The Evolution of Krazy Ates
“What on earth are you talking about, weirdo?” I’m about to tell you as simply as possible, which can be tough for me sometimes.
Besides my current career (PR for games), I’ve had several random jobs throughout my life. I’ve been working for the best agency in the biz for just over 2 years, and I love my job. Fresh out of college, I started off in our San Francisco office, but as usual, things didn’t turn out the way I expected. We moved back to the Memphis area after only 6 months in California. I must have done something extraordinarily “right”, though, because my boss agreed to let me telecommute from across the country… And here I am.
But I digress… Of all the other jobs I’ve held, the 2nd runner up to my current career (in terms of duration of employment, anyway) was nothing other than: GameStop. In all, I’ve probably put in a good 2-3 years behind that ol’ counter (between my gigs in Oxford, MS and then in Memphis). I could write a lengthy novel about my experiences with the retail giant, just not today.
Today I’m talking about Krazy Ates - where it came from, what it means to me, why that name, and where it may end up. I say “may” because I can plan all day and night, but I can NEVER predict the future.
If you look back on things later down the road, you’re usually glad things didn’t turn out exactly the way you planned.
Furthermore (part of my horoscope on Monday, and much-needed advice) -
You needn’t be so specific in mapping out your ambitions, for too much planning can actually limit your freedom.
So I am learning to let my ideas (and plans) evolve freely, and hopeful that one day I will understand why.
My experiences working as an assistant manager at GameStop were ::ahem:: mixed… the angry parents… the 8:57pm-shoppers… the snoring-ly long and unproductive district-wide conference calls pep-talks… the monthly ‘marketing kits’ (aka: a box full of new signage + anti-intuitive instruction booklet)…
Yes, those are the types of retail moments that make a person wish she were having dental work done instead of working. However, there has to be some reason as to why anyone would submit themselves to these workplace activities. Right?
Indeed: If you like what you’re selling, if you’re interested in what you’re selling, if you care about what you’re selling… retail can be the best job in the world. That’s especially true, in my case, with video games. There’s always something interesting and new to talk about, and your customers are genuinely interested to hear your opinions and suggestions about everything.
And when it happened that my suggestions introduced gamers, or parents & their kids to games they wouldn’t have otherwise tried or considered, and they liked the products enough to buy them, it felt good. Especially when they came back to tell me they really enjoyed the game (like many “regulars” would do).
I felt a sense of accomplishment, and more than that I felt like, just maybe, people are nicer than we give them credit for. People of all shapes, sizes, ages and races came through the doors… and they all had something in common: gaming. And just for a short while, everyone’s thoughts and opinions were equal… An 8-year-old boy might suggest a good PS2 platformer to a 20-something couple, and they’d value his suggestion as if he were the EIC at Game Informer.
GameStop’s “productivity reports” were the bane of my (& most employee’s) existence. The problem wasn’t the reports themselves… in fact, on a good day, it was great to check your ‘numbers’ at the end of your shift - prideful moment for a good salesperson. No, that wasn’t the problem… Unfortunately, selling more reservations or subscriptions to GI didn’t result in a bonus for employees. Not meeting your inflated weekly ‘quota’, however, did result in a vivid lecture from both the district manager and your supervisor. Moreover, part-time employees’ hours would be cut if they didn’t perform as well as other part-timers. Needless to say, part-timers don’t very last long around there.
Aside from the corporate hullabaloo, working in retail can be a very rewarding experience, though not financially… **UNLESS - you own your own store, sell your own stuff, make your own rules, and most important, make good decisions.
Point is, I like selling games, and I found a more rewarding way to do it. PR isn’t for everyone, but it is most certainly my thing. Like at Gamestop, working at an agency means there’s always something interesting and new to talk about, and that, well that’s my thing too.
