Survived week one!

Well I have successfully completed and even survived my first week of many life changing experiences. I left my husband, kids, dogs and home to move to a new state. I walked in as the new hospital administrator for 4 practices and a whole bunch of new employees. That is such an odd experience. On one hand as the administrator I feel that my "job" is to make changes that make the practices more profitable and effecient yet on the other hand the human side wants people to like me. How do we balance that act? It is an act - boss or liked? I know that a good balance would be both and that is most certainly my goal. I will let you know how things turn out and would love to hear how ya'll (Like my new Southern verbage?" handle this situation.

Day 1 of my new home

Well my first day here; yesterday, was quite emotional. I was sure I made the wrong decision and stopped unpacking - ready to head home today. Anyone that knows me knows that my husband and my children are my entire life. My older children have their own lives now but my 12 year old and I are VERY close and as soon as I got here and didn't have her and didn't have my husband, dogs, kids, bed...anything I panicked. Cry is an understatement. I was hysterical. My husband and best friend tried to talk me down but nothing was working. I wanted to go home.

today is a new day. 2 of my kids are coming down in 2 weeks so that I can give this new home and new job a fair shake. If August rolls around and I am unhappy - home I go!

So, today I found an apartment, walked along the beautiful beach and unpacked my clothes. For now, this is home. I have to try. This is the best for my career. I have always wanted sun and no snow and this area is so beautiful. I am going to give 100% to this new chapter in my life. We will see how the story ends!

"Jello" played in the sand, saw palm trees and drove over the big bridge today!

Time for a change

Today was one of the most difficult days of my life. Although I am thrilled to start my new career in South Carolina leaving my family was heartwrenching. As I pulled out of my driveway my 12 year old was in the window, tears pouring down her face, blowing me kisses. I had to pull over after I got away from the house because driving through the tears was impossible. I knew it would be difficult, and up until this week I was living on excitement. Today, though, it was just pure sadness and a lot of questioning my decision. In my heart I still believe it is the right thing to do but that makes this no easier as I spend my first night in a hotel all alone. No husband to cuddle, no kids to talk to and kiss, no tucking in and no puppy kisses. It is bitter sweet. I will be fine; I know that! My kids will be fine too and so will my husband. Soon we will be together and sharing a walk on the beach gazing at the ocean. For now though I will just share my adventure with "Jello". Jello is the stuffed dog my daughter gave me so that I wouldn't be lonely. I told her that I would document my journey with Jello in photos. So follow along to see how Jello and I adapt to this new adventure.

New Kid On The Block

Only days until I will be the new kid on the block. Not only am I leaving my job after 17 years, leaving my family for a short while, moving to South Carolina and starting a new career at a Veterinary Emergency/Specialty Group. That should be scary enough; and it is ...TRUST me! There have been many tears, many times I asked my husband, "Am I doing the right thing?" The answer was always "yes" if you are wondering.

Then there is the decision of what clothes to take. Now if you are a man you TOTALLY don't get this so bear with me. I have over 150 pair of pants and 110 pair of shoes. I didn't even count shirts. (PS: I am VERY cheap and 99% of these things came from Goodwill and resale shops!) So when you are leaving to live short term in a hotel then to an apartment from home...what they heck do you pack? My new bosses said I could wear scrubs or business attire. At first I jumped at scrubs. That was the answer to my prayers! Match top to bottom -WALLAH - outfit of the day. Unfortunately the little voice inside my head took over and kept telling me that I knew better. If I was going to be the boss I had to dress like the boss, so out went the scrubs and back came the grueling decision of what the heck to pack. I leave in 4 days and I don't have anything packed!!!! Maybe I should re-think the scrub thing...after all it is the person they should respect not the clothes right?

That leads me to another source of panic and some sleepless nights. I am going to be the boss but also the newbie. I haven't ever managed an ER/Specialty practice but I have lead and inspired people. I don't know how to explain all those things that end in "...scopy". How do I get to know them all and yet still establish my role as the leader? How do I be friendly but not make friends? (Friends at work is HARD). How do I learn all about ER medicine and specialty medicine really quick? Are there cliff notes for this?

Well, the clock is ticking. I am leaving my home, the job I knew for so long, my kids (they are adults now), my friends and everything I know and love to set out on this new venture. There have been many tears; just 5 minutes ago in fact and a few hours ago when I left my son's house.

Any advice, guidance, input on any of these dilemmas would be appreciated!!!

Donna

Final day at the Atlantic Provinces Veterinary Conference

Funny how when you are excited about something it seems like the time will never get here and then before you know it; it is over. That is the case with my first visit to the Atlantic Provinces Veterinary Conference. I was speaking all 3 days at this conference and what a great time I had. The conference was so well laid out and I attended a fantastic session on conflict resolution by Dr. Tim Banker of the Sedgefield Animal Hospital & Dental Center in Greensboro, NC. I was disappointed that I had to miss the 1st 2 sessions of the 4 part series but it was during my speaking time. What a great session. I really want to look in to becoming a certified coach now. I always love new challenges in my life. The people I met, both APVC board members & those who attended my sessions were awesome. I got great feedback; even being told I changed someone's life. Not so sure I can take credit for that but it was nice to be recognized for a job well done. Halifax is beautiful and I only wish I brought some flats so I could walk for miles; not working with the heels!

Oh and then there is that customer service thing. The young man who brought my food to my room today couldn't have been sweeter. Boy they have done an amazing job at training the team at this hotel!
Leaving tomorrow!

Client service

Anyone that knows me knows I am passionate about client service. As a result I evaluate every interaction I have and often I share my thoughts and experience with store managers or even the person I was dealing with. Today, I heard someone discuss how they blog about their day and on one day they blogged about a customer service experience. That's when it hit me! I would blog about my customer service experiences every day; yep, all of them...the good, the bad and the ugly. So here I am! I would also love to get feedback and hear about your experiences. So I am on a business trip right now, speaking at a conference. The conference had the hotel chosen so the choice to stay here wasn't mine. The bright side? That is ok! The hotel, the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel has been wonderful. The rooms are nice and very clean. In the evening a friendly young woman came to my room to offer me the evening turn down. She closed my curtains and took my unopened water bottles and replaced them with new ones. To top it off she left me some amazing chocolate mints. Now that is all great but what really impacted me was that she asked how I was doing and if I needed anything to help me get settled in. You see, she noticed I was unpacking my suit case. She was the housekeeping employee, probably one of the hardest jobs in the place but I think some would say that a housekeeping employee has no real interaction with the guests. I suppose I could agree since most times I pass them in the hall way and they often don't speak to me. BUT this young lady took pride in her job and hotel and me....her guest! The wonderful service continued as I came to my room to find a towel animal on my bed wearing my sun glasses. I have never seen that except for in my cabin on a cruise ship and I love them! On our cruises I couldn't wait to get to my room to see what creative creature was greeting me! This too, was likely my housekeeper so another gold star for her! Finally I ended my evening with room service. A polite young woman answered the phone and told me it would be her pleasure to help me take my order for a cheeseburger. She confirmed my order and politely asked me if there was anything else she could get for me and informed me how long my wait would be. Perfect~! The food came, in the time she promised me it would and the young employee who brought me my food after setting it down asked me how I was enjoying my stay! We talked for a few minutes about the great towel animal and how neither of us were talented enough to do it!

So KUDOS to this hotel and their training! It shows in the wonderful, friendly, polite employees they have who truly make staying here an experience. Thank you! It makes being away from home not so hard!

Till next time!

Recession in the client service sector! - MI, United States, Veterinary Community Blog post - Find it all here.

Recession in the client service sector! - MI, United States, Veterinary Community Blog post - Find it all here.