ltrElNEWS &VIEWS

THE DEMAND for employee

I training is sweeping through the association as never before.

executive vice president

We might attribute the concern for employee training to a slack year and fear that we must find every conceivable method to increase sales. The product knowledge and selling skills conespondence courses offered by the association have extremely high enrollment. Many dealers are requiring completion of either or both of these courses as a condition of employment after the probationary period.

Our seminars have been filled to overflowing and dealers are calling to find out when future seminars are scheduled. For several years the association has been stressing the importance of a well trained sales and management staff and we are moving rapidly in that direction. It is obvious that it takes a day away from sales to train an employee, but now that customers are not lined up to make purchases it is also obvious that we must SELL the customer and get a return from the salaries paid to employees.

The demand for training has caused the association education committee to reassess the training programs so that they can be handled by the staff effectively. Since the period between November and March is still our slowest period, it is planned to conduct a series of employee training seminars during this time when most permanent employees are available.

The product knowledge and selling skills correspondence courses have such a hieh enrollment that it will be necessary to hold enrollmeit to specified periods during the year. The association will establish approximately four classes each year. These classes will be designated by a number. A bulletin will be mailed to the membership announcing enrollment approximately 30 days prior to the commencement of a correspondence course class.

We do our best to stay in tune with your training needs. You are the best judge of the type of training you want your employees to have. The association has the resources behind it to organize the training you need and to make it available to ill members. Youi ideas are important and we solicit suggestions from you.

Employee and management training is progressing rapidly. It is becoming a key factor in the operation of a retail store and we all must continue to plan for employee training.

Radio Spot Promotes R & R

"Living Better Where You Are" is the theme of a new public service radio spot produced by the National Home Improvement Council.

The four minuie spot features an interview with Council pres. Eugene B. Squires. "Know your contractor," he advises. "Among the best sources for finding a reputable contractor is NHIC which has chapters in 5l major centers throughout the United States."

The interview is being distributed to some 350 stations nationwide.