Fun Tips & Tricks for Meeting New Neighbors

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Written by Claire Schneider

Moving can be a stressful and scary time for anyone, especially if you are moving to an unfamiliar place. Not only are you packing up your entire house and exhausted from the actual move, but you’re also away from friends and family. It can be scary trying to find a new support system, but luckily, they could be living right next door!

Now I know not everyone is a “Kelly Ripa”, but here are some tips to turn anyone into a neighborhood socialite.

Meeting-Neighbors

1)      Spend time outside. Now that it is finally starting to look like summer, turn off the TV and spend time outdoors. When my husband and I moved, we would be outside doing yard work and people would walk right over. Besides introducing themselves, they also gave us some great landscaping tips! If you’re not the green thumb type, try going for a walk. If it’s a nice day people are sure to be out and about.

2)      Go to neighborhood events. Many neighborhoods have organizations or groups where the community can get together and discuss relevant news in the area. Some trendy areas are even getting away from the typical neighborhood watch or real estate development groups and are developing recreational clubs. Even if you are not the athletic type it could still be worthwhile to attend games and meet new people.

3)      Host a cocktail party. Instead of having a typical housewarming party, think about throwing a neighborhood cocktail party. This sounds more exciting and less of a ploy to receive gifts. A cocktail party also allows you to spend time actually socializing instead of making sure guests have enough to eat. If you don’t have time to throw an actual party, why not think about a cocktail hour. This can be as simple as sitting on your porch, after a long day at work, with a drink and inviting people to come over with their favorite beverage.  This is a relaxed way to really bond with your neighbors.

4)      Welcome to the neighborhood gifts. Now that you have met all your great neighbors, make sure you welcome new people into the neighborhood. You were once in their shoes, and if they aren’t reading this blog they might not be such an expert. A couple days after they move in, go over to introduce yourself and bring some tasty treats with you. I personally recommend cookies because no one wants to bake when their kitchen is still boxed up.

 

By following these simple tips, you are bound to find someone you can connect with. As Franklin P. Jones says:

“Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor’s noisy party than being there.”

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

Movers for Moms® Photos

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We’d like to say a special thank you to everyone that has helped our Movers for Moms® program by donating items for moms in need. Movers for Moms® is a community-based program seeking to make life easier for less fortunate women forced to stay in shelters on Mother’s Day. With your help we are that much closer to making Mother’s Day special for all moms in need.

Below are some great Movers for Moms® pictures we have received so far from our various TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations. These photos show the abundant support from schools, businesses and communities across the country. Thank you for all your help and donations!

IMG_0526 Movers for Moms

Movers for MomsMovers for Moms

Movers for Moms

Movers for Moms

Movers for MomsMovers for Moms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

 

Who Moves with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®?

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What do most of our customers look like? We took a look at our recent data and came up with our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®  customer profile. This great infographic sums up what we found!

TMATCustomerProfileInfographic

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

More than Movers (Part 2): Disconnected Application

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Written by James Hartley

Many of you may have heard the development team at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc. has been working on a Movers Who Care® 2 Disconnected Application (MWC2DA). If you haven’t, no worries, I am going to give a brief explanation.

In-Home Consultant Ben uses the tablet to generate estimates while on walk throughs.

In-Home Consultant Ben uses the tablet to generate an estimates during a walk through.

The MWC2DA started out as a tool that would allow our customer service representatives (CSRs) to keep scheduling moves in the event that an Internet outage occurs. Its current functionality will allow users to look up and edit customers and estimates up to 90 days back while in disconnected mode. It will also allow the user to create new customers and estimates. Once the host computer has an Internet connection, it will synchronize new or edited records with the MWC2 database. Once this application is fully developed and in production, it will provide a safety net to ensure our customers are being serviced.

MWC2DA can also be a useful tool for our in-home estimators. Imagine how easy it will be for them to create an estimate and automatically synchronize that estimate to the MWC2 database upon returning to the office. To make things even easier, MWC2DA can be installed on Windows 8 tablets. These devices typically have a small form factor and better than average battery life. According to David Robinson, software developer on this project, the system requirements are very modest. To run the disconnected application at optimal performance, he recommends the following: Intel Core i3 processor or higher, 4GB of RAM, 500MB of free disk space, and Intel Integrated Graphics 4000.

We have been getting a lot of questions lately as to which tablets currently on the market are compatible with MWC2DA. Parker Olson, a member of the test team, has compiled a list of all the Windows 8 tablets to help answer these questions. I have taken that list and further organized based on hardware specifications. The following list is broken down into three categories: Incompatible, Non Optimal, and Optimal. Please note that these prices were collected at the time this list was made; they are subject to change.

Tablets

The Incompatible category is comprised of Windows 8 tablets that will not work with the disconnected application. This is because they are using ARM based processors that will not allow the installation of desktop applications. They are only capable of running applications downloaded from the Windows App Store.

The Non Optimal category is comprised of Windows 8 tablets that will work with the disconnected application. However, because of the hardware used in these tablets they may be prone to slow performance. This is especially true when trying to multi-task.

The Optimal category is comprised of Windows 8 tablets that will work with the disconnected application. Furthermore, these tablets will run at optimal performance. Users can multi-task without worrying about performance issues with the tablets hardware.

Please note that Home Office is not recommending any particular brand of Windows 8 tablet. This list is only to serve as a guide to what hardware will provide users with the best performance when running MWC2 disconnect and web application.

Thank you for following me on Movers Who Care and Blog. Please keep an eye out for more blogs from me in the near future. Also, if there is a topic you would like me to write about please feel free to email me with requests at james.hartley@twomen.com. Please put Blog Suggestions in the subject line.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James Hartley is a application/software tester in the Technology Support department at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK/INTERNATIONAL, Inc.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

EFO Training: Why I Hire Movers

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Chris Bortnichak was a great MC!

Chris Bortnichak was a great MC!

Written by Claire Schneider

Over the last two weeks I participated in TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®’s EFO training. What is EFO you might ask? Well, EFO stands for Essentials of Franchise Operations and is an eight day, hands-on, collaborative learning experience preparing franchisees to open and grow a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise. The training session is held through STICK MEN UNIVERSITY® at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc. During this time, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® experts teach attendees about policies, processes and tools necessary to launch successful franchises.

Chair Melanie Bergeron shares TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® history. Very inspiring!

Chair Melanie Bergeron shares TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® history. Very inspiring!

During the class I learned a lot about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® and what it really means to be the “MoversWhoCare®”. We went over our Core Values and Chair Melanie Bergeron shared the company’s history and how we ended up where we are today. We also learned about what it takes to be a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchisee and what sets us apart from the rest. We had experts ranging from human resources to IT support to customer care, who all shared valuable information they have encountered over the years.

Yep, this is me monitoring our Facebook page

Yep, this is me monitoring our Facebook page

 

For those of you who don’t know, I am the social media specialist at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc. and as the class got on its way, I realized I stuck out like a sore thumb. While their daily tasks consists of making sure moves run smoothly, whether it be dealing with operations, customer care or performing the actual moves, my day consists of sending Tweets, posting Facebook content and teaching others how to optimize their social media presence. I learned a lot from everyone in the group and found out things I never knew were issues while moving. Group discussions allowed me to learn from their real life experiences, which will make me that much better at my job.

We learned a lot from group discussions

We learned a lot from group discussions

Computer lab time!

Computer lab time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day I found most exciting was moving day (not that any day wasn’t exciting). We were fortunate to have movers from the Lansing franchise come and show us how to properly move items in a house. No, this doesn’t just mean loading things on a truck, but rather how to make sure everything had a moving pad and stretch wrap on it to ensure they don’t get damaged during the move. They showed us how to carefully move items through typical obstacles in a house such as stairs and through a doorway. I never knew there were so many different terms for carrying an item. Once they demonstrated, it was our turn!

Our Lansing movers made it look so easy!

Our Lansing movers made it look so easy!

I learned how to pad and wrap a dresser. Here I am practicing the corners!

I learned how to pad and wrap a dresser. Here I am practicing the corners!

Tim & Don give moving a try!

Tim & Don give moving a try!

I even had a chance to move a chair, and trust me, I did not make it look as easy as they did.

Moving

Before: Desiree and I are all smiles

Moving

After: This is why I hire movers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the eight days of training were complete, it was graduation time!

It's graduation day!

It’s graduation day!

After participating and graduating from STICK MEN UNIVERSITY®’s EFO Training, I am reassured TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is not just a moving company but truly are “Movers Who Care®”.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

4 Simple Tips to Get Your House Sold

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Guest blog by Lisa Kirchhoff 

Lisa Kirchhoff

The real estate market has been a tough one in many areas of the country, but even so, there will always be people out there looking to buy a home. Whether it’s a young couple searching for their first starter home, a family in need of a bigger home, or an older couple hoping to downsize to something smaller, homes of all sizes and styles will always be in demand. So how do you set your home apart from the many others on the market? It’s simple when you follow a few tips:

1.       Clean. It may sound like an obvious task before putting your home on the market, but cleaning should also include everything from surface dirt on places you might normally miss (light switches, door frames, ceiling fans, to name a few) to tossing old toys, knickknacks, paper, and general clutter. If you have items you want to clear out buy may not be ready to get rid of for good, rent a small trailer, storage space or Pod unit to store it. Moving out an extra end table, floor lamp or large toys will visually unclutter a room so potential buyers can focus on the unique features of the home- not your stuff. Use moving blankets and furniture covers to protect items in storage until you’re moved into your new home.

2.       Stage. If you’ve seen the home staging shows on the popular home and garden cable TV channels, you know the right changes can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home. But don’t be scared off by thinking the job is just too big. Every little thing counts: remove personal photos and mementos, add a vase of fresh flowers to a few rooms, place extra lights in rooms that feel dark, tone down bright paint colors or add a layer of neutral beige to white walls.

3.       Start outside. First impressions count. When prospective buyers walk up to the front door, they’ll take notice of things you may not always recognize:  peeling paint, weedy flowerbeds, dead shrubs, a broken mailbox. They may believe that if the outside has not been kept up, the owners have not kept up repairs on the inside, and house tour will begin with a negative slant. Keep your front steps clean and the lawn mowed, add a potted plant or two, touch up paint on the front door, add a fresh new mailbox and house numbers, and keep weeds out of your landscaping.

4.       Be flexible. Having your home on the market can be an exhausting experience, but staying flexible with showings can be the difference between a sale and prospective buyers finding something else instead because your house was not available for a showing. Keep your home as clean as possible at all times so you can be ready if a realtor calls to ask for an immediate showing. It can be difficult with small kids, but keep a few empty laundry baskets or large plastic boxes handy so you can quickly toss in toys and other clutter from countertops and shuttle them to your vehicle before the relator and prospective buyers arrive. Keep a box of disposable cleaning wipes in each bathroom and in the kitchen so you can quickly wipe down surfaces in an instant. Also before they arrive, open blinds and curtains to create as much natural light as possible.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lisa Kirchhoff is a writer and blogger for USCargoControl.com , an e-commerce company that specializes in moving supplies for both professional and DIY movers.

Movers for Moms® 2013

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Written by Claire Schneider

It’s an exciting time at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® lately as we ramp up our Movers for Moms® program once again! We are very passionate about our Core Values and Movers for Moms® is a big part of them.

What is Movers for Moms®?Movers For Moms

Movers for Moms® is a program that was started by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® nearly five years ago because we not only wanted to give to charity, but also be a part of the cause. Movers for Moms® is based around the communities where our franchisees are located and is focused on making life easier for less fortunate women, who are forced to stay in shelters on Mother’s Day. Our goal is to make sure their day is special as well.

“Among industrialized nations, the United States has the largest number of homeless women and children. Not since the Great Depression have so many families been without homes.”

– GreenDoors.org

More than 100 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations across the country have partnered with schools to begin collecting items for mothers in need. Our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations will then pick up the items and deliver them to their shelter partners just in time for Mother’s Day.

How you can help

It’s simple! All you have to do is bring your donated items to a participating TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® location near you. Typical donation items may include: soaps, hair styling products, shampoos and conditioners, pillows, blankets, slippers and basic essential items.

We will take care of the rest!

Getting kids involved 

Movers for Moms® is a great way to teach kids how important it is to give back to the communities in which we live. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® wants to thank all the schools that are participating in the program this year. We have seen tremendous growth in the past year and now have 420 schools taking part in the program, compared to 200 last year. We could not have made this program what it is today without them!

Movers for Moms

KinderCare

We especially want to thank KinderCare for their involvement with Movers for Moms® this year. KinderCare works hard to improve the lives of children in communities where we live and work. With the expertise that comes with caring for and educating hundreds of thousands of children nationally, KinderCare has a unique understanding of child development, early childhood education, parenting and teaching. They understand the needs of children, families and communities.

If KinderCare sounds like the perfect environment for your child to grow, join KinderCare for their Open House Tuesday, April 23 and let their community show you what makes this place one of a kind. Sign up the week of 4/21 and get $100 off tuition. Their Open House provides the chance to tour their center, meet the teachers, talk with other parents and engage in family-fun activities. KinderCare Learning Centers are excited to show you their nationally recognized education program as well as the child-specific focus their teachers bring to the center. To learn more or find a location near you, please visit www.kindercare.com.

Thank you KinderCare for your support in the Movers for Moms® program!

KinderCare Open House

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.