wWhile continuing to finish up aspects of my Human Resource related work (performance appraisals etc.) and creating Standard Operating Procedures for the Merchandising & Promotions department, I ended my week by once again travelling around to evaluate promotional activities. Friday we travelled within Kingston to five different stores where sample tables of Milkana cheese and Walkers Wood fish spread (distributed products of Chas. E. Ramsons) were set up inside the supermarkets in an attempt to attract potential customers. Again part of my job was to ensure promotions started on time and were set up as instructed which was not the case while also developing a way to measure the success of the sampling promotion. While I utilized the Site Visit - Promo. Evaluation Form which I created, I will need to make a few adjustments to the document to allow for proper evaluation and add space for questions I believe must be asked or answered.
One difference I am noticing about the culture and work environment is how they "perceive time." While promotions did not start on time and people are constantly showing up to work at a varied time each day, something as simple as "give me a minute," may actually be an hour or so in their minds, while I am expecting it to take merely a few minutes. While not to that extreme, an example of this is a simple meeting I had scheduled with a co-worker was to start at 11:00, so I had showed up to their office approximately 10 minutes early only to literally sit and wait until 11:00 sharp before they would engage in conversation. Another example is when I had a "photoshoot," in order to place my photo on an identification card for work which was scheduled for 2:30pm. Thinking of my last experience showing up early, I arrived a short 5 minutes prior to the shoot as I am accustomed to, only to be told I'm 5 minutes early and again wait the short time before the individual was ready for me. While this is not an issue, nor did I take offence to either situation this is not what I am used to in Canada. When someone schedules a meeting or something along those lines, it is almost expected that you would arrive early.
One difference I am noticing about the culture and work environment is how they "perceive time." While promotions did not start on time and people are constantly showing up to work at a varied time each day, something as simple as "give me a minute," may actually be an hour or so in their minds, while I am expecting it to take merely a few minutes. While not to that extreme, an example of this is a simple meeting I had scheduled with a co-worker was to start at 11:00, so I had showed up to their office approximately 10 minutes early only to literally sit and wait until 11:00 sharp before they would engage in conversation. Another example is when I had a "photoshoot," in order to place my photo on an identification card for work which was scheduled for 2:30pm. Thinking of my last experience showing up early, I arrived a short 5 minutes prior to the shoot as I am accustomed to, only to be told I'm 5 minutes early and again wait the short time before the individual was ready for me. While this is not an issue, nor did I take offence to either situation this is not what I am used to in Canada. When someone schedules a meeting or something along those lines, it is almost expected that you would arrive early.
After work Friday I opted to get a haircut as I could not stand longer hair in the heat down here which I am slowly adjusting to. Alan and I decided to relax Friday night however only to head to Turtle Beach in Ocho Rios on Saturday. We had thought we were just heading to the beach with a few friends only to find out during the drive that one of the girls was having a birthday party and several busloads of people were coming with beach tents, a Dj and speakers. Apparently where we were was basically a private beach as many of the locals are even unaware of the spot and we set up in an old abandoned hotel. We enjoyed the beautiful beach, some drinks for the day, soaked up some sun and made a few new friends as well!