[Bonanzoid]

Our client (who's European social media presence I revamped 6 months ago, and now manage) has just been named the 9th best social media account (for recruitment) in Europe by HR100!

The reason I'm over the moon about this is because I'm the only one managing this account, and I've never recieved a formal ranking/honour before in my career.

I know it's only 9th and in a niche sector, but I'm very very very happy about this. Also I've completed my 6 month probationary period here. All I need is Arsenal to win tonight and the trinity is complete.

That's fantastic news. Hearty congratulations my good man!

[dimtimjim]

My beautiful daughter is 10 today!



I'm old.

[DevilsDuck]

Happy bath day little miss dtj

[Yudster]

My beautiful daughter is 10 today!



I'm old.

Are you legally allowed to reproduce? No wonder the world is ending...

[dimtimjim]

I know, what is the world coming to...

[chrysostom]

I'm old.

26 isn't that old

[dimtimjim]

Hey, I wasn't THAT keen.

[bmstinton93]

My beautiful daughter is 10 today!

Drop me a PM in 8 years...

[dimtimjim]

Cheeky get.

Anyway, she'll be waaaaaay outa your league. So ner.

[a-moron]

Jesus Benj.

That's...
That's just wrong.

[dimtimjim]

I know.

I did complain.

[Nicola_Red]

A little treat for How I Met Your Mother fans from my flatmate:

[Bonanzoid]

Ha! That's quite clever.

[Nicola_Red]

I didn't think he would have the gall to go into a Starbucks and say that was his name, but there we go. I'm just sorry I wasn't with him to see the staff's reaction.

[Bonanzoid]

Oh, I thought he wrote it on and gave it to you, as an in joke. The actual scenario just improves it. I like that chap.

[MK Chris]

I don't get it because I've never seen the show, but... why on earth do you have to give Starbucks your name just to order a drink?

[Nicola_Red]

That's just the thing Starbucks were doing this morning, free tall latte if you give them your first name. They were so busy that they had to take names, otherwise at the bar everyone is stood there waiting and it's like tall latte...? Tall latte...? Tall latte...? I dared him to give the name Swarley, which you definitely won't get unless you watch HIMYM.

[chrysostom]

I think it's because when they're very busy they can shout your name, as opposed to your order (which is more likely to be that of someone else as well).

Research also shows that en masse, people find it comforting to hear somebody call you by name - and a personal touch to a service (albeit a mass franchise) helps improve a customer's experience. Which helps the overall brand.

Bob Swarley.

[Nicola_Red]

Once again, you explain it more eloquently than me. Although they've addressed me as "venti sugar-free vanilla soya latte" before now!

[MK Chris]

...but it's a coffee shop! Surely they must have water constantly boiling and can just pour it over whichever flavour of coffee you order there and then?

[Nicola_Red]

That's not how you make real coffee. You're thinking of Nescafe Instant. Here it how it works:

make espresso with the coffee maker
also make decaf espresso if required
heat whichever type of milk the customer wants
add any syrups the customer wants
pour and mix milk with espresso
add further shots of espresso if required
add further drizzles or cream if required
serve.

That's not taking into account hot chocolate, mocha or any cold drinks they might be making. Oh and cleaning the jugs/nozzles inbetween different types of milk etc to avoid contamination.

[MK Chris]

But can't they have espresso made in bulk and just poured when needed? And as for the milk, why should it need to be heated? The rest of the drink will surely heat it up like it does if you pour a dash of cold milk in any hot drink.

I don't get coffee.

[Nicola_Red]

But that's what a latte or a cappucino is - hot milk. You know what a shot looks like, like of vodka or something? How would that much espresso heat a full mug of milk?

[MK Chris]

I didn't realise they were all milk... I assume heating milk in bulk would cause it to go off quickly? Or would it? There must be a more efficient way to run a coffee shop! Not that I'll be trying... * things stink.

[chrysostom]

Once again, you explain it more eloquently than me

Sorry, answered at the same time!

...but it's a coffee shop! Surely they must have water constantly boiling and can just pour it over whichever flavour of coffee you order there and then?

If (at a peak time) 10 people are in the shop, and we take the following as read:

The process of taking a person's order takes 15 seconds

The process of making an average coffee (from hearing the order to handing over) takes 1 minute

All of these customers' orders will be processed in less than 3 minutes, whereas even with 2 people continuously making coffee it will take 5 minutes for all of the orders to be completed.

This leads to each person having to wait at least 20 seconds, with a conveyor belt of coffees - and not much space to wait in.

In reality it's much busier, and there will be a lot more than 10 people waiting - seems a sensible crowd control strategy to execute

Although they've addressed me as "venti sugar-free vanilla soya latte" before now!

That's more likely to get your attention than 'Nic!'