Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and eCornell have launched new on-demand training in service excellence targeting front-line employees. The training consists of eight online lessons, all of which are available 24/7, and is complemented by a Workshop Guide to promote onsite, face-to-face discussion and application of the online lesson concepts. The training explores the foundations of service delivery and empowers employees through practical tools that can be applied to any situation involving internal or external customers.
Service Excellence On-Demand Training provides groups and organizations with a straightforward framework to increase effectiveness for all customer interactions. It provides employees with the skills needed to connect service excellence concepts to the execution of their daily duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Individuals who successfully complete all eight lessons will receive a recognition of their achievement from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7975651-cornell-university-service-excellence-training/
Research from CEB (NYSE: CEB), a best practice insight and technology company and the creators of the Challenger™ Selling model, shows that 51 percent of customers who might be willing to buy from a supplier are not willing to advocate for them and help them get deals over the finish line. This is a direct result of the difficult, internal buying process. Unfortunately, sales organizations lack a true understanding of their customers and are unable to simplify the complexities of buying for them.
“Willingness to buy is not the same as willingness to advocate; suppliers need customers to advocate and fight for them to get deals done today,” said Brent Adamson, principal executive advisor at CEB and co-author of The Challenger Sale and The Challenger Customer. “In order to move past ‘good enough’ and ‘status quo,’ suppliers need to go beyond just understanding how customers interact with them, to gaining a thorough understanding of how they work, what is important to them and how they interact with each other.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7427254-ceb-challenge-align-prescribe-b2b-sales-strategy/
Clayton, one of the largest American builders of manufactured and modular homes, utilizes an internal supply chain management system, known as Clayton Supply, that allows the company to lower costs and pass those savings on to home buyers.
Through its network of facilities that both manufacture and distribute building materials, Clayton is able to offer quick inventory turnaround at reduced costs to its own home building facilities, thereby offering homes at affordable prices to families across America.
Clayton Supply facilities are located across the country and include operations that manufacture vinyl, insulated windows, gypsum wallboard, trusses, cabinets, moldings and much more. In addition to manufacturing its own materials, Clayton Supply also purchases building materials in bulk, moving those materials through a network of regional distribution centers that are strategically located to support its own home building facilities.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7716457-clayton-supply-affordable-home-prices
Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, has implemented an internal customer satisfaction scoring system aimed at measuring the overall experience of its home loan origination process.
The internal customer satisfaction score that Vanderbilt has created is a metric calculated from surveyed responses by customers within two weeks of funding their loan. The customers are asked to give a score ranging from zero to 10 on how likely they are to recommend Vanderbilt Mortgage to family and friends based on their home loan origination experience.
“We want to be transparent about the feedback we receive from our customers,” said Eric Hamilton, president of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. “Continuously listening to customers’ needs in order to improve is our top priority. This scored system gives us a structured way to measure how we are doing and determine in which areas we can do better. It’s important for us to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7716456-vanderbilt-mortgage-customer-survey/
In 2011, PetSafe® brand launched its nationwide Bark for Your Park program to help communities build their own off-leash dog parks. In order to help even more communities this year, PetSafe brand is restructuring the contest into a grant-giving program and increasing the number of awards from five to 25.
“In the past five years, we’ve given away over $850,000 to communities to build dog parks of their own, but now we want to help communities during every stage of development,” said Tracy Mulder, marketing manager, PetSafe brand. “Our new Bark for Your Park program is expanding to not only help break ground on new parks, but also help fund maintenance and improvements for existing parks.”
Communities can submit a grant application now through June 30, 2016 on www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark. The applications will be reviewed by an internal committee and PetSafe brand will award five new park grants valuing $25,000 each, 10 park makeover grants valuing $10,000 each, and 10 park maintenance grants valuing $5,000 each. This year’s award recipients will receive a combination of funds and commercial-grade dog park equipment from UltraSite, a PlayCore Company. The winning communities will be announced over a 5-week period during August through September.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7827752-petsafe-dogs-bark-for-your-park/
Top Hybrids and Electric Cars Must Buy 2016 [ Buying Guide ]
Top Recommended Hybrids and Electric Cars
List Car you need to buy:
====== 2016 Tesla Model S ========
We owned a 2013 Tesla Model S for 18 months and despite numerous dealer visits and maintenance issues, we were ultimately sad to see it go. It's quick, comfortable, quiet, spacious, and can tote as much cargo as some crossover SUVs. The "85" version can go 265 miles on a charge, so range anxiety is a nonissue. We even drove ours from L.A. to New York in less than three days using Tesla's free Supercharger quick-charge network. We definitely have gripes, including some underwhelming interior trim pieces and a lack of small item storage. There's also the below-average reliability, although our dealer experiences were exceptional. So even though it's not perfect, the Model S remains our favorite electric car.
============2016 Kia Soul EV============
Kia's first real foray into the electric vehicle world is a success. In fact, the funky Soul is arguably more appealing when it swaps out its internal combustion engine for an electric motor. In our testing, the Soul EV went farther on a charge than its similarly sized and priced competitors, and then recharged quickly thereafter. It also doesn't suffer a reduction in cargo space versus the non-EV Soul, meaning it provides the utility of a small SUV rather than that of a small hatchback like its rivals. A long warranty and generous features are other benefits.
===============2015 BMW i3=============
BMW's i3 is a remarkable vehicle. Its main structure is made of light yet strong carbon fiber instead of the usual steel or aluminum. This helps reduce the i3's weight, which pays dividends for both electric range and performance. With its electric motor in back and the battery under the floor, the i3 boasts sporty acceleration and handling.
======= 2015 BMW i8 ===========
You want your plug-in hybrid to be a head-turning sports car? Look no further than the BMW i8, the two-door supercar for the environmentally conscious. Like the more attainable BMW i3, the i8 is built around a carbon-fiber passenger cell. But in the i8 an electric motor drives the front wheels and a turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine pushes from behind.
===== Luxury Hybrid 2016 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid =====
Porsche's flagship sedan is the Panamera, a low-slung four-door with a hatchback trunk. The 2016 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is the plug-in hybrid version, and it offers 16 miles of pure electric driving before the supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V6 engine takes over. Acceleration, handling and braking are pure Porsche, which is something of a trick for a car this large. It's perfect for those shoppers
======= Hybrid SUV 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid =========
No other automaker bothers to offer a hybrid version of its three-row SUV. But Toyota's Highlander Hybrid doesn't earn a spot in our Buying Guide purely by default. It continues to show just how well the hybrid formula can be applied to a big, family-friendly crossover SUV. The hybrid version earns a 28 mpg combined estimate, or 7-8 mpg better than the V6-powered Highlander. In addition to that, the Highlander Hybrid offers solid build quality, respectable acceleration, a sophisticated and quiet ride quality and plenty of standard and available features.
====== 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2016 Toyota Prius =====
Substantial changes last year vaulted the Toyota Camry Hybrid onto our top-recommended list. Although it doesn't quite match the fuel economy of some competitors, the real-world cost of that difference is negligible. Plus, dismissing the Camry simply because of an mpg or two would mean missing out on an otherwise compelling sedan. Comfort remains a Camry priority, but this latest Camry Hybrid also handles pretty well.
====== Hybrid Cars 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid / Energi =====
The 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a great choice for car shoppers who are new to hybrids. It's quiet, comfortable and feels very much like a normal family sedan, while delivering the fuel economy you expect from a hybrid. It's also a Ford Fusion, which means you also get impressive refinement, good road manners and plenty of standard and available high-tech features.
======= 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf =====
Among entry-level EVs, the Volkswagen e-Golf is our favorite. It handles well, has a handsome interior, delivers class-competitive range and has the optimal equipment for quick battery recharging. What's even better, cargo space is unchanged from the non-EV Golf because the batteries are located under the floor.
Jive Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: JIVE), today announced an evolution of its interactive solution that combines the collaborative capabilities of the enterprise social network with its new suite of purpose-built mobile apps. By fully integrating Jive-w mobile apps, including Jive Chime, Jive Daily and Jive Circle with the industry-leading Jive-n internal solution, Jive liberates employees to work wherever and however they want through the power of a truly mobile, interactive intranet. Additionally, the latest release of Jive-n accelerates time-to-deployment with out-of-the-box, best-practice templates for HR, sales and corporate communications functions that deliver immediate value for all lines of business.
“Jive is on a mission to help people work better together,” said Elisa Steele, chief executive officer at Jive Software. “To remain competitive, companies are looking for connected, modern digital solutions with everything needed to get their jobs done. This next-generation intranet solution is tailored, managed and expanded with little or no burden on IT, which delivers immediate business value and clear ROI. It's totally mobile, with smart, elegant apps that keep everyone connected to their company and colleagues.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7447051-jive-software-interactive-internet/
UBS launched its first global brand campaign since 2009 today, reflecting the firm’s strategic transformation and future direction. Featuring a distinctive brand film as well as advertising with images by Annie Leibovitz, the campaign also refreshes the strong UBS brand with a contemporary look and feel. The external launch follows a three-month internal campaign that inspired unprecedented rates of employee engagement.
“The brand campaign is an expression of the successful strategic transformation UBS has undergone over the past four years,” said Sergio P. Ermotti, Group Chief Executive Officer. “Reflecting the strategic transformation through our branding gives us additional momentum.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7612551-ubs-launches-global-brand-campaign/
Popular tradition gives vinegar many healthful benefits, both through topical and internal use: it is antiseptic, antioxidant, purifying, soothing, protective, and toning.
This new interest motivated hair colouring pioneer Christophe Robin to study the cosmetic properties linked to vinegar, and research formulas inspired by traditional recipes to create a product that meets the current needs of both men and women.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7560651-christophe-robins-botanical-vinegars/
Companies in every part of the nation sponsor tax-qualified benefit plans to attract and retain high quality employees. The plans are designed to offer employees tax relief as they build up their retirement through 401k plans or to buy medical and dental type benefits. However, according to EisnerAmper's Pension Services Group, tax relief that benefits both the employer and the plan participants is at risk of being lost if plan sponsors fail to follow basic qualification requirements by maintaining effective internal control structures over their plans.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7461932-eisneramper-employee-benefits/
Turning your clocks ahead an hour on March 8 for the start of Daylight Savings Time may be known as the unofficial start to spring, but for many, it’s known as the day we lose an hour of sleep. As you prepare to change your clocks on Sunday, take that opportunity to evaluate your sleeping habits. The loss of that hour of sleep can turn minor sleep issues into major ones.
“When we move our clock forward or backward, our internal clock becomes out of sync with the external time,” says Dr. Daniel Shade, Board Certified Sleep Specialist and Director of the AHN Sleep Disorders Center. “The best way to combat this is to expose ourselves to light and let our bodies resynchronize.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7447951-remworks-daylight-savings-sleep-coach/
With the introduction of Abbott's iDesign Dx system, U.S. ophthalmologists now have a diagnostic tool that can capture five optical measurements in one three-second scan to determine the patient's visual abnormalities. This highly advanced diagnostic tool measures the internal optics and surface of the eye more precisely than conventional methods, allowing doctors to fully evaluate imperfections that result in poor vision. Obtaining these measurements in one three-second scan enables ophthalmologists to screen patients more efficiently to determine if they are eligible for LASIK or other refractive surgery and to assist in diagnosis of other conditions.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/64467-abbott-idesign-dx-system-available-for-opthalmologists-and-patients
