Not the best day ever, by any standards. Still fighting with all of the myriad problems involved with the US site launch (and Canada and Australia are breathing down our necks, followed by Japan and China – translation, eeek!), such as suddenly realising that the cross-sells and upsells are not set up for internationalisation. In other words, even though the two markets have different product, you can’t suggest US product on the US site (“you may also like these products, blah blah), only UK product. BIG frickin’ oops.
Then, this morning, I get an email about a site audit that the retail department has set up…for this afternoon! As I’ve written about before, there is a political power struggle between retail and e-tailing, and the head of retail had scheduled an outside company to come in and do a site audit (analysing what you’re doing right and wrong on a site and making suggestions). Excuse me? This was something that we had planned for ourselves, after the worst problems were ironed out and the sites were functional. And they do it – ?!?
So we’re all in the conference room with the four consultants from said outside company, and the retail guy is attacking us all the way. It was extremely unprofessional and vicious. Even the consultants were looking at each other with “what the hell” expressions on their faces as my boss would state certain figures (conversion rates, traffic, sales increases, whatever) and be totally contradicted by this guy. “I don’t think that true, actually – my figures show that you’ve only demonstrated a 12% increase, not a 60% increase.” God, it was horrible.
And tomorrow in a videoconference meeting I need to train the US customer service people in how to answer technical issues on the site. Three hours scheduled for that. My god…there is so much to do, along with working with these consultants.
The company that I worked for in the states, who shall remain nameless (although they are truly every musician’s friend, haha), had a completely home-grown system that totally kicked ass. Kudos to you, guys -you know who you are- you totally rock. I compare what you wrote with the piece of shit that we paid over half a million pounds for, and believe me, there is NO comparison. Your boss rocks, you rock; I’ve seen the other side…and it’s not pretty. :(
I didn’t see Kip tonight. I went home and cried, sitting on the bathroom floor with the door closed, and then I went downstairs and drank vodka.
*big hugs*
*hands you a coke and vanilla vodka drink*
I hope it improves for you soon, babe. Don’t forget you can only do as much as one person – you – can do. Don’t take on ALL of this as your personal mission. It’s a job… don’t forget. :) And I’m sure Kip will forgive you as long as you sneak him a Guinness or a carrot. :)
You guys could always come visit if you want to get away for a bit. :) Or you could leave at home to play games and come hang out with me! *giggle*
Awww, honey I am so sad you feel so bad, working for a shower of shite is no fun. Is there any way you could leave? If not there must be ways to make it better, for instance do you have a welfare officer? If not see your GP and tell him that work is stressing you and you are finding it hard to cope. At least then if you need a few weeks off, the doc will be more inclined to sign you off.
I know when I feel this low horsey hugs make me feel slightly better, it must make it twice as bad not being able to see Kip *big hugs*
I know, things just suck so badly right now. :( It would be good to see you again, tho – we’ll have to do that!
I’m updating my CV tonight, actually. :) It’s really a hopeless situation. Thanks for the hugs. *s*
I’m updating my CV tonight, actually. :) It’s really a hopeless situation. Thanks for the hugs. *s*
Moncia, thanks for the comments about the “Musician’s Friends” hehe. Actually it has gotten worse here. Have you heard about Sarbane’s Oxley (or as we call it, “Soybeans Oxbreath”)? Federal guidelines to require us to document *everYTHING*. hmm. productivity has gone down 10x, as far as I’m concerned.
hehe, but maybe I’ve just had a rough couple of days recently too. ;) Hope things go well with your job or job searching as it may become. Either way I know you are an amazingly talented and beautiful lady and know you will do well whatever the outcome is :)…
Thanks again ;)
Moncia, thanks for the comments about the “Musician’s Friends” hehe. Actually it has gotten worse here. Have you heard about Sarbane’s Oxley (or as we call it, “Soybeans Oxbreath”)? Federal guidelines to require us to document *everYTHING*. hmm. productivity has gone down 10x, as far as I’m concerned.
hehe, but maybe I’ve just had a rough couple of days recently too. ;) Hope things go well with your job or job searching as it may become. Either way I know you are an amazingly talented and beautiful lady and know you will do well whatever the outcome is :)…
Thanks again ;)