This is the holiday when we Americans are supposed to give thanks. There are all sorts of things I am thankful for, but today, the day before the holiday, I’ll tell you what I am most thankful for: having patience.
My husband and I are going to have dinner with some of his family and I am making dessert–a pumpkin pie and an apple pie. I think we can pretty much bet that most families will be having pie for dessert. So why did I have to go to three different major grocery chains to get the few things I didn’t have to make the pies, namely a can of plain pumpkin, granny smith apples, cinnamon, and disposable pie tins? I’ll tell you why: poor planning by the stores!
There is no reason a major grocery store should not have loads of all these items on the morning of the day before Thanksgiving. Every year the menu of the American family is about the same so it’s not like they shouldn’t expect to sell some pie-making items.
Now I’m a nice person with loads of patience, so I didn’t get angry with any of the workers, but I’d bet money that there will be screaming fits by others later in the day when they can’t find the items they need. Managers will be called, lines will be held up with complaints, and generally a lot of people are going to be in a bad mood, just because the powers-that-be didn’t plan well.
Don’t let this happen in your business. It is better by far to be over-stocked and not needs something for a project than to need something and not have it–especially if you have a client in your studio or breathing down your neck. Have back-ups for everything technical, of course, but also remember to think about comfort items for you, your crew, and the client(s)–water, bee sting kits, hanbd-held video games to pass the time, whatever. In the worst case, you won’t need them and the client will see you as a competent professional. In the best case, something will be needed and you will be able to whip it out saying “I have it right here,” thus making you look like a savior.
Now there’s something to be thankful for.
Leslie, I am thankfull to my client, who gives me the opportunity to participate the first time in my life, to a Thanksgiving in the US (New York namely). It’s the first time I can taste what you all are always talking about when speaking about Thanksgiving. Honestly it was delicious and my European stomac definitely survived. God bless America !