On September 11th, 2008, Theresa Phillips’s 2-year old granddaughter, Averi Stitzer, was diagnosed with Leukemia.  A website called smilingaveri.org was created to help provide financial assistance to Averi’s family for all of the medical treatment & related expenses that they will incur. Under links, just click on: The Averi Stitzer Medical Care Trust and from there you can either mail a donation to the address listed or click on the averistitzer.eventbrite.com to donate right through paypal!  Let’s all help out if we can and keep beautiful Averi and her family in our thoughts and prayers!

The Rough and Tumbler test, which entailed filling carry-on suitcases until they weighed 20-25 lbs and tumbling them up to 1,000 times, is among one of the tests done by Consumer Reports. The tests determined which of 12 brand suitcases were the toughest of travelers. The chart to the left determined what was found in terms of durability, capacity and convenience.

The bottom line is, Tumi was rated best overall with more room than most brands! Highest in quality and price, the Tumi Alpha 22″ Carry-On costs $595. It was also determined that there are other brands that cost less and are still good quality but didn’t perform as well in every test category. It comes down to your preference and price range as to what bag is perfect for your needs. So don’t overlook the Victorinox NXT, Hartmann Stratum and Briggs & Riley Baseline or any of the other top carry-ons!

Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Carol Burnett.  Enjoy.

For the Annual Robinson Luggage-Luggage Online Holiday Party

Saturday November 29th

Sheraton Society Hill Hotel

We’re doing things a bit differently this year, so stay tuned for your formal invite!

A lot of airlines have been changing their fees and policies and it’s the latest buzz in travel news.  So we wanted to gather everyone’s opinions on their favorite and least favorite airline and why?  Please give us some of your thoughts. Make sure that you comment by Tuesday September 16th.

1) What is your Favorite airline? and why?

2) What is your Least Favorite airline? and why?

picture by AMagill

Congratulations to Jen and Jason on their newborn baby boy, Nicholas Jason Ceasare.  Nicholas was born Saturday 9/6 at 2:46pm weighing 7lbs 3oz and measuring 21.5″ long.  Nicholas, Jen and Jason are all home and doing well!  We all wish you the best of luck and can’t wait to see pictures. 

On Friday 8/22 Mia Rose was born to proud parents Toni and Eric Bolis. Sorry, I don’t have the exact time, weight or other details…I’m a guy! If I know Toni and Eric, there will be thousands of pictures to share within a couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

-Tim

Effective employee onboarding has a positive domino effect: it ensures that new hires feel welcome and prepared in their new positions, in turn giving them the confidence and resources to make an impact within the organization, and ultimately allowing the company to continue carrying out its mission.

The 10 Commandments of Onboarding

Rules to live – and work – by for a divine onboarding experience.

1. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy employee. Few things are more disappointing than the realization that the job you thought you were hired to do is sorely different than what you’re actually doing. As an employer, misrepresenting your employee’s new role destroys trust in you immediately, after which no amount of orientation efforts can undo the initial damage.
2. Thou shalt give a written plan of employee objectives and responsibilities. A written plan detailing objectives, strategy and expectations of future results helps diminish any confusion about a new employee’s job functions and instead opens up the floor to discuss concerns or new opportunities.
3. Thou shalt give thy employ thy undivided attention. Letting email, phone calls or other employees distract you during orientation sessions sends the message, “I’m just not that into you” and kills morale. Prepare a checklist of subjects to review with your new employees, set aside the appropriate amount of time to do it, and let others know that you are not to be interrupted while you are orienting your new workers. This gives new employees the message that they are the most important item on your agenda. (Or: this lets new employees know that…)

Continue reading article at CareerBuilder.com

1. Stop helping the customer!

Sounds counterintuitive, but here’s the deal: It’s not a helper/helped vibe you’re going for. You want it to feel like a collaborative effort based on mutual respect. Avoid slipping into that “Mac guy” persona—the overly likeable know-it-all played by Justin Long, who’s so effortlessly hip and helpful that you sort of want to push him under a bus.

One way to lose the irritating “helper” mannerism is by realizing that customers are helping you more than you’re helping them. After all, customer feedback helps your company grow. Hang on your customer’s every helpful word. Marvel at their observations. Make them feel like an insider. Then show them your gratitude by accommodating them like crazy.

You’ve just made a friend for life—by letting them help you.

2. Live in a fantasy world

Pretend that your customer is really your company’s CEO in disguise—how would you act differently? Imagine it’s your mom or your friend on the other end. What kind of preferential treatment would you give them? Start giving that same treatment to everyone!

Now, fantasize that your customer is an unsung hero—perhaps a benevolent double agent who recently risked her life to save the world from nuclear destruction. She works two jobs to support her nine kids and ailing grandmother, plus she spends weekends saving puppies and kittens, and entertaining sick children in a Bolivian hospital. She does all this… and right now she needs your help.

With this sort of fantasy in mind, your service should be nothing short of fantastic.

Read the entire article here

The Wii/iTouch Contest ended yesterday and we saw some tight races and great results.  Below are the winners:

Cherry Hill – Melissa Romer, $5,791 in sales

Center City – Deborah Sapp - $6,943 in sales

Yardley – Kelly Bowne - $5,585 in sales

Paoli – AJ - $6,913 in sales

Jenkintown – Diana - $5,038 in sales

Haverford – Aaron Alexander - $7,699 in sales

5 Wiis and 1 iTouch for the winners will be delivered in August!

Thanks again for letting us run this.  I think it worked well and the associates all had fun.  Have a great weekend!

Kevin

______________________
Kevin Deutsch
Regional Account Manager
Victorinox Travel Gear
Phone - (201) 320-3743
Fax - (866) 615-3305