Last week I was lucky enough to have to head to Florida for a week for work, yes people work. As you can imagine my boss had to drag me on the plane by my ponytail holding a gun to my head… well almost. The trip was to Orlando for the annual sales meeting, with about 1500 other people (not all on the same plane but yes all in the same hotel…). We managed to plan our Sales meeting for the week when the east coast of America experienced the worst ice and snow storms since records began. This did not impact the UK contingent, nope instead we just spend 10.5 hours on a plane rather than 9 and moaned about the fact that we were already getting bored of each other and we had another 6 days to go…. I did watch Social Networking though which was awesome.
Anyone who has attended one of these type of events will tell you the same few facts about Sales meetings. 1. You could be anywhere because you barely see the outside of the hotel. 2. They work you damn hard, 7 or 8am starts daily often until 6pm with evening events. 3. You play hard too, i.e. these are sociable sales people who do not see each other the rest of the year so its late nights, liver abuse and a need for intravenous supply of nurofen. 4. Despite the playing hired you are expected to be in the meetings on time, professional and engaged. If not you get home and to be frank, often fired. If you understand this before you start and you live by these rules for the duration then you are fine.
We stayed in a very nice hotel in Orlando, practically in the middle of Disney World. I could see it from my hotel room but that’s about as far as I got to getting up close and personal with Mickey Mouse the whole week. Luckily for me I have visited Orlando before so this was no big drama for me. Some our Sales team however felt it necessary to hot foot round Harry Potter World for the 5 hours we did have off (day 1) and purchase half of the souvenir shop for good measure. I, on the other hand started the week well. Went for a long run on the first day, had brekkie, did some work and then went to registration (it’s a massive event). From that point forward I can safely say I think I abused my body royally. Well you have to throw yourself right in don’t you?
I will say I worked very hard. I mean I was in breakfast at 7am, meetings at 8am, networked, all the way through the breaks and lunch and often didn’t event have time to change before dinner (can you imagine I didn’t even have time to get changed for the awards dinner!). And whatever I say about the social aspect, which was fantastic, the networking side and the knowledge you gain is priceless at this type of event. The main challenge was that progressively over the course of the week the hours of sleep I got at night decreased from night one 7 down to night 5, 2 hours and I still managed to get up and look professional. I tell you now that Shu Uemera stuff from a few weeks ago saved me. Those who had children faired better as they were more used to limited sleep and early starts. For the rest of us, females at least, there was make up, which increased in substance as the week went on. As a result of the fast pace erm nature of the event I ran only one other time and managed to come home with a big fat cold (so no running this week either) from the sunshine state. I got home on Monday and was so exhausted by Friday that I slept 12 hours flat last night. I feel a bit like a student. I haven't helped myself mind as I have been out twice since returning to London and I did not abstain from the hard stuff on either occasion. Yes yes I have the resilience of a chocolate teapot I know.
I shall not go into detail about what happened in Florida as those of you who travel on these trips will also know, what happens in Florida, stays in Florida J I will say this though. I did not stick to any of my resolutions. At all. Well apart from the having fun one and boy we had a lot of fun. As well as an in depth knowledge of our Sales strategy and a pickled liver I managed to come home with moisturiser, serum a new handbag and a pair of Uggs (they were a bargain!!). I also got the nephews some great Disney styley pressies but I shan’t disclose those as my bro may read this and I haven’t given them to them yet. I will say I managed to resist purchasing them some really cure Top Gun Esq flying jackets despite others encouraging me shamelessly. I shall start being good again from Monday. honest. I have to, I have a half marathon to run in 6 weeks!
For those of you who enjoy my train sleeping photo’s (#railwaysleepers) I did manage to get a corker from the plane. I jest that we all got bored of each other but in reality we had the funniest time and I the cabin crew were brilliant fun (yes British Airways you have some great staff thankfully with us lot on the same plane).
My next blog will be all about eating raw carrots and healthy protein and steering clear of the red wine. You need to force me people really you do. For the rest of tonight I shall be eating fish and chips and finishing my peanut butter m&m’s. Well I am sick after all. Feed a cold and all that….
Laterz x
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