Inside Track May

MAY 2013

INSIDE SPRINGBOK SUPPORT 2013 CYCLING SAFETY HEART RATE MONITORS LONG SERVICE RECOGNIZED STAFF NEWS COMMUNITY EVENTS

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INDEX 1

New Springbok supporters’ gear

2-3 Extra cycling safety 3

Value-for-money HRM

4-7 Staff – arrivals, promotions

and celebrations 8-13 Great events, great support

Canterbury

Springbok support 2013

Official, licensed products with a new, contemporary fit

Women’s Springbok ABSA Home Pro Jersey 2013

57995

• Official Springbok supporters’ jersey • 100% poly piqué mesh, 245 g/m2 • Available in regular version and pink version

Men’s Springbok ABSA Away Pro Jersey 2013

59995 Men’s Springbok ABSA Home Pro Jersey 2013

JUNIOR

• Embroidered logos • 100% poly piqué mesh, 220 g/m2

49995

59995

• Official Springbok supporters’ jersey • Bok ‘watermark’ across chest • 100% poly piqué mesh, 245 g/m2

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Cycling news

Self-sealing Tube 29” x 1.85 – 2.2

15000 2

Winter on

wheels

Cycling news

New products for extra cycling safety

Blackburn Super Flea Front Light

Blackburn Super Flea Rear Light

• 3 lighting modes • Run times: high – 1 hour, normal – 3 hours, flashing – 5 hours • Magnetic USB smart charger • Flexible, compact velcro mounts • LED fuel gauge/charge indicator

• 2 lighting modes • Run times: steady – 15 hours, flashing – 28 hours • Magnetic USB smart charger • Flexible, compact velcro mounts • LED fuel gauge/charge indicator

57000

• Super-bright white CREE XP-G LED

52000

• Collimating* lens makes the LED appear larger and enhances visibility *means that the light only disperses minimally with distance

Blackburn Control Blast 1 CO2 Inflator

16500

• Simple, space-saving, push-on inflation solution for inflating tyres on the move • Aluminium body • Presta and Schrader valve compatible • 1 x 16 g threaded CO2 cartridge included • Thumb control design protects thumb from cold air

Exercising smart For recreational runners and cyclists needing smart guidance while preparing for an event

Men’s & Women’s RCX3 Heart Rate Monitor

199500

• Training Benefit gives instant feedback after a session • Helps train at the right intensity with personal sport zones

Includes: Heart rate sensor and strap Water-resistance to 30 metres Optional: Bike speed/cadence sensor Foot pod GPS Data transfer

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Staff bulletin

New specialists join Head Office Kendal Wampach

has been appointed as SWH Regional Personnel Officer.

She will be working with Craig Pike (SWH Regional Manager) and will oversee Rondebosch, Tyger Valley, Tokai, Somerset West, West Coast Village and Canal Walk stores. Kendal previously worked for a recruitment agency in Cape Town. She holds a B. Soc. Sc. degree, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma (Management - Marketing) from the University of Cape Town.

Welcome to Kendal, we look forward to her contribution to the broader SWH Regional Personnel team, but also within the Western Cape Region.

Mari Visser

joined us on 15 April, as part of the online/digital team.

She has a degree in Marketing & Tourism from Potchefstroom University (NWU). Mari moved to Cape Town from Rustenburg two years ago and is still bowled over by the beauty of the city and the peninsula. She enjoys a host of outdoor activities but is particularly fond of surfing and hiking.

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Store staff promotions Michael Maitsapo,

formerly Head of Department Outdoors/Gym and Games at Atterbury, has been promoted to Floor Manager at the same store.

Ntombi Mathibela,

formerly Admin Clerk at Rustenburg store, has been promoted to Administration Manager at Rustenburg store.

Ashley Oliver

has been promoted from Head of Department at Rondebosch to Floor Manager at Tyger Valley.

Benjamin Koka,

who was Assistant Manager at Sportsmans Warehouse Polokwane, has been promoted to Branch Manager at the same store.

Benzo Letsoalo

has been promoted from Administration Manager to Floor Manager at Rustenburg store.

Well done to these recently promoted staff. This shows that internal growth is achieved by staff members with a drive for personal success, who stand out in their respective stores. Their patience and determination have all played an important part in their success.

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Staff bulletin

Golden experience, valuable advice

LEFT TO RIGHT: Marion Wentzel, Charles Noble, Kevin Hodgson, Stanley Noble. (No prize for guessing that Charles and Stanley are brothers.)

Each employee was presented with a First Ascent softshell top with a proud star marking every decade of their service. Bradley Moritz, Anthony Shaw, Andre van Zyl and regional manager Craig Pike were all in attendance to celebrate this momentous occasion and thank these three loyal staffers.

Charles Noble, Marion Wentzel and Stanley Noble recently celebrated great milestones in their long careers with Sportsmans Warehouse. Charles has been a full 40 years with the chain (and its predecessor) and Marion and Stanley have served 30 incredible years. We asked them what lies behind their loyalty and the fun and fulfilment they have experienced with us.

1. What is your fondest memory in your time of service at Sportsmans Warehouse?

CHARLES: A customer came to me asking for advice on how to start fishing to relieve his stress. A couple of years later he popped in to say hello and informed me that he was still fishing up to that day and had purchased a fishing boat.

MARION: I always give my very best when it comes to executing my tasks. My fondest moment was when all my hard work was awarded with a 5 rating for my annual review.

STANLEY: When international rugby and soccer teams visited the store.

2. What’s the funniest moment you ever had in the store?

CHARLES: Tuesday meetings when we were divided into teams and had to dress up according to a theme – managers and staff all took part and looked really silly.

MARION: Some years ago we had just received an exercise product called the Ab Wheel that was advertised on TV. Curious to know if it really worked as advertised, I quietly took one and, without putting my knees on the ground, I started to roll.

The next moment I fell flat on my face. When I looked up, a staff member handed me my spectacles which I did not recognize.

It was painful, but very funny.

STANLEY: When a drunken customer came into the store early in the morning and just started swearing.

3. What was the weirdest customer request you’ve ever had in all the years?

CHARLES: Because we were situated next to HiFi Corp, customers were always looking for aerials and some customers were looking for primus stoves and even liver pills!

MARION: A customer returned a pair of golf shoes that he had had for at least four years, wanting a replacement. It seemed ridiculous but I took the shoes in and dealt with the request as I would do with any other product. That same day he purchased

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a new pair. The replacement request was rejected by the supplier. I then notified the customer, but he did not take the trouble to collect his defective shoes. After three years I recognized the same man again, returning the other pair of golf shoes that he purchased the day when he returned the first pair. That request also was rejected. It is now two years down the line and I am expecting to see him again.

STANLEY: Do you sell Jukskei? At first I did not know what he was talking about and wondered “Who plays that?”

4. What advice would you give to a new SWH staffer?

CHARLES: Be prepared to work retail hours and accept changes as retails always evolves then you will see the rewards. Be honest with yourself and customers, which will result in forming relationships with your customers.

MARION: I’d refer him or her to the 4 rules of customer service: · Take complete ownership. · Do NOT procrastinate. · Do NOT associate with negative people. By doing that you also become negative. · Set yourself a goal and work toward it.

STANLEY: You are here to do your job. So do your work, stop moaning and then everything will fall into place.

5. We know you are far from retirement, so, what still keeps you active and busy in your spare time?

CHARLES: My wife always keeps me on my toes with chores, plus fishing keeps me relaxed and ready for the next day at work.

MARION: I have no control over my spare time. My husband and daughter plan it for me, and that is enough to keep me busy.

STANLEY: Playing soccer and coaching.

All three agree:

“NEVER let an angry customer leave the store without involving the branch manager.”

7

Getting out there to support SA athletes

Valuable support, visible branding, amazing staff

Once again, our staff proved what stars they are, getting out there to support our core customer bases. In March our colours flew high over a wide range of events and a wide terrain across South Africa. Yes, we are the country’s premier sports retailer.

Yes, we care and we are there.

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Getting out there to support SA athletes

Om die Dam Ultra Marathon, Hartbeespoort Dam, N-W Province Tremendous views, fantastic organization, often challenging heat – that’s what this race is known for.

Well, on 16 March this year over 15 000 people turned out to take part in the four distances of races on offer. Fourways store championed the event, with help from a host of other stores. It was a rewarding and valuable experience, which we will enjoy repeatedly.

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Getting out there to support SA athletes

Northerns Quickie Mountain Bike Challenge, Northern Farms, Gauteng This year this exciting race took place on 17 March and drew a field of 1580 participants. This number is very large for a standard MTB race and was in fact an increase of 600 over last year’s total. Its growing popularity attests to the quality of the event and its value for us. Our team arrived just after 5 a.m. to set up all the branding.

West Rand store handled the watering point and Fourways erected the branding at the finish. Thanks to all who were involved in producing a world-class show.

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Getting out there to support SA athletes

New event: Windpompfees, Limpopo Polocross, rally cars, Miss Windpompfees, dog shows, ploughing demos – 23 March was a day in the country that Frik and his team will remember.

Oh yes, there were a number of gruelling MTB challenges as well: a marathon, a half-marathon and three fun rides.

A field of 295 entered and only 265 finished in what was an enjoyable new event for us.

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Supporting athletes on road, court & water

Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Peninsula A novice runner, David Gatebe, might have beaten a competitive field to win ‘the world’s most beautiful race’ – but the experts in runner support were there, at our watering point on Easter Saturday. Again, our table was at the 37 km mark on the full marathon route and we saw 11 000 athletes pass in full flood.

Faiez of Canal Walk organized our Two Oceans support for the first time and did a great job, with the assistance of Waylon who also works at Canal Walk.

Apart from masses of much-needed liquid for runners, we offered music and dance to cheer them on.

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Supporting athletes on road, court & water

Krugersdorp High School Rugby & Hockey Festival Sikhumbuzo and his team at Princess Crossing store took charge of this event, with assistance from Frikkie Bouwer. This festival, called the Best of the West Easter Fest, took place over four days from 29 March.

In exchange for our product and gift card sponsorship, we received a full-page ad in their school booklet, we were also allowed to brand all their fields which we did with great success.

Several netball and rugby schools from across the country attended the festival, and there were even rugby clinics led by Naas Botha, Hugh Bladen and Carlos Spencer.

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