►    Customer Feedback:   An anonymous customer stated that their general shopping experience with us was Excellent.  Did any of our team members do an unusually good job?  “Joe and Ann, patient, helpful, knowledgeable.”  Did any of our team members do an unusually bad job?  “We don’t need the mug – a discount is better.  I’ll advertise for you by word of mouth, not by using the mug.”  Sales help, operations, communication, and products were all rated Excellent.  “We love the table and chairs.”  What can we do to improve?  “Better discounts.  We appreciate the 20% off teak cleaners and two extra chairs, but the price is scary for chairs and tables.”  What do we do really well?  “Salespeople know their stuff, very professional.”

►    New advertising starts Sunday, January 13:  “The Best of The Best”.  Everything else continues.

►    Happy Birthday Monday to Rebecca.

►    We had 46 One-of-These Awards in December:  11 for customer service, and 13 for teamwork.  Finalists were Patrick (2x), Anne-Marie (2x), Tod, Stephanie, Jim, and Jen.  Owner’s Choice and Drawing winner was Patrick.  Thank you and congratulations to all.

►    Thank you for your ideas on winter jobs.  132 at last count – half of those from Stephanie alone!  So let’s stay busy!  Oh, and a $25 bonus to everyone who submitted their ideas on time.

►    Rose got us some $5 coupons to the 99 when she was buying One-of-These gift certificates.  I’ll leave them on the lunchroom bulletin board.

►    The Above Ground price list changed again on January 9.  We are getting closer to finding out what the three new pools actually offer.

►    We know about the microwave.  We replaced the old one with one that would fit under the shelf, and be easier to access than being in the corner.  Now Jim can’t fit his large coffees with “Extra/Extra” and it takes too long to cook things.  We will buy another one.

►    It’s late, but not too late to get the flu vaccine.

►    Feel free to give away the Seasonal Hand Sanitizer to any customers during the flu season –  not just those making a purchase.  An you should carry one with you, too.

►    More Internet Humor:

–          Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

–          If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?

–          Why do they put braille on the drive-through bank machines?

–          How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road signs?