Sure, it’s fine for you lot out in Social Media land, its easy to say “lets set a Foursquare world record”.  But then you turn around and delegate. Delegate to the plebs who have to then actually make it happen. Let me tell you SM jocks, there is more to an event than a few key strokes and your tweeps. There is more to an event than your  Facebook friends and LinkedIn amigos.  There is menu, ordering, making and not to mention SERVING all these connections. Oh yes, SERVING these friends. It was a long morning, a long cold windy cyclone morning and I was not amused.  Some of them didn’t even bother to move so I could get past and serve them. I’m flexible and svelte, but some gaps are not made for me.

Lets discuss this Foursquare swarm world record event shall we?  Bit of a mouthful hey!  I had to use this sentence to every other customer in the lead up. “Wanna come to our Foursquare swarm world record event?  Just become a friend and then check-in!”  Then I had to explain the check-in, and the app on their phone and how to do it.  ’IM A WAITRESS, this is VIVO CAFE.  APPLE shop is across the road.  I’m not a geek genius, I’m a coffee genius.

So we do the WOM, (boss loves to use that one – “word of mouth is a powerful tool LVL, we need to use it more”) Yeah, I have lots to say if she just listened. Anyway, back to WOM. We even made little yellow swarm badges to wear – some suck up team player who loves crafts and impressing the boss with initiative. I don’t wear ‘em. I’m not a badgy person.  And we keep going on and on about the swarm event. Like I said, BIG DEAL.  But for some it was – besides my boss.

She was freaking out, not knowing how many were coming. I gave her my special look  ”R U Kidding me you have no idea on numbers?”  She said “LVL please don’t be mad, I know we (we?) can do it”  Where and why does ‘we’ come up when its really ME. W is upside down for M.  Secret Boss Business Exposed.

The day arrived, 3rd August 2010.  And I think it was the windiest day in the CBD in 60 years.  Bit of a giggle really to see her stalking and huffing and threatening to throw herself in front of a bus.  Should I tell you what I said?  No, why don’t you send me some comments about what you think I said?  Free coffee for 1 year if you get it right or come close.

I really didn’t think anyone would come.  They did.  Seriously they did.  The King & Queen of Social Media the Pintados, need special mention as they calmed her down somewhat.  I had some brandy in my coffee so I was happy.  And then began the Bacon and Egg parade, the coffee train and the temper tirade.  These people crowded in and pushed and moved after they ordered and then one of them who shall remain nameless even sent a text message for an order.  A TEXT MESSAGE.  What?  The clicking fingers not good enough?  Shall we discuss the wall of technology?  A row of women supposedly set up to help check-ins and stuff.  Oh yeah, they were organised.

Well, we got thru it, we beat the odds and opened the badge, even though Cyclone Tracey’s little sister came to visit.  Even though my boss nearly had a coronary and gasket blow out.  Even though I had to cater and serve unknown numbers – almost 200 new visitors within 3 hours, and its not like we are a little nothing place.  Looked like a bloody train station.  All aboard the Foursquare Swarm Express.  Another event executed and finalised, target and goal reached.

If I was an Avon lady I would have got a prize.  But I’m the Little VIVO Lady and I get….a tall blonde with 6 million. Sigh. I’ll just settle for a coffee.

Swarm Ya Later

LVL