The answer: Absolutely.

The customer is everything. Jeff Bezos knows this, and that’s part of the reason why he’s been able to take the spark of an idea and transform it into one of the most recognizable brands in history.

Ultimately, no business can thrive without paying attention to the people who are fueling its success. Whether you own your own business or you’re an Amazon customer yourself, here’s five important lessons that Bezos has taught us when it comes to creating a solid consumer model.

Understand Your Customers’ Needs

It’s unfortunately the case that many times the needs of others are in one ear out the other. That lack of attention on the needs of the consumer make it nearly impossible to provide solutions to detrimental problems.

Jeff Bezos takes listening to the customer very seriously. In fact, he’s so passionate about it that he’s made managers train in the call center in order to learn how to really listen to what their consumers were saying.

Respect the Modern Day Customer Experience

“If there’s one reason we have done better than of our peers in the Internet space over the last six years, it is because we have focused like a laser on customer experience, and that really does matter, I think, in any business,” Bezos has said. It certainly matters online, where word-of-mouth is so very, very powerful.”

In bygone days, one bad customer experience would maybe end up being shared with a handful of peers. In today’s world, one bad customer experience is likely to go viral on the internet. This is one of the Amazon customer service strategies that has had the biggest impact on protecting their business.

Make Them the Most Important Person in the Room

Looking for a metaphor to understand just how important customers are to Amazon? Bezos recommends thinking about customers as though they’re the most important guest at a party. ““We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts,” he has said. “It’s our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better.” Amazon strives to do exactly this in every aspect of their business, and that’s why their Prime memberships are chock-full of benefits. 

Don’t Settle for Less Than Perfect

You’ll often find that the most successful people are the ones who work relentlessly to reach their goals and who are never satisfied with mediocrity. Of course, perfection is a nearly impossible thing to achieve. But when it comes to satisfying the needs of its customers, Bezos wants Amazon to get as close to it as possible. That means focusing on making customers happy. Take it from Bezos: You know if you make a customer unhappy, they won’t tell five friends, they’ll tell 5,000 friends. So we are at a point now where we have all of the things we need to build an important and lasting company, and if we don’t, it will be shame on us.”

Create a Customer-Centric Company

People may think that Amazon is trying to take over the world. But the truth is that their mission is “to be earth’s most customer-centric company.” So if you’re wondering how they’ve become one of the most unmistakably recognizable brands in the world, this is your answer. Of all the Amazon customer service strategies that matter, this one encapsulates it all. They’re not thinking about their needs or desires. They’re thinking about how they can serve the needs of the people who are using their product.

Data Source: referralcandy.com, salesforce.com

The post 5 Key Lessons Behind Amazon Customer Service Strategies appeared first on Survey Junkie Blog.

In facts, there’s really no brand quite as compatible with the comfort of a couch and a nighttime movie, whether we’re seeking solace in a heaping scoop of Chunky Monkey or splitting a pint of Phish Food with our Sig Fig.

But did you know that Ben & Jerry’s almost didn’t even exist as an ice cream brand?

The iconic sweet treat was originally meant to a bagel company. Both Ben and Jerry were planning on delivery bagels with cream cheese and lox and a copy of the NY Times on Sunday Mornings. The problem? The bagel-making equipment was too expensive. Hence, the birth of ice cream instead.

Here’s 9 other fun facts about the famous ice cream company that you probably didn’t know.

The Company Started Out as More Than Just an Ice Cream Shop

They may have ditched bagels, but the original Ben & Jerry’s sold other items besides ice cream. That includes soup, crepes, and even pottery.

Ben & Jerry’s Employees Get 3 Pints of Ice Cream a Day

 Imagine living in a world where an endless flow of ice cream is available to you at all times. That’s the life of a Ben & Jerry’s employee. And with a major sweet tooth over here, that’s also why we could never work there!

There’s a Ben & Jerry’s Graveyard for Discontinued Flavors

 What happens to all over those flavors that don’t make it for the long haul? They get sent to the Ben & Jerry’s graveyard. There’s currently over 300 discontinued concoctions in the ice cream cemetery.

Ben and Jerry Met in 7^th Grade Gym Class

Who knows where a friendship will take you? Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield met in junior high school physical education, a time when bonds are sealed for life. They were the two slowest kids in the class.

The Ben & Jerry’s Meeting Rooms are Named After Ice Cream Flavors

Sounds like a magical place to work! Not only do employees meet in conference rooms named after their famous concoctions, they also enjoy both a treehouse and a slide at the office.

Related: Is Ben & Jerry’s Really Environmentally Friendly? 

They Almost Had a Different Name

 A rose by any other name… Wouldn’t smell as sweet? Ben had originally wanted to call their business “Josephine’s Flying Machine.” But Jerry didn’t approve.

The First 8 Pints Are All Discontinued.

The first eight pints to be released were Honey Coffee, Honey Orange, Oreo Mint, Chocolate Fudge, Wild Blueberry, Mocha Walnut, Maple Walnut, and French Vanilla. All eight flavors have been sent to the grave.

Can You Guess the Most Popular Flavor?

Worldwide, the most popular Ben & Jerry’s flavor is Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. And all that popularity is thanks to an anonymous fan, who suggested they create the flavor at the company’s first scoop shop.

The Ben & Jerry’s Office is Dog-Friendly.

The ice cream company’s headquarters is dog-friendly, and many employees will bring their pups to work.

Data Source: benjerry.com

The post 10 Fun Facts about Ice Cream Company Ben & Jerry’s appeared first on Survey Junkie Blog.

But the worst part about sorting, washing, and folding?

Loose socks.

If you’ve ever experienced the mayhem of trying to put back together twenty pairs of purple polka dotted socks when they tumble out of the dryer, then this innovation will be the ultimate life saver. It’s called Sock Dock, and serves two very purposeful functions. So when we say it’s the ultimate innovation for parents who hate sorting socks, we are willing to bet that means most parents will benefit from the Sock Dock. If you happen to love spending countless minutes piecing together the footwear puzzle, well… more power to you.

How Does the Sock Dock Work?

The Sock Dock is a two-in-one accessory that surveys some very purposeful functions. First, it saves socks from getting separated amidst the heaps of laundry. Just hold and lock the dirty socks in the adjustable sliders, and have your kids add to it as the week goes on. Then you can throw the entire Sock Dock into the washing machine, letting them get clean without losing their partner.

Second, you can also use the Sock Dock as the perfect alternative to a sock drawer organizer. Just hang it over your closet or a doorknob, and keep your family’s socks organized in pairs even when they’re clean! The packs comes with two of these handy life savers, so you can use one for clean socks and one for dirty socks.

If you think this innovation is something you can benefit from, then head over to Amazon to purchase yours! They’re $16 on the site, so cash out your Survey Junkie points with an Amazon e-Gift card. Not a member? Sign up for Survey Junkie here.

Data Source: sockdock.com

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The highest-earning toymaker will release the Monopoly Cheater’s Edition this fall, and it contains a whole new set of rules and elements that actively encourage players to cheat.

They’re going a level beyond the branded Monopoly boards that have appealed to fans across the world…Now they’re appealing to the sneakiest part of human nature.

“As anyone who’s participated in game night knows, the friendly competition can often get heated,” said Hasbro senior vice president Jonathan Berkowitz to Bloomberg. “This means players are looking to bend the rules in their pursuit of game-night glory.”

Get paid to share your opinion about products and services. Start earning on Survey Junkie by clicking here.

What are the Approved Cheats in the New Monopoly Game?

So how are cheaters going to use their stealth to get ahead in the new monopoly game? Besides the traditional chance and community chest cards, the new version will also include 15 “Cheat Cards” that ask players to secretly sabotage their opponents’ mission throughout the game.

If you get away with it, you’ll reap the benefits of free properties or a wad of cash. But if you’re caught, the consequences are dire. You’ll either have to hand over money or end up in jail. And this time, the monopoly jail isn’t joking around: there’s a literal plastic handcuff attached to the board.

The “approved” cheats in the new version of monopoly include stealing from the bank, skipping spaces, moving an opponent’s token, skipping rent payments, placing hotels on the board that you didn’t buy, removing someone else’s hotel, moving another player’s token during your turn, or taking rent money from someone else’s property. If the idea of these insidious moves makes your heart light up with glee, you’re the ideal candidate for the monopoly cheater’s edition.

Expect Some Other Changes Too

Besides being a monopoly cheater’s dream come true, the game features some other changes as well. The first person to land on Pennsylvania Avenue will get to snag the property for free, and Atlantic Avenue can be purchased for just about half of its original value.

You may be wondering how players are going to get away with this. The Cheater’s Edition is the first Monopoly game that doesn’t require a designated banker to deal with the money.

Hasbro Inc. came up with the idea for the special cheater’s edition after watching an in-house study of 2,000 people. The study revealed that half of players attempt to chat during games. The company even created a “CheatBot” on Facebook Messenger that allows players to actively report cheaters and relegate punishment appropriately.

According to Berkowitz, the new version is “actually leveling the playing field so everyone operates under the same universal rules, with no special advantage for those sly cheaters.”

Basically, cheaters are gonna cheat… so instead of avoiding this essential component of human nature, they’ve decided you may as well work with the tendency.

Companies shape their products by listening to their consumers.  Share your opinion in the poll below. Then sign up for Survey Junkie to express your views on the products and services that are shaping today’s world. Before you begin, you can find out more about taking paid surveys by reading this post. 

Data Source: bloomberg.com

The post A New Monopoly Game Has Been Made for the Cheating Players Among You appeared first on Survey Junkie Blog.

The self-service comfort food station will launch at Denver’s Union Station at their new Whole Foods location. Customers can expect a six-foot long bar that serves up a tantalizing variety of macaroni and cheese.

Just some of the options included? Lovers of the traditional fare will find a classic mac and cheese recipe. A roasted tomato twist will cater to those who desire a veggie-laden option, while the barbecue pulled pork mac and cheese is sure to provide an oasis of comfort for carnivore lovers. And if you’re a vegan, have no fear; America’s most popular health-food store would never exclude you from such an incredible opportunity. There will be a non-dairy mac and cheese at the bar as well.

The powers-that-be at Whole Foods will celebrate the deliciousness with a 100-pound cheese tower, artfully crafted by local vendors. But don’t try to eat it!

Customers are losing their minds over the news, taking to twitter to share their delight. And they’re begging the grocery chain to bring the mac and cheese bar to their local Whole Foods. Whether or not Whole Foods will spread the good cheer of mac and cheese past Denver’s Union Station remains to be seen… But judging by the crowd’s reaction, installing a bar in numerous whole foods would definitely get the popular vote.

Since Amazon acquired Whole Foods, the company has been hinting at new changes – and not just their price drops on notoriously expensive items like tilapia. “We’re growing something good, this is just the beginning,” read Whole Food-Amazon signs that hover above the heads of customers in store.

According to the many customers tweeting up a storm, mac and cheese bars are certainly something good.

Want to try one of Whole Food’s newest trends but don’t want it to break the bank? Sign up for Survey Junkie and put your earnings towards your next visit to the grocery chain.

Other Crazy Whole Foods Rollouts?

The mac and cheese bar is big news for Whole Foods fans and comfort food lovers in Denver. But this isn’t the first new rollout that we’ve seen in recent months.

Here are just two of the most insane Whole Foods features the company has recently come out with:

Produce Butcher: The 43,000 square foot Whole Foods in Manhattan’s Bryant park feautres, among other things, a produce butcher. That means customers can opt for “an onsite team member who will cut, slice, dice, julienne, chop, and grate any produce item at a shopper’s request,” according to a company press release.

Mochi Bar: In early 2017, Whole Foods came out with a full self-service mochi bar. The Japanese-American sweet treat features ice cream balls rolled in sweet rice balls. The flavors available? “Strawberry, Vanilla Bean, Matcha Green Tea, Red Bean, Double Chocolate, Black Sesame, Kona Coffee, Mango and more,” according to the Whole Foods website.

Data Source: wholefoods.com, today.com

The post Whole Foods Announces First Ever Mac and Cheese Bar appeared first on Survey Junkie Blog.

The $13.7 billion marriage between the online commerce titan and the supermarket giant birthed some major price cuts upon its announcement. In part, their aim was to free Whole Foods from its pretentious reputation.

They slashed the cost of dozens of items, including avocados (down $1.50), Atlantic Salmon, organic brown eggs, apples, and rotisserie chicken.

Major Grocery Stores Are Losing Their Customers

The Thasos Group, a data analytics firm, reported that Whole Food’s food traffic increase by 17% during the week that they dropped prices.

Which supermarkets suffered the most that week? A combined 40% of Walmart and Kroger regulars went to Whole Foods that week. Trader Joes saw 10% of its customers shifting loyalty lines, while both Target and Sprouts also lost foot traffic to the Whole Foods price cuts.

Since the surge in foot traffic, Whole Foods seems to still be benefiting from the Amazon acquisition.  Foot traffic might not be up 17% anymore, but it’s higher than it had been. The week ending in September 16 saw a 4% increase in traffic to Whole Food Stores.

But Whole Foods Still Hasn’t Reached Every Demographic

A major incentive behind the $13.7 billion merger was the “Whole Paycheck” moniker that many associated with Whole Foods.

“Whole Foods was in a trap, and I couldn’t quite figure how to get out of that trap,” CEO John Mackey said at SNAC International’s annual Executive Leadership Forum. “The trap was ‘Whole Paycheck.’”

“Amazon has a different narrative,” continued Mackey. “Now we’ve embraced its narrative and so ‘whole paycheck’ disappeared. We escaped the trap. I feel a little bit like Houdini.”

But even if Mackey feels that he’s freed Whole Foods from the chains of its pretentious reputation, the numbers don’t match.

Despite the major price cuts and increased foot traffic in Whole Foods stores, they’re still too pricey for many Americans. Its new customers still belong to the country’s wealthiest demographics.

Can Whole Foods ever really shed its reputation as a health food store that caters to the elite? Banners in several brick and mortar stores are teasing customers of potential changes. “We’re growing something good. This is just the beginning,” they read.

But only time will tell whether or not that means increased affordability for more than just the wealthiest Americans.

Data Sources: money.cnn.com, foodbusinessnews.net

The post Is Whole Foods Really More Affordable Since the Amazon Acquisition? appeared first on Survey Junkie Blog.

Samsung’s Gear IconX headphones are currently 75% off, down to $50 from $200. That’s a pretty incredible price considering all the perks that come with these smart headphones. They may be more compatible with Samsung products, but anyone can use them.

In addition to their adjustable wings and ear tips to create the “perfect fit,” here’s a look at what the headphones offer.

But the deal is only going on while supplies last! Keep reading to find out if these are the perfect headphones for you.

Wireless

 These “completely cord-free” join in on the wireless headphone trend. Just plug them into your ears and you’re all set – a super convenient feature for working out. For more wire-free goodness, they also come with a carrying case that doubles as a charger.

Fitness Tracking

 The smart headphones also feature fitness tracking for android users. They can gauge your heart rate, speed, distance, and the number of calories you’ve burned during your workout session. All you need to do is connect to S Health App.

Touch Notifications

Want to change the song while you’re on the treadmill without having to scroll through your iPhone? Simply tap the side of your headphones. This feature also allows you to take calls or switch to the ambient sound mode.

4G of Memory

The headphones feature 4G of internal memory, which is equal to 1,000 songs. With their Bluetooth capacities, they can connect to your smartphone to access other tracks.

A 75% off deal is too good to pass up on these Samsung smart headphones. But if $50 still feels a little steep, use your Survey Junkie points to help you buy a pair! Who says you need a special occasion to invest in yourself?

Data Source: Samsung.com, mashable.com

The post Right Now You Can Buy These $200 Headphones for $50 appeared first on Survey Junkie Blog.