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Newsjock Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:38 PM
Original message
Ikea gives all of its U.S. employees new bikes
Source: Sacramento Bee

The American arm of Scandinavian-style furniture giant Ikea surprised its 12,400 of U.S. workers this week with new bikes for the holidays.

... "It's been a good year for Ikea, so what better way to celebrate our success than to thank our Ikea co-workers who made this happen?," said Mike Ward, president of Ikea US. "This is our way of saying: 'Thanks IKEA co-workers for being strongly committed to working together.'

"We hope this bike will be taken in the spirit of the season while supporting a healthy lifestyle and everyday sustainable transport."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/08/3243017/ikea-gives-all-of-its-us-employees.html
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Drale Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:42 PM
Response to Original message
1. What if they didn't want a bike
I wouldn't, I already have a really nice bike, why would I want a bike made in Sweden out of inferior wood? lol
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realisticphish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:43 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. what if they wanted a hula-hoop? nt
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valerief Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:57 PM
Response to Reply #1
9. Sweden is made of inferior wood? I've known men from Swedish descent and their wood was...
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muriel_volestrangler Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:18 PM
Response to Reply #9
37. Lennon would have written "isn't it good, Swedish wood"
but it wouldn't have scanned. :D
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TBF Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 02:42 PM
Response to Reply #1
50. They've got great wood - they make boats in Sweden.
And I can certainly recommend their furniture. We've got a lovely Beech bedroom set from Ikea that has lasted 10 years, along with other bookcases and tables.
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realisticphish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:42 PM
Response to Original message
2. Just in time to be placed in storage until summer lol
still, an interesting idea.
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HuckleB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 06:59 PM
Response to Reply #2
23. In much of the country the weather is better for bikes now than in summer.
Besides, even in the northwest, many cyclists continue to go all winter.
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realisticphish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:27 PM
Response to Reply #23
34. psh
those people aren't REAL muricans ;)
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HuckleB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:56 PM
Response to Reply #34
35. Well, that is true.
:hi:
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JVS Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:22 PM
Response to Reply #2
32. Or given away to kids for Xmas.
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realisticphish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:27 PM
Response to Reply #32
33. very true nt
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rucky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 03:06 PM
Response to Reply #2
57. With the SWEN Modular garage storage system.
Very clever, IKEA
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Brother Buzz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:43 PM
Response to Original message
4. Assembly Instructions included
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pinboy3niner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:49 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. ...along with most of the hardware :)
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Brother Buzz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 05:00 PM
Response to Reply #6
11. If you run short of hardware, just look in the vacuum for stuff lost from the last assembly project
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DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:58 PM
Response to Reply #4
10. They may be made of wood, that's a unique thought
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csziggy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 06:27 PM
Response to Reply #4
18. And an Allen wrench!
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Gidney N Cloyd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:45 PM
Response to Original message
5. I don't know if I'd want to ride a bike that...
...you put together with one of these:
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Crazy Dave Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:55 PM
Response to Original message
7. Screw bikes and hams
Edited on Wed Dec-08-10 04:55 PM by Crazy Dave
Give me the cash instead and let me get what I want.

Worst Christmas gift/bonus from a company I once worked at. The men all got cheap ties and the women all got cheap scarves. That was it. The boss confessed that his wife told him everyone would love them, picked them out and bought them herself.

Even a "Jelly Of The Month Club" membership would have been more preferable.
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IMATB Donating Member (158 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #7
12. I think it's nice
They don't have to give anything really. You can always sell the bike.

This year I got 2 hams, 2 turkeys, 3 $50 gift cards from various places.

I kept a ham and gave the rest away.
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DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 04:57 PM
Response to Original message
8. And Ikea stores in the US are located on major highways
making it fatal to ride a bike to them.....or not even be allowed to ride one there like the one off the NJ Turnpike.


great thinking!!!
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taterguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 05:12 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. Where's your spirit of adventure?
I actually agree with you on this.

It's just a meaningless way of a corporation trying to look good.

I'm pretty hard-core about cycling but I'd never consider biking to an IKEA. Even if you can avoid the Interstate they're all on major traffic arteries.

OTOH, a company like Mast General Store provides perks to employees who bike and it's located in the middle of one of the best road cycling areas in the country.
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K8-EEE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 06:24 PM
Response to Reply #8
16. LOL....my local IKEA is very bike-able!
In beautiful downtown Burbank.

You're right though the rest of the L.A. area stores are in the middle of a freeway!
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DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 06:41 PM
Response to Reply #16
19. How are you getting ANYTHING from them home on a bike?
:rofl:
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K8-EEE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 06:50 PM
Response to Reply #19
20. Ha....well believe it or not I go there for
COFFEE!
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Brother Buzz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 06:57 PM
Response to Reply #19
22. !
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DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:01 PM
Response to Reply #22
24. Try and drive from Morris county NJ to the Ikea store on the NJ turnpike
with one of those, you'll be home oh January....
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Brother Buzz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:11 PM
Response to Reply #24
27. Plan your flight to Denmark in July and make a real adventure out of the ordeal
I don't think those IKEA trailers have made it to the USA yet.
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smokey nj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:18 PM
Response to Reply #24
30. If you make it home at all.
Roadkill, party of one, your table is ready.
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HuckleB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:02 PM
Response to Reply #19
25. Moving by bike!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tn5cEKKtLI
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HuckleB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:03 PM
Response to Reply #19
26. Portland shop offers mattress deliveries by bike
http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2010/05/portland_shop_offers_mattress.html
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name not needed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:53 PM
Response to Reply #8
46. I always thought it was funny that there's signs pointing out that it is illegal to ride a horse
on the Turnpike.
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lpbk2713 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 05:03 PM
Response to Original message
13. Does Ikea have any paraplegic employees?



That could prove a little embarrassing for Ward.


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mimitabby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 05:26 PM
Response to Original message
15. this is really neat!
a nice green christmas present!
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K8-EEE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 06:26 PM
Response to Reply #15
17. I think so too and great for re-gifting to those in need
A LOT of people can't afford cars or gas these days not to mention all the kids who want bikes!
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ddeclue Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 06:52 PM
Response to Original message
21. unless they are building them bike trails too i predict a rash of ikea employee deaths
Also will they have to assemble their own bikes? :rofl:
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Subdivisions Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:13 PM
Response to Original message
28. Jesus Christ! IKEA makes a nice gesture to reward it's employers and almost
every response so far in this thread is negative.

As much as I hate corporations that prey on society and infiltrate our government, I do like to give one credit for doing a good thing.

Those employees who can't use the bike can gift it (or sell it) to someone who can.
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K8-EEE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:17 PM
Response to Reply #28
29. The overall tone of GD is ultra-mega-crazy negative due to
people being unhappy with current events....everybody who's sick of the whining takes off for a bit and only the grumpy people are left!
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Motown_Johnny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 08:00 PM
Response to Reply #28
36. +1
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HuckleB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:31 PM
Response to Reply #28
39. +1
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stuntcat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 02:43 PM
Response to Reply #28
51. I know right?
Unhappy sourpusses, it's just boring.
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JVS Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 07:21 PM
Response to Original message
31. I've never seen an Ikea in a bike friendly location. They've always been out at shopping centers...
on big highways out near airports.
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muriel_volestrangler Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:29 PM
Response to Reply #31
38. I picked one at random - Philadelphia - and it looks quite bikeable
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/philadelphia

Just next to a large built-up central area. Looking at the link to Google Maps, I think you can get to it without using the divided highway.
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HuckleB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:33 PM
Response to Reply #31
40. IKEA is near the airport in Portland, and it's very bike friendly.
I ride by it frequently, though, admittedly, I've never stopped in...
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Stevenmarc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:34 PM
Response to Reply #31
42. Ikea in Brooklyn is very bike friendly
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BlueIris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:33 PM
Response to Original message
41. I actually really like Ikea. They sell safe, afordable and stylish
baby cribs. In a babyware market chock full of nasty, overpriced choking hazards, I like that one major company is offering alternatives.
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walldude Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:36 PM
Response to Original message
43. Was this in lieu of a bonus?
Sounds good, but I had a boss who bought us all Company jackets one year, and after he gave them out mentioned that that was the bonus for that year.
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AnnieBW Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:37 PM
Response to Original message
44. And they have to put them together using Ikea instructions
They'll be there until June...
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Sabriel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 09:47 PM
Response to Original message
45. I think the bike is called "Skruud"
Or maybe that's the employees.

(Seriously, I think it's a great idea. I've never gotten a bonus, so a bike would be much appreciated.)
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martymar64 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-08-10 10:39 PM
Response to Original message
47. You would never see an American company do this
Nowadays, the most you get from American companies is maybe an extra 5 minutes on your break when you are forced to work on Christmas morning.

American CEOs are utter cheapskates when it comes to their workers. They make Monty Burns look like Santa Claus.
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mdmc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 02:01 PM
Response to Original message
48. ..
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bushmeister0 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 02:38 PM
Response to Original message
49. All Hail the Dear Leader!!!
So, Ingvar Kampred (The I and K in IKEA) is a drunken Nazi sympathizer, he makes great cheap furniture.

http://thedearleader.blogspot.com/
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bushmeister0 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 02:47 PM
Response to Reply #49
53. From the IKEA employee handbook, with some additions.
This is what we got handed to us during our indoctrination sessions in the "Concentration Room." (That's what they call the training room, really!) The bits in quotations are actually Ingvar's words.

Profit is a wonderful word!

Wages distract from a better everyday life for the majority of people, they get in the way of our objective, which is, "we must have resources---not least in the financial area!" Some might call it financial Lebensraum. "Profit gives us Resources!"

"Let us take the drama out of the word profit. Politicians often use and abuse this word. All government subsidies come about by means of state profit on some activity or by means of taxes in some from which you and I pay. Let us rely on ourselves when it comes to creating the financial resources."

Our Dear Leader believes that Unions wipe out the individual in "the gray gloominess of collective agreements." "It was easier to keep alive in earlier times when we weren’t so many," when our blood was pure, when iron ruled.


Our Dear Leader says, "A job must never be just a meal ticket." The body of the nation, or the corporation, must not be weakened. We must have willingness to "to assume responsibility and to help, on our humility before the task and on the simplicity of our behavior."
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Hannah Bell Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 02:44 PM
Response to Original message
52. oooh, isn't that nice. what a nice billionaire! nice, nice!
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hulka38 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 02:58 PM
Response to Original message
54. That's unamerican.
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Skidmore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 03:04 PM
Response to Original message
55. Only on DU could you find an effort made by a company to help
employees achieve something in the area of the environment get pissed on and dissed. Only on DU where people supposedly encourage this type of thinking.
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tammywammy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 03:05 PM
Response to Reply #55
56. +1 n/t
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taterguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-10 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #55
58. If you worked at an Ikea, would you bike there?
Tell the truth.
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