The Wishing Bridge by Viola Shipman

Author:Viola Shipman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Graydon House Books
Published: 2023-08-31T20:19:25+00:00

20

December 19

If you think Santa’s elves are busy this time of year, you should see Wegner’s fulfillment center.

Phones are buzzing, envelopes are being stuffed, catalogs labeled, and ornaments are secured in Bubble Wrap and placed in boxes that are sealed with shipping tape.

“Wow!” I say to Finn and my father.

It is the Christmas epicenter—Santa’s hotline—for the store’s catalog, shipping and website fulfillment.

“We mail nearly three million wish catalogs every year,” my father says over the noise. He picks one up and taps the cover. “You’re our cover girl.”

My face flushes.

“Yeah,” Finn says, “for some reason we featured the woman who wanted us to end the wish catalogs.” He gives me a pointed look.

“It’s a big expense,” I say, defensively.

“Nearly three-quarters of our online orders are a result of the catalog,” my father points out.

“I was obviously wrong,” I say. “I’m not always perfect. Sorry.”

“We ship over a quarter million packages around the world each year,” my dad says, “and they are all handled in-house. I’m very proud of that. Would it be cheaper to have a site like Amazon handle all of our fulfillment? Yes. But we are not Amazon. We never want to be Amazon. I want our customers to know that we personally oversee each and every order.”

“I understand completely,” I say, “but...”

“Butt out,” Finn says.

“Finn!” my father warns.

“I know she’s got some idea up her sleeve that will end up costing people their jobs,” he says.

I pick up a wish catalog along with a small box.

“Have you ever considered implementing mail processing automation?” I ask.

“What do you mean?” my dad asks, skeptically.

“It automates the process of sending letters and packages,” I explain. “It reads and sorts incoming mail. It would significantly reduce inefficient, labor-intensive mail flow, like the wish catalogs.”

“Here she goes.” Finn rolls his eyes.

“Yes, here I go, Finn! I’m sorry, but there are a lot of antiquated systems still in place here that are costing us a lot of money.”

“Us?” Finn asks. “Is there a mouse in your pocket?”

No, a rat.

“Stop it!” my dad says. “Henri has some good ideas. Business has been her life, Finn.”

“And Wegner’s has been my life, Dad! I think it’s time you remember that!”

Finn storms off.

“I’m sorry, Dad.” I sigh. “I didn’t intend for this to happen. You asked for my thoughts. After speaking with Barb the other day, I just wanted to be as honest as I can.”

Liar.

“Finn will be fine. He’s just a little sensitive that you’re home and full of ideas. You two have always had a bit of a quiet rivalry. Go on. I want to hear more.”

“You’d save time and money, Dad,” I say. “It would be an investment up front to automate and retrain, but many of these workers who are spending their days sorting and mailing could be placed on the floor or in the call center to make money for the store, and we could put the extra dollars into public relations, marketing and social media. People are obsessed with Christmas. I

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