The Way To Get Ahead At Work Is To....

The secret to getting ahead is easier than you think, especially in these times. Want to take a moment and guess the answer? Okay, I’ll count to three…

One… Two… Three…

What I find most impressive in people at work is what too many people lack. It’s not about education, although it helps. It’s not about experience. Yes, that helps too. What’s most impressive is having a strong work ethic.

Don’t be surprised. It isn’t about rocket science. It’s about coming to work on time, doing the right thing, getting along with others, doing your fair share     and then some! This is what helps get those hungry for a raise or promotion, or both, ahead of those waiting for things to happen. I remember a time when you had to have certain skills, education, even friends in the right places to ensure you were taken care of by your company. And those still help, yes. But what manager’s look for most of all is a strong work ethic.

I’ve seen people with years of sales experience, product knowledge, education, and even friends in the right place; fail in this very important area. They simply don’t appreciate their career choice, and don’t do anything about it. They become complacent and remain in a job they find dismal because they lack a desire to try something else. The result is a failure to come to work on time, refusing to participate in team-building efforts; back-stabbing co-workers who actually enjoy coming to work (imagine that!).

My latest novel, ‘Who’s Minding the Store,’ is a comedy touching base in this area as my main character, Derrick Payton, struggles with ways to improve employee morale and team spirit. He’s got a week to improve store sales or the company will shut down his store. Sound familiar? Too many of us have experienced this in recent years.

I’ve learned from experience, and watching how others do it. If you stick to basics like…

·         Come to work on time!

·         Do your job right the first time!

·         Help others when help is needed!

·         Be the go-to person that gets the job done!

…You will stand tall above others. As I describe in my book, I’ve had people back-stab me and eventually I overcame this obstacle by proving everything they said about me to be false. I accomplished this by doing my job the best I could. I did those basic things everyone expects, but seldom gets, with little effort, too. After all, how hard is it to arrive for work on time, do your job right, help others, and be reliable? When people who wanted to see me crash and burn did everything they could to destroy my reputation and sandbag my work, I simply pushed forward, kept my complaints to myself, and demonstrated consistency in my performance. Eventually people would say, “You’ve got this guy all wrong!”

And that ended that, and got me recognition. But I didn’t learn this right away. Took me a while, and I pass this information to others I see struggling at work. They don’t like working alongside people who don’t want to do anything other than write text messages and such (go figure!).

My character Derrick Payton comes up with a good plan that inspires his employees to help improve store sales (no, I’m not telling you what. You’ll have to read the book to learn that). And everyone has fun along the way. But there are still the Wicked Witches of the West he has to deal with, and they leave no stone unturned as they do all that is humanly possible to derail him. The strategy Derrick comes up with is real enough. It helped me, but don’t get the wrong idea. This book isn’t about me. It’s about all of us! That’s right. I make this claim because all of us have worked retail at some point. In fact, I’ll go so far as to lay claim that everyone will find at least one scenario in my book they will relate with. And while you’re reading ‘Who’s Minding the Store,’ I bet you’ll be smiling.

I’m not trying to be too forthright. I’m merely reflecting on the memories I have when I worked in a big-box home improvement store with a great bunch of people. And I’m sure when you have similar reflections, you’ll be smiling too.

Who’s Minding the Store can be ordered through your local bookstore, amazon.com, direct from my website at www.LuceroBooks.com

Keep on reading, and I’ll keep on writing!

David

Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WhosMindingTheStore?ref=hl

How Do You Begin Your First Day On The Job?

Excerpt from Who's Minding the Store?

Chapter 3

Monday

5:30 AM.

Derrick reached over and turned off the alarm.

  Yes! I’m awake.

  Usually he stayed in bed a few minutes listening to KPBS news, or he’d lean over and smell his wife’s hair and fondle her until she elbowed him in the ribs to stop. Today was different. It was his first day at store 1254 in Encinitas and he wasn’t going to be late.

  He leaned over and kissed his wife, Jennifer, on the cheek before climbing out of bed. Then he removed his clothes to take a shower, slowly closing the bathroom door because Jennifer was a light sleeper. After eight years of marriage he learned to move quietly in the morning.

  “I may be a housewife,” she declared on more than one occasion, “but I still need my eight hours.”

  Derrick argued how he had a lot to deal with at work and didn’t have time to concern himself with her petty peeves. Big mistake!

  She challenged him. “If you think being a stay-at-home mom is easy you’re more than welcome to try it for a week. If you can cut the mustard you can make all the noise you want every morning.”

  And so he requested a week’s vacation and played the role of Mr. Mom.

  Another mistake!

  Derrick learned quickly that maintaining a home and raising a six year old boy took more patience and unimaginable skill than he could ever manage. It was due to this eye-opening experience he made as little noise in the morning as humanly possible, as if that was possible at all for a clumsy, self-centered husband.

  He brushed his teeth, shaved, put on deodorant, and dabbed his receding scalp with a touch of Rogaine, making sure to thoroughly wash hands after use like the directions stated. He came to accept hair loss, but still clung to the illusion he would get it back after subscribing to GQ magazine. As he ironed his shirt a smile pursed his lips.

  Jennifer would be proud, he told himself.

  “Don’t go to work looking like a slob,” she would say. “It’s a reflection on me.”

  Thank God I learned to listen to her, albeit after eight years of marriage, but better late than never.

  He crept out of the bedroom and headed straight for the garage where the dog slept. It was his chore to let him out each morning to do his thing. Waffle was not the name they would have chosen for a dog, but someone very lonely and lacking imagination did. The little Schipperke was three years old when they adopted him from the shelter and it took months for him to respond to his new name.

  “Come on Gnarly,” Derrick said. The dog jumped up and down excitedly as he was let outside.

  Next he went to the kitchen and poured coffee in a mug. Then he packed the lunch prepared the night before, grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door, only to be stopped short as Gnarly started barking. Derrick let him back inside so he wouldn’t wake up the whole neighborhood, and then headed for the door again.

  “Aren’t you going to kiss me goodbye?” Jennifer was standing on the bottom of the stairs in her nightgown.

  “I didn’t want to wake you up, and I kissed you before getting out of bed.”

  “Well I’m up now.”

  “Yes, you are.” He walked up to her and kissed her goodbye.

  “You didn’t wake up Etienne, did you?” She stared as though he was guilty. Etienne was their son and a light sleeper like her. “If you woke him up it’ll be you explaining to his teacher why he’s falling asleep in class.”

  “No, I didn’t kiss him goodbye so he could sleep a while longer.”

  “Have a nice day,” she said, standing at the door.

  A strange feeling came over him as he walked to his car. Why do I feel like Ward Cleaver, he asked himself?

Author's Note: I wouldn't be surprised if many of you wake up the same way as Derrick does in this scene. We've all been there and done that, so to speak. The little Schipperke in this scene was inspired by my own dog, Zion, a stubborn little ball of fur that brings sunshine to our days at home. The mentioning of Ward Cleaver was my tribute to the classic series Leave it to Beaver. I also mention KPBS because I love listening to this station in the morning and am a proud member for a number of years. If you haven't picked up your copy of Who's Minding the Store you will have your chance at the Paradise Hills Public Library on Saturday September 21 where I will be attending an author event with a group of twelve other authors. Hope to see you there. However, if you're the kind who likes the kindle version copies are available direct from amazon, and in paperback.

Keep on reading, and I'll keep on writing!

David

http://lucerobooks.blogspot.com/2012/10/coming-soon-from-navigator-books.html

https://www.facebook.com/WhosMindingTheStore?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/DavidLucero

Is This Your Reward for Being Promoted?

A teaser from Who's Minding the Store?

10:00 PM

Derrick and Jennifer changed into pajamas and got ready for bed. She washed Etienne and put him to sleep in his room after dinner, leaving Derrick to clean up the kitchen. “In this marriage we’re going to be fifty-fifty,” she said at their wedding reception eight years earlier.

Too bad that doesn’t extend to work, he said silently while putting away the food in the kitchen.

In truth Derrick felt pride Jennifer didn’t have to have a full-time job, instead being a full-time mother and wife. From time to time she took on a part-time job to keep busy in the afternoon, but raising a six year old boy was challenge enough.

As he climbed into bed he watched Jennifer wash and clean her face over the bath sink. She gained fifty pounds during pregnancy, but lost it in four months after giving birth. “I’m going to set an example for my kids by living healthy,” she told friends. As a result, exercise became very much part of their lifestyle.

Derrick appreciated this as he admired her shapely figure. When she climbed into bed he suddenly envisioned lying next to Sylvia. She too had an athletic, attractive body, and his imagination ran wild as she lay beside him in cherry red lingerie.

Sylvia said seductively, “I’ve wanted to do you from the moment we met.”

Derrick’s eyes bulged with excitement. “You’re kidding?”

Then he heard another voice. “No I’m not kidding.” It was Jennifer.

The image of Sylvia was suddenly replaced with his wife. “I’m sorry, honey, what was that?”

Jennifer rolled her eyes. “I said, I’m not kidding. You should go straight to human resources and demand a raise. After all, you got promoted to store manager and deserve one.”

Derrick froze, realizing he broke out in a cold sweat over his image of Sylvia.

“Don’t you?” she pressed.

“Of course I do.” He wiped clean his forehead. “I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”

She turned out the light and lay on top of the bed sheets beside him. “Are you all right?” Her tone was laced with concern. “You seem nervous.”

Derrick turned to face her. “Long day, is all.” He told himself, get a grip. You did nothing wrong.

Jennifer’s concerned look turned to something else when she cuddled up to him and ran her hand across his chest and through his thinning hair. “Has the Rogaine been working?”

He hated when she asked that. “Yes, our investment is worth every penny,” he replied, running a hand through thinning hair.

She sensed him nervous. “Don’t worry about it.” She leaned closer and added, “I love you all the same.” Then she kissed him hard.

Derrick’s eyes practically popped out of the sockets when her tongue slid in his mouth. Lately sex was routine versus passion, and a kiss was more of a peck on the mouth not all different from what a mother would give her child.

He quickly pulled back his head. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Idiot! What the hell’s wrong with you? “Sorry honey, you caught me unexpected is all.” Stop acting like you’re guilty of something, he said silently. What happened in the office was an accident. He then added, I hope.

Jennifer leaned into him again. He wondered, what’s gotten into her?

“I’m proud of you, honey.” Her head rested on his chest. “You’ve worked hard to keep our family secure.” She lifted her head to look him in the eyes. “It means a lot to me what you do for us.”

He panicked. What do I say to that? “And you have the only tits I want to touch.”

Surprise swept over her face. “Is that so?”

Derrick grew desperate. “Yes, you do.” He asked himself, where the hell did that come from? He thought of Sylvia again and said, “Bitch.”

“Oh, so now you think I’m a bitch.”

“Not you, honey.”

“Not me? You mean you’re thinking of someone else?”

How in hell could she have known that? “Of course not, sweetheart. You’re the only woman I want.” That was corny.

They paused, staring blankly at each other. Derrick felt as though he was being cross-examined. Then Jennifer laughed. A moment later he did too.

“You are so corny,” she said, giggling like a teenager.

How did she get to be such a mind reader? “At least I mean well.”

“Yes, you do.” She slid her hand down to his crotch. “So you want to touch my tits.” She paused, searching his eyes. “Sounds like you want to play dirty.”

Derrick squirmed. “Honey what are you doing?”

“I’m playing dirty.” She kissed him hard.

He leaned back until his head rested on the pillow. A moment later all resistance melted away and he gave in, kissing her back equally hard. Their tongues swirled in each other’s mouth when suddenly Jennifer pulled away to wipe the saliva dripping down her cheek.

“You don’t have to be messy about it,” she said, sitting up.

“I thought you were playing dirty?” He knew he sounded stupid the moment after saying it.

“Being sloppy does kill the mood, you know.” She saw his depressed look and smiled. “You’re still that helpless little boy I know, aren’t you.”

“That’s all I need to hear,” Derrick said, shaking his head.

Jennifer laughed. “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll play dirty if you want.” She sat on top of him and removed her pajama top. Taking his hand, she said, “Touch me.”

He fondled her and smiled lustfully. “I see you like that,” she said, wickedly.

He nodded, never taking his eyes away from hers. “I should get promoted more often.”

Author's Note: When My sister in-law read my book she called my wife claiming I wrote about our sex life. I told her no, I had no intention of going there. This was pure writer's imagination I thought was necessary for my character. In most jobs a promotion would in fact grant a raise, although I have seen some person's placed on a temporary manager basis, thus requiring no raise at all. Should you get promoted I certainly hope you get that well-earned raise along with it. If not....I hope you enjoy yourself the way Derrick did just now.

Who's Minding the Store? is available in paperback and eKindle. It may be ordered through your local bookstore, amazon, or through the author's website at:

http://www.LuceroBooks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/WhosMindingTheStore?ref=hl

http://www.twitter.com/DavidLucero

I Want Satisfaction!

“I want satisfaction!” the customer demanded. He was a giant, burly man determined to have his way, and he glared at the cashier and said, “Get me the manager in charge.”

Samantha stood frozen behind the counter, petrified and fear-stricken. This was her first time working at the returns desk. Teresa, her supervisor, insisted each cashier train six months prior to sharpen their skills. She wanted her people confident against the rough customers looking to have their way. However, Burly Man had Samantha wishing she waited six months and one day before working a shift here.

Samantha reached for the phone, watching Burly Man cautiously in case he lashed out like a spitting cobra.

“Hello,” Derrick said, answering the phone on the first ring.

It was a nasty habit of his, answering the phone as fast as possible. Ever since Christy, the phone operator, applauded him for answering his phone better than any other manager he made a point to keep doing that. “I figure if I can look good performing something as basic as this,” he told fellow managers, “why not let it ride?” But those same fellow managers got even by saying it was the only thing he did well.

“Derrick, I have a customer who wants to speak with you,” Samantha said.

He shook his head. That’s what I get for answering my phone. “Did he ask for me by name?” It didn’t matter. Being Manager-on-Duty meant being on the sales floor available to all customers and associates whether you liked it or not.

“He wants to speak with the manager in charge.”

Lucky me. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”

Managers hated taking calls from the returns desk. It meant dealing with angry customers wanting to return or cancel their purchase which was non-returnable and non-cancelable, like it stated on their receipt. So why did he have a problem with this?

Author's note: This is an excerpt from my latest book, 'Who's Minding the Store?' I'll bet this sample page has happened to you, along with others you know seeing how we've all worked retail at some point. This book is a compilation of stories from personal experiences and those shared by those I've worked with. I'd like to hear your stories and how close they relate to my book. Let me know by entering your own comments.

Who's Minding the Store? - Available in soft cover and kindle. You may order a copy direct from your local bookstore and save on shipping when picking up at the store. Or direct at amazon. Visit the author's website at www.LuceroBooks.com and follow him on his twitter and fb accounts.

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