Sleepy Time Gal

Monday, July 10, 2023

My part-time job at Home Depot is evolving in good ways. I’m doing a reasonably good job in sales and now will start spending a daily hour in training. I’m tasked to learn more about the hardware products that HD carries.

My feelings about this have been mixed. HD provides lots of training but there’s a downside, because it’s mostly online. I find being trained by computer, listening through headphones, discouraging to alertness. Always, and soon, I begin a struggle to stay awake, my brain isn’t attentive.

Yesterday, I half-dozed through some modules explaining nails and screws. Although just slightly alert, I recognized lots I’ve wondered about while helping customers. For example, there are bunches of nail types that exist designed for different purposes. Despite my fogginess, I heard why nail shanks are constructed differently and have unique coatings for designated uses. Also, it appears that nail types have various life expectancies.

Another example is many different screw types. They’re known as hex-head, pan-head, and other head types. I’ve helped shoppers select screws without knowing how they’re used. The training explained key types, the design differences, and their applications.

Feeling sleepy, and almost staggering from the training, I returned to hardware. I had missed much and planned to repeat those modules another day. As it turned out, all wasn’t lost.

The next time I helped a shopper look for nails and screws, I was surprised to feel more confident. For example, I sensed what job a #8, 1-1/2″ construction nail was designed for. Also, in searching for various screw types, I glimpsed why each might be needed. As a plus, I always ask customers how they will use items and yesterday, understood more.

Aside from assisting customers better, I’ll be helped personally. In the past and not knowing why item variations existed, I’ve been a relatively blind shopper. I’ve pulled any hardware seeming okay for my purposes off a shelf and used it. Thinking about a past project, for example, a better nail for my use would have been galvanized instead of the stainless steel I chose.

I’m getting a notion that product training is a good idea. I do need help, however, and today will take to work a few stashed, and terrible-tasting, “stay awake” shots. Maybe those will assist my focus and alertness.

Dear Friends: We do our best work in areas of personal high interest. Diana