Izzy was looking forward to sitting down and discussing themes and ideas for the bakery over the second half of the year. Now that Independence Day craziness was out of the way, honestly the number of flag shaped cookies they always sold was insane, they could take some time and plan some new things.
They had some customers who would always throw surprise things their way of course, Tessa’s bookstore being one of them, but if they had everything else prepared then they’d be able to handle surprises with no problem.
“Okay so the next thing is probably beach themed for the summer?” Izzy asked looking over the planner.
Audrey nodded. She was kneading fondant as they talked, getting it soft and mixing in the color. The baker felt like she always had to be doing something with her hands, and fondant mixing was a good way of being fidgety, and being productive. “I think so. Beach balls, beach umbrellas, beach chairs? Ooh, and little suns with sunglasses. Then we’ve got… back to school?”
Izzy nodded, “Yeah, sounds like a plan. So we could do book shaped cookies, computers, school bags, that kind of thing” she smiled, “We’ve got a few events to support coming up too, a few local fairs and some book signings as well”
“Pencils and note paper.” Audrey added, grinning brightly. It was fun to come up with different shapes for the cookies, and imagining how much fun they would be to decorate. “Oh yes, I think the books and possibly quills? Would be lovely for those, too. Maybe some sports-related ones? Soccer balls and whatnot?”
“Oh definitely” she nodded, writing that down. This kind of thing was always fun, working out what they could do, “Oh yeah good point, aim some at the jocks too” she grinned.
Audrey laughed. “Yes! That’s a good point. I’m sure there are some fall sports events, too. When’s the Superbowl?” She didn’t know much about sports.
“I’m pretty sure that’s February” Izzy said, she didn’t follow sports but she had brothers and a boyfriend so sometimes you couldn’t help but pick up on things. “But I think there’s a golf thing in August, and the US open is in August and September. Oh and those invictus games are happening again in September I think” she said suddenly remembering.
“Hey, that works! We can do golf balls and… what do you call them? The bags with all the clubs in them? And then maybe … gosh, Invictus Games.” She paused in her kneading of the fondant a moment to think. “Medals? We could make medallion cookies maybe?”
“Caddies? Or is that the person who carries them?” she frowned then waved it off, “We can work it out” she said, then nodded, “Yeah I think so, and maybe cookies with the different flags for those taking part”
“I’ll do a Google search,” Audrey suggested, realizing that there was a whole lot more to golf than meets the eye. “Oh, that’s a good idea, too. I’d love to decorate flags onto cookies. Talk about challenging, time consuming work. Do we have any employees who are especially talented in the art department?” They could very easily create all the cookies at either bakery, and simply deliver half to the other.
Izzy nodded, “I think so. Got a couple marked on the employee spreadsheet who have shown interest and promise in decoration” she said, she’d been using them more and more for the decoration since they seemed to enjoy it. “I was thinking about looking into sugarcraft courses if they want to develop in that area” because there was always more to learn.
“That’s so great! I’m really glad you implemented the spreadsheet system. I think it benefits us both to have all that information at the ready.” Audrey was really glad that Izzy was so much better at computers than she was. It helped to have someone other than her husband able to show her how tech stuff worked! “That would be great! I cheat a bit and use magic when I want to design stuff like that.”ff worked.
“It started just because I kept forgetting things, I have come to realise I live by lists” Izzy said, she was definitely glad her system had worked so well for both her and Audrey. “And it definitely helps the employees to know we recognise talent and are willing to develop it, we’ve got a pretty loyal group between both sites now”
“That’s a good thing to realize!” Audrey finished up the fondant and put it into a tupperware. Then she clasped the lid on tightly. “I like that we can share employees, too. When I need coverage, I’ve got a whole list of people to call, and vice versa.” It wasn’t just BB1 and BB2. They were a family, and that was important to Audrey.
Izzy nodded in agreement, “Oh definitely. It helps that we’re open with everybody from the start and take into consideration those who don’t have transport and rely on buses and things. I know one of my recent starters thought it was great that we’re so open and honest with everybody” It was an important part of who they were and it resulted in a lot of loyalty.
Audrey nodded. “I think so, too. That honesty is a big part of why people work for us. There’s a lot of options out there-- a lot of people are hiring right now. Which is great, but it means that we’ve got competition. And I want people to want to work here instead of there.”
“We'll maintain that, as long as we keep developing our people word will get around and that loyalty will continue” Izzy said, “We’re an amazing place to work Aud and that isn’t going to change”