| Distance Learning
Shows Rapid Growth at Flooring America's On Line University
Manchester, N.H. (April 11, 2003) – Flooring America
On Line University, a successful distance-learning program,
is growing rapidly. Students have "logged on to" 14,804
classes since its launch on June 3, 2002. More than 725 users,
representing nearly 50% of the member stores, access an average
of 49 courses each day. The typical student has taken an average
of 20 classes.
"The cost of a course works out to 73 cents a day. You
won't find a better deal on a quality education," says
Bob Hutter, the Senior Director of Program Development at Flooring
America University. “Our on line university—in fact,
our entire university curriculum—offers Flooring America
members with a valuable knowledge resource. Our goal is to improve
staff performance across the board so that Flooring America
members can maximize opportunities as they present themselves
in these challenging economic times. That means providing our
members with continuous training opportunities and course content
that is up-to-date and relevant.”
The curriculum covers the full range of retail flooring subjects,
from product knowledge to sales training, brand expertise, and
software and management courses. Upcoming additions include
Value Pricing for owners and salespeople; Measuring And Estimating;
Area Rugs; Damages, Defects, And Claims; a revised and expanded
DuPont Stainmaster Fashion Showplace course; and a course on
Flooring America's new computerized interior design kiosk, Home
Emagination®.
Flooring America's On Line University is offering a special
spring promotion: the Iron Man/ Iron Woman Sales Training Triathlon.
From May 15 to September 1, entrants will compete in three different
structured courses with stiff requirements for completion. At
the end of the summer-long event, Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners
will be selected from each of eight separate regions across
the country.
Several other new courses are scheduled for this summer. An
innovative "blended" program is currently being developed
in which an online customer service course, Star Customer Service,
will be complemented by a graduate-level, activity-based symposium
to be presented in six cities starting in late June. The on
line course and symposium are complete by themselves, but Hutter
says that the two are specially designed to reinforce each other
for maximum effectiveness.
About Flooring America
Flooring America, with a sales volume of $1.4 billion, consists
of more than 500 member-owned floor covering stores throughout
the United States and Canada. Flooring America provides members
with exclusive brands and warranty programs, comprehensive multi-media
advertising programs, complete showroom merchandising packages,
plus training in management and sales. It operates as a division
of CCA Global Partners, the world's largest flooring group.
For information on becoming a member of Flooring America, contact
Tom Heffner, National Membership Director, at 800-466-6984,
ext. 1501.
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