Kathy Pennella talks about the details of her job and what it means to her:   “One of my most important responsibilities as a manager of first impressions at Parts Town is to answer the phone. I greet customers with a friendly and cheery voice and make sure to get them to the proper department where a salesperson can help them with their needs.   Often, customers call without knowing who they need to speak to. An important part of making a great first impression is working with them to understand their needs, so I can be sure to get…

It happens to everyone – you place an order for something you think you need, and then circumstances change on you. Maybe the decision is made to replace the machine you were trying to fix. Maybe your customer finds the item someplace else. Whatever the case may be, you’re out a chunk of money and stuck with a part you have no use for. What a predicament!   Six year industry veteran Carol Collazo appreciates the magnitude of the problem. The key, she says, if to have a return policy in place that accommodates these issues. “A good return policy…

If you’re in Chicago, stay put. If you’re not, buy a plane ticket. The annual National Restaurant Association Show is coming to town!   The NRA show is a chance to connect with industry professionals from around the world. Experience the cutting edge innovations of your peers and check out the latest developments in the restaurant world. Here are three great reasons to check out the show:   1) The Star of the Bar competition. This is a live event in which six semifinalists will go head to head, showing off their bar skills in search of a $5000 prize!…

So I’m coming up on my five year anniversary here at Parts Town, and that’s a pretty big deal for me. It’s the longest I’ve spent in one place since college, and it’s given me cause to contemplate why this is working out so well. And the bottom line is actually very simple.   I love Parts Town.   I’m actually pretty crazy about it.   I love our core values (integrity, passion, courage, innovation) and the daily reminders and opportunities I get to try to embody them. I love the managers who’ve helped me learn responsibility and organization and…

Today our Reedy Cares representative, Chris Reynolds, tells us more about the yearly KaBoom! initiative and how anyone can get involved in this great cause:   What is one of your favorite playground memories from childhood? Now imagine what it would have been like if you never had a playground to grow up on.   One of my favorite memories growing up was being able to run out the back of my grandmother’s house and be at the local park with my cousins. We would gather every Easter and the kids would be gone all day playing on the swings,…

This week, Parts Town was proud to play host to one of our longtime associates, Whataburger. It provided an opportunity for all of us to think about what makes a business relationship successful. Strong partnerships, both with other companies and with your teammates in house, are an essential component to any business. Here are three key components to building a successful partnership.   1) COMMUNICATION – Letting your associates know exactly what you need and expect from them is the best way to make sure you get it. Reach out to your partners and let them know how they can…

1) Color. There’s nothing more discouraging than drab, institutional walls. Staring at taupe all day is enough to put the most dedicated employee to sleep. Adding a little paint can take the atmosphere of your office to exciting new heights. In much the same way as sports teams display their colors, a workplace can create a sense of unity and team spirit with a few well-chosen interior design elements.   2) Snacks. Never underestimate the power of a bowl of Hershey’s Kisses or a bag of chips in the break room. Having something sweet or savory to bite into can…

Parts Town’s Reedy Cares team member, Chris Reynolds, shares details of this year’s KaBoom! playground build: It is that time of year again – KaBoom! 2012 has begun. KaBoom! is a non-profit organization that has partnered with Reedy Industries through the Reedy Cares program for the past five years to build brand new playgrounds for less fortunate kids. The builds take place in areas that have never had a playground, where the nearest safe playgrounds are across busy streets and over 2 miles away. This year we will be building at St. Gull Catholic School in South Chicago on May 19,…

The recently developed Parts Town Manual Finder App for smartphones and tablets has already gained popularity in the restaurant industry. Parts Town is proud to help forge a path into the digital age for restaurant owners and operators. But our app is far from being the only great one out there! Today we’re happy to feature three apps that will change the way you do business. 1. Ambur Ambur is a point of sale app developed by former restaurant owners and employees, the people most familiar with the day to day needs of restaurant operations. The app enables servers to…

“Come on, now!” I hollered at the TV screen as the tall center heaved a foul shot that came nowhere near the basket. “You’ve got to make the free throws!” March Madness brings a lot of things out in people. One, apparently, is a propensity to talk to the television. But there’s also a profound appreciation to be had for the importance of life’s little freebies; the moments when you’re given a clear shot at the goal. Basketball games may be won or lost on the basis of free throws. A team that takes advantage of these opportunities for an…