My last few work trips have actually been peace missions…opportunities to get out & meet some of the people on my team. I call it the Kinder, Gentler BTB tour [also known as the "no-one's-getting-placed-on-a-performance-plan" visit]. Aside from the REAL meeting with the site manager, the entire team-wide agenda generally consists of a tour, a quick pep talk/thank you and lunch with the team. The lunches are generally a hoot. Last week in Cincinnati we ordered Skyline Chili…thereby combining two of my least favorite foods (spaghetti noodles and soup-like-chili. I guess that’s what happens when you won’t approve overtime.) Of course, I shouldn’t complain because 1) at least it wasn’t spiked and 2) lunch for the ENTIRE team cost me $33.41. $33.41 for 6 people! “Ummmm….did I fail to mention that we weren't going Dutch? What? You used coupons?” I guess I should be embarrassed to report that lunch in the airport yesterday cost $26 [no coupons].
At the next stop of the tour – Hattiesburg, MS – we were REALLY extravagant and ordered Roly Poly sandwiches. Seriously, people – has no one heard of an expense report before? Of course, I was halfway through my Roly Poly turkey wrap before I realized the rest of the office was still saying grace [I thought it just got quiet when everyone started to eat].
In Lexington, we ordered sandwiches from "Butt Rub Bar-b-que.” I was going to ask them to repeat that, but I wasn't sure I wasn't in the middle of an HR violation. After lunch, I gave my whole big pep talk and went over results and how great the team is – my whole spiel. When I finished, one of the girls raised her hand (!) and the ONLY question I got was "how do you say your name again?"
I think I’m really making a difference out there.
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