One of the basic tenets taught to the employees in training is that “Everyone in the Apple Store is in the business of selling”. The manual features various marketing techniques revolving around the end goal of selling merchandise. The Genius Training Student Workbook is Apple's employee training manual for Apple Store tech-support employees, called Geniuses. The Lead Genius is assisted by "Genius Admins", who is in charge of managing the administrative paperwork, organizing the Geniuses' work and liaising with customers about their repairs. Larger support teams are headed up by the "Lead Genius", who schedules workers, and handles customer service issues at the Genius Bar. Apple now maintains two Genius Bar queues: Mac and Mobile Device. After its release in 2010, iPad appointments also fell under the Family Room Specialists. In September 2009, the Family Room Specialists were folded into the mix to handle iPod and iPhone troubleshooting. Most portable computer repairs and all desktop repairs are performed in-store and completed overnight or within a few days. In some countries, Apple has service depots where portable repairs (for issues such as accidental damage) can be completed for a flat rate. Non-warranty service (which is paid for by the customer when repairs are complete) is also routinely performed. Most services carried out at the Genius Bar are free. They offer personal support when customers have problems or questions relating to their Apple products. The employees can also be viewed as the local representatives of AppleCare. As of August 2009, this phone is no longer installed in newer Apple Retail Stores and removed in others. The " Red Telephone" sometimes seen behind the Genius Bar was a direct line to Apple product specialists, allowing for problems and questions too complicated for the in-store employees to answer. Stools can be found in front of the Bar for people to sit and chat with each other or with employees. LCD screens behind the Bar play looped videos which offer tips to customers waiting for help. There may be other "floating" notebooks for iPod/iPhone troubleshooting, often referred to as "floaters". Employees now use iPads with similar software to check in machines for repairs. The layout of a Genius Bar previously consisted of at least two 15" or 17" current Apple Portable Computers, often mounted on "floating" stands. Ron Johnson, the former senior vice president for retail, often referred to the Genius Bar as the "heart and soul" of the Apple Store. If the in-house technician needs to send the affected device to an Apple Repair Center, most repaired or replaced iPhones will be returned or ready for pickup in approximately 3 business days. The Genius Bar at Apple Stores offers same-day service for both OLED/ LCD screen and lithium-ion battery replacement. For problems that require repairs to hardware, most of the work can be completed on-site, while customers wait. Many of the services are provided for free, regardless of the product's warranty status. The locations provide concierge-style, face-to-face support for customers from "Geniuses" who are specially trained and certified by Apple, with multiple levels of certification depending on the products serviced. inside Apple Stores to support the use of its products and services. "She is the most kindhearted person I have ever met.The Genius Bar is a technical support service provided by Apple Inc. "With Sara, I never worried about who I am," says Mike, who recently started his own T-shirt company, Red Choo-Choo. Both say the comfort between them was the compelling force. Six months in, Sara moved into Mike's Mission loft. Both shared a love for cooking, hiking and being active. The weekend went smoothly, and rolled into a regular thing. "They called every five minutes to make sure Mike wasn't an ax murderer and had chopped me into pieces." For their third date, they jumped up to Portland for a weekend - a bold move, and one that brought raised eyebrows. Mike was there to swoop her up at the end. The next week, Sara, a samba dancer, shimmied her way down Market Street in the Gay Pride Parade. Sometime between dinner and ice cream, Sara made the first move. After a few hiccups, they agreed to meet the next Friday night for what turned out to be a marathon date. When Sara parted, she offered a handshake and a phone number. Their lunch together was easy and natural. "Ironically, I got my first Apple computer the year Sara was born," Mike says. He soon knew Sara's name and, after a little encouragement, had secured an agreement to have lunch in the food court. "I'd never approached anyone in public before," says Mike, who, as a mortgage banker, had been hard hit by the economic downturn. Sara, who has just graduated from nursing school, had an early morning appointment for a tutorial Mike had been shopping for a tie to wear to a wedding that afternoon.
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