Laptop Embarrassment No More

Nov

06

2009

I consider myself to have excellent hand eye coordination - I played sports growing up, was great at pinball, pretty good at thumb wrestling, then later arcade, video games, etc. etc. You get the picture.  I am, however, COMPLETELY HOPELESS at using a touch pad or a pointing stick mouse on a laptop computer!  I don't know what it is, but all my efforts of controlling the cursor are absolutely fruitless - I couldn't play mind sweeper with one of those devices if my life depended on it!!  [And, yes, I realize I have dated myself multiple times in this first paragraph]

Soooooo, this little gadget, saves me from TOTAL embarrassment and allows me to be just as productive on-the-go.  AND, the extremely small USB receiver is perfect because unlike older models with a 1-2" stick that protrudes and often bends/breaks, this one is so small and streamlined you will not have that issue.

$50 seems expensive, but if you are someone (or know someone) that uses a laptop often (and they are like me with my lack of pointer finger / thumb coordination) this is a perfect find!  

Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Notebook Mouse - $52 at Sears.com

 
For me, this is a technological must-have gadget!  Now the next thing I need is a convenient way to carry it - it is forever squirting out of my grasp and crashing to the floor (btw - it is ONE TOUGH mouse with the number of dropsI've given it).  Any ideas, let me know!

Social Media “People Watcher” Turns Blogger

Nov

05

2009

I’m SHC-MichelleH. 

A thirty something, mom with one rambunctious 5-year-old daughter, a wonderfully supportive husband, a loving calico cat and a beta fish that fights with rocks. I’m also a budget conscious, working woman in grad school with absolutely no time for myself! I look for great bargains and anything that will make my life a little easier.  

 

I am not really a social media geek as much as I am a social media “people watcher.” I interject into conversations when necessary, but for the most part, I sit back and observe what others are saying. I do have Facebook and Twitter accounts because I love the brevity those mediums provide, but you typically won’t catch me blogging…until now!

 

Sears changed me. I am new to Sears Holdings Corporation (and the MySears Community) and have been an occasional Sears shopper for more than 20 years. While exploring Sears.com my first several weeks here, I realized that Sears provides an extremely robust online shopping experience. I totally appreciate the convenient tools they provide such as TV MatchMaker, Shoe Finder and Appliance Advisor. Anything to make my life a little easier is good news!

 

Check back soon, because I'll be blogging about a lot of interesting things, including life, love and Sears!  

But if you can't wait until then, check out the TV MatchMaker! It will help you find the perfect TV! I love it!

 

 

The Benefits of Blu-ray

Oct

28

2009

 by Kevin Thornley

 

If you are still on the fence about converting to blu-ray now is the perfect time to make the switch.  Sub $150 Blu-ray players will be available the day after Thanksgiving from brands you know like Sony and if you’re not loyal to a particular brand there will be sub $100 players to be had from lesser known brands. 

 

Once you see the difference you will be amazed by the picture in all of its high-definition glory.  Blu-ray discs are superior in every way to DVD for the following reasons:

 

1.   Picture resolution:

Blu-ray has up to 6 times the resolution of standard DVD. 

Blu-ray resolution: 1080P Standard DVD: 480i

 

That means you have 1080 lines of resolution being progressively scanned vs. 480 lines of interlaced scanning – meaning only every other line of resolution is being refreshed at any given time.  It’s an optical illusion – only 240 lines are actually being refreshed and it’s tricking your eyes to make it look like 480 lines.

 

2.   Capacity:

  Blu-ray has up to 5 times the capacity of standard DVD.

 

Picture and sound quality are dependant on “bit-rates”  standard DVD runs at a bit rate of 10 Megabits per second while Blu-ray runs at 48 Megabits per second.  This extra capacity is also used for high-definition bonus features and 7.1 channels of surround sound that could never fit on a standard DVD. 

 

3.   Interactivity:

 

Blu-ray capacity also allows for special features with video pop-ups to appear while the movie is actually playing, so the director’s face might pop-up in a bubble to tell you about a scene while you’re seeing it.  Many blu-rays have interesting tidbits and facts about the production of the movie that will just appear to satisfy the super geeks who want to know everything about their favorite movies.  Many studios also put interactive games on their blu-rays which can enhance the story of the film with their additional content.

 

4.   Durability:

Blu-ray discs have a stronger, denser layer of protective coating than DVD

 

This doesn’t sound like much of an advantage but if you have kids at home that like to use you DVDs as Frisbees this could be your favorite upgrade.   You’re odds of having blu-rays ruined by scratches is far less than with DVD.   

 

Shop Blu-Ray Now

 

PS - If you are a gamer, now is also the best time to upgrade to blu-ray because the PS3 just dropped to $299 and is one of the highest rated blu-ray players on the market.

Gwen's Shopping Blog

Oct

26

2009

 

I've been a long time follower of a few shopping blogs on the internet.  There is something alluring about visiting to see what was found out there on the web - so many cool and interesting (or frankly just insane) products to be found.  Sometimes it is helpful to have someone else find them for YOU; the web is a huge place, and who has the time!?!?!  I know I get cool gift ideas, and a little bit of entertainment in the process - looking at what someone else discovered and recommended, and their comments.

Being a 10+ year Sears Holdings associate, and watching our onlineassortment grow, I thought it would be fun to create my own shopping blog(s) on products found on Sears.com and Kmart.com.  Now, I have nothing to do with Marketing (or anything remotely creative), and I'm not a buyer.  Therefore, I'm very far away from any assortment decisions or sales & marketing campaigns.  I'm very much a computer geek! :)  Also, I've never written a Blog before, and I have much to learn, so please be patient.

Okay.. after those disclosures & caveats, I DO want SHC to succeed, and want EVERYONE to shop Sears.com & Kmart.com.  I hope you find some cool products you didn't know we carried, and that you find it fun! 

Here I go... first product - I will start with someone I have I REALLY love:

ATOMIC PROJECTION WEATHER CLOCK: $62.99 @ sears.com

 
This has to be one of the coolest devices EVER!

1. It's an atomic clock, so no need to set it and it will always be accurate.
2. It has a remote device you can put outside to also capture outside temperature.
3. You can make it project on your ceiling so if you wake up in the middle of the night, -presto-, it's there!!
4. Oh... and it has the usual clock-ish - dual alarm, battery backup, etc. - features as well.

I LOVE projecting the time on the ceiling over my bed - might not be good for those with insomnia (a constant reminder of how time is passing and you still haven't slept a wink), but for me - it is the coolest little gadget!!!

Sparkling Clean Electronics, Every Time

Oct

15

2009

By Anna Kardaras & Lori Eirich

  

I am the first to confess; I clean my TV screens often and until I purchased LCD TVs this past year I honestly did not care what I cleaned my screens with (all we had were CRT TVs and the newest one was 18 years old).  I would clean using a lambs wool duster, paper towels with glass cleaner, damp bath towels, or anything else that was in close proximity to the TV that could be “re-purposed” as something to clean with.

I have cleaned up my act and now clean my flat panel screens with the Clean Dr. (sold at Sears and Kmart for $19.99).  The solution doesn’t contain ammonia or alcohol and easily removes dust, fingerprints and that mysterious gunk TV screens seem to attract without damaging your investment.

When the microfiber cloth is dirty, wash it and let it line dry and it’s ready to be used again.

Don’t stop at the TV screen, the Clean Dr. can also be used to clean your laptop and computer monitors, cell phones, camera lenses and at our house we’ve even used it to clean eye glasses and mirrors.

 

5 Accessories You Won't Want to Forget!

Oct

05

2009

With the holidays coming, everyone has someone on their list that would love a new TV, camera, gaming system, or PC. What everyone fails to add to that list are the key things that make those cool gadgets work to their full potential. Here is a quick guide to help you complete that much anticipated gift:

1. HDMI cables

Did you know that if you don’t use an HDMI cable to hook up your cable or satellite box to the high definition TV, you will not get the best picture? These cables come in a range of lengths and features that will ensure that data transfer from the cable/satellite box to your TV is smoother.

2. Memory cards

If a camera, camcorder or digital picture frame is on your shopping list this year don’t forget that it won’t work long without a memory card. Most cameras will only allow you to take a few pictures before the internal memory is full. For cameras, if you want to take mostly high definition pictures or video, you will need a card with more memory and high transfer speed. This will ensure less time is wasted waiting for all your wonderful holiday pictures to transfer to your computer.

3. Game controller

Game consoles only come with one controller, so unless your recipient wants to play alone, it’s a good idea to get at least one more.

4. Bags and cases

This is a must especially for cameras with multiple lenses, or the traveling PC user. The pro photographer in your life will appreciate having a place to store all the stuff needed to capture that perfect shot, and protect their new gadgets.

5. Batteries

This applies to most toys and gadgets. If the item you buy happened to have batteries, consider charging them early so the gift can be used straight from the box. Use the Battery Finder on sears.com to match up the right one.

Having trouble deciding which battery, cable or memory card to buy? Try 1-800-349-4358 to talk to a Sears Electronics Specialist

Sears Hometown Shop Talk – Shop Your Way

Oct

05

2009

What’s the mark of a superior shopping experience? Is it great customer service from knowledgeable sales people? How about a store with a large selection and a convenient location?  If both are important to you, you’re in luck, because Sears Hometown Stores want you to “Shop Your Way.”  It’s a philosophy where shopping revolves around you 24/7.

 

The in-store experience that you have come to expect in a Sears Hometown Store is even better because it has been integrated with the on-line convenience of sears.com. You can now research and compare products on-line at home on your computer or on-the-go with your mobile phone.  And when you’re ready to buy, your local Hometown Store will have your merchandise ready for pick-up.

 

You will still be able to rely on the personalized customer service in a Sears Hometown Store, and if a product is not carried in-store, your sales person can help you find what you need among the thousands of items sears.com. You can even have it shipped to your home.

 

With so many options available, Sears is offering customers a premier shopping experience. If you’re a regular Hometown Stores shopper, make sure to take advantage of these online options.  If you haven’t shopped a Sears Hometown Store in a while, come back and rediscover a store that revolves around you.

 

Please voice your opinion and leave us a comment and please support your locally owned and operated Sears stores.

 

About Me

 

My name is Steve Swank, and I am the Divisional Vice President of Finance for Sears Off-Mall Formats.  My wife, four kids and I recently relocated to Chicago from Texas when I joined Sears over the summer. We are looking forward to experiencing snow and using our new Craftsman snow thrower that we purchased on sears.com.

 

About Sears Hometown Stores

 

Sears Hometown Stores are two Sears store formats located away from shopping malls. Hometown Store is locally owned and operated Sears stores and Home Appliance Showroom is the leader in home appliance shopping. Our friendly and knowledgeable store owners and showroom managers proudly serve your local community and offer you largest selection of home appliances, tool and lawn and garden equipment, and home electronics, exceptional customer service, best price guaranteed plus credit, delivery, installation and protection agreements.

 

Sears Hometown Stores established in 1993

www.SearsHomeTownStores.com

 

Sears Home Appliance Showroom established in 2007

www.SearsHomeApplianceShowroom.com

 

Sears in Spanish

http://espanol.sears.com

 

 

Sears Hometown Shop Talk – Customer Satisfaction

Oct

02

2009

What do you think about when you are asked about great customer satisfaction? 1) Were you greeted promptly? 2) Were you able to locate the products or services you were looking for? 3) Was the store neat and clean? 4) Quality of the product? I think the number one driver of customer satisfaction is often overlooked by many store managers, business owners, and service providers.

 

All of the above are valid drivers of customer satisfaction, but dedicated, knowledgeable associates are the key. Each one of us is a consumer and we all experience frustration with customer satisfaction from a store manager, business owner, or service provider on a daily basis. These frustrations usually end up driving us away from their place of business. Unfortunately, sometimes we settle for the best of the worst in satisfaction because we have no other options.

 

Imagine if your business had engaged, knowledgeable, and friendly associates! What would that do for your business? Customer surveys attempt to quantify the level of associate engagement, but that responsibility really falls directly on the associates’ supervisor or manager. Do we really spend enough time every day teaching, coaching, and training our associates? We all worry about sales and getting our assigned tasks done. But, how much energy do we put in developing our number one asset – associates?

 

Food for thought. Every business has had a great associate who decided to leave for one reason or another. When the associate leaves, there is a void, which impacts your business. The question I ask is, “Why did that associate leave? How could we have kept them on the team?” In most exit surveys, the number one reason quoted is not salary or benefits or work environment or schedule. It is “how I am treated by my immediate supervisor.” The simple answer to retain associates is to make sure you treat them with respect, listen to their ideas, and teach, coach, and train them every opportunity you get.

 

I started with Sears in 1971 as a tire installer in a small store in New Rochelle, NY where I was born and raised. A little known fact about me is that I have only received a W2 from one company, Sears! I have had many assignments and in almost every case I’ve been fortunate to work with teams that are passionate about our business and care about our associates! When I first started out as a Division Manager, I definitely had different priorities than today. I had four young children involved with lots of activities and a house to maintain on a limited budget. So, I made two requests of my boss. First was to make sure my paycheck was accurate and on-time and second was to have a flexible work schedule (so I can be a part of my children’s lives while working a 50+ hour work week). Obviously, my managers delivered and I, in turn, delivered by working extremely hard to meet or exceed Sears’ expectations.

 

If we look at each associate and take the time to understand and meet their needs, we will develop great associates who in turn will keep our customers coming back to us!

 

Please voice your opinion and leave us a comment and please support your locally owned and operated Sears stores.

About Me

My name is Jim Flynn. I am the Divisional Vice President, Operations and Process for Sears Hometown Stores, LLC.

 

About Sears Hometown Stores

 

Sears Hometown Stores are two Sears store formats located away from shopping malls. Hometown Store is locally owned and operated Sears stores and Home Appliance Showroom is the leader in home appliance shopping. Our friendly and knowledgeable store owners and showroom managers proudly serve your local community and offer you largest selection of home appliances, tool and lawn and garden equipment, and home electronics, exceptional customer service, best price guaranteed plus credit, delivery, installation and protection agreements.

 

Sears Hometown Stores established in 1993

www.SearsHomeTownStores.com

 

Sears Home Appliance Showroom established in 2007

www.SearsHomeApplianceShowroom.com

 

Sears in Spanish

http://espanol.sears.com

   

Sears Hometown Shop Talk – New Store Openings

Oct

01

2009

This is an exciting time of year for Hometown Stores. Not only are we on the verge of the holiday selling season, but this is when new store openings hit a frenzied pace. Not sure why it happens, but every year we peak around now. If all goes according to plan, we will open an average of two stores a week from here until the end of the year. The challenges abound, but getting stores open on time and under budget is what our New Store Team does best. We know each one is special and unique to the owner and their community and we treat it that way. Despite having been involved with hundreds of store openings, the excitement, the anticipation, the anxiety…and the sound of the register ringing…is still a thrill! (Those who’ve been there know what I’m talking about.)

Working part time at Sears in Brockton, MA during high school, it would have been hard to envision where my career would take me or how the company would evolve. I’ve had the good fortune to work with incredibly talented people and live in some great places (I’ve got to tell you, Chicago is nice, but it doesn’t compare to Newport, RI or Hyannis, MA).  For the last 16 years, I’ve been involved in business development, having worked with Homelife Furniture, The Great Indoors, and Sears Home Appliance Showrooms. But growing Hometown Stores has proved to be the most exciting. With over 200 new stores opened in the last four years…obviously this is a winning format!

One thing that sets this business apart is the way we operate. The organization is lean and empowered. Team members are talented and accountable. We measure results in days- not weeks or months. New ideas are welcomed (actually required) and processes regularly reviewed and amended…change is a constant. All of this allows us to move, adapt and execute fast while ensuring a high degree of quality and consistency. When combined with the energy and enthusiasm of our owners, it doesn’t get any better for people who thrive on this sort of stuff.

 

If you’re able and can spare the time, please support locally owned and operated Sears stores.

About Me

My name is Peter Nero. I am the Director of New Stores for Sears Hometown Stores, LLC. I have two kids and have pretty much worked for Sears forever.

 

About Sears Hometown Stores

 

Sears Hometown Stores are two Sears store formats located away from shopping malls. Hometown Store is locally owned and operated Sears stores and Home Appliance Showroom is the leader in home appliance shopping. Our friendly and knowledgeable store owners and showroom managers proudly serve your local community and offer you largest selection of home appliances, tool and lawn and garden equipment, and home electronics, exceptional customer service, best price guaranteed plus credit, delivery, installation and protection agreements.

 

Sears Hometown Stores established in 1993

www.SearsHomeTownStores.com

 

Sears Home Appliance Showroom established in 2007

www.SearsHomeApplianceShowroom.com \

 

Sears in Spanish

http://espanol.sears.com

  

Sears Hometown Shop Talk – Take a Little Raford with You

Sep

30

2009

Most people will read this title and think to themselves, what could “take a little Raford with you” possibly mean? To me, it is personal reminder of how important the customer is in retail.  It is easy to get caught up in the daily activities or running a retail store or working for a large corporation and forget about the most important asset that any retailer has.  It is not the inventory, the store location, the land or even the brand image, it is the customer.

 

On my first trip to Northern California with my wife some years ago, we were stumbling through the Russian River valley with no real plan.  It was a fly by the seat of your pants vacation, no plans, we will figure out as we go along.   Looking for a place to stay one night, we stumbled upon a bed & breakfast with a couple of palm tress in the front yard and I said “we have to go in here”.

 

Well, needless to say,   that was my first Raford House experience and now I cannot go to California without a stay there.  The inn is always neatly kept and clean, not fancy, but not shabby by any means.   The difference that this inn has over any other in the area is the innkeepers, Rita and Dane.  Both go out of their way to make sure every guest in their home is comfortable.  They make you feel as though you are one of the family and not simply a patron who is paying to stay there.

In the morning, Rita makes one of the best breakfasts that you will have and Dane is always there to greet the guests and to talk about what plans they may have for the day before he heads off to work.   He makes sure everyone has directions to where they are going and points out the best place to stop for lunch, wine or if you want to canoe on the Russian River.  The thing that stands out the most to me is this: Before Dane leaves and the guests head out on their daily adventures, Dane gathers Rita in front of the fireplace, thanks everyone for spending part of their vacation with them, wishes everyone a great day full of fun and exploration, and for those who have to leave and go home to make sure and “take a little Raford with you” wherever you go.

 

All departing guests are given a special gift when they leave. It is not a 10% off coupon for your next stay or a bottle of wine; it is a large bear hug from Dane.  Many people have probably read Jack Mitchell’s book, “Hug Your Customer”.  I would venture to say that Dane has not read Jack’s book nor did he go to business school to learn the theories of customer satisfaction and the best methods for customer retention.   It is the simply the theory of making a personal connection with every customer and making them feel special.  It is as simple as thanking every customer who decides to walk through your door, even if they are not buying, and make them feel as though they are the most important asset that you have. Help all of your customers “take a little Raford with them” as they leave your store.

 

I would like to hear about a customer service experience that was above and beyond what you expected.  Please reply to this blog post and let me know about your experience

About Me

 

My name is Jon Phillips. I am the Director of Field Business Development for the Sears Hometown Stores. I look forward to hearing about your great customer service experiences.

 

About Sears Hometown Stores

 

Sears Hometown Stores are two Sears store formats located away from shopping malls. Hometown Store is locally owned and operated Sears stores and Home Appliance Showroom is the leader in home appliance shopping. Our friendly and knowledgeable store owners and showroom managers proudly serve your local community and offer you largest selection of home appliances, tool and lawn and garden equipment, and home electronics, exceptional customer service, best price guaranteed plus credit, delivery, installation and protection agreements.

 

Sears Hometown Stores established in 1993

www.SearsHomeTownStores.com

 

Sears Home Appliance Showroom established in 2007

www.SearsHomeApplianceShowroom.com

 

Sears in Spanish

http://espanol.sears.com