My early Birthday

When I walked into work this morning, I had a surprise on my desk. My great co-workers had given me an early birthday present ... or played a joke! They had wrapped my Dell computer monitor in birthday paper! It was a good laugh!!!
We love to play jokes on each other. I come back from lunch on a daily basis to have different pictures on my home screen, and one day my entire desk was turned around facing the wall. Smart Furniture is always a great place to work and an adventure to come back to the office!

A Great Difference to ...Customers

t's few and far between that I'm able to write letters such as this: I just wanted to write briefly to share how impressed I am with one of your employees, Natalie Bigger. Today she not only reminded me that the sale I'd hoped to take advantage of was about to end (helping me to avoid kicking myself later), but proactively followed-up with me thereafter when she noticed an issue with the fabric selections noted on my purchase order. She is incredibly thorough, helpful, and perceptive. It's rare these days to encounter service professionals with such a combination. Please know that Natalie makes a great difference to your customers, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been lucky enough to have dealt with her. I have purchased from Smart Furniture previously and can guarantee I will continue to do so not only because of your quality products, but your quality employees. Thank you for maintaining such a high degree of service excellence. It doesn't go unnoticed.

-Jessica R., FL

Fraggle Rock...I miss that show

Fraggle Rock used to be my FAVORITE show of all time! I wanted to be an architect doozer and build cool structures. I used to sit and watch this show for hours! I would have friends spend the night and we would order pizza and watch TGIF. We watched Family Matters, Perfect Strangers (remember cousin Balki?), Full House, Step by Step......man, those were the best! Also, I always had a Magic Middles Cookie for dessert. Do you remember those? They were shortbread cookies with chocolate deliciousness in the middle. On Saturday mornings, we would eat Jimmy Dean frozen sausage biscuits, and watch Fraggle Rock. Those were some fun times!

Wanted: Outlaw Cowbells

Jammie Campbell (pan left) throws 100 mph fastballs underhanded, lifts prodigious weights in feats of strength, and runs our warehouse with MacArthur-style efficiency. Melanie Silva (pan right) is a humanitarian, a generous philanderer, and could sell you the shirt off your back. Be afraid.

Our New CSR is a WINNER!

"Just a note of thanks and kudos for Jennifer and her help with me about a return...helpful, efficient, good solution.. thanks Jennifer!"

-Kenny S.

Top 10 Things to Do at the IRCE

Top 10 Things to Do at the Internet Retailer Conference

by Smart Furniture

Attending the 2010 Internet Retailer Conference was a first for me. I was fortunate enough to go with 2 of my co-workers from Smart Furniture, and we had a great time in this year's host city of Chicago. With that said, I wish I knew a week ago what I know now so I could have gotten the absolute most out of the IRCE. So, thoughtful fellow that I am, I made a list of the top 10 things to do at the Internet Retailer Conference for next year's attendees. It's from an attendee's point of view, but I'm sure this years' exhibitors and speakers can gain something from it too. So without further ado, here is:


The Top 10 Things to Do at the Internet Retailer Conference

10. After fighting for a spot in line for the Q & A session, ask keynote speakers what measures their organization has taken to prevent duplicate content from appearing in alt tags on product landing pages.

9. Expand every acronym when conversing with others, eg: "I specialize in Search Engine Optimization for Customer Relationship Management and Enterprise Resource Planning providers." Look confused when, in response, the person you're talking to uses terms like "CMS" and "PPC".


8. Try like hell to sell your company's products to exhibitors. Bring catalogs and point emphatically at them whenever you bring the conversation back around to what you can provide them.

7. When someone asks if you currently do something in-house, laugh and reply: "No, we do it all in the out-house!" Give them a hearty slap on the back to really drive home the humor.

6. Whenever someone new sits down at your lunch table, grab their nametag and hold it up to your face, squinting. Look them in the eye and ask them in your most nasal voice possible if they're here for the computer conference.

5. Refer to any non-smart phone as "ghetto".

4. Ask Verisign if they provide SSL solutions every time you pass their booth.

3. Festoon the perimeters of random power outlets with gold streamers and place a "Reserved for VIP Gold Members" sign next to them.

2. In the middle of a session, methodically enunciate the words "COCKER -- SPANIEL -- PUPPIES" into your smart phone. Express audible and visual frustration with the device. Repeat.

1. Whenever an exhibitor brings up the prospect of a higher conversion rate, lean in close, lower your voice, and tell them, "Personally, my conversion rate's already pretty high." Wink knowingly.

Happy Happy Joy Joy...from our beloved customers

Thanks very much for the extra details and clarifying. I'm consistently impressed by your customer service. Very much looking forward to receiving the chair!

-Nathan C.