SnowJapan.Com#3 0 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 A new Setting Journals feature, "What about an employee and equipment appreciation day?", has been put online. http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/setting-journals-9.html The first day of each month in the resort industry is always significant, as both guests of winter resorts and employees of them seem to experience a change of mind frame. Here in Japan, November 1st is recognized by Snow Japan as the start of a new white season, December 1st signals the opening of some resorts, January 1st is of course New Years, while the same day in February may be characterized as being perhaps the peak of the powder season. What about March 1st? My choice for this day would have to be an employee and equipment appreciation day... http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/setting-journals-9.html Please note that the views expressed in any Features on Snow Japan are not necessarily those of Snow Japan. Discuss it here.... Link to post Share on other sites
rachael 0 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Not a specific comment about what I've just read as such, I just wanted to say that I really like these journal/reports that you do, Blair. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
DumbStick 13 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Interesting. On a different note, Blair, what is all that Japanese text on the front page of the J Arai website? Something major happen? Link to post Share on other sites
IIIII 2 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 whoa, that's a bit too difficult for me to get. Looks like an apology of some sort... http://araimt.com/ Link to post Share on other sites
Blair 0 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Hi Dumbstick There was an incident at the ARAI GUIDE CENTER involving our disabled program. To be honest I too do not quite undrestand everything, but needless to say that ARAI is taking this one seriously. In addition to the top page, there is also some further info. on the Japanese BBS. As far as I understand, nobody is physically hurt and the incident stems from a difference of opinion between a guest and a customer. Once I understand the incident in full I will be able to answer your question in better detail. Thanks and regards Blair. Link to post Share on other sites
scoobydoo 0 Posted March 8, 2003 Share Posted March 8, 2003 Must be a great experience, working at a resort. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted March 8, 2003 Share Posted March 8, 2003 That apology is excessive. It sounds like the resort is quite happy to name and shame members of staff in front of everyone who visits the Arai website, even though such visitors haven't got the faintest idea what went on. Let's face it, some people will complain about anything. It doesn't mean you should turn on your own staff or make a mountain out of a molehill. Link to post Share on other sites
scoobydoo 0 Posted March 8, 2003 Share Posted March 8, 2003 I can't read all of that, but in Japan is it not a big deal to stand up and make an apology like that? Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted March 9, 2003 Share Posted March 9, 2003 Didn't see anything, , but how was it written? Let us know more about what happened, Blair, will ya? Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Blair, how often do you get out on the slopes at ARAI? Employees get a season pass do they? Link to post Share on other sites
Blair 0 Posted March 11, 2003 Share Posted March 11, 2003 Dear No Fakie While it is true that some people will complain about anything, they represent the reality of the service industry. I'm not sure if the apology is excessive or not at this point, as I still do not understand exactly what happened. Scooby doo It is a big deal to stand up and make an apology, especially in such a prominent manner during the middle of the season. Rach The apology has now been removed from the top page of the Japanese website. I will let you know more about what happened when I do. Scouser Before I worked at ARAI, I skied here as a guest several times from the start of the opening season ten years ago. I also used to get out on the slopes daily when I helped to set up the mountain each morning. Employees at ARAI do receive a version of the seasons pass offered to guests; However, private skiing is limited to non-peak periods. Lately I don't manage to get out on the slopes so much as I tend to keep quite busy attending to guests in the village. Some days, it is even challenging to get to my desk in the main office, let alone out on the slopes. Thank you and regards Blair. Link to post Share on other sites
DrMabuse 0 Posted March 11, 2003 Share Posted March 11, 2003 I wonder if anyone lost their jobs because of this. Isn't that usually the case when an apology is needed - top guy goes! Link to post Share on other sites
Wizz 11 Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 ..yeah, even if they have absolutely nothing to do with it. "Taking responsibility". Ha! Link to post Share on other sites
Blair 0 Posted March 13, 2003 Share Posted March 13, 2003 Hi No, nobody lost their jobs as far as I can tell. Needless to say though, the incident was a stressful one for all of those involved. It is my intention here to explain what I presently understand about the incident(which stems from our disabled program), and move on. On a day when the two main staff members of the disabled program were not available, a third staff member met with the guest concerned, and followed up by writing some notes in a folder intended only for staff-to-staff communication. On a subsequent meeting, one of the main staff members of the disabled program was having a meeting with the same guest, but was called away. The folder was left in front of the guest, who managed to read the contents. The guest objected to the contents of the file, which marked the beginning of the incident in question. I do not know either what was written in the file, or who exactly is to blame. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted March 14, 2003 Share Posted March 14, 2003 That's a really funny story. Thanks to ARAI for sharing it with us. Still, even with a molehill like that, with all the snow they get, ARAI can make a mountain of it... Link to post Share on other sites
rachael 0 Posted March 14, 2003 Share Posted March 14, 2003 ? Hmmmm. I'm going there tomorrow anyway Link to post Share on other sites
DeepProbe 0 Posted March 14, 2003 Share Posted March 14, 2003 What did it say "That ugly fat git - what a loser - try to trip 'im up will ya" or something? Link to post Share on other sites
curious-georgia 0 Posted March 15, 2003 Share Posted March 15, 2003 Nice article there. As always, it seems nothing can be done right hey? Don't apologise, you get stick. Apologise, you get stick. Can't win. Good luck, anyhows Link to post Share on other sites
green 0 Posted March 18, 2003 Share Posted March 18, 2003 I'm going to Arai next week. Looking forward to seeing the place. Link to post Share on other sites
damian 0 Posted March 18, 2003 Share Posted March 18, 2003 green it is impressive. A nice mountain with lots of space and modern buildings etc. Pray that the conditional zones are open. I have been there plenty of times this year and have really bad luck with the weather, but I reckon it would be my choice of places to be in Nagano (from the places I have been) if the powder was on and the conditional zones open. Oh, and try to take lunch at the top gondola resturant. The offerings at the base are not in proportion in size or quality to the plaza. ps - dont duck any ropes, I hear that they take it very seriously. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted March 18, 2003 Share Posted March 18, 2003 I think Arai is in Niigata... Link to post Share on other sites
damian 0 Posted March 18, 2003 Share Posted March 18, 2003 yes, yes it is. My mistake (obviously). I suppose I mean "in that general area". Hakuba, Nozawa, Arai, Myoko. Link to post Share on other sites
Wizz 11 Posted March 19, 2003 Share Posted March 19, 2003 What about a "Guests Day", with cheaper prices and goodies thrown in too Link to post Share on other sites
wakaran 1 Posted March 20, 2003 Share Posted March 20, 2003 Now that too is a good idea! Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted March 21, 2003 Share Posted March 21, 2003 Come on Blair, time for a response Link to post Share on other sites
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