Girl Scout Cookie Sales Even Sweeter With Technology

GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Girls Scouts in South Carolina will see mobile technology weaved throughout this year's cookie sales program more than ever. The new technology promises to help girls manage sales volume, inventory and provide excellent customer service.

Both the Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands council, which serves girls in the central and western parts of the state, and the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina council, which serves girls in the eastern half of the state, are encouraging girls to download the COCOMobile App. The free app tracks each girl's sales, progress toward goals, orders and delivery status and informs girls when they near a sales incentive.

Both organizations recently began incorporating more technology into their daily operations, outfitting staff with Verizon smartphones and mobile hotspots to manage their large service areas. The cookie sale is one way in which the Girl Scouts will put the technology to great use, as communication and training can now be done from almost anywhere over the Verizon network.

"The young people in this program are learning valuable skills that will shape their future, including mobile commerce," said Jerry Fountain, president Verizon Wireless, Carolinas/Tennessee Region. "Girls will be able to boost sales by using a Square or Intuit card reader on a smartphone over Verizon's network to offer customers the ease of buying cookies without cash."

"The Girl Scout Cookie Program has always been about girls learning financial literacy skills, which include setting goals and practicing effective people skills.  These are lifelong invaluable attributes that will serve them well now and into the future," said Kim Hutzell, President/CEO, Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands.

"Mobile technology enables girls to use connected devices they otherwise associate with gaming and social media to increase the success of their personal cookie sale," said Loretta Graham, President/CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina.

Door-to-door sales begin Jan. 10 and extend through March 21.  Direct sales at local retail stores like Bi-Lo and WalMart will be on weekends from Feb. 21 until March 17.  At that time, for customers looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, they can use a mobile app called Girl Scout Cookie Finder.  Customers enter their zip code and the app will give them the closest location cookies are sold.  

"The introduction of Verizon technology into our Girl Scout Cookie Program is a logical next step as we continue to take advantage of technologies that help us build efficiencies and provide a better program experience for our members," said Sharon Hewitt, Director, Product Sales, Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE and 3G networks. The company serves 101.2 million retail customers, including 95.2 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 72,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews. 

About Girl Scouts

For 102 years, Girl Scouting has helped girls develop positive values and become active, responsible leaders in their communities. With emphasis on personal growth and leadership development through service to others, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. For additional information please log onto www.gssccookies.org  or call 1-800-849-4475.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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