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Pet Store Pro announced the winner of its
retailer contest to recognize best practices in using the free online
curriculum as part of an effective training program. Theresa’s Country
Feed & Pet was selected for using Pet Store Pro to add structure to the
store’s on-the-floor training, with demonstrated success.
Theresa’s will receive a free,
all-expenses-paid trip for two to Global Pet Expo, Feb. 29 – March 2,
2012, in Orlando, Fla., and will be featured in Pet Store Pro’s
marketing campaign, along with contest runners up.
The 12,000-square-foot store, located in
Simi Valley,CA, is known throughout Ventura County for its specially
trained, knowledgeable staff — and throughout the pet industry for being
named Outstanding General Pet Store for 2011/2012 by Pet
Product News magazine. According to Theresa’s general manager, Steve
Shalhoob, training his team with Pet Store Pro contributed to earning
the prestigious award.
Steve incorporated Pet Store Pro into
Theresa’s training program shortly after it was introduced in 2008. New
employees sign a written agreement to complete all assigned Pet Store
Pro chapters at a rate of one per week, on their own time. (Freshwater
fish and saltwater fish are not assigned because Theresa’s fish
department is leased to a separate entity.) Steve checks employee
progress periodically and uses feedback from the chapter tests to start
a dialog during performance reviews. Photographs of “graduates” are
posted on Theresa’s web site and displayed in the store’s office.
Steve said that having employees complete
Pet Store Pro chapters on their own time shows their commitment to
upholding Theresa’s standards — and that being part of an award-winning
team is an incentive to successfully complete the training. “Our
employees are proud to be part of a team that works hard to provide the
best customer service anywhere,” he said. “It shows in our sales dollars
and customer counts, in addition to our awards.”
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