Industry Solutions
Retail
The retail industry covers many specialties under its broad umbrella. In this section, business owners can explore an array of training and continuing education opportunities, particularly through the National Retail Federation Foundation. On the "niche" side, areas include: apparel and fashion; cosmetology (with links to state licensing boards); pharmacy retail and management; and grocery and food service retail.

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Retail Licensing/Certification

Retail Industry Licensing and Certification

Apparel Retail Certification & Licensing
Retail Industry: Training & Continuing Education


This section breaks down licensing and certification opportunities into industry-specific designations. These credentials apply solely to individuals looking to advance in that particular trade.

Apparel Retail Certification & Licensing [top]

Clothing retailers may take full advantage of general certification programs sponsored by the National Retail Federation (www.nrf.com), among them the National Professional Certification in Retail Management. Moreover, those interested specifically in the fashion arena also have a number of tailor-made career options and educational opportunities.

The primary professional designations in the apparel industry's retail sector are fashion merchandising, fashion marketing and fashion buying.

  • Fashion Buyers select clothing lines suitable for particular stores, demographic groups and geographic areas. They likewise must have a strong sense of future trends, as well as a penchant for consumer psychology.
  • Fashion Marketers use advertising to showcase particular clothing lines. They must also, however, create a buzz in their potential market - as well as help set trends - around the products they are endorsing.
  • Fashion Merchandisers, more than any other apparel pro, must perform every aspect of their jobs with the consumers as the focal point. Besides selecting what to sell in a given establishment, a merchandiser works on "packaging" the product, from grouping clothing types (jean racks next to designer tees, for instance) to setting up displays. The idea is to expose customers to the full range of possibilities - and to convince them that they simply must buy.

Cosmetology Retail Certification & Licensing

Before picking up the scissors and comb, cosmetologists and barbers must receive a license in most states. Qualifications vary by state, but in general, applying for a license first requires graduation from an accredited school, then passage of a written exam and finally demonstration of basic skills. Most other personal appearance workers - from manicurists and pedicurist to makeup artists and skin care specialists - also must obtain a license.

Many states also offer licenses at the master and instructor level for cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, etc., following completion of a set number of continuing education hours and years of experience.

The following links are broken down by each state's cosmetology board:

Advanced Cosmetology Certifications

  • BA, MA, and PhD in cosmetology: Through its National Institute of Cosmetology, the National Beauty Culturist's League Inc. (NBCL) offers the only accredited higher education degree program in the nation. Students can receive a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree in cosmetology. Founded in 1919, the organization set its mission as a voice to improve conditions in the cosmetology industry. Over the years, the NBCL also has served as a leader in providing tools to better serve a broad range of clients.

    To earn an advanced degree from the NBCL's institute, students must:

    • -Be a licensed cosmetologist, barber, braider, esthetician or nail technician.
    • -Join the NBCL, as well as a local and state affiliate of the organization.
    • -Take classes provided by a state affiliate's education program.
    • -Take education courses provided by the National Institute of Cosmetology. http://www.nbcl.org/main.htm


  • Certified Master Pedicurist: Following the completion a four-day workshop given by the North American School of Pedicuring and sponsored by International Pedicure Association (IPA), as well as passing an exam, students receive a certificate. This title gives clients added confidence in the person's knowledge and skills. Holding the designation also means the master pedicurist will be listed as a certified service provider on the IPA's Web site. For members of the IPA, the price paid for dues is deducted from the course fee.
    http://www.pedicureassociation.org/new/
  • National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers / Distributors and Associations (NCEA) Certification Program: Based on the 1,200-hour esthetician job tasks developed by NCEA, the program seeks to standardize education requirements across the United States, as well as internationally. Once application materials are verified, the NCEA gives an exam, which to pass requires a grade of 75% or higher.
    http://www.ncea.tv/.

Pharmacy Retail Certification & Licensing
Working as an employee at, or owning, a pharmacy requires complete understanding in terms of product. After all, a botched order can mean so much more than just an angry customer. Therefore, pursuing advanced certification not only enables proprietors in this end of the retail industry to tout specialized services, but also lets professionals in the field better market themselves.

  • Certification in Pharmaceutical Management: This designation, found at various pharmacy schools, teaches professionals entering or already in the field how to effectively manage a practice. Specifically, related course work usually focuses on an overview of pharmaceutical industry issues. These might include information about drug development and discovery; current FDA regulations; approval processes and methodologies as they relate to compliance; the role of operational units in drug manufacturing; and drug dosage forms.

    Course subjects could include topics such as Business Ethics, Disease Management, Pharmacoeconomics; Field Sales Management and more.

Certificates through the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS)
Below are several key certification programs ideal for pharmacy owners and staff looking to expand a business's functions.
http://www.bpsweb.org/Home.html.

  • Nuclear Pharmacy Certification: While involved in a complex specialty, certified nuclear pharmacists are helping lead the way in new medical technologies. This credential teaches the candidate how to practice nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals. Areas of education generally include:
    • - Procurement
    • - Compounding
    • - Quality assurance
    • - Dispensing
    • - Distribution
    • - Health and Safety
    • - Provisions of information and consultation
    • - Monitoring patient outcome
    • - Research and development

    The recertification process for the credential, Nuclear Pharmacist, consists of three main tasks:

    • - Self-Evaluation: During this portion of the application, the candidate reviews the Content Outline for the specialty certification examination, with a focus on nuclear pharmacy practice activities/functions that have changed since initial certification or last recertification.

    • - Peer Review: The candidate must document nuclear pharmacy practice activities over the seven-year certification period. This material is then reviewed by the Specialty Council on Nuclear Pharmacy.

    • - Formal Assessment: The practitioner's knowledge and skills in Nuclear Pharmacy are assessed in one of two ways. The recertification candidate must either receive a passing score on the 100-item, multiple-choice objective examination, or they must earn 70 hours of continuing education provided by a professional development program approved by BPS.
  • Nutrition Support Pharmacy Certification: Many industry pundits feel nutrition support is a major element in home care. Professionals holding this designation address the care of patients who receive specialized nutrition support, including parenteral and enteral nutrition. In addition, the nutrition support pharmacist works to promote maintenance and/or restoration of optimal nutritional status, designing and modifying treatment according to the patient's needs.

    This particular credential also teaches pharmaceutical professionals how to oversee tasks such as:

    • - Using an interview process to collect medical, nutritional, psychological and socioeconomic history from the patient themselves or the patient's caregiver.
    • - Assessing a patient's nutritional status by reviewing their medical history for disease states, clinical conditions, medical/surgical therapies, laboratory findings, imaging studies and more.
    • - Measuring physical assessment parameters vital to nutritional status.
    • - Evaluating subjective and objective data to identify a patient who is, or might become, overnourished or undernourished.
    • - Estimating daily micro/macro nutrient requirements.
    • - Identifying interactions between drugs, dietary supplements and nutrients.
    • - Identifying available specialized nutrition support access and evaluate eligibility for reimbursement.

    Requirements include: Aside from passing a specialty certification examination, the candidate must:

    • - Have graduated from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or an alternative program accepted by BPS.
    • - Have a current and active license to practice pharmacy
    • - Have completed three years of experience with a substantial amount of time spent in activities pertaining to nutrition support pharmacy.

    Or, candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

    • - Have completed a Specialty Residency in nutrition support pharmacy practice as well as have one year of additional practice experience (with a substantial amount of time spent in nutrition support pharmacy).
    • - Have completed a nutrition support fellowship as well as have one year of additional practice experience (with a substantial amount of time spent in nutrition support pharmacy).
    • - Have completed both a Specialty Residency in nutrition support pharmacy practice and completed a nutrition support fellowship.
  • Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist: Professionals specializing in Pharmacotherapy help ensure the safe, appropriate, and economical use of drugs in patient care, according to the BPS. They often work as a member of a multidisciplinary team and usually are the primary source of drug information for other healthcare professionals.

    Requirements include: Aside from passing a specialty certification examination, the candidate must:

    • - Have graduated from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or an alternative program accepted by BPS
    • - Have a current and active practice license
    • - Have a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree and one of the following: Five years of practice with a substantial component of patient care in pharmacotherapy; completion of a Pharmacy Practice or Specialty Residency and three additional years of practice with a substantial component of patient care in pharmacotherapy; Completion of both a Pharmacy Practice Residency and a Specialty Residency; Doctor of Pharmacy degree with three years of practice experience (must have a substantial component of patient care in pharmacotherapy); Doctor of Pharmacy degree with completion of a Pharmacy Practice or Specialty Residency.
  • Psychiatric Pharmacy Certification: This certification indicates that the holder specializes in the medicinal care of patients with psychiatric-related illnesses. Usually, these professionals are one part of multidisciplinary treatment team, and work to optimize drug treatment and patient care by conducting specific activities. These might include:
    • - Monitoring patient response to medicine
    • - Patient assessment
    • - Recognizing drug-induced problems
    • - Defining appropriate treatment plans

    Requirements include: Aside from passing a specialty certification examination, the candidate must:

    • -- Have graduated from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or an alternative program accepted by BPS
    • -- Have a current and active practice license
    • -- Have completed four years of practice with substantial time spent in psychiatric pharmacy practice, or completed a Specialty Residency in Psychiatric Pharmacy plus one additional year of practice with substantial time spent in psychiatric pharmacy.

Grocery Retail Certification & Licensing

Within the grocery industry, licensing and certification programs can be as difficult to find as bread and milk on store shelves before bad weather hits. While some are available, training and continuing education provided by national and state associations or by a company's in-house program tend to be the norm.

Advanced Certification

  • Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) Retail Management Certificate Program: Developed by food industry and college professionals, this 10-course program offered through community colleges in western states emphasizes business essentials, including how to effectively manage and communicate in the retail food industry.

    In addition, to the certificate program, the WAFC offers a Food Industry Management Program and a Food Industry Executive Program, both of which are offered at the University of Southern California. The 14-week management module is geared toward workers who show promise in leadership roles. The executive program is intended for senior managers. http://www.wafc.com/index.htm.

  • National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Certified Food Safety Manager: Accredited by the American National Standards Institute, all states and jurisdictions recognize this certification, which is valid for up to five years. Some state health departments may require more frequent renewal. www.nrfsp.com.
  • The Retail Supply Chain Certification (RSCC): This credential, provided by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) in partnership with Accenture's Supply Chain Academy, is ideal for professionals responsible for overseeing a retailer's inventory.

    Using input from academic, industry and functional experts, the 50-plus hour curriculum teaches professionals to manage, forecast and plan inventory. On completion of the on-line program, the certificate holder should have the ability to make more-informed decisions - ensuring products go to the right place at the right time. http://www.retail-leaders.org/latest/rlCertification.aspx?section=RCEROV

  • Marketing Management Certificate: Often considered an entry-level credential, this certificate usually focus on such marketing basics as principles of microeconomics, principles of salesmanship, business computations, business law, managing a small business and more.

    These certificates in many cases do not require any other prerequisites other than a high school diploma or GED. Marketing Management programs can be found at a number of community colleges and trade schools.

Food Service Retail Certification & Licensing

When a retail business involves the storage, handling and/or sale of food, ServSafe Certification may be required. Local Department of Health offices and Small Business Centers will have information specific to their jurisdictions and areas of service. These certifications and licenses may help professionals in this end of retail take their career to the next level.

  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification: This credential, which professionals in food retail may obtain by passing a specific course, covers sanitation (including personal hygiene, food contamination, and food borne illnesses), the flow of food in the operation (cross contamination, time and temperature control, storage, receiving, cooling and reheating, and preparation and serving of foodstuffs), and how to maintain sanitary facilities and properly manage pests. The Food Protection Manager Certification shows that the holder has met the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) standards for safe food handling. It also ensures the retailer knows how to protect the customers, their food, and employees from unnecessary illness, contamination, and damage to your reputation. This speaks volumes to customers as their perusing the shelves for something tasty to purchase.
  • ServSafe Fundamentals of Responsible Alcohol Service Certification: ServSafe offers courses for this credential. The training includes checking for false identification, the laws and your responsibilities as an individual or establishment that serves alcohol, and methods of determining intoxication for responsible alcohol service.

ServSafe offers a second level of training for both their Food Protection Manager Certification and Fundamentals of Responsible Alcohol Service Certification. An instructor certification in both cases, this allows you to teach the ServSafe courses to your own employees, ensuring their quality of training, as well as teaching the ServSafe courses to others in your area. At the instructor level, you can become an instructor, proctor, or have dual-role status. The instructor teaches the material, the proctor oversees testing and certification, and those with dual-role status can do both.

General Retail Licensing & Certification

In the overall retail world, a good salesperson rarely backs down from the challenge of a difficult prospect. In the same respects, an effective manager seems to always find a solution when problem arises. It's this kind of know-how and quick thinking that keeps the crme of the retail crop at the front of the line in terms of career achievement. So, it only makes sense that this very competitive industry encourage certification beyond the routine education. And so is the case. Today's retail certification programs aim to help professionals in the field redefine their job path. Even more, they prove that spending a money now on credentials can lead to big payoffs later at the register.

National Retail Federation Certifications

The National Retail Federation offers three certifications (based on industry standards) through its not-for-profit research and education arm, the National Retail Foundation.

These certifications are representative of the knowledge and skills used in retail and service positions ranging from entry-level to first-line supervisory. For the retail professional looking to take the next step in their career and start their own operation, these certifications make the perfect tool for ensuring the hired help performs at the highest standard. In addition, these programs offer great insight for transitioning retail employees.

  • National Professional Certification in Customer Service: This certification acknowledges that the holder obtains and uses the service skills needed to address clients in an effective and appropriate manner. An assessment, comprised of real life customer service situations, is used to document the individual's knowledge of industry-identified standards.

    The certificate exam uses The Customer Service & Sales Skill Standards to determine the candidate's level of competence. These standards were established through participation from thousands of employers, employees and industry experts across multiple fields.

    Specifically, this certification benefits employers by helping weed out staff members capable of dealing one-on-one with the consumer. Moreover, it helps set the company expectations for customer management.
  • National Professional Certification in Sales: This is an industry-driven credential that helps employers identify qualified sales professionals, and attests to the skill level of employees and job seekers for service/sales-related positions.

    The certification, which is meant to go hand-in-hand with the National Professional Certification in Customer Service, was designed to capture the core sales duties for a broad range of entry-level through first-line supervisory positions. It focuses on the candidate's ability to close a deal, to predict customer actions, to handle repeat clientele, to understand sales quotas and more.

    As such, this certification is appropriate for anyone interested in obtaining a position in retail, or for those sales professionals looking to build out their rsum.
  • National Professional Certification in Retail Management: This widely-endorsed credential was developed with support from the U.S. Department of Labor. It defines a new level of career advancement to motivate pursuing and current retail managers to grow in their jobs. This certification focuses on core teachings for a broad range of management positions.

    The certification exam is based on competency statements developed with input from many companies and employees. It not only allows businesses to identify management-ready employees, but it also helps establish performance goals, builds retention, and possibly reduces the cost of recruiting and training employees.

Retail Industry: Training & Continuing Education [top]

Specialized Retail Training & Continuing Education

Apparel Retail Training & CE

Though advancement in the clothing-sales business typically requires a two- or four-year college degree rather than a certificate, the proliferation of distance learning programs makes earning these credentials a relatively simple manner - especially for business owners or individuals already employed in full-time jobs. A good way to begin the process is to conduct some Internet research on the dozens of colleges, art schools and universities that offer online degrees in these fields.

The following Web sites provide extensive listings of the best educational resources for aspiring fashion pros.

  • Education Portal: http://education-portal.com/index.html. A window to a plethora of degree programs in all areas, as well as school ratings/reviews and education news. One search for online "fashion merchandising" colleges returned 80 results.
  • All Art Schools Fashion Career Center: http://www.allartschools.com/faqs/fashion-career.php. Offers descriptions of fashion retail specializations, as well as a searchable database of leading art and design schools with majors in merchandising, buying and marketing. The majority of listed institutions provide both online and on-campus opportunities.
  • Fashion Schools: http://www.fashion-schools.org. Covers all aspects of the fashion industry, with a good bit of content devoted to retail disciplines; also includes a searchable school directory and a section featuring online degree options.

Cosmetology Retail Training & CE

Most state boards require a set amount of continuing education hours not only for advanced licenses but also for license renewal.

The following organizations and resources provide or list training and continuing education opportunities for people in the industry:

National Cosmetology Association: Knowing the necessity and importance of continuing education in the field, the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) awards Sally Beauty Scholarships each year. NCA members can apply by filling out the application, submitting two letters of reference and writing a 250-word essay.

http://www.ncacares.org/resources/scholarship.cfm

In-House Training Program Titles: Outside of these programs, many exclusive salons offer in-house training for their employees, allowing them to move up the ranks. Based on experience and tenure - not necessarily on licenses and certifications held - employees receive a designation reflected in the price of services. These titles often start with (in order of status):

  • - Apprentice
  • - Stylist,
  • - Designer Stylist,
  • - Master Stylist
  • - Artistic Director.

Pharmaceutical Retail Training & CE

Continuing Education through the American Pharmacists Association (APhA):

This industry resource, recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, provides a number of CE opportunities for postgraduates looking to enhance their skills and roles in pharmacy. APhA certificate training programs use a combination of self-study and live seminars to teach professionals in several areas, including:

  • Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery
  • Pharmaceutical Care for Patients with Diabetes
  • Pharmacy-Based Lipid Management
  • OTC Advisor: Advancing Patient Self-Care
  • Delivering Medication Therapy Management in the Community

The APhA makes enrollment in certification training programs easy by working with other organizations such as universities and state pharmacy associations to offer on-site courses. Interested professionals can find out about programs in their area by emailing the APhA Certificate Training Department at ctp@aphanet.org.

Also, APhA provides information on upcoming sessions throughout the country at www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Upcoming_Sessions.

APhA Continuing Education (CE) Online Center: This Internet resource lets visitors view and link to more than 80 online CE courses. Members can database transcripts pertaining to courses they've already completed as well as manage other CE requirements. Also, the CE Online Center provides ongoing Webinars, each focused on the most current issues facing the pharmaceutical world.
www.pharmacist.com/Content/NavigationMenu3/ContinuingEducation/OnlineCECenter/Online_CE_Center.htm.

Grocery Retail Training & CE

Most national and state organizations involved in the grocery industry provide a variety of continuing education opportunities, whether through face-to-face or Web seminars, workshops or annual conventions. The following is a list of grocery groups offering such opportunities for career advancement learning:

Food Service Retail Training & CE
While many people in the restaurant and food service industry go to one of the nation's many culinary schools for training and continuing education, there are other key resources available.

  • Continuing Education through ServSAFE: Helping Define and uphold the standard for quality in the hospitality industry, ServSafe provides food retailers with the most up-to-date training (and certification) in safe and hygienic food handling. The agency also focuses on the best environmental sanitation for a food preparation or storage facility. Possessing a ServSafe certification indicates the holder understands and adheres to the most modern government food regulations and preparation techniques.

    Today, many state alcoholic beverage control groups now require proof of some sort of alcohol safe service training, and many state and local health departments require similar food safety training. ServSafe provides the texts, training, and testing around the United States for these courses. Certification in these programs does need renewal, which varies by state (usually at least every three years.)

    The ServSafe Website contains all information on testing and training in areas throughout the U.S., as well as details on becoming an instructor, proctor, or obtaining dual-role status. There are also links to each state, detailing their requirements for certification and renewal, as well as links to their sites.
    www.servsafe.com.

The National Council for Chain Restaurants: This trade association, a division of the National Retail Federation (NRF), exclusively represents chain restaurant companies. Professionals in the field can turn to this resource for a slew of continuing education opportunities regarding new food laws, management and more.
http://www.nccr.net/.

General Retail Training & Continuing Education

National Retail Federation Branches

The National Retail Federation (NRF), the largest retail trade group in the world, represents more than 1.6 million retail companies in the United States in every sector of the industry. The NRF has four association groups under its umbrella as well: each offering continuing education resources. These are:

  • The Association for Retail Technology Standards, an international membership organization dedicated to reducing the cost of technology through standards.
    http://www.nrf-arts.org/.
  • The National Council for Chain Restaurants, a trade association exclusively representing chain restaurant companies.
    http://www.nccr.net/.
  • The Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, a trade association of retail marketing and advertising professionals and their counterparts on the agency and service side; and Shop.org, the online association for all retailers.
    http://www.rama-nrf.org/content/default.asp?folder=home&file=main.htm&bhcp=1

How to Pursue National Retail Federation Certifications

Tutorials and practice exams are available at:

National Professional Certification in Customer Service: In order to pursue this certification, applicants must be 16 years or older. Other qualifying applicants may include students that have passed at least the 11th grade and who are in good standing with their employers, schools, or training programs. Once these requirements have been met, applicants can pursue the following steps:

  • Take and pass the Customer Service Assessment exam. This 70-question test is comprised of real-life customer service situations, asking test takers to identify the best courses of action. The proctored test is delivered by computer and takes about one hour to complete. Fees vary depending on the site where the exam is taken.
  • Apply for Certification. Applicants find out whether they passed the assessment immediately upon completing the exam. Those who pass will complete the application for certification. Candidates must provide a professional reference other than a family member. Candidates who do not pass the Assessment receive a profile of strengths and weaknesses to assist in accessing customized training and can retest after 30 days. There is a retesting fee.
  • Get recertified. Recertification for this certificate occurs every three years. The NRF will provide information regarding recertification at that time.

National Professional Certification in Sales: In order to pursue this certification, the applicant must already hold the Customer Service Certification. Once this is obtained, those seeking the National Professional Sales credential will take a 75-question test comprised of real-life sales situations, some delivered through graphic and audio. Each question presents a problem and several possible courses of action. The assessment relates to three critical work functions identified in the Sales Skill Standards. These include:

  • Preparing for selling, gaining customer commitment
  • Closing sales
  • Developing and implementing a follow up plan

National Professional Certification in Management: In order to pursue the Certification in Management, the applicant must hold the Customer Service Certification. The NRF also recommends at least three years of retail management experience before pursuing this certification. Once these requirements are met, those seeking certification will take a 100-question test comprised of real life retail management experiences, with questions presenting possible courses of action. The assessment pertains to these five major content areas:

  • Selling and service
  • Merchandising
  • Human resources
  • Operations
  • Finances.

Basics of Retail Credential
The Basics of Retail Credential measures and validates knowledge of key retail disciplines. The credential aims to foster deeper industry familiarity among business consulting professionals and others. The assessment builds on existing credentials developed by NRF Foundation, including the National Professional Certifications in Customer Service, Sales and Management.

To earn this credential, applicants must pass a 75-question computerized assessment, which measures knowledge in the following retail disciplines:

  • Retail Operations
  • Merchandising
  • Sales & Marketing
  • Retail Management & Planning
  • The Retail Context & Customer
  • The Retail Organization & People/Human Resources
  • Warehousing & Logistics

National Retail Federation Training and Continuing Ed. Resources

NRF University Wired

NRF University Wired is on online education center aimed at the retail industry. Anyone can register on their website and sign up for online classes ranging from Intro to Retail Management to Merchandising to Strengthening Customer Relationships. Single classes last one and a half hours. Course bundles, like the Retail Management Training Suite, offer six courses together and are designed to give managers a complete overview of the skills they need to possess.
www.nrfuniversitywired.com

Retail Skills Centers

Retail Skills Centers are one-stop career hubs that provide both new and tenured employers in the retail industry tools for meeting their workforce needs. Skill Centers recruit, train, and place individuals in flexible job opportunities and long-term retail careers. They provide core customer service and sales education to prepare job-ready workers. In addition, these centers offer advanced training for employers and workers seeking higher skills, challenges and credentials from the industry.

Retail Skills Centers use curriculum and training based on National Customer Service & Sales and Pilot Retail Skill Standards. Programs run the gamut, from ESL training to career counseling. For a list of Retail Skills Centers around the country, visit: www.nrf.com.

NRF Resource and Training Products

The National Retail Federation offers study aides and reference resources, as well as assessments for Retail Readiness and the National Customer Service program. Study aides and reference resources include a 12-book workbook series called "Retailing Smarts Series" covering points such as techniques for closing a sale, stocking shelves and how to meet your customer's needs. They also offer "Customer Service & Sales Skills Standards" in print.

Other Continuing Education Opportunities.

Continuing Education through the National Retail Tenants Association: A not-for-profit corporation, the National Retail Tenants Association provides an annual educational conference as well as a variety of widely-regarded resources. The group focuses on retailers responsible for managing commercial leases. Through its programs, it aims to help professionals to "more profitably manage their leases."

Past teaching have included joint auditing, new software system information, and proactive management of common area expenses.
http://www.retailtenants.org/about/history.php.

Continuing Education through American Management Association: This organization offers multiple training seminars around the U.S., as well as certification courses, based on proven management techniques. Retailers can find a variety of useful seminar subjects that deal with communications, human resource management, finance and accounting, management and supervisory skills, office and administrative support, sales, strategic planning and more. Some specific seminar areas include:

  • Communicating With A Multigenerational Workforce
  • Driving Organic Growth: How to Maximize Your Company's Assets
  • The 21st Century Global Leader
  • High-Impact decision making: Reducing risks, Maximizing Results
  • Inventory Management Techniques: Planning, Replenish and Activities Control

www.amanet.org.

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