Customer Loyalty

I got a call from the other HR person (the one Jessica spoke to). Jess had called her about my FMLA leave and wanted to know how to go about doing it. This was despite my printing out the instructions for her that are easy to follow. Whatever. Anyway, we ended up talking about everything and I found it interesting when she said, "I told Jessica that she does not have the right to ban anyone from the store." Really? Newsflash to me. Anyway, she is planning on getting Mike into a conference call with the other HR lady some time this week. The problem is that he is an employee and had an altercation with a manage from another store. Employee status supercedes his being a customer. It doesn't matter why the whole thing started or that it had nothing to do with him being an employee and everything to do with being my fiance. How he handled the situation is what is being questioned. In that case, Jess's disrespect of him should be questioned as well.

At any rate, no one is being written up or fired or anything over that incident. I don't know what is going to happen in regards to my report on matters that had nothing to do with this incident.

And Jessica will most likely be losing another good customer. See, I have been doing business with one of the branches of the SC Department of Education for the past two years. Jacqueline and I get along great and I know exactly what she wants and how to get it for her. She has deadlines, etc. that some times need to be met that require special attention. Even though Tony started the original account with her predecessor, she wanted to stay with me when he left (that caused problems between us). I had nothing to do with that. It was all him because he told her that she was to go with him to the other store. You don't tell Jacqueline what to do. I nearly died when she told me that last year. So, she stayed with me. And I say me and not us because I am the one she contacts.

Well, she had contacted me two weeks ago for an order. A pretty big one that helped us a lot last week. I delivered the books to her today. Jessica had offered to do it but I wanted to tell Jacqueline myself why I was taking a leave of absence. Even before I could explain, she was concerned. And when I said that I would probably end up leaving, she said that I should tell her what bookstore I end up at because she will go with me! I thought she might say that but it was really nice to hear. I've recommended that she deal with Jonathan while I'm on leave. Should I end up permanently leaving, I suggested she take her business to Patti at Columbia Mall because I know that Patti will give her the attention she needs and deserves. It's completely her choice about whether to stay with Jessica and I said I wouldn't tell her not to. But I don't think she will. Jacqueline cannot stand bossy people. And even if Jess is sweet and helpful to her, the fact that I've left is a mark against her. See the importance of customer loyalty? And all I had ever done for Jacqueline was my best job. It had never occurred to me to help her for any other reason than that she was a customer who needed certain things. I have been seeing how just being me has affected people I work for and with. It's a little mind boggling. And I am very touched that Jacqueline feels that strongly about me. It's very sweet.