Tricky taste test for managers

We gained a big contract this week and everyone is on a high. Any new business has a positive effect throughout the company because it enables us to take on additional staff.

We are now looking for a senior relief manager who will work with the operations team in assisting them in completing their role.

The news was conveyed to our staff at one of our unit managers' meetings held this week. The meetings are aimed at covering the latest events within the company as well as across the industry.

The meeting was kicked off with a little competition in the form of a "Pepsi Challenge".

Leading brands of carbonated drinks were put forward for managers to take the test: Pepsi Cola, Coca Cola, Virgin Cola and Tesco's own brand of cola were pitted against each other.

Decisions, decisions

After a great deal of switching around and swallowing in true Jilly Goolden style, the staff made their decisions.

Caroline Fry (operations manager), who will only drink Pepsi Cola, looked very coy when the results were read out.

Half of the managers got every one wrong and the other half only got two right. And yes, you guessed it - Caroline got them all wrong!

Then we got down to business and went through a refresher course on the recent developments in food hygiene and health and safety matters. This was rounded off with a quiz on the subject.

It's a sad fact that this is still very much a man's world.

I'm very flattered at how suppliers make generous offers in a vain attempt to drag me away from my desk in the form of client hospitality.

But come on - golf, horse racing, go-kart racing and clay pigeon shooting?

To top it all, I received an invitation this week which was addressed to Mr Robin Jones!

But if it was lunch on the Fifth Floor at Harvey Nics or a day at a health farm, well, now you're talking…