January 31, 2015

►    Advertising and weekly specials change Sunday, February 1st:  “Relax at Home”. This month’s color is purple.  The only department promotions that change a lot, are Hot Tubs and Game Tables.  There are also some new sales in Patio Furniture and Bars.

►    Customer Feedback:  Customer Gina S. for Rita S., from Nashua, NH stated that her general shopping experience with us was Excellent.  “Everyone is helpful.  If one person doesn’t have an answer, they find someone who does.”  Did any of our team members do an unusually good job?  “No individuals.  They are all consistently helpful.”  Sales help, operations, and product performance were all rated Excellent.  “They always have or find solutions to problems.  All are pleasant and courteous.”  Communication was rated Good.  What can we do to improve?  “Post names and number of pool maintenance people, with a supply of their business cards.”  What do we do really well?  “Great products and staff.”

►    Jeanne update.  She has gained a great deal of strength since they changed her pain medication last week.  We have met with visiting nurses and home aides.  I hope to have some people hired to cover for me on some sort of a schedule so that I can predict how and when I come in.  Currently, Jeanne feels much better than she did a month ago.  To see her and talk to her, you would never believe that she was as sick as the doctors say.  I have set up a web page to keep up with her progress: www.CaringBridge.org.  Search for Jeanne Larssen, and register your email address in order to enter her section.

►    Help Wanted – Know anyone who would make a really good salesperson for us, who could sell hot tubs, patio furniture, etc?  We want to hire a couple of people soon.  Give them an application.

►       News of the Weird from the Hippo: Sweden’s foul-smelling canned herring (surstromming) inexplicably raises passions among some traditionalists – which is why it was big news in February when a man found a bulging tin whose contents had been fermenting for about 25 years and reckoned he needed help to “disarm” it, lest it “explode” and damage his cabin.  Ruben Madsen of Sweden’s  Surstromming Academy agreed to attend the can-opening and assured the man that spewing, not explosion, was the likely outcome.

►    Internet Humor: Judge:  I don’t understand why you broke into the same store three nights in a row.  Prisoner:  Well, your Honor, I picked out a dress for my wife, and I had to change it twice because she didn’t like the style.