That is, if you call 3.75 years an 'era.'It has seemed a bit like one to me, however, since I started working for a wonderful little company called Las Vegas Golf Adventures. I thought this, being my penultimate day working here, would be the perfect time to document what I've learned since that September day oh so long ago.
So here it is - my list of Lessons Learned at Golf Adventures!
(I'm incorporating some of my favorite photos of golf courses that we book. Enjoy!)
1. Golf is expensive. Seriously. If you want to golf at a really nice course in Vegas, be prepared to pay anywhere from $150 to $550 for 18 holes. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, people actually do pay that much. No, I don't remember their credit card numbers.
2. Golf is confusing. There are rules upon rules for this game. Of course, working in an office didn't teach me much about these rules. I only went golfing once the whole time I worked here, and I'm pretty sure that rules didn't come into play too often that day. Writing articles about golf courses did teach me some of the 'golf lexicon' however. I now know the golf-related meanings to words like bunker, mulligan, tee box, marker, pin, fairway, green, rough, overseed, aerify, 'at the turn,' and many many more...that I will never use again.
3. How to use the number pad. You know it - those extra keys on the right side of your keyboard. I never used that before working here, and it took some doing, but now my fingers just slide over those little numbers. New skill learned...check.4. How credit cards work. I realize that this is probably common knowledge to most educated people, but did you know that credit card companies make their money by applying a fee to companies that charge them? That's why some places only take certain types of credit cards - because for every time they swipe it, they're charged a percentage of the total. American Express is the highest percentage and Visa/Mastercard is the lowest. Also, Visas always start with the number 4, Mastercards are 5, Amex is 3, and Discover is 6. Never knew that before...
5. Internet Marketing is extremely complex. It involves all kinds of strategies, partnerships, methods, and lots and lots of money. And I don't know anything about it. Still.
6. Business travel is not as fun as it sounds.7. If you're not actually busy, just try looking busy. That's good enough.
8. Sometimes it's really hard to look busy...
9. The internet is a veritable cornucopia of amazing and time-consuming (some might say 'time-wasting') things.
10. You can Google anything.
11. List-making is addictive. I don't think I'll ever be able to kick the habit. I've made more lists, made more schedules, planned more trips, and researched more things on this computer than I ever have on my home one. Times ten.
12. Men like cold.13. Always take a jacket with you to work. Even if it's pushing 110 outside.
14. Even though golf is boring to watch, it's fun to play. Golf courses are really beautiful! They're quiet, serene, and highly manicured - at least, the expensive ones are... I enjoy being out on the golf course, even if I'm not playing (or maybe especially if I'm not playing).
15. There is such a thing as macro-management. This, of course, is the opposite of micro-management. It occurs when you are given free reign to do pretty much whatever you want, and as long as the necessary work gets done, you're good to go. I totally lucked out with this job.
And, though there's oodles more, I think I'll leave it at that. Anytime I would describe my job to friends, family, or anyone, they always said the same thing: You totally lucked out with that job. And I'd have to say that I'm inclined to agree. I've never worked in a more relaxed environment with cooler bosses than here. I don't think they read my blog (or know that I have one), but just in case...Jeff, Scott, Alex, JR - thanks guys for providing me with a great job, a great environment, and great opportunities for growth! I wish you all the best!
Alright...who wants to golf?
In case anyone is interested, the photos are as follows:
- Reflection Bay in Lake Las Vegas, NV
- Thundering Waters in Niagara Falls, Canada
- Cabo Del Sol Ocean Course in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Sunridge Canyon in Scottsdale, Arizona
- Sedona Golf Club in Sedona, Arizona
- Rhodes Ranch in Las Vegas, NV
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3 comments:
So what's the next era?
I'm not going to let Daren read this post. He would drool all over the place and that would be just one more mess I'd have to clean up.
I wish you the best on your retirement...I mean next career! Take what you've learned and apply it to the next one...I'm sure you won't have to "look" busy there! When do you leave? Could we get together first??
Awesome that you learned some valuable skills and had a great job at the same time! :) Wow, can't believe people spend so much $ on golf. Really? Strange that people have that much discretionary income to spend on a couple hour event.
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