Employee loyalty (Part 7.1)
(Continued from Part 6.)
17. Management takes good care of employees.
Small gestures can show great appreciation. I used to work as a test kitchen staff at a food distributor once, preparing samples of current and future products for promotions and evaluations. It was a small company with about 10 employees but was also a very busy place with frequent visitors and numerous telephone calls.
My job also included preparing lunch for the employees. I understand they were too busy to eat out, but then they could simply bring own lunch. Or, the company could order pizza or something to help them. But instead the company president, who was over 70 years old, himself went to buy food which I cooked.
Without caring heart for his employees, his weekly grocery shopping would have not continued.
(Continue to Part 7.2.)
17. Management takes good care of employees.
Small gestures can show great appreciation. I used to work as a test kitchen staff at a food distributor once, preparing samples of current and future products for promotions and evaluations. It was a small company with about 10 employees but was also a very busy place with frequent visitors and numerous telephone calls.
My job also included preparing lunch for the employees. I understand they were too busy to eat out, but then they could simply bring own lunch. Or, the company could order pizza or something to help them. But instead the company president, who was over 70 years old, himself went to buy food which I cooked.
Without caring heart for his employees, his weekly grocery shopping would have not continued.
(Continue to Part 7.2.)
Banking
Received another voice mail from a banker Alice. We have been discussing different account options for Snappy’s at her bank. It will be a while to open Snappy’s door for business, but mattress-banking does not make sense anyways. Asked her what documents to bring to open an account with her. 
Journal
I have been keeping a journal toward my cafe opening for a few years. It contains lots of scribbles of my ideas, observations, quotes and even some fortune cookie strips taped on pages. I revisit old pages once in a while to remind myself of my plan and thoughts.
This blog serves a similar purpose, but my journal is just messy as only I would read it. I also have noticed information register in my mind better when I physically write it.
One of Mr. G's customer, Marian, writes her 90-day plan in her journal to keep on track. I have taken up this idea and highlighted 2 pages for my first 90-day plan. One of the objectives is, of course, 'File tax return.'
Japanese version of this entry is here.
This blog serves a similar purpose, but my journal is just messy as only I would read it. I also have noticed information register in my mind better when I physically write it.
One of Mr. G's customer, Marian, writes her 90-day plan in her journal to keep on track. I have taken up this idea and highlighted 2 pages for my first 90-day plan. One of the objectives is, of course, 'File tax return.'
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Sleep improvement still in progress.
It has been about a week since I started timing my sleep with a multiple of 3 hours.
So far, it feels good when I wake up after 6 hours of sleep, but my futon feels so good I tend to go back to sleep, lol. I have not completely gotten rid of the habit of stealing some z’s until the very last minutes. I have to create some incentive to get out of bed (such as a good cup of coffee waiting on the kitchen counter).
I also need to go back to my gym routine so that I can fall asleep easily.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
So far, it feels good when I wake up after 6 hours of sleep, but my futon feels so good I tend to go back to sleep, lol. I have not completely gotten rid of the habit of stealing some z’s until the very last minutes. I have to create some incentive to get out of bed (such as a good cup of coffee waiting on the kitchen counter).
I also need to go back to my gym routine so that I can fall asleep easily.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Employee loyalty (Part 6)
(Continued from Part 5.)
Another reason for an employee to stay came to my mind;
14. The employee looks up the boss.
If a boss makes the employee feel “I want to be like him/her (as a person in general and/or as a worker),” the employee would be much more motivated working.
I have been fortunate to work for many people I could look up. Will write more about them on this blog in the future.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Another reason for an employee to stay came to my mind;
14. The employee looks up the boss.
If a boss makes the employee feel “I want to be like him/her (as a person in general and/or as a worker),” the employee would be much more motivated working.
I have been fortunate to work for many people I could look up. Will write more about them on this blog in the future.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Plucky
A friend described me with this word which I did not know the meaning of. My dictionary defines it as “brave and determined, especially in unexpected way.” I really hope I am!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Site electrical configuration
Mr. B, the architect, and his engineer have started designing electrical wiring for Snappy's site. Their first step was to create a list of equipment along with power requirement for each piece.
It is taking a little longer than expected to obtain the information of power and water coming to the building, as the building is quite old. But I am not so rushed.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
It is taking a little longer than expected to obtain the information of power and water coming to the building, as the building is quite old. But I am not so rushed.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Got sleep?
As my new year started with coughs and stomach ache, I have been reminding myself to pay more attention to my health.
I have repeatedly heard 8 hours of sleep is necessary for average adults. I have also read that your sleep goes through cycle, with each interval of approximately 90 minutes, therefore you should stay in bed for multiple of 90 minutes (or preferably multiple of 3 hours) to feel refreshed out of bed.
This morning my alarm went on 8 hours after I felt asleep, but I managed to steal additional 30 minutes of sleep while the clock was still buzzing. That makes sense with the above theory of 90-minute-cycle. My body was trying to finish the last interval of 90 minutes and stay asleep for another hour.
I will see if that theory really works on me.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I have repeatedly heard 8 hours of sleep is necessary for average adults. I have also read that your sleep goes through cycle, with each interval of approximately 90 minutes, therefore you should stay in bed for multiple of 90 minutes (or preferably multiple of 3 hours) to feel refreshed out of bed.
This morning my alarm went on 8 hours after I felt asleep, but I managed to steal additional 30 minutes of sleep while the clock was still buzzing. That makes sense with the above theory of 90-minute-cycle. My body was trying to finish the last interval of 90 minutes and stay asleep for another hour.
I will see if that theory really works on me.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Another wisdom passed
Had a discussion on economy state with Mr. G over lunch. He gave me more advices:
1. Bank loans are very difficult, if not impossible, for a start-up business to be approved for.
2. Investors like to get on your business. Think how much control you want to hand over to use other people's money.
3. Pay attention to how neighboring businesses are doing.
4. Do not afraid of backing-off from the location if you can still sustain a good relationship with the landlord.
5. Do not rush, and take advantage of this 'waiting period' to save money and learn more things.
Thank you Mr. G (for words as well as lunch)!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
1. Bank loans are very difficult, if not impossible, for a start-up business to be approved for.
2. Investors like to get on your business. Think how much control you want to hand over to use other people's money.
3. Pay attention to how neighboring businesses are doing.
4. Do not afraid of backing-off from the location if you can still sustain a good relationship with the landlord.
5. Do not rush, and take advantage of this 'waiting period' to save money and learn more things.
Thank you Mr. G (for words as well as lunch)!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Unhealthy start
Got really sick at the very beginning of this year. It was a painful lesson to remind me to take care of myself. Once Snappy's is open, the business would rely on my well-being. I can't be coughing while making latte's!
I'm okay now. I think I passed the cold to someone else.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I'm okay now. I think I passed the cold to someone else.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
A new year ahead of Snappy's
I have originally planned to open Snappy's around August this year, but it maybe delayed due to things I cannot control. As I am not paying the rent while these things are taken care of, I am not rushed as much. I shall, instead, take advantage of this waiting period to better prepare myself:
1. Save more money. I have decided to have a full-time job until Snappy's grand opening.
2. Review business finance. Check again for loan availability.
3. Revisit business plan, especially on marketing and finance.
4. Learn more Spanish. Snappy's is located where Spanish is the second common language.
5. Acquire other skills necessary for coffee shop operation, such as deeper knowledge in coffee and self-defense techniques.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
1. Save more money. I have decided to have a full-time job until Snappy's grand opening.
2. Review business finance. Check again for loan availability.
3. Revisit business plan, especially on marketing and finance.
4. Learn more Spanish. Snappy's is located where Spanish is the second common language.
5. Acquire other skills necessary for coffee shop operation, such as deeper knowledge in coffee and self-defense techniques.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
A happy new year!
Thanks to Mr. G's generosity (again!), I attended the New Year's Black and White Ball. It was a fund raising event for U. City where Mr. G's cafe is located in, as the city will have its 50th anniversary cerebration this year.
City sports center was very nicely decorated with flowers and balloons, and attendees were dressed up with black and white tuxedos and evening gowns. I saw the mayor and police chief. I guess fire chief was on his duty or maybe at the other party also a part of city event.
The bright thing right of the bar is all made of ice!
High school marching band and a fire juggler (also from the local high school) greeted us at the entrance. There was a slide presentation about the city followed by dinner, dance and count-down.
New year has started with lots of challenges for Snappy's!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
City sports center was very nicely decorated with flowers and balloons, and attendees were dressed up with black and white tuxedos and evening gowns. I saw the mayor and police chief. I guess fire chief was on his duty or maybe at the other party also a part of city event.
The bright thing right of the bar is all made of ice!
High school marching band and a fire juggler (also from the local high school) greeted us at the entrance. There was a slide presentation about the city followed by dinner, dance and count-down.
New year has started with lots of challenges for Snappy's!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
