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The mistake I made that made me lose the catering agency was a startup had ordered food with instructions that basically said something like "please leave fish

The mistake I made that made me lose the catering agency was a startup had ordered food with instructions that basically said something like "please leave fish sauce out, someone is allergic". I took that as only one person was and brought a side of fish sauce for the other employees. I did specifically mention that I understood that someone was allergic when I delivered the food but that the side of fish sauce was for anyone else that might have wanted it. The customer told the agency and I was canned. To be fair, in hindsight that was a stupid mistake that could have been pretty bad. The agency has been great and I don't fault them at all. In the past I've had other minor mistakes like being a little late on delivery. I talked to the CEO of the catering company but he didn't want to over step and I understood. At this point I don't believe it is something salvageable.

gommm 14y ago
How is this a mistake? If the side of fish sauce was clearly marked that's what I'd expect, it's not because one employee has a food allergy that everyone should go without.
- larrys 14y ago
  Either: Must have been more than that or the culmination of many errors. -or- These catering agencies are so mercurial that that's just not an effective channel of distribution -or- That particular catering agency perhaps has other issues and satayco would have lost them anyway. Hence the "can't rescue the relationships" (realizes it's an abusive relationship so to speak).
  - Sataysfied 14y ago
    Honestly, I don't fault the agency. Although I did not mention their name, if anything was wrong, it was probably my fault. I relayed as much and as honestly of the story from my point of view as I can. At this point, I'm putting everything on the table. It may not seem like it but this is an insanely difficult thing for me to even write or admit publicly with my name out there. I don't want to place blame on anyone. At the end of the day, the mistakes were mine and any big or small mistakes along the way (serious or not) does not change the situation. I can only learn and hope to move forward.
    - sigkill 14y ago
      >It may not seem like it but this is Trust me, we know. Most of us here have our own thing going on, and we know that terrible sinking feeling. The feeling that you've disappointed your friends, family, the whole world even. I also know how terrible of a place it is to be. And putting your name to it is much harder. I don't really have any advice because I don't think I'm qualified enough on this topic. But I will say this, stay strong. This is not the end of the world. Your family and friends will not stop talking to you, they will not estrange you, insult you, humiliate you or anything like that. What ever thoughts arise, they are all in your head. Make sure you have enough personal savings to tide you over, and please stay strong.
      - Sataysfied 14y ago
        Thank you for the kind words. I am definitely going through a stressful time right now and yes you are right that I have an aching feeling of huge disappointment of the people that has supported me along the way and customers that lover our food. I know the biggest way to solve that is getting out there and connecting with people about our food and our story. I already got a tremendous amount of advice on this thread. so its really about taking massive action. I'll do my best to turn things around, be strong and have the faith to keep going.
- jhull 14y ago
  the person in charge of ordering must really hate fish sauce and made the final decision.
gte910h 14y ago
The agency fired you so they'd keep the account. What you did was perfectly fine. If someone has enough of an allergy that the closed side of fish sauce would hurt someone, they have to say that, and ask for special prep.

gommm 14y ago

How is this a mistake? If the side of fish sauce was clearly marked that's what I'd expect, it's not because one employee has a food allergy that everyone should go without.

larrys 14y ago
Either: Must have been more than that or the culmination of many errors. -or- These catering agencies are so mercurial that that's just not an effective channel of distribution -or- That particular catering agency perhaps has other issues and satayco would have lost them anyway. Hence the "can't rescue the relationships" (realizes it's an abusive relationship so to speak).
- Sataysfied 14y ago
  Honestly, I don't fault the agency. Although I did not mention their name, if anything was wrong, it was probably my fault. I relayed as much and as honestly of the story from my point of view as I can. At this point, I'm putting everything on the table. It may not seem like it but this is an insanely difficult thing for me to even write or admit publicly with my name out there. I don't want to place blame on anyone. At the end of the day, the mistakes were mine and any big or small mistakes along the way (serious or not) does not change the situation. I can only learn and hope to move forward.
  - sigkill 14y ago
    >It may not seem like it but this is Trust me, we know. Most of us here have our own thing going on, and we know that terrible sinking feeling. The feeling that you've disappointed your friends, family, the whole world even. I also know how terrible of a place it is to be. And putting your name to it is much harder. I don't really have any advice because I don't think I'm qualified enough on this topic. But I will say this, stay strong. This is not the end of the world. Your family and friends will not stop talking to you, they will not estrange you, insult you, humiliate you or anything like that. What ever thoughts arise, they are all in your head. Make sure you have enough personal savings to tide you over, and please stay strong.
    - Sataysfied 14y ago
      Thank you for the kind words. I am definitely going through a stressful time right now and yes you are right that I have an aching feeling of huge disappointment of the people that has supported me along the way and customers that lover our food. I know the biggest way to solve that is getting out there and connecting with people about our food and our story. I already got a tremendous amount of advice on this thread. so its really about taking massive action. I'll do my best to turn things around, be strong and have the faith to keep going.
jhull 14y ago
the person in charge of ordering must really hate fish sauce and made the final decision.

gte910h 14y ago

The agency fired you so they'd keep the account. What you did was perfectly fine. If someone has enough of an allergy that the closed side of fish sauce would hurt someone, they have to say that, and ask for special prep.