What we're gonna do here

Good morning... what can I get for you?

Perhaps I can explain what's going to go on here at this blog for you. I'll post stories that I've written down over the years. Some are positive... others will be... well... the other kind... I'll post pictures of some historical items and things I have accumulated and saved with the thought that someone might want to build a museum or archive someday... and that didn't happen. This project will run for 1 year so it will end on July 13th, 2008. Here's the general format:

• Monday - feature the item being put up for sale with a story about it.
• Tuesday - Partner Story Day... a tale about a partner I knew or worked with (names protected of course... unless they want to be known.)
• Wednesday - Customer Story Day... tales about some of the interesting customers I have encountered both in the stores and at the "Support" Center.
• Thursday - Dirty Apron Day... Folklore and little knowns... stories that have lived with partners and since gone with them. I'll try to tell them as I remember them being told to me or experienced them.
• Friday - "How much did Monday's item sell for?" day!

That's about it... This is a 5-day a week "store" if you will... Consider it a downtown location.

One other thing... If you are a current, past or future partner... feel free to e-mail me your stories. I will protect your identity... This space is for partners and customers to learn, share and teach. The only rules are:

• No profanity... let's use our words here...
• No inappropriate conduct... or violent behavior or suggestions.
• Be honest... own what is yours.

Send me your stuff... I will try to honor it as best I can... The goal here is to surface the great things that made a great company go from 1-14,000 stores on the backs of some great baristas serving coffee to some great customers... On the way, some concerning things will come up and maybe someone will take notice and hear what the front line folks and customers are really saying. No prescribed surveys here... just some Green Apron Stories.

See you for your usual tomorrow... same time, same place.

Pat Nerr... promoting himself to customer (a the end of today)