Sales Record

October 19, 2010:  Sales Record

Last Friday, October 15, 2010, was by far the craziest day that I have ever worked in bake shop in my five years time.  We were missing approximately fifteen hours worth of work for the day and I had to compensate for it.  Three of our part time employees had, whether it be for vacation, illness, or necessity, needed the day off.  It was, once again, Fresh Baked Friday where Italian Bread was on sale for just 99 cents.  My boss told me to do the best that I could with it, but it was killing me.

I was given only nine hours for the day and was expected to do the break out, which takes several hours, prep and cooking of Italian bread, which takes approximately 30-45 minutes per rack, the sales order, which takes an hour, and the supply load, which takes yet another hour.  Altogether it was going to make for an interesting night.

I had to bake bread intermittently while doing the break out.  Every five minutes I would get a call from the manager saying that the bread racks around the store were empty.  It had never sold this way before.  It was a difficult task to even just do the break out and the bread.  I rushed through the sales order and, just as I had finished, the supply load came in.  We received 200 boxes ranging from 15 to 40 pounds, but there was no time to stop.  The bread had to keep going out. 

I am honestly shocked that I was able to complete everything in time and had the time to wash off the counters and sweep and wash the floor. 

I received the numbers the next day and we had sold more bread than we ever had before, 520 loaves.  Considering that I had no help it made for an even more amazing feat.  The store manager was surprised at what we had sold and even more surprised that I was able to do it by myself.  I was given an award to give recognition to "employee excellence."  Pretty much it was a $25 dollar Stop & Shop gift card.  Nothing great, but it was better than a sharp stick in the eye.  Moreover I was happy that I was able to overcome even my own expectations.  Though I do not plan on keeping this job for much longer it was a confidence booster to think that no matter what task I am given I know that I can complete it no matter what challenges or adversities get in the way.  Quite an insight from bread huh?

Until next time.

Stay Sweet,

Lil' Buddy