Getting to Know Cellular Sales — Tiffany Tangney, Central Florida
Posted on 28. Jun, 2012 by jharris in Getting to Know Cellular Sales
How long have you been with Cellular Sales? I have been with Cellular Sales for just over three years.
Tiffany (second from left) and her family
What is your title or roll within the company? I am the Central Florida Market Trainer and retain my Sales Consultant status to keep my selling skills sharp and current. And let’s be honest…it’s fun to try to outsell all of your friends.
What initially attracted you to Cellular Sales? I was a newly single mom with two small kids, no income and little to no work experience. I was motivated to make my life function again, but how? I did not have the time or the funds to go back [to college] to get a degree. I met some folks at the gym who work for Cellular Sales (Thanks guys!). After hearing my situation they gave me great advice, “We can get you hired.” When they told me it was selling phones I kind of chuckled but I figured it would get me by until something “better” came along. Little did I know that we sell a buying experience, not phones, and this would become my career.
What keeps you here? What keeps me here is the flexibility to be with my children and the advancement opportunities. However, it is the family type culture Cheyenne and Sarah insist upon that keeps me loyal to this awesome company. With their guidance and support I have been able to accomplish so many things I would have thought were far off in the future.
What has been your most rewarding accomplishment thus far? What are you most proud of? I have a two-way tie for my most rewarding accomplishment. Coining the “Creating Space” concept for the entire company was my first adventure in a group-training role. Also more recently, being part of the founding team to deliver “The Door Dazzle” training here in its debut Central Florida Market, Jacksonville, and soon South Georgia. This one is exciting because it’s easy to learn and it just works! I have so much fun sharing them! We’ll have our customers walking into the other stores saying, “This isn’t the real Cellular Sales” in no time flat!
I am most proud of our new reps here in Central Florida. They soak up the trainings so fast and are excited to use the skills we practice on the floor. We continually have reps in their first three months reaching the top of the leaderboard. When asked how they did it, their answers are classic: “I’m just doing what I learned in training!” I am so very proud of them! When I hear the stories of how they have been able to accomplish personal goals like buying a house, taking a family vacation, or paying off a car, I can’t help but feel giddy for them! Hats off to our recruiting department and mentors too! Without them we’d be a boat with no paddles in still water!
What are some challenges you face on a day-to-day basis, and how do you overcome them? I love being able to travel to other markets and share what has worked so well here in Central Florida. With my two girls it is a challenge. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my corner. It’s his continual support and understanding that get me through any challenge I face. He also taught me most of what I know about selling.
Before working here, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had? This is the most unusual, interesting job I’ve ever had! The industry is ever evolving so it keeps us on our toes! Cheyenne and Sarah have allowed and encouraged a very creative, different, and outside-of-the-box training program. It fits our company so well! We aren’t stiff and corporate and our trainings aren’t either!
What are your hobbies? My hobbies are whatever booster club is heading my children’s current hobbies. Right now that would be gymnastics and ballet. I’m at gymnastics three days a week. All I can say is my oldest daughter’s team conditioning makes my Insanity workout look like a light warm up.
And finally, do you have a funny story about working at Cellular Sales? I was leaving a shift a few weeks ago and getting into my car to drive home when I realized I left a bag in the store. I went back in to grab my bag and when I came back out my car was gone. I thought my co-worker had moved my car as a joke. When [my co-worker] bolted out towards the street I realized it was stolen! I’d left it running for [the thief]! I got it back 5 hours later. Needless to say the situation has been the subject of many eSecuritel jokes and the like.
Cellular Sales Donates $15,000 to At-Risk Youth Program
Posted on 21. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Cellular Sales News, Cellular Sales News
Cellular Sales recently gave a $15,000 donation to SOAR Youth Ministries to help support Knoxville children in need. SOAR Youth Ministries focuses upon helping at-risk youth in the Lonsdale area through after school training, a summer academy and a mentoring program. For the past three years, Cellular Sales has been helping SOAR serve the community through financial donations.
“The volunteers at SOAR have a passion for underprivileged youth and want to make a difference in their lives,” said Clayton Wood, executive director of SOAR Youth Ministries. “With the help of Cellular Sales, we get closer to that goal every year.” (Knoxville News Sentinel, June 3, 2012)
The donated funds will go to support the summer academy. During summer months, SOAR provides an all-day place for youth to participate in an intensive reading program, go on educational field trips and learn more about the Bible.The theme for the Summer Academy 2012 is “I Spy.” Throughout the summer the children at SOAR will go on a scavenger hunt researching bugs, America in the 1930′s, tracking the meteor storm, serving the city and more! Programs like this help the children develop a passion for reading while inspiring a sense of pride in the whole community.
Cellular Sales will also sponsor the annual SOAR Golf Tournament on July 2 at Gettysvue Golf Course. As the nations largest Verizon Wireless retailer, Cellular Sales has been privileged to open over 500 stores throughout the nation. In addition to bringing job opportunities to local communities, Cellular Sales is proud to invest in the future of these communities through programs like SOAR.
Cellular Sales Supports Free Football Camp
Posted on 21. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Cellular Sales News, Cellular Sales News
For the second year in a row, Cellular Sales has donated a $2500 grant to the the CNY Football Academy, a free football camp for kids in the Syracuse area. Organized by three NFL players, this annual camp provides an opportunity for children of all ages and economic backgrounds to learn about working hard, setting goals and achieving milestones.
Each year Mike Hart (a former running back for the Indianapolis Colts), Jo-Lonn Dunbar (a linebacker for the St. Louis Rams), and Tyvon Branch (a safety for the Oakland Raiders) return to home to Syracuse to offer this camp as a gift to the community. “It’s great to come back home every year and give back to the community that’s always supported me,” said Mike Hart, current running backs coach at Eastern Michigan University. “We’re lucky that we get to do something we love, while having fun with local kids and making this a community event.”
“It astounds us every year to see how this camp touches so many lives of those in our area,” said Tim Blackburn, regional director at Cellular. “We couldn’t be happier to be a part of this special program.”
The CNY Football Academy camp will be held on Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Sunnycrest Park.
Apple vs Google in a Map Match Up
Posted on 19. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, Industry News
When Apple announced last week that the new iOS would include a new mapping app with updated graphics, crystal clear details, improved navigation, and spoken turn-by-turn directions, they were announcing a map app war with Google. Their newest map program involves dropping Google Maps and utilizing the services of the navigation company Tom-Tom. Over the next several months, Apple will continue to extend relationships with developers on their map program, then in the fall the real battle begins. Both giants, Apple and Google have something to lose in this match-up.
If Apple cannot deliver a solid mapping navigation system that rivals and exceeds Google Maps, they may drive customer over to Android. If Apple wins, Google will lose massive information about “users’ locations, destinations and driving and shopping habits.” Either way, this should prove to be an interesting battle of the map apps.
5 Apps That Can Help You Cook Better
Posted on 16. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Android, Apps, Food, iOS
Image courtesy of Mrs. Gemstone (via Creative Commons)
Looking for a new taste, a fresh recipe, a mouthful of flavor? Sometimes we need new ideas to help expand our menu. I tend to get into a rut of rotating the same handful of meals: peanut butter, peanut and jelly, and when I’m feeling adventurous peanut butter and marshmallow.
Truth be told, peanut butter is not my only meal (but I do eat a bunch of it). Usually when I think about trying something new, I’m already walking around the grocery store. I have been known to walk over to the magazine aisle to see if there are any cooking issues. The five cooking apps below offers a range of recipes, great ideas and tips for being a better cook.
1. Foodily
Some folks started using Pinterest as a recipe tool for collecting and trading pictures of great tasting food. Foodily takes that functionality up a step and gives you the ability to store and save all sorts of great recipes. You can follow famous chefs, food bloggers, cookbook writers, plus all your friends. Foodily makes it easy to search and sort through great tasting recipes on all sorts of sites across the web.
2. Epicurious
One of the most popular recipe apps is Epicurious. This long time web site is the ultimate cookbook and kitchen companion for new cooks and long time chefs. Search and sort by ingredient, dish type, dietary considerations, occasion, season, and meal course. Once you select a recipe, it gives you prep time, photos, reviews and will even help you make an aisle by aisle grocery list. If you like it, favorite for future use.
3. Evernote Food
Remember the food you love with Evernote Food. Based on the continuous syncing app Evernote, this app keeps all your favorite meals, recipes, food sighting synced across your devices. Add captions, titles, tags, and any other details with each item.
4. Grill It
Any night is a great night to grill out. Whether grilling up a steak, some burgers, fish or even veggies, the grill adds that extra special taste. Here’s an app that gives you access to some of the best grilling recipes available. Plus, if you’ve got a questions, it comes with a built question tool that lets you post questions via email or put them on twitter for a fast response. The initial app costs $1.99 but after purchase, you get a free Meat Temps app that gives you recommended temperatures for all your favorite meats.
5. How to Cook Everything for the iPhone
What about an app that answers your cooking questions even while helping you pick some outstanding recipes. “How to Cook Everything” is a great tool for new and old cooks alike. It offers recipes, kitchen basics, and picks by New York Times columnist Mark Bittman (who wrote the bestselling cookbook, “How to Cook Everything”). Recipes over step-by-step instructions, an ingredients list that can be exported to a grocery list, and variations on recipes. I included this app because I love the practicality and cooking tips, but it does cost $4.99 (there is also a free version and a more expensive deluxe version), and sadly it’s only available for iPhone, iPad and iTouch right now.
5 Apps That Help You Eat Better
Posted on 15. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Android, Apps, iOS
Image used courtesy of Masahiro Ihara (via Creative Commons)
For the last couple days, I’ve been testing food applications for the smartphone. As it turns out, I discovered all sorts of applications that not only improve the way we cook but improve what we choose to cook in the first place. Today, I compiled five applications that can give you quick access to information and tools to eat better and live healthier. Tomorrow, I’ll highlight applications with recipes, ideas, and tips on cooking better.
Using the five apps below you can get a clearer sense of the what’s in the food you’re currently eating, find fresh and healthy food, discover new and tasty foods, and plan better meals.
1. HarvestMark
Know where your fresh food came from? HarvestMark Food Traceability can help you trace your fresh food back to the farm. You’ll know where the food was grown, when it was grown, and how it was grown, and even if the food was subject to recall. This highly awarded app been featured by the The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, NBC, ABC, The Miami Herald, and named as a top five app by over 100 bloggers. The HarverstMark logo on fresh vegetables, fruit, and chicken indicates that you can get information on your food.
2. Fooducate
Know what you’re buying or what’s in your cabinets? Scan your product labels with Fooducate and get a quick snapshot of what your eating. It ranks your food with an A through D grade, focusing on sodium, sugar and saturated fats as well as fiber and naturally occurring nutrients. Plus, Fooducate can offer a list of alternative items for comparison. This is such a cool app, I’m surprised it’s free. I started scanning everything in my cabinet.
3. Fresh Food Finder
After scanning a few cans of food, you might decide it would be a good idea to start buying more fresh food. Download Fresh Food Finder and discover a list of nearby markets that sell locally grown food.
4. Meal Planning by Food on the Table
Now why not start planning your meals in advance to save costs and eat healthier? Food on the Table helps you make a plan, make a shopping list, find the best deals at local grocery stores. You have the option of choosing calorie allowances, specify health goals (diabetic plans, body building, vegan, etc). Then you enter a list of local grocery stores. Food on the Table will suggest recipes. Select your recipes, and it will make a grocery list and even help you stay on budget. Now that’s a mouthful, literally.
5. Whole Foods Market
If you’ve decided you want to eat a bit healthier, you may want to check with Whole Foods Market. They’e got two apps that can help you discover healthier foods and healthier recipes. The Whole Foods Market app gives you a variety of suggested recipes that can expose you healthier eating habits. The Whole Foods Market Mission introduces you to new vegetables and foods that are tasty and healthy (this app is currently only available on iPhone).
Amazon Cloud Player Now on iOS
Posted on 12. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, Industry News, iOS
The Amazon Cloud Player is now available for iPhone, iPod and iPad products. This is surprisingly great news for iOS owners. The iOS ecosystem has suddenly opened, and owners are no longer restricted to iTunes Match for a cloud-based music storage system. Maybe I missed the rumors, but I didn’t see this coming. While I use iTunes Match, Google Play Music and the Amazon Cloud Player, I assumed iTunes would stay in its ecosystem while Google Play and Amazon Cloud roamed free in the Android world. Now Amazon Cloud Player is free to roam in the iOS world as well.
With Amazon Cloud Player you can,
· Stream your music from the cloud.
· Download locally and enjoy your music offline – no wifi or mobile network needed.
· Create and edit playlists.
· Play music in the background, or controlled via lockscreen.
· Use Bluetooth to stream your music in your house or car.
If anything, this gives the iOS user more choice in streaming and downloading music. If you haven’t used Amazon Cloud Player, you can easily test it by purchasing an MP3 from Amazon and choosing to open it in the Cloud Player. Amazon gives users unlimited space for music. Using the Amazon uploader, you can easily transfer music from your computer to the Amazon Cloud even if you didn’t purchase it at Amazon.
One complaint I’ve had about iTunes Match is the lack of support for audiobooks. I know this is eventually coming, but since the last iTunes upgrade, it has been much more cumbersome to transfer books to my iPhone. The Amazon Cloud Player supports audiobooks, so I can easily listen via Amazon now.
The Amazon Cloud Player supports bluetooth and airplay, so you can easily play our music via your selected entertainment system. If you choose to use the Amazon Cloud Player, remember that streaming music via the cloud does impact your data streaming limits, so you may want to limit streaming to Wi-Fi use only and download for other situations.
Apple Introduces the New iOS 6…Coming This Fall
Posted on 12. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Industry News, iOS
At Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) conference yesterday, Scott Forstall, in charge of iOS, took the stage to give the audience a vision of the coming updates. He started by highlighting some impressive stats on the iOS platform:
- 365 million iOS devices have been sold.
- More than 80 percent of customers are running the latest version, iOS 5.
- Apple send seven billion push notifications through iOS every day (equaling 1.5 trillion push notifications altogether).
- 140 million iMessage users sending 1 billion messages each day (with a total of 150 billion messages sent).
- Twitter integration with iOS has spawned 10 billion tweets.
- Game Center has 130 million users and records five billion scores a week.
Forstall proceeded to introduce the updates coming to iOS this fall. Here are some of the key updates:
Maps – With a total redesign, Map elements are now vector based, offering graphics and text with incredible details. Zoom all the way in and details are crystal clear. Pan and the image remains smooth. Navigation is simpler with visual and spoken turn-by-turn directions. Enjoy real-time updates. Tilt, rotate, and soar over cityscapes incredible high-resolution quality.
Siri -In the updated iOS 6, Siri can understand more languages, making it accessible in more countries and on the iPad as well. Now Siri gives sports score and stats, movie reviews and showtimes, and can locate the best restaurants and make reservations. Siri is also integrated with Facebook and Twitter.
Passbook – Keep your tickets, coupons, loyalty cards and boarding passes in one place, your iPhone or iPod. Whether going to a movie, a concert, a flight or shopping, you can simply use your iPhone or iPod. Passbook tracks coupon expiration dates, makes sure you get to your flight on time, and can even help your find your concert seats.
Facebook -Speaking of Facebook, iOS 6 offers greater Facebook integration. You can update your Facebook page from various apps such the maps (post your location), Game Center (show off scores), import Facebook events to Calendar, and reach your friends via total Contact integration.
Photo Streams -Sharing your photos via photos stream is easier than ever. Send to friends on iCloud, another iOS device or a Mac running Mountain Lion, Apple TV, or even the web.
FaceTime – Now you can use FaceTime on Cellular Networks as well as Wi-Fi. Plus, you can use iPad on FaceTime with your phone number.
Phone – Can’t talk on the phone? When you decline the call you can send an instant reply via text message or set a callback reminder. Turn on Do Not Disturb, allowing only the most important calls to pass through.
Mail – Now it’s easier to read, write, set high priority contacts, and add attachments to your emails.
Additionally, iOS 6 will introduce a range of other features like vastly improved accessibility features including guided access, better web browsing, an improved Find My Friends interface, a redesigned shopping experience, a passcode lock feature for lost phones, and built-in support for Chinese speaking users.
September Launch Date for iPhone 5?
Posted on 11. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Industry News, News
Image via http://www.iphone5net.com/
September appears to be the target date for launching the next generation iPhone 5. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, KGI Securities Analyst, Apple will likely launch its sixth-generation iPhone. Kuo also suggests that the new iPhone will feature a 4.08-inch display utilizing in-cell touchscreen technology. The in-cell touchscreen design is expected to reduce width by about 15%.
Verizon Plans Global Roaming 4G LTE
Posted on 11. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Cellular Sales, Cellular Sales News
Verizon customers will soon be able to enjoy 4G LTE all around the world. In a press conference at the Telecommunications Industry Association last week, Tony Malone, Verizon’s Chief Technology Officer, announced that Verizon Wireless plans to offer global roaming for all its 4G LTE smartphones, tablets and network cards.
“There will absolutely be roaming for 4G LTE devices,” Malone said. “And where 4G LTE isn’t available or it’s not economical to support those LTE frequencies, we’ll allow customers to fall back on 3G HSPA networks.”
Facebook Offers Mobile Web Apps Payments
Posted on 07. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Industry News
Facebook just simplified the process for users to make in app mobile payments. For example, users wanting to purchase more Farmville credits “can now charge items directly to their mobile phones via carriers in two steps to more than 30 countries.” Instead of relying on credit card payments, purchase can now be made via phone carriers. (See IT World)
TomTom for Android Coming Soon
Posted on 07. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Industry News
According to Phones Review, an Android version of the popular TomTom app is slated for release this summer. iOS already offers a mobile phone version of this navigation tool. Due to the projected high price, some writers question if the benefit is worth it since Android already has a full Google Maps integration. See iOS version of TomTom below:
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Google Buys Quickoffice
Posted on 07. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Industry News
Google announced this week that they have acquired Quickoffice. A popular documents app, Quickoffice has been a dominant player among the office suite apps products. This move better positions Google Docs in the mobile computing space. In addition to a robust set of editing tools for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and texts files, Quickoffice offers extensive integration with a range of online web storage providers. (See Google Blog)
Teaching Children Responsible Wireless Use
Posted on 03. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Youth and Mobile Devices
Used by permission (courtesy Ed Yourdon via Creative Commons)
How do you help your children use their smartphone or tablet responsibly?
Some media experts throw their hands up in frustration, lamenting how smartphones can lead to irresponsible behavior and addictive tendencies. At the same time, smartphones offer great advantages for study and will be a part of your child’s future. There are some great resources to help parents training their children how to use wireless technology responsibly.
CTIA-The Wireless Association® has developed helping parents and educators teaching children about responsible wireless use: The Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe site. The site offers a range of links to resources, facts and surveys, and a simple overview for training your children. Here are the highlights:
- Unwanted contact – Parents should talk to their children about cyberbullying, harassing messages, and other forms of unwanted online contact. It is essential for the child to feel safe and free to talk with parents about any unwanted online contact they’ve received.
- Inappropriate content – Parents must train children to avoid posting inappropriate images, videos or words online. Children should understand the risks and potential consequences sending inappropriate content in public and private posts. Poor conduct today could result in job loss tomorrow. CTIA offers three simple rules: avoid saying things you wouldn’t say in person (online, email or in texts); don’t take or send inappropriate text messages, photos or videos; never give your personal information (including phone number, home address, e-mail address or credit card number).
- Privacy – Parents should play an active role in protecting their child’s privacy. Use privacy settings on the wireless devices and make use of the privacy control tools your wireless service provides. (Talk to your Cellular Sales rep about adding Parental Controls to your Verizon account.)
- Applications – Talk with children about applications and help them learn how to make good decision about downloading apps.
- Family Wireless Policy – Establish family wireless rules. Here’s a sample Family Wireless Rules template to get started.
Another helpful site is Common Sense Media. This site helps parents and educators learn about ways to protect and train children with smartphones and other forms of media.
5 Apps for Students
Posted on 01. Jun, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, Youth and Mobile Devices
Used by permission (courtesy of Brad Flickinger via Creative Commons)
Yesterday, I highlighted the ways mobile devices are entering into the education system. More and more students are going to BYOT schools (bring your own technology). At the same time, some teachers and school systems are seeking to raise money to provide the students with mobile devices. One teacher at Vine Middle School in Knoxville, TN is raising money for iPod touches, one student at a time.[1]
Today, I want to highlight some of the applications that are helping students learn. The number of educational applications have exploded over the last few years. Here are 5 types of apps that are helping students become better learners.
1. Game-Based Learning – Playing games is a natural way to learn. Children regularly create games that mimic adult patterns like playing house, toy mowers, etc. More and more research anticipate game-based learning to play a dominant role in the classroom of the future. One popular game-based app is Math Motion. Designed for children ages 7-12, offers a series of games that give children visual and physical understanding of what 1/3 means and what multiplication entails, giving children a solid foundation for future learning in science, technology, engineering, and in all abstract thinking.
Zondle gives teachers the ability to create question-based games. Teachers create topics specifically for learners, then they can play those topics in any of the many zondle games.
2. Curriculum Apps – Teachers can keep students up-to-date with course information, homework assignments and school events. Blackboard Mobile™ gives schools and colleges tool for administrating courses and content. Students and teachers can access documents in multiple formats, post announcements (teachers), create discussion threads and posts, and comment on blogs and journals, all on the mobile devices they love (features vary by LMS).
3. Graphing Apps – Instead of buying expensive calculators for advanced math and science classes, students can download apps that meet extensive graphing requirements. The Algeo Calculator App for Android is perfect for calculus and algebra. Students can draw functions, find intersections and show a table of values of the functions with an easy to use interface. In the iPhone, most student can get by with the popular Free Graphing Calculator. It includes a wide range of functions and reference information. The same developer also offers an Scientific Graphing Calculator for advanced functionality.
4. Studying Apps – Whether you’re trying to remember vocabulary words, important dates in history or the latest baseball scores, gFlash makes it easy to create flash cards using Google Docs. gFlash also partners with several partners StudyStack, Quizlet, WinFlash Educator and FlashcardExchange to offer users a wider variety of pre-made flash cards.
5. Researching Apps – From taking notes to preparing for tests to collecting information for a paper, smartphones give students tools for researching and organizing research information. My favorite app in both iOS and Android formats is Evernote. While there are a variety of apps that can help students in collaboration, homework, footnotes, and organizing data, Evernote can do all that and more. Students can organize information in notebooks by subject, class, and project or they can create their own system of organizing information. Evernote can save web pages, photos, audio clips and text entry. It works on computers and all mobile devices. Plus, an Evernote Pro account offers security and an easy way to share notebooks for collaboration.
Google and Apple also offer Education pages to help parents and teachers find helpful apps for their children’s mobile devices.
[1] Marla Crossley. “iPod Touch will engage fifth-graders in math, reading.” Knoxville News Sentinel, January 23, 2012 <http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/23/ipod-touch-will-engage-fifth-graders-in-math/>
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