When Nathalie agreed to manage the store for me, the word "
okay" was barely out of her mouth before I shoved a thick folder into her hands and said
"Great. You're responsible for hiring and scheduling." Then I calmly walked to the back room and, when the door was closed behind me, pumped my fists into the air and grinded my hips against nothing in particular.
You see, here's the facts about hiring and scheduling:
- It's just about the most important thing that we do.
- It's a pain in the ass.
- I sucked at it.
And I don't mean "
I was below average". I don't mean "
I made some mistakes." I mean "
I SUCKED". My history is littered with the ghosts of dozens of hirees who never should have made it behind the counter (and one extraordinary woman who left because of my insanity...but remains a customer and a friend to this day). Practically every person I've brought in hasn't lasted more than a few weeks. I'll say it again:
I sucked.
Meanwhile, Nathalie (who, of course, was brought into the store by someone other than myself) has put together a great group of folks - Margaret, then Kayla, and then Jill. This is an awesome team; especially compared to the fly-by-nighters that I had hired in the past.
Unfortunately, today may have marked a turning point in Nathalie's almost perfect track record. You see, Jill is now threatening to shave her head and join a nunnery. (At least, I'm pretty sure that's what she said. She was putting salt on a slice of pizza - topped with bologna, no less - and was kinda mumbling.)
And so, friends, I beg you...please let Jill know that we'd miss her terribly. Her future depends upon it. Nathalie's perfect record depends upon it. And my status as the one and only Baldie Of The Bookstore depends upon it.