January 30, 2016
► Happy Birthday to Thomas on January 29, Paul on January 30, and to Connie on February 2.
► Customer Feedback: Customer Susan S., from Auburn, MA stated that her general shopping experience with us was Good. “Brands – Telescope/Homecrest. Fabric selection.” Did any of our team members do an unusually good job? “Ann placed an order for the correct umbrella pole I needed (bar height) and received today! Thanks.” Did any of our team members do an usually bad job? “Not really. Cliff saved me some money showing me some floor samples, which I bought.” Sales help was rated Excellent. “Know the scoop on everything patio furniture!” Operations and communication were both rated Good. “Phoned me when order was complete.” She would recommend us to a friend. “Fair prices, good quality.” What can we do to improve? “I was concerned about 3rd party delivery. Shouldn’t have been, they were excellent.” What do we do really well? “Know your products.”
► All new advertising, specials, department promotions start Sunday, January 31: “Relax at Home”
► There were 37 One-of-These Awards for December; 10 for Customer Service. Finalists were Jim (twice), Kristine, Stephanie, and Joe. Owner’s Choice was Jim, and the Drawing winner was Kristine.
► Reminder: we have a Cue and Table Care guide, that you give away with every cue and every pool table sold. You hand it to the customer buying cues, when you give them the Seasonal pocket chalk, at the cash register. You clip it to the pool table contract (along with the Olhausen warranty if appropriate) when you sell a table. That’s what you always do, right?
► During the winter, please park closer to the street or T.G.I. Fridays, so it’s easier for potential customers to see that we are open. Use customer spaces, make it look like we have a lot of customers.
► The Above Ground Pool Clearance on the back of the sale sheet has changed. The Cayman pools are no longer on clearance – they are no longer discontinued. The Orion is now $300 off instead of $200 off.
► From Anne-Marie: Reminder – everyone should watch the safety DVD’s if you have not already done so. Thank you.
► From the Coffee News:
Robot baby: Masayoshi Kanoh, a professor and Chukyo University in Japan, invented a small robot called a Babyloid. The robot is a little bundle shaped like a baby, with a simple, round face and wide-set eyes. It has sensors that detect things in the environment, such as movement, temperature and pressure. This robot can make over 100 sounds. For example, it can cry, and when rocked will coo with delight. The Babyloid was tested in nursing homes in Japan and was found to decrease depression and stress. The theory is that the older people feel useful when “nurturing” Babyloid.
► That’s Outrageous! from the Reader’s Digest:
…Your feelings are easily hurt. A Good Samaritan noticed an elderly man being robbed, so he jumped in and punched the thief. The thief was so upset, he called the police to complain.