My SPECIAL Staff member

fungirlz · 04-06-2002, 07:54 AM

About a year ago I hired a staff member who was so full of smiles and glee.. she warmed my heart and even though her application was less than impressive..something about her caught my interest and we decided to give each other a chance..

After about a week of training I saw she had some trouble with the manuals, protocals and certification training materials..(now Smart Tan has a viedo you can buy for training)!

I at first looked at this as lazy..she asked if she could take the books home with her..
No as we do not allow protocal or manuals to leave the facility..
I observed her with clients..she hung on our every word and did exactly what we did.. she was excellent at mock sessions (role playing) and her customer service skills were a perfect 10.

I asked her when she thought she'd be ready to test out..and a very scared look came upon her face.. we went to lunch together..she told me she was SLD..had been in special education classes through-out her school years..
she could read but at about a 4th grade level. she could use the register but not figure math with paper and pencil.
She is beautiful and charming..

We put together a manual for her..
it was very visual.. cut out pictures of things that related to the subject matter..
colors represented the uv rays.. different skin colored people in the manual for skin typing.. etc.. the girls got creative with the book for her.

She passed her SMART TAN certification program and now has her ADVANCED certification hanging on our wall.

We love our "SPECIAL STAFFER".. no one knows who she is.. except us....but I'll give you a hint.. when you come visit us.. She is the one who shines the brightest..

In the words of Max Recone and the Beattles.. All you need is LOVE..yadadadada..
Chris
Cub Reporter..

becka · 04-06-2002, 08:15 AM

COOL. It is great when you give someone a chance and it works and rock.

sshannon · 04-06-2002, 08:23 AM

I only wish that she worked at my salon

Teresa · 04-06-2002, 09:21 AM

I bet she truly loves her job and you. I can guarentee she takes more pride in her work than most average kids these days!!! Good for you,,,,,I think you have a keeper

Bronze Star · 04-06-2002, 11:52 AM

Chris,

Telling us about your Special Staff member is so timely for me. We were driving through PA on the turnpike and stopped at a service plaza. Dale, the attendant, was very thorough in his service. I have never been treated so well along the PA turnpike. NEVER!! It reminded me of the employee I had at Six Flags Great Adventure. My Special employee's mother called me to make sure her son (18 y/o) would be trained properly. She was worried we wouldn't train him thoroughly enough. We were soon to find out why. Her son was never late for work. His uniform always looked perfect. His overall appearance was without flaw. He never called out, never needed to leave early. His breaks were to the minute. We showed him once how to perform his job and he did it EXACTLY the same every time. Everybody loved him and he was one of the group. I hate to even use the word special... but what I wouldn't give to have 10 just like him.

MJ · 04-06-2002, 01:25 PM

[ This Message was edited by: MJ on 2002-09-03 12:57 ]

njchica · 04-06-2002, 04:10 PM

That is such a great story!!!!

As an educator, it's wonderful to see how you adjusted your training to accommodate her. What could have been perceived as laziness or stupidity was properly handled and look what an outstanding employee you have now!!!!

I bet your "visual" book will be helpful with some of your other employees as well. Some people are more "visual" in their learning, and after reading the more standard product informations, might "get it" after reinforcing the ideas with pictures. (Of course I would just say I was a kinesthetic learner (touch/movement) and I would have to TRY all of the beds and lotions out myself to truly understand. hehe)

pam · 04-06-2002, 06:28 PM

This story just goes to show how quick we are to judge someone. I have hired several cute, bubbly girls who had every advantage in life.....there-in lies the problem. They have never had to work for anything and don't really care if they please you or not. They just think it looks like fun. I have also not hired a couple of girls that I probably should have. With a little work (like Chris) they could have been great. I will look a little deeper next time. I am so proud of Chris for working with this girl and giving her something to have pride in. She will be your loyal friend forever because you cared. Thanks.
Pam

fungirlz · 04-06-2002, 08:15 PM

Remember.. Both she and I gave Each other a chance... it takes two...

As My Dear friend Mitzi says..
Workin and Lovin the Industry..
Have a great week-end,
Chris

Nichole74 · 04-06-2002, 09:16 PM

The word "special" does not only apply to those who may learn slower but those who have a wonderful skill. I consider these individuals to be "special"...Those that are honest, compassionate, sincere, and those who are kind hearted. Today these special people are hard to find and if you are lucky enough to hire an individual like this you have a keeper. Thank you for sharing your story it touched my heart and you are very lucky to have found each other she will be very good for your business.

04-06-2002, 08:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
becka Join Date: Nov 2 2001 Posts: 296 Rep Power: 8	COOL. It is great when you give someone a chance and it works and rock.

04-06-2002, 08:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
sshannon Join Date: Jan 22 2002 Posts: 34 Rep Power: 0	I only wish that she worked at my salon

04-06-2002, 09:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Teresa Join Date: Dec 29 2001 Location: Davenport, IA Age: 44 Posts: 2,803 Rep Power: 9	I bet she truly loves her job and you. I can guarentee she takes more pride in her work than most average kids these days!!! Good for you,,,,,I think you have a keeper

04-06-2002, 11:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bronze Star Join Date: Apr 11 2001 Posts: 2,732 Rep Power: 8	Chris, Telling us about your Special Staff member is so timely for me. We were driving through PA on the turnpike and stopped at a service plaza. Dale, the attendant, was very thorough in his service. I have never been treated so well along the PA turnpike. NEVER!! It reminded me of the employee I had at Six Flags Great Adventure. My Special employee's mother called me to make sure her son (18 y/o) would be trained properly. She was worried we wouldn't train him thoroughly enough. We were soon to find out why. Her son was never late for work. His uniform always looked perfect. His overall appearance was without flaw. He never called out, never needed to leave early. His breaks were to the minute. We showed him once how to perform his job and he did it EXACTLY the same every time. Everybody loved him and he was one of the group. I hate to even use the word special... but what I wouldn't give to have 10 just like him.

04-06-2002, 01:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
MJ Join Date: Jan 21 2002 Posts: 3,060 Rep Power: 8	[ This Message was edited by: MJ on 2002-09-03 12:57 ]

04-06-2002, 04:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
njchica Join Date: Mar 17 2002 Posts: 676 Rep Power: 7	That is such a great story!!!! As an educator, it's wonderful to see how you adjusted your training to accommodate her. What could have been perceived as laziness or stupidity was properly handled and look what an outstanding employee you have now!!!! I bet your "visual" book will be helpful with some of your other employees as well. Some people are more "visual" in their learning, and after reading the more standard product informations, might "get it" after reinforcing the ideas with pictures. (Of course I would just say I was a kinesthetic learner (touch/movement) and I would have to TRY all of the beds and lotions out myself to truly understand. hehe)

04-06-2002, 06:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
pam Police Department Join Date: Oct 29 2001 Location: USA Posts: 5,036 Rep Power: 10	This story just goes to show how quick we are to judge someone. I have hired several cute, bubbly girls who had every advantage in life.....there-in lies the problem. They have never had to work for anything and don't really care if they please you or not. They just think it looks like fun. I have also not hired a couple of girls that I probably should have. With a little work (like Chris) they could have been great. I will look a little deeper next time. I am so proud of Chris for working with this girl and giving her something to have pride in. She will be your loyal friend forever because you cared. Thanks. Pam

04-06-2002, 08:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
fungirlz Join Date: Jan 17 2002 Posts: 4,753 Rep Power: 8	Remember.. Both she and I gave Each other a chance... it takes two... As My Dear friend Mitzi says.. Workin and Lovin the Industry.. Have a great week-end, Chris

04-06-2002, 09:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Nichole74 Join Date: Feb 11 2002 Posts: 439 Rep Power: 7	The word "special" does not only apply to those who may learn slower but those who have a wonderful skill. I consider these individuals to be "special"...Those that are honest, compassionate, sincere, and those who are kind hearted. Today these special people are hard to find and if you are lucky enough to hire an individual like this you have a keeper. Thank you for sharing your story it touched my heart and you are very lucky to have found each other she will be very good for your business.

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