I’m happy to say that one of the things we frequently hear from our customers is that they feel with have very good customer service - generally very friendly, positive, and helpful. I personally think that if you can work in the customer service industry and remain cheerful, you’re practically a saint. Its a difficult job and not one that everyone is cut out for.

That’s why this story in Canada’s Toronto Star is such a shocker; the employee of a national-chain coffee shop being fired for giving a free “timbit” to the baby of a customer. A timbit (for those who don’t have this chain near them) is a wee tiny donut, retailing for about $.15.

Perhaps this company should read Customer Mania, by Ken Blanchard. Its a great book that really puts things in perspective. Customer are the heart of a business and a good business makes the most of that relationship.

Cheers to all our great Simply Audiobooks customers!

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Last week I mentioned the mini-quakes that have been rocking the area surrounding Reno, Nevada. Today, there’s word of a 6.8 quake hitting just north of Tokyo!

The first thing that came to mind was Bill Bryson’s book A Short History of Nearly Everything. In the book, Bryson talks about Tokyo being “the city waiting to die” because it rests at the apex of not 1, not 2, not 3, but FOUR tectonic plates. Essentially, if you had to pick the worst spot on the planet to build a huge metropolis, Tokyo would be that spot.

The second worst spot? The USA’s own Yellowstone Park. A giant magma timebomb waiting to go off, Bryson also goes into detail predicting that when and if this national treasure decides to go, there won’t be very many North American’s around to see the fall out. Eek!

Hmmm… perhaps we should move this book to the Horror section.

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In most families, the mom is the CEO of the family - getting the job done by delegating tasks and following up to make sure that everyone is doing what they should be, where they should be, when they should be. For most people, their mom is the first boss they’ll ever have, where the job description includes “picking up your socks” and pay is generally a weekly allowance.

At least one book recognizes this trend - Use What You’ve Got, and Other Business Lessons I Learned from My Mom. This is a compilation of lessons learned from the author’s mom and how they apply to the real world of business. Most Simply Audiobooks readers really enjoyed it, and said that the narration in particular is great!

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“Do/Be Something in X Days” is a familiar title for books. I thought it would be fun to check out what you could accomplish with Simply Audiobooks in the coming month.

For those of you pressed for time AND money, how about the 6 Day Financial Makeover?

If you’re looking for more spiritual improvement than material improvement, check out 31 Days to Get the Message: Psalms & Proverbs. I realize this is an extra day, but perhaps you can double up one Saturday.

Not entirely sure WHAT you want to improve? How about a complete life makeover with Change Your Life in 30 Days?

If, of course, you’re more of a long-term planner than a short-term fixer, tack an extra 10 days onto your timeline and you can either “Ohm” your way to happiness with Mantra Meditation for Physical Health: A 40-Day Program Using the Power of Sacred Sound or refurbish your finances with The 40 Day Prosperity Plan.

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Who hasn’t dreamed of finding buried treasure? Well, a diamond crew in Namibia did just that! While on a dig looking for diamonds, the company found a sunken treasure ship loaded with spanish gold coins and portuguese silver coins - awww, poor them!

While we’re on the subject, I just have to mention Treasure Island. Simply Audiobooks offers 5 different version of this classic story for Download or Rent.

Or you can buy it as low as $12.71 from SAB’s affiliate www.buyaudiobook.com.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of Robert Louis Stevenson’s original swashbuckler - what better time to pick it up!

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Poor Reno, Nevada has been rocked by hundreds of mini-earthquakes this past week - last count was over 340! While none individually have been enough to cause substantial damage, the whole area has the jitters and its causing progressive cracking to foundations of homes.

Fortunately for all you Rental Subscribers on the west coast, the Simply Audiobooks shipping center in Las Vegas, Nevada is still up and running!

This story got me thinking about A Crack in the Edge of the World, by Simon Winchester. This is a great book about the 1906 San Francisco quake that destroyed the city.

Winchester is also famous for The Professor and the Madman and Krakatoa, two other good reads if you’re looking for something off the beaten path. All three books get high ratings by Simply Audiobooks subscribers!

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This past weekend, I had someone tell me that Kenny Roger’s song “The Gambler“ is a modern version of Rudyard Kipling’s “If“. Hmmm… not sure I agree, but since then, I’ve had this song stuck in my head nonstop for 3 days!

If you’re a fan of that song or the sport of poker, you have to pick up Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book: Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Texas Hold’em. Its a good combination of entertaining anecdotes and tidbits of info to help you up your game.

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Students are finishing college and university this time of year, graduating with hearts full of aspiritions, and bank accounts full of debt. According to news sources, 1 in 4 students graduate more than $25K in the hole.

If you want to give your little graduate a heads up, try Automatic Wealth for Grads by Michael Masterton. Its a great book for starting grads off on the right foot in the workplace and in life.

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The Secret Life of Houdini

One word: “WOW!” This is the most interesting biography I have ever read. Having been well read on Houdini, I can say that this was not only historically accurate, but FUN to read. I

t tells the true story of his life although be prepared: You may occasionally have to pick up the box just to remind yourself that it is a true story! For me, this is a 12 of out 5.

- Chris Stolz,

Simply Audiobooks Store Manager, Toronto, ON http://store.simplyaudiobooks.ca/

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Given the current pinch on the average American’s pocket, CNN is reporting that Moms aren’t going to get quite as much fiduciary appreciation this year! The average spend on Mother’s Day gifts is going to be declining for the first time in history.

While the “hand print cigarette holder” you may have given her in Grade 1 is a little passe, you still don’t have to spend a lot on your Mom this holiday. 

Give her a month of unlimited audio book rentals from as little as $17.98. Think: that’s 1/2 the price of a regular bouquet of flowers and it lasts 3 times as long!

 Check out the Simply Audiobooks Gift Center for great options for this Mother’s Day.

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