't believe it.
Deep breath and I'll say it quickly so I don't wind myself up.
All the time our lady was on Maternity Leave she was accruing holidays at the same rate as though she was still working for us.
She had a year off so was entitled to 28 days paid leave... and we had to pay it. More than £2k.
The cynical part of me wonders whether this lady knew this and was playing us all along for a nice £2,000 bonus. The philosophical part simple says, 'well, them's the rules.' The realistic part of me thinks it's just not fair and this must be a loophole and the hopeful part of me thinks that the advice I've received from three independent sources can't possibly right.
Can it?
If anyone can tell me that the advice is wrong and actually I can claim that holiday pay back, please get in touch!
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Hi-De-Hi
We were on holiday recently and a very welcome break it was, too.
Sun, sea, sand and other words that begin with 'S... I was thinking about 'sleeping'. What were you thinking?
I know the hol was needed because we spent the first three days asleep. Our routine for those first days was quite simple: get up early and go to the gym for 7.00am. Breakfast followed by a morning sleep on a sun lounger. Maybe a spot of lunch before climbing back on to the sun lounger until about 5.00pm before going back to our room for a snooze. Dinner, then in bed for 9.30pm!
Of course, even though we were on holiday, I felt a bit guilty about the absolute level of inactivity we achieved over the first few days, but consoled myself by working really hard at doing nothing.
It was kind of a strange holiday for us. Usually we do adventurous stuff like climbing Kilimanjaro, or at least active breaks; changing locations, doing internal flights and that sort of thing.
This time round we were very much holidaymakers, staying in one place with all our needs catered for on an All Inclusive basis.
I have to say, that it struck home that we were having a 'different' experience when Renee Tweeted that 'We've escaped Colditz and left the hotel grounds!'
Hmmm...
It wasn't until later in the first week when we'd sufficiently recovered to sample to 'entertainment' put on by the hotel that I realised I was on a proper holiday.
This particular evening's entertainment involved that world famous bastion of entertainment: Karaoke.
Needless to say the Entertainment Team (I have to say that I will always worry in the future if I end up in an hotel with an 'Entertainment Team') was struggling to get people to join in. However, I had to smile (behind a raised hand and an incredulous look on my face) when the 'Ambassador of Fun' - genuinely, I'm not joking, that's what he called himself - said:
'I used to work at Sandals and I never had this much trouble getting people to join in there. This has been the most difficult night I've had at Smugglers Cove. How can you be having fun if you're not joining in?'
Renee leaned over to me and whispered, 'Come on, let's go. I didn't pay lots of money for this holiday to be part of the entertainment!'
As a side note about the Entertainment Team: there was a house band called the Smugglers Roots Band and they were actually pretty good. Although every night at dinner we would be served by the keyboard player and the drummer mixed a pretty decent Rum Punch!
After the Karaoke night we decided that it would be best to avoid the in-house entertainment, although during the second week we did start going more often just so we could be outraged and shocked at amateurish nature of Limbo Fire: The Best Limbo Dancers in the East Caribbean and the Salsa Experience. I have to say, though, the absolute nadir of the entertainment was the Mr & Mrs gameshow held on Valentines night!
Pure solid entertainment gold!
So, after the very long preamble, we get to the moral of the story. We're a service provider and to get our customers to do things for themselves is a bit like getting them to perform karaoke... so we don't do it! Give us your accounts to look after and we'll do just that.
There you go - got there in the end.
As a last word, I have to say I really enjoyed my holiday. After the first three days hibernating we found a mountain to climb called Gros Piton and I learned to water-ski, sail a catamaran and play tennis... much more like it!
Sun, sea, sand and other words that begin with 'S... I was thinking about 'sleeping'. What were you thinking?
I know the hol was needed because we spent the first three days asleep. Our routine for those first days was quite simple: get up early and go to the gym for 7.00am. Breakfast followed by a morning sleep on a sun lounger. Maybe a spot of lunch before climbing back on to the sun lounger until about 5.00pm before going back to our room for a snooze. Dinner, then in bed for 9.30pm!
Of course, even though we were on holiday, I felt a bit guilty about the absolute level of inactivity we achieved over the first few days, but consoled myself by working really hard at doing nothing.
It was kind of a strange holiday for us. Usually we do adventurous stuff like climbing Kilimanjaro, or at least active breaks; changing locations, doing internal flights and that sort of thing.
This time round we were very much holidaymakers, staying in one place with all our needs catered for on an All Inclusive basis.
I have to say, that it struck home that we were having a 'different' experience when Renee Tweeted that 'We've escaped Colditz and left the hotel grounds!'
Hmmm...
It wasn't until later in the first week when we'd sufficiently recovered to sample to 'entertainment' put on by the hotel that I realised I was on a proper holiday.
This particular evening's entertainment involved that world famous bastion of entertainment: Karaoke.
Needless to say the Entertainment Team (I have to say that I will always worry in the future if I end up in an hotel with an 'Entertainment Team') was struggling to get people to join in. However, I had to smile (behind a raised hand and an incredulous look on my face) when the 'Ambassador of Fun' - genuinely, I'm not joking, that's what he called himself - said:
'I used to work at Sandals and I never had this much trouble getting people to join in there. This has been the most difficult night I've had at Smugglers Cove. How can you be having fun if you're not joining in?'
Renee leaned over to me and whispered, 'Come on, let's go. I didn't pay lots of money for this holiday to be part of the entertainment!'
As a side note about the Entertainment Team: there was a house band called the Smugglers Roots Band and they were actually pretty good. Although every night at dinner we would be served by the keyboard player and the drummer mixed a pretty decent Rum Punch!
After the Karaoke night we decided that it would be best to avoid the in-house entertainment, although during the second week we did start going more often just so we could be outraged and shocked at amateurish nature of Limbo Fire: The Best Limbo Dancers in the East Caribbean and the Salsa Experience. I have to say, though, the absolute nadir of the entertainment was the Mr & Mrs gameshow held on Valentines night!
Pure solid entertainment gold!
So, after the very long preamble, we get to the moral of the story. We're a service provider and to get our customers to do things for themselves is a bit like getting them to perform karaoke... so we don't do it! Give us your accounts to look after and we'll do just that.
There you go - got there in the end.
As a last word, I have to say I really enjoyed my holiday. After the first three days hibernating we found a mountain to climb called Gros Piton and I learned to water-ski, sail a catamaran and play tennis... much more like it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)