To contact us Click HERE
Exactly one month from now we will be in Mississippi!!! I cannot believe how quickly this trip is approaching! It seems like only yesterday that we were all applying. I am so very blessed to have this opportunity to travel all the way across the country, but the reality of the situation in Mississippi has really just started to hit me. During our last meeting we learned more about how the oil spill and recent natural disasters have effected the economy of Biloxi, and we also focused on how day to day life in Mississippi is different from our lives in New England. It is intimidating thinking about travelling to a place that is so different, but I know that the work we will be doing there will make a difference!
In addition to helping the people of Mississippi, I cannot wait to get to know the other members of the ASB group better! During the meetings I have come to know each member of our group a little better, but I know that living and working together during spring break will bring us even closer. From the limited time we have spent together I can already tell that these people all have huge hearts, and I feel honored and excited to take this incredible journey with them!
Get ready Mississippi, FSU ASB is coming for you just one short month from now!!
-Molly Buckley
Class of 2015
25 Şubat 2013 Pazartesi
24 Days, 8 Hours, 30 Minutes ...But Who's Counting?
To contact us Click HERE
Now that we have less than a month left until we leave forBiloxi, MS, I still don’t think it has quite set in that in a matter of weeks, weare off to do something amazing. I have never had the opportunity toparticipate in such a significant service project, and for that I am trulygrateful. The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill is considered to be the largestaccidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry and it’shard to believe that it has been almost three years since oil began gushinginto the Gulf of Mexico, causing one of the worst ecological disasters of ourtime. I have no doubt that the effects of this oil spill will be feltnationwide for many years to come. Today, I see the BP commercials on TVencouraging people to come to the Gulf Coast, as business owners in that areaare trying to restore a sense of normality that hasn’t been felt since beforethe oil spill. Although there is not much media coverage on the long-termeffects of the oil spill, people in the Gulf region are suffering, and I takecomfort in the fact that we will be able to play a role, however small it maybe, in helping a region that has been battered by numerous natural disastersget back on its feet.
Aside from the more serious aspect of our trip, I would alsolike to express how grateful I am to have met such an amazing group of peoplehere at FSU. This year’s ASB trip members are some of the friendliest and most compassionatepeople I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and although I haven’t had theopportunity to get to know everyone, I do look forward to becoming closer withevery member of our group before, during, and after the trip. Like most of us,I can’t wait to leave for Biloxi and I couldn’t ask for a better group ofpeople to be embarking on this journey with.
Nevin Lorden
Aside from the more serious aspect of our trip, I would alsolike to express how grateful I am to have met such an amazing group of peoplehere at FSU. This year’s ASB trip members are some of the friendliest and most compassionatepeople I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and although I haven’t had theopportunity to get to know everyone, I do look forward to becoming closer withevery member of our group before, during, and after the trip. Like most of us,I can’t wait to leave for Biloxi and I couldn’t ask for a better group ofpeople to be embarking on this journey with.
Nevin Lorden
Too bad we can't roast him...
To contact us Click HERE
Ellen wanted to do a "project" this weekend. This is what she came up with. We both worked on him. I drew the body and she cut it out. She cut out the brown wings and did the gluing.
She insisted I take a picture of her with it and post it on my blog.
Voila!
Ellen and her turkey. I think she's going to put him up in her bedroom window. She only wanted 2 blue feathers. Only she knows why.
Ellen wanted to do a "project" this weekend. This is what she came up with. We both worked on him. I drew the body and she cut it out. She cut out the brown wings and did the gluing.
She insisted I take a picture of her with it and post it on my blog.
Voila!
Ellen and her turkey. I think she's going to put him up in her bedroom window. She only wanted 2 blue feathers. Only she knows why.
Makin' a List
To contact us Click HERE
Way back when I still lived in Portland, I remember my wry, eye-rolling amusement at my sister-in-law for her lists. She lived her life by lists and her day-runner (Blackberries and iPads and other such high-tech organizational helps not having been invented yet); grocery, errands, church activities, school activities...etc. You name it, she had a list for it.
At that time I lived such a simple life I thought it was all hilarious.
Times have changed.
Not that I don't live a simple life now, and I am still terribly disorganized.
But I find that a running list helps me to get things done. Hubby always has a running list of things to do.
We, hubby and I, are alike in that we use no high-tech gadgets for our list keeping. Not even a day-runner. We specialize in random slips of paper; stuffed in pockets, lying around on tables, counters or chairs.
It certainly helps me focus my activites to get things accomplished; even the simplest weekly house chores. I write them down and then cross them off when I have finished. At the end of the day or week I have a better sense of accomplishment.
Someday Ellen will probably be rolling her eyes at me, but that's all good. I bet anything she will start making lists by time she is in middle school.
Ha.
At that time I lived such a simple life I thought it was all hilarious.
Times have changed.
Not that I don't live a simple life now, and I am still terribly disorganized.
But I find that a running list helps me to get things done. Hubby always has a running list of things to do.
We, hubby and I, are alike in that we use no high-tech gadgets for our list keeping. Not even a day-runner. We specialize in random slips of paper; stuffed in pockets, lying around on tables, counters or chairs.
It certainly helps me focus my activites to get things accomplished; even the simplest weekly house chores. I write them down and then cross them off when I have finished. At the end of the day or week I have a better sense of accomplishment.
Someday Ellen will probably be rolling her eyes at me, but that's all good. I bet anything she will start making lists by time she is in middle school.
Ha.
"There aren't any more Indians...are there?"
To contact us Click HERE
Last night Ellen decided to watch this movie, again...
When we first got it, a few months ago, she wasn't very impressed with it; if you have seen it you realize that much of the interaction on it is non-verbal. The horse narrates the movie to a certain extent, but the horses do not talk to each other. In that way it makes it a bit above a 5 yr old's enjoyment, although there are sections where Ellen laughs.
I haven't actually sat down and watched the movie through seamlessly; but Ellen has watched it enough and I have caught the majority of it to where I enjoy it, too.
But last night she surprised me.
After it was over she turned toward me and asked; "There aren't any more Indians, are there?"
This necessitated the discussion; "Well, Ellen, you have an aunt and an uncle who are Native American Indian." And I attempted to explain in the simplest way I could the difference between 1800s Native Americans and modern Native Americans, but I dunno how much of it she took in.
At any rate, I knew exactly what she meant because I distinctly remember asking my father the same exact question back when I was about 8 or 9 years old. And I equally remember his astonished reaction and his amusement; "But your brother and sister and their mom's family are all Indians!" (This was my dad's first wife.)
Well, yes, I'd known that, but, but, but... Even at nine years old I felt the poignancy of a civilization lost, a lifestyle decimated. As far as I was concerned my brother and sister and their brand of Indian were about as unromantic as I could imagine. I wanted Natives that wore breechclouts and warpaint, sent up smoke signals and galloped bareback across the prairies in search of buffalo. A brother who drove cars and a sister who wore modern makeup, used curling irons and wore high heels just didn't cut the mustard.
And now, at almost-age-6 my own daughter has asked the same question. And I have to wonder if somehow a youngster of these tender years can catch that same poignancy from this film.
Spirit gained his freedom and wild mustangs still roam free to a certain extent, but what about the Lakota?
When we first got it, a few months ago, she wasn't very impressed with it; if you have seen it you realize that much of the interaction on it is non-verbal. The horse narrates the movie to a certain extent, but the horses do not talk to each other. In that way it makes it a bit above a 5 yr old's enjoyment, although there are sections where Ellen laughs.
I haven't actually sat down and watched the movie through seamlessly; but Ellen has watched it enough and I have caught the majority of it to where I enjoy it, too.
But last night she surprised me.
After it was over she turned toward me and asked; "There aren't any more Indians, are there?"
This necessitated the discussion; "Well, Ellen, you have an aunt and an uncle who are Native American Indian." And I attempted to explain in the simplest way I could the difference between 1800s Native Americans and modern Native Americans, but I dunno how much of it she took in.
At any rate, I knew exactly what she meant because I distinctly remember asking my father the same exact question back when I was about 8 or 9 years old. And I equally remember his astonished reaction and his amusement; "But your brother and sister and their mom's family are all Indians!" (This was my dad's first wife.)
Well, yes, I'd known that, but, but, but... Even at nine years old I felt the poignancy of a civilization lost, a lifestyle decimated. As far as I was concerned my brother and sister and their brand of Indian were about as unromantic as I could imagine. I wanted Natives that wore breechclouts and warpaint, sent up smoke signals and galloped bareback across the prairies in search of buffalo. A brother who drove cars and a sister who wore modern makeup, used curling irons and wore high heels just didn't cut the mustard.
And now, at almost-age-6 my own daughter has asked the same question. And I have to wonder if somehow a youngster of these tender years can catch that same poignancy from this film.
Spirit gained his freedom and wild mustangs still roam free to a certain extent, but what about the Lakota?
24 Şubat 2013 Pazar
Lonestar visits 'The Price is Right'
To contact us Click HERE
Lonestar fans should tune in to The Price is Right on Thursday, June 16, as the country crew takes over house-band duties on the long-running game show.
The band's been making the TV rounds of late showing off their newest album, Party Heard Around the World, which hit stores in April. And hints are afoot that this Price is Right episode won't be prize-boring: The band's press folks say that viewers can expect an "exciting showcase," replete with a San Diego trip, Lonestar concert tickets and merch and the favored Price bounty ("a new car!").
The Drew Carey-hosted game show airs on CBS weekdays at 10 a.m. locally.
Lonestar fans should tune in to The Price is Right on Thursday, June 16, as the country crew takes over house-band duties on the long-running game show.The band's been making the TV rounds of late showing off their newest album, Party Heard Around the World, which hit stores in April. And hints are afoot that this Price is Right episode won't be prize-boring: The band's press folks say that viewers can expect an "exciting showcase," replete with a San Diego trip, Lonestar concert tickets and merch and the favored Price bounty ("a new car!").
The Drew Carey-hosted game show airs on CBS weekdays at 10 a.m. locally.
The Band Perry's Debut Album Scheduled for Release October 5
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Republic Nashville’s The Band Perry - siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry - will release their first album on October 5.
The self-titled album will contain the trio‘s current single, “If I Die Young,“ #27/#32 on the Billboard/Mediabase singles charts. Written by the band, “If I Die Young” is now available on the trio’s self-titled EP, released in April and available through all major online music sites. “If I Die Young” is The Band Perry’s second single for Republic Nashville; their debut single, “Hip To My Heart,” was a Top Twenty hit. The lush, thought-provoking video for “If I Die Young,” directed by David McClister, (Lady Antebellum, LeAnn Rimes), was shot at Nashville’s historic Two Rivers Mansion.
This summer, the band is putting the finishing touches on their debut album while also working an ambitious touring schedule. Their concerts will take them from one end of the country to another, opening shows for such artists as Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band.
The Band Perry originally hails from Mobile, Alabama, and now make their home in eastern Tennessee. After spending years honing their performing and songwriting skills, their music caught the ears of Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta and Republic Nashville president Jimmy Harnen; The Band Perry signed to Republic Nashville in the summer of 2009.
The self-titled album will contain the trio‘s current single, “If I Die Young,“ #27/#32 on the Billboard/Mediabase singles charts. Written by the band, “If I Die Young” is now available on the trio’s self-titled EP, released in April and available through all major online music sites. “If I Die Young” is The Band Perry’s second single for Republic Nashville; their debut single, “Hip To My Heart,” was a Top Twenty hit. The lush, thought-provoking video for “If I Die Young,” directed by David McClister, (Lady Antebellum, LeAnn Rimes), was shot at Nashville’s historic Two Rivers Mansion.
This summer, the band is putting the finishing touches on their debut album while also working an ambitious touring schedule. Their concerts will take them from one end of the country to another, opening shows for such artists as Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band.
The Band Perry originally hails from Mobile, Alabama, and now make their home in eastern Tennessee. After spending years honing their performing and songwriting skills, their music caught the ears of Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta and Republic Nashville president Jimmy Harnen; The Band Perry signed to Republic Nashville in the summer of 2009.
Too bad we can't roast him...
To contact us Click HERE
Ellen wanted to do a "project" this weekend. This is what she came up with. We both worked on him. I drew the body and she cut it out. She cut out the brown wings and did the gluing.
She insisted I take a picture of her with it and post it on my blog.
Voila!
Ellen and her turkey. I think she's going to put him up in her bedroom window. She only wanted 2 blue feathers. Only she knows why.
Ellen wanted to do a "project" this weekend. This is what she came up with. We both worked on him. I drew the body and she cut it out. She cut out the brown wings and did the gluing.
She insisted I take a picture of her with it and post it on my blog.
Voila!
Ellen and her turkey. I think she's going to put him up in her bedroom window. She only wanted 2 blue feathers. Only she knows why.
Makin' a List
To contact us Click HERE
Way back when I still lived in Portland, I remember my wry, eye-rolling amusement at my sister-in-law for her lists. She lived her life by lists and her day-runner (Blackberries and iPads and other such high-tech organizational helps not having been invented yet); grocery, errands, church activities, school activities...etc. You name it, she had a list for it.
At that time I lived such a simple life I thought it was all hilarious.
Times have changed.
Not that I don't live a simple life now, and I am still terribly disorganized.
But I find that a running list helps me to get things done. Hubby always has a running list of things to do.
We, hubby and I, are alike in that we use no high-tech gadgets for our list keeping. Not even a day-runner. We specialize in random slips of paper; stuffed in pockets, lying around on tables, counters or chairs.
It certainly helps me focus my activites to get things accomplished; even the simplest weekly house chores. I write them down and then cross them off when I have finished. At the end of the day or week I have a better sense of accomplishment.
Someday Ellen will probably be rolling her eyes at me, but that's all good. I bet anything she will start making lists by time she is in middle school.
Ha.
At that time I lived such a simple life I thought it was all hilarious.
Times have changed.
Not that I don't live a simple life now, and I am still terribly disorganized.
But I find that a running list helps me to get things done. Hubby always has a running list of things to do.
We, hubby and I, are alike in that we use no high-tech gadgets for our list keeping. Not even a day-runner. We specialize in random slips of paper; stuffed in pockets, lying around on tables, counters or chairs.
It certainly helps me focus my activites to get things accomplished; even the simplest weekly house chores. I write them down and then cross them off when I have finished. At the end of the day or week I have a better sense of accomplishment.
Someday Ellen will probably be rolling her eyes at me, but that's all good. I bet anything she will start making lists by time she is in middle school.
Ha.
"There aren't any more Indians...are there?"
To contact us Click HERE
Last night Ellen decided to watch this movie, again...
When we first got it, a few months ago, she wasn't very impressed with it; if you have seen it you realize that much of the interaction on it is non-verbal. The horse narrates the movie to a certain extent, but the horses do not talk to each other. In that way it makes it a bit above a 5 yr old's enjoyment, although there are sections where Ellen laughs.
I haven't actually sat down and watched the movie through seamlessly; but Ellen has watched it enough and I have caught the majority of it to where I enjoy it, too.
But last night she surprised me.
After it was over she turned toward me and asked; "There aren't any more Indians, are there?"
This necessitated the discussion; "Well, Ellen, you have an aunt and an uncle who are Native American Indian." And I attempted to explain in the simplest way I could the difference between 1800s Native Americans and modern Native Americans, but I dunno how much of it she took in.
At any rate, I knew exactly what she meant because I distinctly remember asking my father the same exact question back when I was about 8 or 9 years old. And I equally remember his astonished reaction and his amusement; "But your brother and sister and their mom's family are all Indians!" (This was my dad's first wife.)
Well, yes, I'd known that, but, but, but... Even at nine years old I felt the poignancy of a civilization lost, a lifestyle decimated. As far as I was concerned my brother and sister and their brand of Indian were about as unromantic as I could imagine. I wanted Natives that wore breechclouts and warpaint, sent up smoke signals and galloped bareback across the prairies in search of buffalo. A brother who drove cars and a sister who wore modern makeup, used curling irons and wore high heels just didn't cut the mustard.
And now, at almost-age-6 my own daughter has asked the same question. And I have to wonder if somehow a youngster of these tender years can catch that same poignancy from this film.
Spirit gained his freedom and wild mustangs still roam free to a certain extent, but what about the Lakota?
When we first got it, a few months ago, she wasn't very impressed with it; if you have seen it you realize that much of the interaction on it is non-verbal. The horse narrates the movie to a certain extent, but the horses do not talk to each other. In that way it makes it a bit above a 5 yr old's enjoyment, although there are sections where Ellen laughs.
I haven't actually sat down and watched the movie through seamlessly; but Ellen has watched it enough and I have caught the majority of it to where I enjoy it, too.
But last night she surprised me.
After it was over she turned toward me and asked; "There aren't any more Indians, are there?"
This necessitated the discussion; "Well, Ellen, you have an aunt and an uncle who are Native American Indian." And I attempted to explain in the simplest way I could the difference between 1800s Native Americans and modern Native Americans, but I dunno how much of it she took in.
At any rate, I knew exactly what she meant because I distinctly remember asking my father the same exact question back when I was about 8 or 9 years old. And I equally remember his astonished reaction and his amusement; "But your brother and sister and their mom's family are all Indians!" (This was my dad's first wife.)
Well, yes, I'd known that, but, but, but... Even at nine years old I felt the poignancy of a civilization lost, a lifestyle decimated. As far as I was concerned my brother and sister and their brand of Indian were about as unromantic as I could imagine. I wanted Natives that wore breechclouts and warpaint, sent up smoke signals and galloped bareback across the prairies in search of buffalo. A brother who drove cars and a sister who wore modern makeup, used curling irons and wore high heels just didn't cut the mustard.
And now, at almost-age-6 my own daughter has asked the same question. And I have to wonder if somehow a youngster of these tender years can catch that same poignancy from this film.
Spirit gained his freedom and wild mustangs still roam free to a certain extent, but what about the Lakota?
23 Şubat 2013 Cumartesi
24 Days, 8 Hours, 30 Minutes ...But Who's Counting?
To contact us Click HERE
Now that we have less than a month left until we leave forBiloxi, MS, I still don’t think it has quite set in that in a matter of weeks, weare off to do something amazing. I have never had the opportunity toparticipate in such a significant service project, and for that I am trulygrateful. The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill is considered to be the largestaccidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry and it’shard to believe that it has been almost three years since oil began gushinginto the Gulf of Mexico, causing one of the worst ecological disasters of ourtime. I have no doubt that the effects of this oil spill will be feltnationwide for many years to come. Today, I see the BP commercials on TVencouraging people to come to the Gulf Coast, as business owners in that areaare trying to restore a sense of normality that hasn’t been felt since beforethe oil spill. Although there is not much media coverage on the long-termeffects of the oil spill, people in the Gulf region are suffering, and I takecomfort in the fact that we will be able to play a role, however small it maybe, in helping a region that has been battered by numerous natural disastersget back on its feet.
Aside from the more serious aspect of our trip, I would alsolike to express how grateful I am to have met such an amazing group of peoplehere at FSU. This year’s ASB trip members are some of the friendliest and most compassionatepeople I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and although I haven’t had theopportunity to get to know everyone, I do look forward to becoming closer withevery member of our group before, during, and after the trip. Like most of us,I can’t wait to leave for Biloxi and I couldn’t ask for a better group ofpeople to be embarking on this journey with.
Nevin Lorden
Aside from the more serious aspect of our trip, I would alsolike to express how grateful I am to have met such an amazing group of peoplehere at FSU. This year’s ASB trip members are some of the friendliest and most compassionatepeople I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and although I haven’t had theopportunity to get to know everyone, I do look forward to becoming closer withevery member of our group before, during, and after the trip. Like most of us,I can’t wait to leave for Biloxi and I couldn’t ask for a better group ofpeople to be embarking on this journey with.
Nevin Lorden
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Celebrates 25th Anniversary in 2012
To contact us Click HERE
On Jan. 13, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., welcomes guests to the first presentation of the popular dinner attraction's 25th anniversary season which includes plans to acknowledge the 25th, 250th, 2,500th and 25,000th guests throughout the year with special prizes and celebrations, culminating with a grand prize giveaway for the 250,000th guest.
Dixie Stampede features a friendly rivalry between the North and South in a battle determined by various contests of equestrian skill. Carried out in a 35,000-square-foot arena with seating for 1,000, Dixie Stampede features 32 magnificent horses, including quarter horses and palominos, and their gifted riders who guide them through barrel races, flame-engulfed hoops, trick riding, and pageantry.
The entertainment builds to the grand finale featuring "Color Me America," a song written by Parton especially for the show. The show also features the thundering hooves of more than eight tons of buffalo which are showcased in a special segment entitled "Stampede of the Buffalo." Audiences are reminded of a time when herds of the majestic creatures roamed the open plains of the unsettled Western frontier.
Shows are performed daily; times vary. Reservations are recommended and available by calling 1-800-356-1676 or visiting www.dixiestampede.com.
Dixie Stampede features a friendly rivalry between the North and South in a battle determined by various contests of equestrian skill. Carried out in a 35,000-square-foot arena with seating for 1,000, Dixie Stampede features 32 magnificent horses, including quarter horses and palominos, and their gifted riders who guide them through barrel races, flame-engulfed hoops, trick riding, and pageantry.
The entertainment builds to the grand finale featuring "Color Me America," a song written by Parton especially for the show. The show also features the thundering hooves of more than eight tons of buffalo which are showcased in a special segment entitled "Stampede of the Buffalo." Audiences are reminded of a time when herds of the majestic creatures roamed the open plains of the unsettled Western frontier.
Shows are performed daily; times vary. Reservations are recommended and available by calling 1-800-356-1676 or visiting www.dixiestampede.com.
Lumberjack Feud's Dinner Show
To contact us Click HERE
Lumberjack Sports International's Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud, a $10 million attraction billed as the "Smokies' Rowdiest Good-Time Dinner Show" and featuring ESPN lumberjack athletes. The Lumberjack Feud is an action-packed show in a nearly 1,000-seat performance arena, where speed-climbing, axe-throwing, chopping, sawing and log-rolling were just a few of the competitive events performed for a thrilled audience.
The lumberjacks and their antics are guaranteed to entertain our guests. The show at Lumberjack Feud features thrills and competition while telling the tale of two Smoky Mountain logging families competing for rights to log the last remaining timber tract before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park permanently shuts down the region's timber industry. Lumberjack Feud is also site of the new Smoky Mountains Forest History Center and the Lumberjack Hall of Fame. The Center features displays depicting the rich history of East Tennessee, including the rise of mountain communities and logging in the 1800's.
Ticket prices (including military discounts), group information and show schedules for this family attraction can be located at www.lumberjackfeud.com, or by calling toll-free, 855-244-3383.
The lumberjacks and their antics are guaranteed to entertain our guests. The show at Lumberjack Feud features thrills and competition while telling the tale of two Smoky Mountain logging families competing for rights to log the last remaining timber tract before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park permanently shuts down the region's timber industry. Lumberjack Feud is also site of the new Smoky Mountains Forest History Center and the Lumberjack Hall of Fame. The Center features displays depicting the rich history of East Tennessee, including the rise of mountain communities and logging in the 1800's.
Ticket prices (including military discounts), group information and show schedules for this family attraction can be located at www.lumberjackfeud.com, or by calling toll-free, 855-244-3383.
What's driving digital success at Brooks Brothers?
To contact us Click HERE
Published: January 14, 2013 SOURCE: blog.shop.org
“We are not good because we are old, but rather, we are old because we are good.” – Claudio Del Vecchio, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brooks Brothers As the oldest retailer in America, I would describe Brooks Brothers as a legendary retail establishment driven and shaped by those it serves. And while that may be true, what has been amazing to watch over the years with this iconic brand is a culture breeding generations of innovation for the entire retail and fashion industry. NRF and Shop.org are proud to have two leaders from the phenomenal Brooks Brothers team involved at Retail’s BIG Show this week in the world’s headquarters for retail – New York City. To help introduce one of our most involved members to our community we were fortunate enough to talk with both their chairman and CEO and NRF Board member, Claudio Del Vecchio, and Executive Vice President for Direct and Omnichannel, Ken Seiff, for a look into the class act that is (and runs) Brooks Brothers.
Personalization has become a top action item for retailers given its significant influence across every customer touch point: online, email, in-store, mobile. How is the Brooks Brothers team bringing personalized shopping experiences to the online and in-store shopper?
CDV: I think our perspective on personalization needs to reflect our 194-year history of personal service. For Brooks Brothers, the real key to personalization is to make sure that the customer sees what they want to see. The challenge is that many of our customers have grown accustomed to working with sales associates who introduce them to a lot of items, which they may not have known we made. So our goal with personalization is to build an intelligent strategy that doesn’t lose any of the sales associate knowledge or the surprise of showing them something new. If we can do that well, we will remain true to our heritage of providing both outstanding personal service as well as innovation.
KS: There is a lot of science to getting personalization right. For example, if a customer has purchased a custom suit, we have a pretty good idea which shirt fit and size makes the most sense for them even if it is their first visit online. And if the customer has a history of replenishing their shirts or suits every season, we can assume our algorithm will have a pretty good idea of their preferences for color, collar, style and much more. But, as Claudio said, there is a real art to personalization. Last month we launched our first efforts at personalization. The early results have been very exciting. And for me the best evidence that we are heading in the right direction with our customers isn’t just from the sales lift, it’s also from a customer email that asked “How did you know I liked stripes?”
Mobile optimized website or mobile app? What’s next for Brooks Brothers?
CDV: Our customers have computers, phones and iPads and they use all of them to shop and search. The proliferation of these devices creates an opportunity for us to service our customers more effectively. We don’t think about it as an either/or; we start by addressing what our customers want.
KS: The vast majority of our mobile customers access our website through iPhones and iPads, so for starters we are going to build an extraordinary experience for them through a mobile optimized website. But we aren’t simply building a website optimized for smart phones; we decided to build a site with responsive design. What our customers experience on a large monitor will differ from what they experience on a laptop, an iPad or a smartphone. When this launches in the spring, customers shopping or searching on any device will have their experience optimized for the size of its screen.
Many retailers (including Brooks Brothers) are operating in a borderless, global marketplace both online and with store expansion into both established and emerging markets. What are you keeping your eye on in the global retail industry?
CDV: After 194 years serving many generations of customers, we are America’s oldest retailer. Today we are a global company with over 300 retail stores worldwide, and almost half of them are international. Our renown as a global brand has been earned the old fashioned way. There is great demand for Brooks Brothers and we open in markets where there is anticipation for our arrival. We have earned credibility for our products and service and view ourselves as the steward for the American Dream.
Ken, as a veteran of the retail e-commerce industry you’ve been a founder or CEO of a number of pure-play retail organizations. What’s the most exciting thing about bringing the legendary Brooks Brothers customer-driven reputation to the digital realm?
KS: Brooks Brothers has this incredible and legendary reputation for serving its customers. The company also has an innovative history going back almost two centuries. Our predecessor teams introduced to America many innovations including ready-to-wear clothing, the button-down collar, the non-iron shirt and much more. That combination is a powerful force in any business, but it is the linchpin of building a great digital experience. Unlike any startup I have been a part of, this is powerful brand with vast resources. And Claudio has been the first to push us to take chances, to innovate and to invent. That makes working here as compelling as any startup.
The Brooks Brothers site has undergone a major site reinvention embracing personalization, stunning photography and storytelling. What are some of the most exciting new features of the website?
CDV: Thank you. We are very excited by what we are building online. It’s been a colossal commitment of almost every department. But if there is one thing that I am most proud of, it would be that we have been able to put our customer first in everything we are trying to do. It is our expectation that our customers will feel excited and inspired about the Brooks Brothers experience no matter which channel they shop.
KS: I think for me the most exciting feature is the all of the stuff we haven’t launched yet. We are working on a lot of really exciting innovations.
What are some of the most common mistakes you’ve seen digital retail leaders make over the last 20 years in the business?
CDV: I think perhaps it is assuming that everything that they are doing needs to be reinvented from scratch.
KS: I think that is right and I am definitely guilty of it. I am learning that a lot of what has been done in the past doesn’t need to be reinvented. There are so many best practices that have already been established in the traditional retail environment and we are trying to build them into our process and practices.
As an investor and entrepreneur you have constantly been ahead of the curve in the digital retail industry. What should we keep our eye on in 2013?
KS: I think that online businesses have now reached the size and scale where the basics are going to matter a great deal more than they have in the past. Effectively planning and managing inventory, creating an easy shopping experience, managing for return on investment and delivering world class customer service will be even more important than any single new technology innovation.
Which retail companies do you find most fascinating to watch?
CDV: I am more interested in hearing from our customers than watching other businesses. We have a mandate to lead not watch.
 |
| The first Brooks clothier store, at Catherine Street in Manhattan, 1845. (Source: Wikipedia) |
Personalization has become a top action item for retailers given its significant influence across every customer touch point: online, email, in-store, mobile. How is the Brooks Brothers team bringing personalized shopping experiences to the online and in-store shopper?
CDV: I think our perspective on personalization needs to reflect our 194-year history of personal service. For Brooks Brothers, the real key to personalization is to make sure that the customer sees what they want to see. The challenge is that many of our customers have grown accustomed to working with sales associates who introduce them to a lot of items, which they may not have known we made. So our goal with personalization is to build an intelligent strategy that doesn’t lose any of the sales associate knowledge or the surprise of showing them something new. If we can do that well, we will remain true to our heritage of providing both outstanding personal service as well as innovation.
KS: There is a lot of science to getting personalization right. For example, if a customer has purchased a custom suit, we have a pretty good idea which shirt fit and size makes the most sense for them even if it is their first visit online. And if the customer has a history of replenishing their shirts or suits every season, we can assume our algorithm will have a pretty good idea of their preferences for color, collar, style and much more. But, as Claudio said, there is a real art to personalization. Last month we launched our first efforts at personalization. The early results have been very exciting. And for me the best evidence that we are heading in the right direction with our customers isn’t just from the sales lift, it’s also from a customer email that asked “How did you know I liked stripes?”
Mobile optimized website or mobile app? What’s next for Brooks Brothers?
CDV: Our customers have computers, phones and iPads and they use all of them to shop and search. The proliferation of these devices creates an opportunity for us to service our customers more effectively. We don’t think about it as an either/or; we start by addressing what our customers want.
KS: The vast majority of our mobile customers access our website through iPhones and iPads, so for starters we are going to build an extraordinary experience for them through a mobile optimized website. But we aren’t simply building a website optimized for smart phones; we decided to build a site with responsive design. What our customers experience on a large monitor will differ from what they experience on a laptop, an iPad or a smartphone. When this launches in the spring, customers shopping or searching on any device will have their experience optimized for the size of its screen.
Many retailers (including Brooks Brothers) are operating in a borderless, global marketplace both online and with store expansion into both established and emerging markets. What are you keeping your eye on in the global retail industry?
CDV: After 194 years serving many generations of customers, we are America’s oldest retailer. Today we are a global company with over 300 retail stores worldwide, and almost half of them are international. Our renown as a global brand has been earned the old fashioned way. There is great demand for Brooks Brothers and we open in markets where there is anticipation for our arrival. We have earned credibility for our products and service and view ourselves as the steward for the American Dream.
Ken, as a veteran of the retail e-commerce industry you’ve been a founder or CEO of a number of pure-play retail organizations. What’s the most exciting thing about bringing the legendary Brooks Brothers customer-driven reputation to the digital realm?
KS: Brooks Brothers has this incredible and legendary reputation for serving its customers. The company also has an innovative history going back almost two centuries. Our predecessor teams introduced to America many innovations including ready-to-wear clothing, the button-down collar, the non-iron shirt and much more. That combination is a powerful force in any business, but it is the linchpin of building a great digital experience. Unlike any startup I have been a part of, this is powerful brand with vast resources. And Claudio has been the first to push us to take chances, to innovate and to invent. That makes working here as compelling as any startup.
The Brooks Brothers site has undergone a major site reinvention embracing personalization, stunning photography and storytelling. What are some of the most exciting new features of the website?
CDV: Thank you. We are very excited by what we are building online. It’s been a colossal commitment of almost every department. But if there is one thing that I am most proud of, it would be that we have been able to put our customer first in everything we are trying to do. It is our expectation that our customers will feel excited and inspired about the Brooks Brothers experience no matter which channel they shop.
KS: I think for me the most exciting feature is the all of the stuff we haven’t launched yet. We are working on a lot of really exciting innovations.
What are some of the most common mistakes you’ve seen digital retail leaders make over the last 20 years in the business?
CDV: I think perhaps it is assuming that everything that they are doing needs to be reinvented from scratch.
KS: I think that is right and I am definitely guilty of it. I am learning that a lot of what has been done in the past doesn’t need to be reinvented. There are so many best practices that have already been established in the traditional retail environment and we are trying to build them into our process and practices.
As an investor and entrepreneur you have constantly been ahead of the curve in the digital retail industry. What should we keep our eye on in 2013?
KS: I think that online businesses have now reached the size and scale where the basics are going to matter a great deal more than they have in the past. Effectively planning and managing inventory, creating an easy shopping experience, managing for return on investment and delivering world class customer service will be even more important than any single new technology innovation.
Which retail companies do you find most fascinating to watch?
CDV: I am more interested in hearing from our customers than watching other businesses. We have a mandate to lead not watch.
Hit's Of The 60's Branson Music Show in 2012, Schedule Info
To contact us Click HERE
There's nothing like 60's music and thankfully Branson has a show that plays nothing BUT music from the 1960's! Hit's of the 60's is back for another season in 2012 and this year is going to be "Rockin" more than ever!
Hit's of the 60's offers the Branson audience a family oriented, high energy show that will take you back to the "British Invasion", "Beach Boy Surfin", "Motown", the "Age of Aquarius", and much more. There is also a heartfelt special tribute for the Vets who served and protect the freedoms that our Country enjoys every single day!
The Hit's of the 60's show runs from Mid March right up through Mid December. An entire season of fun for Branson travelers in 2012. Also, in November and December the Show adds holiday and Christmas songs along to help celebrate and spread the Christmas Spirit (While still maintaining the 1960's music and dance theme).
Looking for tickets and schedule information for the Hit's of the 60's show? For detailed information all you have to do is click on a date that you are planning to visit Branson on the season schedule that is listed below. You can purchase tickets to the show, buy entire travel packages, and/or even book your hotel stay all in one convenient location! Simplicity at it's best for Branson guests. 2:00 PM and 8: PM Shows. 2012 Hit's of the 60's Tickets and Schedule Information.
Hit's of the 60's Branson Music Show In 2012 - Tickets and Schedule Information
There's nothing like 60's music and thankfully Branson has a show that plays nothing BUT music from the 1960's! Hit's of the 60's is back for another season in 2012 and this year is going to be "Rockin" more than ever!Hit's of the 60's offers the Branson audience a family oriented, high energy show that will take you back to the "British Invasion", "Beach Boy Surfin", "Motown", the "Age of Aquarius", and much more. There is also a heartfelt special tribute for the Vets who served and protect the freedoms that our Country enjoys every single day!
The Hit's of the 60's show runs from Mid March right up through Mid December. An entire season of fun for Branson travelers in 2012. Also, in November and December the Show adds holiday and Christmas songs along to help celebrate and spread the Christmas Spirit (While still maintaining the 1960's music and dance theme).
2012 Branson Show Schedule and Tickets Information
Looking for tickets and schedule information for the Hit's of the 60's show? For detailed information all you have to do is click on a date that you are planning to visit Branson on the season schedule that is listed below. You can purchase tickets to the show, buy entire travel packages, and/or even book your hotel stay all in one convenient location! Simplicity at it's best for Branson guests. 2:00 PM and 8: PM Shows. 2012 Hit's of the 60's Tickets and Schedule Information.
22 Şubat 2013 Cuma
"There aren't any more Indians...are there?"
To contact us Click HERE
Last night Ellen decided to watch this movie, again...
When we first got it, a few months ago, she wasn't very impressed with it; if you have seen it you realize that much of the interaction on it is non-verbal. The horse narrates the movie to a certain extent, but the horses do not talk to each other. In that way it makes it a bit above a 5 yr old's enjoyment, although there are sections where Ellen laughs.
I haven't actually sat down and watched the movie through seamlessly; but Ellen has watched it enough and I have caught the majority of it to where I enjoy it, too.
But last night she surprised me.
After it was over she turned toward me and asked; "There aren't any more Indians, are there?"
This necessitated the discussion; "Well, Ellen, you have an aunt and an uncle who are Native American Indian." And I attempted to explain in the simplest way I could the difference between 1800s Native Americans and modern Native Americans, but I dunno how much of it she took in.
At any rate, I knew exactly what she meant because I distinctly remember asking my father the same exact question back when I was about 8 or 9 years old. And I equally remember his astonished reaction and his amusement; "But your brother and sister and their mom's family are all Indians!" (This was my dad's first wife.)
Well, yes, I'd known that, but, but, but... Even at nine years old I felt the poignancy of a civilization lost, a lifestyle decimated. As far as I was concerned my brother and sister and their brand of Indian were about as unromantic as I could imagine. I wanted Natives that wore breechclouts and warpaint, sent up smoke signals and galloped bareback across the prairies in search of buffalo. A brother who drove cars and a sister who wore modern makeup, used curling irons and wore high heels just didn't cut the mustard.
And now, at almost-age-6 my own daughter has asked the same question. And I have to wonder if somehow a youngster of these tender years can catch that same poignancy from this film.
Spirit gained his freedom and wild mustangs still roam free to a certain extent, but what about the Lakota?
When we first got it, a few months ago, she wasn't very impressed with it; if you have seen it you realize that much of the interaction on it is non-verbal. The horse narrates the movie to a certain extent, but the horses do not talk to each other. In that way it makes it a bit above a 5 yr old's enjoyment, although there are sections where Ellen laughs.
I haven't actually sat down and watched the movie through seamlessly; but Ellen has watched it enough and I have caught the majority of it to where I enjoy it, too.
But last night she surprised me.
After it was over she turned toward me and asked; "There aren't any more Indians, are there?"
This necessitated the discussion; "Well, Ellen, you have an aunt and an uncle who are Native American Indian." And I attempted to explain in the simplest way I could the difference between 1800s Native Americans and modern Native Americans, but I dunno how much of it she took in.
At any rate, I knew exactly what she meant because I distinctly remember asking my father the same exact question back when I was about 8 or 9 years old. And I equally remember his astonished reaction and his amusement; "But your brother and sister and their mom's family are all Indians!" (This was my dad's first wife.)
Well, yes, I'd known that, but, but, but... Even at nine years old I felt the poignancy of a civilization lost, a lifestyle decimated. As far as I was concerned my brother and sister and their brand of Indian were about as unromantic as I could imagine. I wanted Natives that wore breechclouts and warpaint, sent up smoke signals and galloped bareback across the prairies in search of buffalo. A brother who drove cars and a sister who wore modern makeup, used curling irons and wore high heels just didn't cut the mustard.
And now, at almost-age-6 my own daughter has asked the same question. And I have to wonder if somehow a youngster of these tender years can catch that same poignancy from this film.
Spirit gained his freedom and wild mustangs still roam free to a certain extent, but what about the Lakota?
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Celebrates 25th Anniversary in 2012
To contact us Click HERE
On Jan. 13, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., welcomes guests to the first presentation of the popular dinner attraction's 25th anniversary season which includes plans to acknowledge the 25th, 250th, 2,500th and 25,000th guests throughout the year with special prizes and celebrations, culminating with a grand prize giveaway for the 250,000th guest.
Dixie Stampede features a friendly rivalry between the North and South in a battle determined by various contests of equestrian skill. Carried out in a 35,000-square-foot arena with seating for 1,000, Dixie Stampede features 32 magnificent horses, including quarter horses and palominos, and their gifted riders who guide them through barrel races, flame-engulfed hoops, trick riding, and pageantry.
The entertainment builds to the grand finale featuring "Color Me America," a song written by Parton especially for the show. The show also features the thundering hooves of more than eight tons of buffalo which are showcased in a special segment entitled "Stampede of the Buffalo." Audiences are reminded of a time when herds of the majestic creatures roamed the open plains of the unsettled Western frontier.
Shows are performed daily; times vary. Reservations are recommended and available by calling 1-800-356-1676 or visiting www.dixiestampede.com.
Dixie Stampede features a friendly rivalry between the North and South in a battle determined by various contests of equestrian skill. Carried out in a 35,000-square-foot arena with seating for 1,000, Dixie Stampede features 32 magnificent horses, including quarter horses and palominos, and their gifted riders who guide them through barrel races, flame-engulfed hoops, trick riding, and pageantry.
The entertainment builds to the grand finale featuring "Color Me America," a song written by Parton especially for the show. The show also features the thundering hooves of more than eight tons of buffalo which are showcased in a special segment entitled "Stampede of the Buffalo." Audiences are reminded of a time when herds of the majestic creatures roamed the open plains of the unsettled Western frontier.
Shows are performed daily; times vary. Reservations are recommended and available by calling 1-800-356-1676 or visiting www.dixiestampede.com.
Lumberjack Feud's Dinner Show
To contact us Click HERE
Lumberjack Sports International's Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud, a $10 million attraction billed as the "Smokies' Rowdiest Good-Time Dinner Show" and featuring ESPN lumberjack athletes. The Lumberjack Feud is an action-packed show in a nearly 1,000-seat performance arena, where speed-climbing, axe-throwing, chopping, sawing and log-rolling were just a few of the competitive events performed for a thrilled audience.
The lumberjacks and their antics are guaranteed to entertain our guests. The show at Lumberjack Feud features thrills and competition while telling the tale of two Smoky Mountain logging families competing for rights to log the last remaining timber tract before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park permanently shuts down the region's timber industry. Lumberjack Feud is also site of the new Smoky Mountains Forest History Center and the Lumberjack Hall of Fame. The Center features displays depicting the rich history of East Tennessee, including the rise of mountain communities and logging in the 1800's.
Ticket prices (including military discounts), group information and show schedules for this family attraction can be located at www.lumberjackfeud.com, or by calling toll-free, 855-244-3383.
The lumberjacks and their antics are guaranteed to entertain our guests. The show at Lumberjack Feud features thrills and competition while telling the tale of two Smoky Mountain logging families competing for rights to log the last remaining timber tract before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park permanently shuts down the region's timber industry. Lumberjack Feud is also site of the new Smoky Mountains Forest History Center and the Lumberjack Hall of Fame. The Center features displays depicting the rich history of East Tennessee, including the rise of mountain communities and logging in the 1800's.
Ticket prices (including military discounts), group information and show schedules for this family attraction can be located at www.lumberjackfeud.com, or by calling toll-free, 855-244-3383.
Hit's Of The 60's Branson Music Show in 2012, Schedule Info
To contact us Click HERE
There's nothing like 60's music and thankfully Branson has a show that plays nothing BUT music from the 1960's! Hit's of the 60's is back for another season in 2012 and this year is going to be "Rockin" more than ever!
Hit's of the 60's offers the Branson audience a family oriented, high energy show that will take you back to the "British Invasion", "Beach Boy Surfin", "Motown", the "Age of Aquarius", and much more. There is also a heartfelt special tribute for the Vets who served and protect the freedoms that our Country enjoys every single day!
The Hit's of the 60's show runs from Mid March right up through Mid December. An entire season of fun for Branson travelers in 2012. Also, in November and December the Show adds holiday and Christmas songs along to help celebrate and spread the Christmas Spirit (While still maintaining the 1960's music and dance theme).
Looking for tickets and schedule information for the Hit's of the 60's show? For detailed information all you have to do is click on a date that you are planning to visit Branson on the season schedule that is listed below. You can purchase tickets to the show, buy entire travel packages, and/or even book your hotel stay all in one convenient location! Simplicity at it's best for Branson guests. 2:00 PM and 8: PM Shows. 2012 Hit's of the 60's Tickets and Schedule Information.
Hit's of the 60's Branson Music Show In 2012 - Tickets and Schedule Information
There's nothing like 60's music and thankfully Branson has a show that plays nothing BUT music from the 1960's! Hit's of the 60's is back for another season in 2012 and this year is going to be "Rockin" more than ever!Hit's of the 60's offers the Branson audience a family oriented, high energy show that will take you back to the "British Invasion", "Beach Boy Surfin", "Motown", the "Age of Aquarius", and much more. There is also a heartfelt special tribute for the Vets who served and protect the freedoms that our Country enjoys every single day!
The Hit's of the 60's show runs from Mid March right up through Mid December. An entire season of fun for Branson travelers in 2012. Also, in November and December the Show adds holiday and Christmas songs along to help celebrate and spread the Christmas Spirit (While still maintaining the 1960's music and dance theme).
2012 Branson Show Schedule and Tickets Information
Looking for tickets and schedule information for the Hit's of the 60's show? For detailed information all you have to do is click on a date that you are planning to visit Branson on the season schedule that is listed below. You can purchase tickets to the show, buy entire travel packages, and/or even book your hotel stay all in one convenient location! Simplicity at it's best for Branson guests. 2:00 PM and 8: PM Shows. 2012 Hit's of the 60's Tickets and Schedule Information.
What's driving digital success at Brooks Brothers?
To contact us Click HERE
Published: January 14, 2013 SOURCE: blog.shop.org
“We are not good because we are old, but rather, we are old because we are good.” – Claudio Del Vecchio, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brooks Brothers As the oldest retailer in America, I would describe Brooks Brothers as a legendary retail establishment driven and shaped by those it serves. And while that may be true, what has been amazing to watch over the years with this iconic brand is a culture breeding generations of innovation for the entire retail and fashion industry. NRF and Shop.org are proud to have two leaders from the phenomenal Brooks Brothers team involved at Retail’s BIG Show this week in the world’s headquarters for retail – New York City. To help introduce one of our most involved members to our community we were fortunate enough to talk with both their chairman and CEO and NRF Board member, Claudio Del Vecchio, and Executive Vice President for Direct and Omnichannel, Ken Seiff, for a look into the class act that is (and runs) Brooks Brothers.
Personalization has become a top action item for retailers given its significant influence across every customer touch point: online, email, in-store, mobile. How is the Brooks Brothers team bringing personalized shopping experiences to the online and in-store shopper?
CDV: I think our perspective on personalization needs to reflect our 194-year history of personal service. For Brooks Brothers, the real key to personalization is to make sure that the customer sees what they want to see. The challenge is that many of our customers have grown accustomed to working with sales associates who introduce them to a lot of items, which they may not have known we made. So our goal with personalization is to build an intelligent strategy that doesn’t lose any of the sales associate knowledge or the surprise of showing them something new. If we can do that well, we will remain true to our heritage of providing both outstanding personal service as well as innovation.
KS: There is a lot of science to getting personalization right. For example, if a customer has purchased a custom suit, we have a pretty good idea which shirt fit and size makes the most sense for them even if it is their first visit online. And if the customer has a history of replenishing their shirts or suits every season, we can assume our algorithm will have a pretty good idea of their preferences for color, collar, style and much more. But, as Claudio said, there is a real art to personalization. Last month we launched our first efforts at personalization. The early results have been very exciting. And for me the best evidence that we are heading in the right direction with our customers isn’t just from the sales lift, it’s also from a customer email that asked “How did you know I liked stripes?”
Mobile optimized website or mobile app? What’s next for Brooks Brothers?
CDV: Our customers have computers, phones and iPads and they use all of them to shop and search. The proliferation of these devices creates an opportunity for us to service our customers more effectively. We don’t think about it as an either/or; we start by addressing what our customers want.
KS: The vast majority of our mobile customers access our website through iPhones and iPads, so for starters we are going to build an extraordinary experience for them through a mobile optimized website. But we aren’t simply building a website optimized for smart phones; we decided to build a site with responsive design. What our customers experience on a large monitor will differ from what they experience on a laptop, an iPad or a smartphone. When this launches in the spring, customers shopping or searching on any device will have their experience optimized for the size of its screen.
Many retailers (including Brooks Brothers) are operating in a borderless, global marketplace both online and with store expansion into both established and emerging markets. What are you keeping your eye on in the global retail industry?
CDV: After 194 years serving many generations of customers, we are America’s oldest retailer. Today we are a global company with over 300 retail stores worldwide, and almost half of them are international. Our renown as a global brand has been earned the old fashioned way. There is great demand for Brooks Brothers and we open in markets where there is anticipation for our arrival. We have earned credibility for our products and service and view ourselves as the steward for the American Dream.
Ken, as a veteran of the retail e-commerce industry you’ve been a founder or CEO of a number of pure-play retail organizations. What’s the most exciting thing about bringing the legendary Brooks Brothers customer-driven reputation to the digital realm?
KS: Brooks Brothers has this incredible and legendary reputation for serving its customers. The company also has an innovative history going back almost two centuries. Our predecessor teams introduced to America many innovations including ready-to-wear clothing, the button-down collar, the non-iron shirt and much more. That combination is a powerful force in any business, but it is the linchpin of building a great digital experience. Unlike any startup I have been a part of, this is powerful brand with vast resources. And Claudio has been the first to push us to take chances, to innovate and to invent. That makes working here as compelling as any startup.
The Brooks Brothers site has undergone a major site reinvention embracing personalization, stunning photography and storytelling. What are some of the most exciting new features of the website?
CDV: Thank you. We are very excited by what we are building online. It’s been a colossal commitment of almost every department. But if there is one thing that I am most proud of, it would be that we have been able to put our customer first in everything we are trying to do. It is our expectation that our customers will feel excited and inspired about the Brooks Brothers experience no matter which channel they shop.
KS: I think for me the most exciting feature is the all of the stuff we haven’t launched yet. We are working on a lot of really exciting innovations.
What are some of the most common mistakes you’ve seen digital retail leaders make over the last 20 years in the business?
CDV: I think perhaps it is assuming that everything that they are doing needs to be reinvented from scratch.
KS: I think that is right and I am definitely guilty of it. I am learning that a lot of what has been done in the past doesn’t need to be reinvented. There are so many best practices that have already been established in the traditional retail environment and we are trying to build them into our process and practices.
As an investor and entrepreneur you have constantly been ahead of the curve in the digital retail industry. What should we keep our eye on in 2013?
KS: I think that online businesses have now reached the size and scale where the basics are going to matter a great deal more than they have in the past. Effectively planning and managing inventory, creating an easy shopping experience, managing for return on investment and delivering world class customer service will be even more important than any single new technology innovation.
Which retail companies do you find most fascinating to watch?
CDV: I am more interested in hearing from our customers than watching other businesses. We have a mandate to lead not watch.
|
| The first Brooks clothier store, at Catherine Street in Manhattan, 1845. (Source: Wikipedia) |
Personalization has become a top action item for retailers given its significant influence across every customer touch point: online, email, in-store, mobile. How is the Brooks Brothers team bringing personalized shopping experiences to the online and in-store shopper?
CDV: I think our perspective on personalization needs to reflect our 194-year history of personal service. For Brooks Brothers, the real key to personalization is to make sure that the customer sees what they want to see. The challenge is that many of our customers have grown accustomed to working with sales associates who introduce them to a lot of items, which they may not have known we made. So our goal with personalization is to build an intelligent strategy that doesn’t lose any of the sales associate knowledge or the surprise of showing them something new. If we can do that well, we will remain true to our heritage of providing both outstanding personal service as well as innovation.
KS: There is a lot of science to getting personalization right. For example, if a customer has purchased a custom suit, we have a pretty good idea which shirt fit and size makes the most sense for them even if it is their first visit online. And if the customer has a history of replenishing their shirts or suits every season, we can assume our algorithm will have a pretty good idea of their preferences for color, collar, style and much more. But, as Claudio said, there is a real art to personalization. Last month we launched our first efforts at personalization. The early results have been very exciting. And for me the best evidence that we are heading in the right direction with our customers isn’t just from the sales lift, it’s also from a customer email that asked “How did you know I liked stripes?”
Mobile optimized website or mobile app? What’s next for Brooks Brothers?
CDV: Our customers have computers, phones and iPads and they use all of them to shop and search. The proliferation of these devices creates an opportunity for us to service our customers more effectively. We don’t think about it as an either/or; we start by addressing what our customers want.
KS: The vast majority of our mobile customers access our website through iPhones and iPads, so for starters we are going to build an extraordinary experience for them through a mobile optimized website. But we aren’t simply building a website optimized for smart phones; we decided to build a site with responsive design. What our customers experience on a large monitor will differ from what they experience on a laptop, an iPad or a smartphone. When this launches in the spring, customers shopping or searching on any device will have their experience optimized for the size of its screen.
Many retailers (including Brooks Brothers) are operating in a borderless, global marketplace both online and with store expansion into both established and emerging markets. What are you keeping your eye on in the global retail industry?
CDV: After 194 years serving many generations of customers, we are America’s oldest retailer. Today we are a global company with over 300 retail stores worldwide, and almost half of them are international. Our renown as a global brand has been earned the old fashioned way. There is great demand for Brooks Brothers and we open in markets where there is anticipation for our arrival. We have earned credibility for our products and service and view ourselves as the steward for the American Dream.
Ken, as a veteran of the retail e-commerce industry you’ve been a founder or CEO of a number of pure-play retail organizations. What’s the most exciting thing about bringing the legendary Brooks Brothers customer-driven reputation to the digital realm?
KS: Brooks Brothers has this incredible and legendary reputation for serving its customers. The company also has an innovative history going back almost two centuries. Our predecessor teams introduced to America many innovations including ready-to-wear clothing, the button-down collar, the non-iron shirt and much more. That combination is a powerful force in any business, but it is the linchpin of building a great digital experience. Unlike any startup I have been a part of, this is powerful brand with vast resources. And Claudio has been the first to push us to take chances, to innovate and to invent. That makes working here as compelling as any startup.
The Brooks Brothers site has undergone a major site reinvention embracing personalization, stunning photography and storytelling. What are some of the most exciting new features of the website?
CDV: Thank you. We are very excited by what we are building online. It’s been a colossal commitment of almost every department. But if there is one thing that I am most proud of, it would be that we have been able to put our customer first in everything we are trying to do. It is our expectation that our customers will feel excited and inspired about the Brooks Brothers experience no matter which channel they shop.
KS: I think for me the most exciting feature is the all of the stuff we haven’t launched yet. We are working on a lot of really exciting innovations.
What are some of the most common mistakes you’ve seen digital retail leaders make over the last 20 years in the business?
CDV: I think perhaps it is assuming that everything that they are doing needs to be reinvented from scratch.
KS: I think that is right and I am definitely guilty of it. I am learning that a lot of what has been done in the past doesn’t need to be reinvented. There are so many best practices that have already been established in the traditional retail environment and we are trying to build them into our process and practices.
As an investor and entrepreneur you have constantly been ahead of the curve in the digital retail industry. What should we keep our eye on in 2013?
KS: I think that online businesses have now reached the size and scale where the basics are going to matter a great deal more than they have in the past. Effectively planning and managing inventory, creating an easy shopping experience, managing for return on investment and delivering world class customer service will be even more important than any single new technology innovation.
Which retail companies do you find most fascinating to watch?
CDV: I am more interested in hearing from our customers than watching other businesses. We have a mandate to lead not watch.
21 Şubat 2013 Perşembe
Restaurant Review - Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, 7339 W. Sand Lake Road, #406, Orlando, FL
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Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, located on Sand Lake Road’s “Restaurant Row”, is a fun, interactive dessert store. It is do-it-yourself with simple instructions: Fill your bowl with frozen yogurt. Top with snacks and candies and sauces. Weigh. Then pay. For 44 cents an ounce, you can get what you want, in the quantity you want. The concept is brilliant. The staff just makes sure the toppings are kept filled up and then monitor the scale as 
customers finish their creations and weigh and pay.
Don’t worry if there is a crowd milling about inside. Remember, this is do-it-yourself. So, step right up, grab a bowl, and start pouring your frozen yogurt. There are 12 flavors every time, with only chocolate and vanilla staying the same, as far as I could tell. With more than 40 different flavors, including seasonal offerings like pumpkin and eggnog, rotating constantly, you will find a different variety available almost every time you visit. At the “Snackage” bar, where the dry toppings reside, are about 30 different types of add-ins, including nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans), candies (Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chips, yogurt chips, Jelly Bellies, M&M, Snow Caps, Gummy Bears, Rainbow Nerds, etc), cereals (Cap’n Crunch, Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles, etc.) an
d other toppings like coconut flakes, granola, and graham cracker crumbs. At the “Chill” bar, are freshly cut fruits such as strawberry slices, maraschino cherries, mango, kiwi, bananas, pineapple, as well as the decadent stuff such as mini-peanut butter cups, cookie dough balls, mini-cheesecake bits, and even mochi, a sticky Japanese confectio
n. Finally, there is the “Hotties” sauce bar with caramel, chocolate, peanut butter sauce, and hot fudge, as well as marshmallow sauce and non-dairy whipped topping.
On our first visit, I tried both the Pralines ‘n’ Cream and Pistachio frozen yogurt flavors and thought they made a great combination. I added pecans, coconut flakes, mini-cheesecake bites, and then topped that off with caramel sauce. BB was happily moving along, getting his yogurt and toppings while I helped LB put the yogurt flavors he wanted into his cup. By the time we reached the scale to weigh our creations, I glanced over and noticed my older son’s cup was completely filled to the top with yogurt and toppings. Oh dear, I should have been watching more closely. I had the staff weigh his separately from ours and, as I suspected, he had passed the pound mark! Yep, at 44 cents an ounce, he was looking at a $7.80 cup of dessert. The real test was, did he finish it? Of c
ourse not! Luckily, Menchie’s has lids to place on your creation so you can take it home if you want.
Next time, I walked in and was shocked to find that most of the flavors had changed and my Pralines ‘n’ Cream AND Pistachio were gone. After a moment, I realized this was probably a good thing so I could try some of the other flavors and I would not be stuck
in a rut getting the same flavors every single time. This time, I did a Cookies ‘n’ Cream and Cheesecake swirl (if two flavors are in the same machine, you can do a swirl), and then added some of the French Vanilla flavor. I also added some different toppings, trying peanuts this time, Snow Caps, and strawberry slices.
You can also try tastes of the different flavors first with the provided mini paper cups. This is actually a pretty good idea. I did not try the Cappucino flavor before I added it to my cup and when I was eating it later, it had a very strong coffee taste (it should have been called Espresso instead). So definitely taste-test if you are not sure what a flavor will taste like.
This visit, I watched BB like a hawk, and stopped him several times by the yogurt machines as I saw him place too much of each flavor in his cup. I also had to watch him at the toppings bar as I discovered he was putting scoop after scoop of chocolate chips into his bowl. “Hey, this is a yogurt shop, not a candy store!”
LB was more adventurous than I thought, trying more than just chocolate and vanilla and venturing to the Irish Mint and the Cheesecake flavors, though his favorite was Cookies ‘n’ Cream. This time, all of our creations came out to around $15 total , putting us closer to the 10-12 ounces per cup mark.
This is currently the only Menchie’s location in Florida, although another is planned for Fort Lauderdale. The shopping area it is in has several other restaurants so parking can be tight. However, there are “30 minutes or less” parking spots right in front. Menchie’s has already become a habit with us and I look forward to going every couple of weeks, especially to discover the new flavors in store for us.
Website: http://www.menchies.com/http://feeds.feedburner.com/centralfloridarestaurantmom
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, located on Sand Lake Road’s “Restaurant Row”, is a fun, interactive dessert store. It is do-it-yourself with simple instructions: Fill your bowl with frozen yogurt. Top with snacks and candies and sauces. Weigh. Then pay. For 44 cents an ounce, you can get what you want, in the quantity you want. The concept is brilliant. The staff just makes sure the toppings are kept filled up and then monitor the scale as customers finish their creations and weigh and pay.Don’t worry if there is a crowd milling about inside. Remember, this is do-it-yourself. So, step right up, grab a bowl, and start pouring your frozen yogurt. There are 12 flavors every time, with only chocolate and vanilla staying the same, as far as I could tell. With more than 40 different flavors, including seasonal offerings like pumpkin and eggnog, rotating constantly, you will find a different variety available almost every time you visit. At the “Snackage” bar, where the dry toppings reside, are about 30 different types of add-ins, including nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans), candies (Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chips, yogurt chips, Jelly Bellies, M&M, Snow Caps, Gummy Bears, Rainbow Nerds, etc), cereals (Cap’n Crunch, Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles, etc.) an
d other toppings like coconut flakes, granola, and graham cracker crumbs. At the “Chill” bar, are freshly cut fruits such as strawberry slices, maraschino cherries, mango, kiwi, bananas, pineapple, as well as the decadent stuff such as mini-peanut butter cups, cookie dough balls, mini-cheesecake bits, and even mochi, a sticky Japanese confection. Finally, there is the “Hotties” sauce bar with caramel, chocolate, peanut butter sauce, and hot fudge, as well as marshmallow sauce and non-dairy whipped topping.On our first visit, I tried both the Pralines ‘n’ Cream and Pistachio frozen yogurt flavors and thought they made a great combination. I added pecans, coconut flakes, mini-cheesecake bites, and then topped that off with caramel sauce. BB was happily moving along, getting his yogurt and toppings while I helped LB put the yogurt flavors he wanted into his cup. By the time we reached the scale to weigh our creations, I glanced over and noticed my older son’s cup was completely filled to the top with yogurt and toppings. Oh dear, I should have been watching more closely. I had the staff weigh his separately from ours and, as I suspected, he had passed the pound mark! Yep, at 44 cents an ounce, he was looking at a $7.80 cup of dessert. The real test was, did he finish it? Of c
ourse not! Luckily, Menchie’s has lids to place on your creation so you can take it home if you want.Next time, I walked in and was shocked to find that most of the flavors had changed and my Pralines ‘n’ Cream AND Pistachio were gone. After a moment, I realized this was probably a good thing so I could try some of the other flavors and I would not be stuck
in a rut getting the same flavors every single time. This time, I did a Cookies ‘n’ Cream and Cheesecake swirl (if two flavors are in the same machine, you can do a swirl), and then added some of the French Vanilla flavor. I also added some different toppings, trying peanuts this time, Snow Caps, and strawberry slices.You can also try tastes of the different flavors first with the provided mini paper cups. This is actually a pretty good idea. I did not try the Cappucino flavor before I added it to my cup and when I was eating it later, it had a very strong coffee taste (it should have been called Espresso instead). So definitely taste-test if you are not sure what a flavor will taste like.
This visit, I watched BB like a hawk, and stopped him several times by the yogurt machines as I saw him place too much of each flavor in his cup. I also had to watch him at the toppings bar as I discovered he was putting scoop after scoop of chocolate chips into his bowl. “Hey, this is a yogurt shop, not a candy store!”
LB was more adventurous than I thought, trying more than just chocolate and vanilla and venturing to the Irish Mint and the Cheesecake flavors, though his favorite was Cookies ‘n’ Cream. This time, all of our creations came out to around $15 total , putting us closer to the 10-12 ounces per cup mark.
This is currently the only Menchie’s location in Florida, although another is planned for Fort Lauderdale. The shopping area it is in has several other restaurants so parking can be tight. However, there are “30 minutes or less” parking spots right in front. Menchie’s has already become a habit with us and I look forward to going every couple of weeks, especially to discover the new flavors in store for us.
Website: http://www.menchies.com/http://feeds.feedburner.com/centralfloridarestaurantmom
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