"What Bridal Program?!"

When I arrived at work today I had a phone message from Peggy, our company Public Relations Director, letting me know that a writer for a bridal magazine would be calling me at 2pm tomorrow. They want to interview me in regards to my Bridal Program Packages and the trends in the Spa and Beauty Care industries as it relates to the wedding business.  Huh? I called Peggy back and left her a few messages. I also tried calling the Sales & Marketing Director to find out what "Bridal Program Packages she was talking about?  I was wondering what new thing they might be advertising for the Spa without telling me.

Peggy finally called me back at around 4pm today and explained that they had published a six week Bride & Groom Program that included Fitness, Nutrition, weekly treatments, gifts, plus more, all in preparation for the wedding. She proceeded to inform me that the Catering Department had included it in their Sales Kits and Press kits around three months ago. That it was a hit with the press and the customers. Furthermore how could I not know anything about it since it was my idea, my program! Of course as she is talking I realize I do know what she is referring to but as I tried to explain to Peggy, "This was a proposal I submitted to Mr. R and the Sales Department like five months ago, nobody ever got back to me to tell me it was approved; no one sent me Ad copy to review; nothing is in place at the Spa to do any of it; I had no idea."

Peggy says "That's not my problem; you better get your butt in gear and get something ready for your interview tomorrow. This is a huge magazine. The Catering Department sold four couples the package, they start next week and the magazine writer is going to follow their program and progress. It is huge, it would be the best exposure you would ever get and if you don't have it ready it will be the worst nightmare you could ever imagine, and Mr. R would probably fire you over it." I did not know if to scream or cry. I was bewildered.

How could they be so disorganized, or stupid, to go forward with such a new and huge thing and not involve the person that came up with the idea; presented the program; and is supposed to deliver, talk to the press and make it work? First I was shocked, then I was just mad, and lastly I just took a deep breath (actually a few), prepared some Chamomile tea and started looking for the draft file I had taken to the meeting while praying that I had not thrown it away.

I've always believed that if you can not change or control what is going on there is no use in wasting your energy being mad, complaining about it or letting it ruin your day. Sometimes (like today) it takes a huge effort in moving from a, "Why me? It's not fair! I could strangle them," attitude to, "Let me work it out to the best of my ability and take the bull by the horns."

I found my draft. (Thank the universe and angels!) I called Nat, (my assistant), because we created the outline together and I was going to need tons of help to get ready. I was not too worried about the interview with the journalist since I knew what the program was supposed to look and feel like. I was super worried about the couples that had bought it and about the logistics of making it work.  As Nat and I sat together to figure things out I realized that my plans for the weekend would be out the window and we were going to have to work all weekend. For a second I had a little voice in my ear telling me to just tell the journalist the truth and to let PR clean the mess, after all I am only human. But my little Jiminy Cricket whispered in my other ear that I could turn this around and make it such a huge success that Mr. R would have to either offer me a raise or leave me to my own devices for a while. Jiminy Cricket's voice won the argument and Nat and I got to work, but the results of our efforts will have to be a story for another day.

Stay tuned.........

Important Note: "Between the Sheets-A Spa Director's Diary" is Copyright 2005-2007 by Zahira J Coll. All rights reserved. No part of these stories shall be reproduced in any form or by any means, without written permission from the author. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of information contained herein. The stories are autobiographical; however names, characters, places and incidents have been changed to protect identities.