ShopToEarth: 97% of Consumers Research Products Online

by Pat Welsh, founder of ShopToEarth

I love reading articles that confirm and validate the ShopToEarth business model!

According to new research from BIA/Kelsey Group, 97% of consumers are now researching products and future purchases online. The study also found 90% of consumers are utilizing search engines, 42% are using comparison shopping engines to research purchases and nearly 25% are using vertical shopping websites.

Consumers' increasing sense of ease with online shopping is a positive indicator for ShopToEarth. As shoppers turn to the Internet to research products; our eco-friendly e-commerce solution offers safe and reliable places to shop smart and become an eco-conscious consumer.

At ShopToEarth, we take great pride in knowing we are part of the solution. Through our eco-network, we are harnessing the power of the Internet and improving the long-term viability of our oceans, forests, drinking water and air quality. Everything about ShopToEarth has your success and the success of our planet in mind.

Check out the full article and share this information with peers! See you soon or on Facebook, Twitter and STETV! Have a comment? Let us know!

To read more about online consumer habits see this article.

ShopToEarth Learns from Zappos: Culture is Everything!

By Dan Swiniarski, president of ShopToEarth

No big corner offices in this real world. Only culture.

In a world where a lack of discipline, ethics, and integrity seem to be headline news, it’s becoming more important to point out those doing it right; and Zappo’s is one of those companies…doing things right.

Lisa Buyer and I had the opportunity to hear Tony Hseih talk about Zappos happiness culture when he was a keynote speaker at PubCon Las Vegas 2009, inspiring  me to visit  Zappo’s Las Vegas headquarters a couple times in the last year and come away thoroughly impressed.

They had me at ‘Hello’!

From the minute you walk into the front door and into the not necessarily neat (but clean and spunky) reception area (read memorabilia area), you feel that the Zappo’s culture of “Delivering Happiness” is alive and well. Then the same Zen-like feeling continues as you start the approx. one-hour tour through the memory lane-like marketing department, product development department, sales departments , human resources and customer service department, and are introduced to and interact with as many Zappos’s employees as you like.

Best suits, no suit

I even had the opportunity to sit at CEO Tony Hsieh’s desk which is in clear view of all the employees as are the other execs in the company.  No BIG-CORNER offices for these guys. Nobody was wearing a suit; everybody was dressed casual, very relaxed, and comfortable (yet focused and happy).  There were many other nuances I found impressive about Zappo’s, like relaxed support-rep call procedures…. just make the customer happy, and the nap room. I took many things away from the experience that will benefit me and others moving forward. 

 

My suggestion: If you visit Las Vegas, save time for a Zap from Zappos, a must!  Schedule a tour of the Zappo’s headquarters in Las Vegas (it’s free and very inspirational) if you get the chance.  You will more than likely come away with a different outlook than you went in with. Culture shock at its best.

Follow Tony on Twitter @zappos, I do!

Why Read Linchpin? Get Ahead, Get Noticed, Get Paid More

by Dan Swiniarski, ShopToEarth president

I just finished reading Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin.  This book, with out a doubt, will be the defining point in many peoples lives. If you are looking to get ahead, get noticed at your job, get paid more, you need to become a Linchpin. This book was a perfect read to follow Drive: by Daniel Pink.

Linchpin will give all who read it the understanding that we are all capable of achieving genius, that we are all able of accomplishing anything we want, once we understand that we are really not AVERAGE and need to find our creativeness that institutionalized education has hidden deep inside us.  How is it the dreams we all had as children are gone when we have completed the required education handed down to us from generations past?

If you are an employer, employee, or are concerned with the future ahead and are interested in becoming more than average, indespencible, a Linchpin, this is a must read.

You can pick up Linchpin on your ShopToEarth "My Retail Mall" at Borders or BooksaMillion.

One Hour with ShopToEarth’s Hilary Martin

ShopToEarth Director of Marketing, Hilary Martin hosted an Earth Hour event in St. Louis, Missouri at Van Goghz Restaurant.

"The energy and support from everyone at Van Goghz was fantastic! At approximately 9:40 we went to blow the candles out and turn the lights back on, but many people preferred we leave them off for a little longer. That was a neat moment for me. To raise environmental awareness about conserving energy, while doing something as fun and easy as spending time together in the candlelight. In writing a follow up Press Release, I found the perfect quote,"

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together
Vincent Van Gogh

"Watch for upcoming news on how others celebrated Earth Hour," said Martin.

Good Read: ShopToEarth's Dan Swiniarski Reviews ‘Drive’ by Daniel Pink

 

By Dan Swiniarki, ShopToEarth President

I just finished reading Daniel Pink's new book "Drive".  In this book, Pink does a great job of breaking down motivation and how people respond to certain stimuli. In the book Pink shows that traditional monetary motivation is losing its gusto in the market as more and more companies (Google) allow their people creative freedom and autonomy on projects.  Some companies even allow their employees to work in different departments as long as they create something tangible. 

There were several examples that showed when compensation was applied to a task, interest as well as artistic creativity were hampered considerably. Throughout the book Pink gives examples as well as case studies that can be applied to all levels of learning. 

If you run a company, or work for a company, you have to read this book.

Understanding the principles Pink brings will allow you to drive your staff or yourself to new heights.

You can buy it via your Retail Mall on ShopToEarth.net

ShopToEarth Mark ups? Question and Answer

At ShopToEarth, we promote green thinking and saving. We always like to share questions that others come to us with; along with our answers…This is a copy of a question and answer from the ShopToEarth Facebook Fan Page Discussion Board.

Question from ShopToEarth representative:

I recently received an objection from a potential broker because of the price mark-ups on the Shop to Earth side. Evidently, the prices directly from the Vendor were at times - almost half the cost of the prices listed on ShopToEarth side. And even the My Retail Mall side was less expensive for the same product on the ShoptoEarth side. Please let me know how to handle this objection. How can we tell people to shop and make their $50.00 on the ShopToEarth side if they know their being overcharged?

ShopToEarth Answer

We are continually working on improving our pricing for Green Mall products. In fact, we just recently slashed prices for all Green Horizon products by 5%. The more volume we sell, the better pricing we will be able to offer. There is also some great information in your Training Center->FAQ's that will help you address this objection. STE

ShopToEarth Next Step Winners. Let's Duplicate!

ShopToEarth rolled out the green carpet for a Grammy-like night of awards and recognition at this year’s Next Step from Orlando, Florida. Hosted by Pat Welsh and Joe Locke with an entourage of glitz and glamour help, the ceremony proved to be enlightening and empowering. In case you missed the starry night, here’s the ShopToEarth 2010 winners list. We encourage you to duplicate their efforts!

Rookie of the Year Nominees
1. Lisa Douglas
2. Michael Fitzpatrick
3. Ed Kenny

Winner for Rookie of the Year Award
Ed Kenny

Best Attitude Nominees
1. Debbie & Steve Russell
2. Judy Quick
3. Chris Dietrick
4. Linda & Robierto Leyva


Winner for Best Attitude Award
Debbie and Steve Russell


Social Media Guru Nominees
1. Mike Morisi
2. Guilia Morelli
3. Gary Kaufman
4. Ana Rust

Winner for Social Media Guru Award
Gary Kaufman

Most Persistent Nominees
1. Jamie Klein
2. Joe and Anne Della Salla
3. Annie Pratt
4. Tony Zanoni


Winner for Most Persistent Award
Tony Zanoni


Couple of the Year Nominees
1. Vickie and Chris Morhardt
2. Jon and Gloria Favreau
3. Joe Ochiogrosso and Frank Marone
4. Dan Rea and Chuck Taylor

Winner for Couple of the Year Award
Joe Ochiogrosso & Frank Marone

Savvy Shopper Nominees
1. Julie Soviero
2. Kym Boucher
3. Ana Rust
4. Barbie Hargrave
5. Amy Roberts

Winner for Savvy Shopper Award
Julie Soviero

“Tree Hugger” Top Earth Volume for 2009 Nominees
1. Stacy Kinney - $6,651
2. Debbie Tullos - $6,820
3. Terri & Foster Malmed - $7,549
4. Jamie Didomenico - $29,462

Winner of “Tree Hugger” Top Earth Volume for 2009 Award
Jamie Didomenico

Mover & Shaker Nominee
1. Michael Fitzpatrick
2. Bryan Poole
3. Todd Miranda
4. Darbe Nokes

Winner for Mover & Shaker Award
Todd Miranda

Biggest Team Player Nominees
1. Tina Dimonica
2. Jim Pinney
3. Tamara Litterick
4. Sheri Wilcox


Winner for Biggest Team Player Award
Sheri Wilcox

Who to Watch in 2010 Nominees
1. Kimberly Smith
2. Ryan & Michela Zycharczyk
3. Lou & Mike Russo
4. Michael D’Angelo

Winner for Who to Watch in 2010 Award
Michael D’Angelo


Leads By Example Nominees
1. Michael D’Angelo
2. Dawn & Brian Connelly
3. Art & Kathleen Duel
4. Lucy Brown


Winner for Leads By Example Award
Art & Kathleen Duel


Winner for Dynamic Diva
Stacy Kinney

Best “Eco Vollie” Nominees
Gio Ferreti
Darbe Nokes
Angela Martin
Maria “Monkey” Schmoller
Michael Giese
Gary Kaufman
Brian Connelly
Debbie Russell
Lori Crabtree
Giulia Morelli

Winner for Best “Eco Vollie” Award
Lori Crabtree

Most Enthusiastic Nominees
1. Barbie Hargrave
2. Kim Holland
3. Claudia Lima
4. Maria-Flora “Monkey” Smoller

Winner for Most Enthusiastic Award
Kim Holland

Best All Around Nominees
1. Tim Moore
2. Toby Overdorf
3. Mike Moore
4. Stacy Kinney

Winner for Best All Around Award

Mike Moore


Best Actress and Supporting Actor in a Reality Series Award
Dawn and Brian Connelly

MVP Award
Rich Soviero


Field Leadership Council
Jimmy Boucher
Dawn Connelly
Rick Clark
Michael D’Angelo
Art & Kathleen Duel
Mike Moore
Time Moore
Joe Ochiogrosso & Frank Marone
Bob Quintana
Rich Soviero
Tony Zanoni

Fearless Leader Winner
Bob Quintana