One of the things in my life that is a joy to do, is to organize and create a system for a disorganized challenge! And today was one of those days in my schedule to help solve a chaos problem for our staff. Here at the Role Models of America store, the staff has an ongoing hanger problem. When one owns 10,000 plus hangers - it does get a bit messy - when so much is happening and everybody is busy doing different things to keep up. The donations are pouring in the back door, from people in our communty. The mission pick ups are taking place, headed to the warehouses from the store, with full truckloads going to overseas locations. And the front door of the store is constantly opening with shoppers, looking for that great deal. And families with their vouchers from our Family Client Services Ministry, are also coming to receive aid in their time of need. Our Role Models of America Store is a very busy busy place 6 days a week!
So one of my designated jobs this week, is to find a solution for the staff with their hanger issues. Sometimes the clothing doesn't stay very long on a hanger, and there's not time to properly set it in a box with all the hooks going the same way- for packing purposes. So often they end up in huge messes - always an eyesore for us to see. And even the hangers are starting to complain - 'no one cares about us, we just feel like we are in the way. Everyone just shoves us around, and look at how we are mistreated - this is awful for us!
Because we have a constant flow of hangers - both currant and old ones, I am making a new rule. We will be using only the clear hangers from now on. This will help thin out things a little, as well as give every article the same standard of presentation. Can we do it? Of course - no doubt. And along with my trusty Community Service workers we set about creating a working solution for this ongoing problem. With this many hangers the logistics need to be in place for a smooth way to handle this small but big detail in a retail business.
One of their currant hanger walls looked like this when we started. Hangers going every which way, and all of them seemingly reaching out with their little hanger hands and grab each other to keep one of them from being separated easily from one another. And when one is taken, others fall to the floor with a tragic voice, 'nooooo' you should have picked me....'
Well I can see this is no way to work smoothly. And while the staff continue on with their customers, and the huge operation of gathering and sorting donations, I take my faithful CS workers and we go upstairs to one of the large storage rooms to look around.
Long story short - at the days end, we have created a hanger wall put in a section of unused space. And the slow process begins of putting the correct hangers in their new locations. Skirt hangers with skirt hangers, suit with suit, baby with baby, you get the idea. So now when a tub is full of hangers (the right ones now) a CS worker will bring them upstairs to The Center for Hangers and put them properly away. Everybody is happy. The Staff is thrilled to have a good solution, the hangers are happy as they all feel like they have their own home now, and I am happy because the bothersome messy areas are all cleaned up.
And this room of clothing that is ready for the racks down below in the RMA store - is neat and orderly. No messy piles to trip over anymore.
Winter clothing is being gathered and ready for the cold season which will come in it's own good time. All hung on hangers ready to go when needed.
Now this is what makes me satisfied. Tired but glad to have a solution in place that makes everyone's life a little smoother.
Then it's time to run back downstairs and use my remaining time here to find a place to display 200+ pairs of pantyhose. The CD's and Tapes have been complaining that no one sees them in their location, so they get moved and the pantyhose take up their residence.
Seeing others find this new product - and getting excited over their 'find' gives me a charge as I silently smile, watching the shoppers from a distance. Their joy is mine and it's time to walk out the door headed for the next adventure.
Organizing is part of my dream job and I love doing it!
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