Thursday, July 12, 2007
by Ospite. 
One week into the new job I get a voicemail from Topher (owner of the Bistro).
"Hey man, we need to talk. Come in tomorrow at 3."
That day was a day I have off...not a good sign.
I walk in just before 3pm and walk into the kitchen. "So." ...giving him that look that says 'Let's talk, and now, and not beat around the bush.'
All he did was nod, wipe his hands, and exit the kitchen. We walked outside into the courtyard next to the Bistro where he sat on a bench and I pulled a chair up, sitting with my back to the Sun so that to look at my face, the light would hit him right in the eyes. I planned on making this as uncomfortable for him as it was for me.
"I am a total jackass. Seriously. I am, it's killing me. I talked to my accountant yesterday and he asked what I was thinking hiring a manager right now. I have no budget for it, even though I thought I did. I don't know what to do, I'm totally lost here. I had this great idea to bring you on board and now it seems I made a huge error in judgement. Not on hiring you! But that I can't afford you."
I said nothing. He paused awkwardly.
"So, basically, I'm at a loss here."
"Yeah, well, this kind of leaves me screwed over. I kind of on a whim reset my entire life's schedule so we could make this work ASAP. I asked you to crunch the numbers before you officially offered me the position so this exact event would not happen. I can't just up and go back to my old managers and say 'Hey, I know I asked you to totally change my availability a week and a half ago, now I need my fulltime position back.' It doesn't work like that."
"I'm so unbelievably embarassed by this whole thing. I'd hate to lose you even though you've been here for a week. The girls love you, the kitchen staff listens to you, I think you're a hugely positive influence around here and can help a lot. This place needs someone like you in this position."
"Well then, let's work out something where I stay here and make this work. I'm not going to just let you up and kick me out. Especially after only a week's work."
"Well, I don't know how monetarily, but I want you to work through this weekend." at this I actually laughed out loud.
"How about you let me work here for three more weeks because you're screwing me."
"OK. And in the meantime we'll see what else we can work out."
So I left shortly after discussing assorted details and came back the next day for work.
"It's just not going to work out. I cannot find a way."
"I'll figure it out...don't worry. I'm not leaving here without kicking and screaming out the door."
If I didn't love this place so much, I'd never had worked this hard...not to mention, I get "Manager" on my résumé.
All night I tossed and turned, leaving me barely able to work my lunch shift at the Trattoria (which I do 3 days a week for extra spending cash...i.e. cigar money)...but it was not in vain. Based on talking to a friend of mine which sparked an idea, I wrote Topher the following email at about 4am:
Topher -
So it hit me tonight while I was chatting with some friends... What
do I know more than anything else? Music and music business. I've
been a performer, stage manager, tech, and booking agent
for ten years. I know how they think, what they want, need, and how
they act, and am great with musicians in the business field. You're
looking to build a reputation as a place of not just fabulous dining,
and service, but also of entertainment. You've got the first part
down, but the last one can use some work. Here's where I come in.
Job title: Entertainment Manager
Job description:
Book bands, work out scheduling for live music for Friday and Saturday nights.
Work weekly/bi-weekly with advertising agents on encorporating the music aspect
into your business image. Perhaps talk to local colleges about music events and advertise
in their papers, etc.
Thursday night assist with open mic, and growing that area.
Friday and Saturday nights dealing directly with the bands.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights PERSONALLY providing acoustic music
from 6-9pm...(basically, I'd be your house musician also. this way
you'd always have a scheduled dinner musician on those nights)
Honestly, I think this is the best all around idea for our situation.
It allows you to achieve that reputation as an entertainment center.
But this is an area of expertiece on my part and something I am no
stranger to. I think this is the niche that works best all around. Send
me an email and let me know what you think, or leave me a voicemail
tomorrow.
I could start THIS WEEK, and we can talk details Monday afternoon.
Honestly, I'm more excited about this than the Front End Manager part,
because this tailors the whole image of the Bistro and has potential for
a specific Bistro persona that I can give. Like you said, you know
service, you know restaurants, and you've figured a way to work those
out on your budget. This might work out the other end of this and
still stay in budget. Ciao.
It was, in fact, perfect. So presently I am the acting Director of Entertainment and Marketing for the Bistro. While I'm present Thursday through Saturday, I often host or work behind the bar, filling gaps as needed when I'm not playing. Topher finally feels comfortable enough with a new chef that he can take time off in the evenings, leaving me in charge...which is a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. On top of that, there's shockingly no awkwardness between us due to the initial hiring/firing spree after a week of employment.
Now that I've hit a groove on both fronts, expect more posts...
"Hey man, we need to talk. Come in tomorrow at 3."
That day was a day I have off...not a good sign.
I walk in just before 3pm and walk into the kitchen. "So." ...giving him that look that says 'Let's talk, and now, and not beat around the bush.'
All he did was nod, wipe his hands, and exit the kitchen. We walked outside into the courtyard next to the Bistro where he sat on a bench and I pulled a chair up, sitting with my back to the Sun so that to look at my face, the light would hit him right in the eyes. I planned on making this as uncomfortable for him as it was for me.
"I am a total jackass. Seriously. I am, it's killing me. I talked to my accountant yesterday and he asked what I was thinking hiring a manager right now. I have no budget for it, even though I thought I did. I don't know what to do, I'm totally lost here. I had this great idea to bring you on board and now it seems I made a huge error in judgement. Not on hiring you! But that I can't afford you."
I said nothing. He paused awkwardly.
"So, basically, I'm at a loss here."
"Yeah, well, this kind of leaves me screwed over. I kind of on a whim reset my entire life's schedule so we could make this work ASAP. I asked you to crunch the numbers before you officially offered me the position so this exact event would not happen. I can't just up and go back to my old managers and say 'Hey, I know I asked you to totally change my availability a week and a half ago, now I need my fulltime position back.' It doesn't work like that."
"I'm so unbelievably embarassed by this whole thing. I'd hate to lose you even though you've been here for a week. The girls love you, the kitchen staff listens to you, I think you're a hugely positive influence around here and can help a lot. This place needs someone like you in this position."
"Well then, let's work out something where I stay here and make this work. I'm not going to just let you up and kick me out. Especially after only a week's work."
"Well, I don't know how monetarily, but I want you to work through this weekend." at this I actually laughed out loud.
"How about you let me work here for three more weeks because you're screwing me."
"OK. And in the meantime we'll see what else we can work out."
So I left shortly after discussing assorted details and came back the next day for work.
"It's just not going to work out. I cannot find a way."
"I'll figure it out...don't worry. I'm not leaving here without kicking and screaming out the door."
If I didn't love this place so much, I'd never had worked this hard...not to mention, I get "Manager" on my résumé.
All night I tossed and turned, leaving me barely able to work my lunch shift at the Trattoria (which I do 3 days a week for extra spending cash...i.e. cigar money)...but it was not in vain. Based on talking to a friend of mine which sparked an idea, I wrote Topher the following email at about 4am:
Topher -
So it hit me tonight while I was chatting with some friends... What
do I know more than anything else? Music and music business. I've
been a performer, stage manager, tech, and booking agent
for ten years. I know how they think, what they want, need, and how
they act, and am great with musicians in the business field. You're
looking to build a reputation as a place of not just fabulous dining,
and service, but also of entertainment. You've got the first part
down, but the last one can use some work. Here's where I come in.
Job title: Entertainment Manager
Job description:
Book bands, work out scheduling for live music for Friday and Saturday nights.
Work weekly/bi-weekly with advertising agents on encorporating the music aspect
into your business image. Perhaps talk to local colleges about music events and advertise
in their papers, etc.
Thursday night assist with open mic, and growing that area.
Friday and Saturday nights dealing directly with the bands.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights PERSONALLY providing acoustic music
from 6-9pm...(basically, I'd be your house musician also. this way
you'd always have a scheduled dinner musician on those nights)
Honestly, I think this is the best all around idea for our situation.
It allows you to achieve that reputation as an entertainment center.
But this is an area of expertiece on my part and something I am no
stranger to. I think this is the niche that works best all around. Send
me an email and let me know what you think, or leave me a voicemail
tomorrow.
I could start THIS WEEK, and we can talk details Monday afternoon.
Honestly, I'm more excited about this than the Front End Manager part,
because this tailors the whole image of the Bistro and has potential for
a specific Bistro persona that I can give. Like you said, you know
service, you know restaurants, and you've figured a way to work those
out on your budget. This might work out the other end of this and
still stay in budget. Ciao.
It was, in fact, perfect. So presently I am the acting Director of Entertainment and Marketing for the Bistro. While I'm present Thursday through Saturday, I often host or work behind the bar, filling gaps as needed when I'm not playing. Topher finally feels comfortable enough with a new chef that he can take time off in the evenings, leaving me in charge...which is a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. On top of that, there's shockingly no awkwardness between us due to the initial hiring/firing spree after a week of employment.
Now that I've hit a groove on both fronts, expect more posts...
9 Comments:
hey, that's kind of exciting. Congratulations.
Thats awesome!
Your doing exactly what i wish i was doing personally right now, and am working towards.
Love the blog, keep the great stories flowing!
I second the opinion: That's awesome! Way to find a win-win scenario. Best of luck.
Congratulations! If you can figure out how to keep a good job after management makes screw ups like that, then you should be able to find a job anywhere.
I sure hope this works out for you, but "Topher" sounds like a self-involved douchebag...hiring someone without first verifying that funds to pay them are available is a strong indicator you're dealing with an idiot. That, and his name being "Topher" are surefire warning signs. Proceed with caution.
way to not let them boss u around. ur too smart for that bullshit. what days are u working at the old job this week. im gonna be home so i wanna come in and shoot the shit with u when ur not busy. oh ps my phone got stolen from some brooklyn hoodlums so u gotta call me. i get in tomorrow morning. ok peace out
Congrats.
Bravo you!I would have crumbled and gone home wounded and pissed of. Well done....
good for u! congrats!
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