The Daily Grind

By manicstreetpreacher resident

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BACKGROUND: As a leader for the Grind I would work on making it a welcoming venue both IC and OOC. Which it is now but is often very quiet and lacking the spark of active RP behind the scenes. Shaking up the weekly coffee and cake I'd like to work with what exists already, host a few more events in the space and liven things up. Maybe make it a little more fun and present. I'm talking speed dating nights (well, perhaps not so speedy) and events to bring people together; particularly newer players. Opportunities to bring people who dont already know each other IC into contact. Off the top of my head, events would be stuff like The Great Hathian Bake Off (Possible Berthier Bakery co-run?), Quiz night, fun and silly competitions, special offers and discounts. These could be anything from bringing in a coupon from the Observer to 'FREE COFFEE + PASTRY FOR A MONTH' for something like being the first person to streak down the main street, shouting out about how great the Grind is. Perhaps even host the odd meet & greet with some of Hathian's rising stars, officials and notorious minds. Sponsor other events with other businesses Inclusion is important to me and I would like to run The Grind with an open door policy. Not only making little side games and plots with/for staff, but encouraging their ideas for events and promotions too. The Grind isnt a prize, it's an RP opportunity and it works best when people want to park their bums inside. This is the direction I want to take it. Gidge is a warm and welcoming sort who takes pride in her work. She likes hot chocolate, cake and people, is outgoing and bright. Very much a romantic at heart, I can see her main agenda in the Grind being to bring just a little bit more happiness into everyone's day. Of course being a complete novice to management she's bound to make some questionable calls and rash decisions. All in the name of good RP.

UNIQUE: The Grind stands out for what it is. A cosy coffee shop in the center of Hathian which welcomes anyone and everyone from the hungry to the greedy, needy criminal minds desperate for a buck or 2 from the till. It already fills a niche within CD and I wouldn't want to completely subvert the use of the space. Just reinforce its standing as a place to meet people, get your cup of joe, chill and chat.

EXPERIENCE:I've run a few businesses on urban RP sims in SL in the past, so I know that it's not as simple as signing in on occasion. It takes commitment, ideas and a passion for RP which sometimes limits the individual experience what with being a responsibility. But I'm good at that. I enjoy being part of the fabric of the community and relish the opportunity to conspire with others OOC to create even more fun and interesting stories. I'm an open-minded and welcoming player with plenty of ideas for events and promotions. Fun things for all the CD community to engage in. I'm eager to talk to other business leads too to see what joint mischief we might create. What else? I have time and patience to spare and I wouldnt be applying for The Grind if I didnt think I could do it justice whilst also having fun myself.

IDEAS:I want the Grind to be welcoming to new players and i think communication is the key in this. As manager I would like to foster a bit more team spirit within the Grind which means making sure that staff also get their share of the fun, as well as other players. New group members will all receive a call from Gidge, at the very least so I can touch base and make sure people know I'm approachable. I would also ready a new staff NC, giving them information they might like to know, like where things are in case of emergency, do we have a baseball bat (If G gets promoted, then yes!) etc... For newer players it can sometimes help to be given nudges, or IC reasons to go and talk to someone. So I'd think about things like that too, even if it is as simple as "Here, go walk around and hand out samples." But generally, I plan on just remaining approachable and engaging people when the opportunity is there.

OTHER:A party at the shop and perhaps on the road outside if permitted. No, it's not the most original idea in the world, but does that matter if people get free cake, coffee (and just maybe, maybe, a little secret something else) and a chance to dress up and have fun?