June 28, 2014

►    Customer Feedback:   A Seasonal Specialty Stores Report Card rated general shopping experience as “excellent”, stating that “Seth was very helpful in explaining hot tubs to us.”  When asked if any of our team members did an unusually good job, they replied “Seth in helping us with our selection (he spent a lot of time with us)—Patrick for spending over an hour on phone with us when we had trouble getting hot tub to run. Also Mia was helpful.”  Sales help, Operations, Communications, and product performance were all rated as excellent. When asked what we can improve, they said “You are doing a good job!” Not surprisingly, they think we do “customer service” really well.

►    All new advertising, pool supply sales, weekly specials, and department sales starts Sunday June 29: Hot Midsummer Clearance. July’s color is ivory.

►    Note: We started a few July clearance specials early: Automatic Pool Cleaners, Gas Heaters, and Heat Pumps are already on ivory signs.

►    Store hours change Tuesday July 1: We close weekdays at 8:00 now. PLEASE be careful when people call for store hours. Please also change the front door signs Saturday June 28. Better people think that we are closed at 8 on Monday than think we are open until 9 on Tuesday. Also, we are CLOSED on Friday July 4th.

►    Current Summer Events:

         June 29:  Grill Demonstration: Saber R50CC & Saffire 18” smoker:  11AM – 2PM

         July 1-3:  FREE Independence Day Gifts while supplies last.

         July 1:  Summer store hours start:  Mon – Fri 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

         July 4:  CLOSED ~ Happy Independence Day.

          July 5:  Kenny’s Birthday:  FREE birthday cake in the coffee shop while supplies last.

         July 12:  Mia’s Birthday:  FREE birthday cake in the coffee shop, while supplies last.

►    Don’t miss our Safety Reward Party at Kimball Farm on Saturday, August 16. Think Cajun, teriyaki or BBQ grilled chicken, top sirloin burgers and cheeseburgers, veggie burgers, ¼ lb all beef hot dogs, grilled marinated veggie skewers, red bliss potato salad, fresh corn on the cob, watermelon and unlimited regular beverages (soda, lemonade, iced tea and bottled water). A separate, full, cash bar will also be available.

►    Lunch Saturday June 28 is courtesy of Accucare; suppliers of Target Super Shock and much more. We are trying something new: a taco bar from Moe’s Southwest Grill.

►    Happy birthday to Kenny on July 2!

►    Weekly Fire Alarm Tip:

Once outside, assistant managers should perform all other tasks from there. Never re-enter!! At the gazebo:

Give the MSDS books to someone with instructions to hand them over to the fire department when they arrive.

Assign someone to check on employees assisting customers leaving at the main and patio exit.

Assign someone to unlock the gates at the solarium so people can get out of the yard, if necessary.

Assign someone to check the exterior doors from the outside for closure.

Assign someone to unlock the back gate if needed.

Fire alarm procedures are tested once a quarter.  Your score on this test plays a part in the amount of your quarterly bonus.  A complete answer key is returned with each graded test.  If you would like another copy, please ask Jen!!

►    Matt Young liked us and you so much he wants to come back (and buy you lunch again) Saturday, July 12!

►    We have changed the price on stock hot tub covers to be $100 lower than in the past.

►    Quarterly reviews have been delayed by a week or two. We will probably change our schedule to make some semi-annual, and to have only a few due in June.

►    Reminder: You do NOT write on the Tip Jar list. You give me the tip with a note and I do it. A good way to remember is by what it says on the bottom of the list:

Give money to Dennis with a note as to who and why.  Dennis will add it to this list.

►    I put a photo in the lunchroom of Jenna I. with her mother Laura in front of their 20’ Oceanic pool with deck and fence. I worked on this project for Make-A-Wish for a very long time—including becoming the New Hampshire distributor for Aqua Creek handicap lifts. Al from Pools By Us Plus installed the pool and deck last week.

►    A woman gets on a bus with her baby. The bus driver says: “Ugh, that’s the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen!” The woman walks to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming. She says to a man next to her: “The driver just insulted me!” The man says: “You go up there and tell him off. Go on, I’ll hold your monkey for you.”