The SEMA Education Institute's (SEI) newly released sales training course, "Focus on the Customer: Introduction to Selling," is proving to be an effective tool for increasing sales skills for both new and veteran retailers alike.
"One of our goals is to become a training partner with our SEMA members" stated Bob Price, SEI's Executive Director. "This course focuses on the needs of new retail employees and teaches practical selling tools that can be applied on the job immediately."
"Basic retail sales training continues to be a critical issue for both our manufacturing and retailing members," said Price. "With the help of sales experts and adult educators, we've designed this course to emphasize the importance of good selling and customer service skills."
The "Introduction to Selling Course" is the first in a series of selling and marketing training courses being developed by SEI. The series will utilize scenario-based learning techniques, engaging video and audio examples, interactive quizzes and skill reviews.
The heart of the program is a five-stage sales process that uses the acronym G.E.A.R.S. to describe how to lead the customer through the following sales steps: Greet; Explore; Assist; Recommend; and Sell.
"Following a proven retail selling process will help close more sales and even assist with add-on product selling," said Price. He suggests that SEMA members use the "Introduction to Selling" course as an addition to their own in-house sales training and as a fun tool to encourage employees to work together to improve their selling skills.
"Selling is a process that anyone can learn to master. All it takes is dedication and desire—and a reliable training system," Price stated. The testing function of the course provides management with an online tool to gauge and measure sales-skills improvement and performance. In addition, the course includes video role-playing examples that demonstrate helpful techniques to handle customer objections.
The "Introduction to Selling" course was designed to help learners understand the key concepts and dynamics in the sales process; discover how good customer service techniques can increase sales; and improve individual selling skills and performance through guided practice.
"Our member surveys clearly indicate the critical importance of improving basic retail sales skills," Price said. "Retailers needing a jump-start with their training programs will find an excellent resource at the SEMA Education Institute."
For more information, visit the SEMA Education Institute at www.sema.org/sei.
Brenda Priddy says that after a long stakeout ("on a public street, of course") outside a top-secret Toyota facility, her spy photographers caught a quick glimpse of Scion’s upcoming New York International Auto Show Concept. The ”super-compact” hatchback, named IQ (like Toyota’s version), will debut as a Scion and is expected to be sold in the United States.
The IQ, the first real competitor to the Smart, will likely be powered by a 1.5L engine and will roll into dealerships with a sticker in the $15,000 range, Priddy says.
"Although our pictures were snapped through open doors of a car carrier and the lighting was extremely limited and filtered, we were still able to capture several details that weren’t supposed to be revealed until next week," she says.
"Scion’s version of the IQ is more stylish and appealing than Toyota’s, with exaggerated fender flares, unique wheels and a new front fascia, as well as an interesting scoop-looking detail behind the front wheels."
Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.
Brenda Priddy says that after a long stakeout ("on a public street, of course") outside a top-secret Toyota facility, her spy photographers caught a quick glimpse of Scion’s upcoming New York International Auto Show Concept. The ”super-compact” hatchback, named IQ (like Toyota’s version), will debut as a Scion and is expected to be sold in the United States.
The IQ, the first real competitor to the Smart, will likely be powered by a 1.5L engine and will roll into dealerships with a sticker in the $15,000 range, Priddy says.
"Although our pictures were snapped through open doors of a car carrier and the lighting was extremely limited and filtered, we were still able to capture several details that weren’t supposed to be revealed until next week," she says.
"Scion’s version of the IQ is more stylish and appealing than Toyota’s, with exaggerated fender flares, unique wheels and a new front fascia, as well as an interesting scoop-looking detail behind the front wheels."
Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.
Brenda Priddy says that after a long stakeout ("on a public street, of course") outside a top-secret Toyota facility, her spy photographers caught a quick glimpse of Scion’s upcoming New York International Auto Show Concept. The ”super-compact” hatchback, named IQ (like Toyota’s version), will debut as a Scion and is expected to be sold in the United States.
The IQ, the first real competitor to the Smart, will likely be powered by a 1.5L engine and will roll into dealerships with a sticker in the $15,000 range, Priddy says.
"Although our pictures were snapped through open doors of a car carrier and the lighting was extremely limited and filtered, we were still able to capture several details that weren’t supposed to be revealed until next week," she says.
"Scion’s version of the IQ is more stylish and appealing than Toyota’s, with exaggerated fender flares, unique wheels and a new front fascia, as well as an interesting scoop-looking detail behind the front wheels."
Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.
Brenda Priddy says that after a long stakeout ("on a public street, of course") outside a top-secret Toyota facility, her spy photographers caught a quick glimpse of Scion’s upcoming New York International Auto Show Concept. The ”super-compact” hatchback, named IQ (like Toyota’s version), will debut as a Scion and is expected to be sold in the United States.
The IQ, the first real competitor to the Smart, will likely be powered by a 1.5L engine and will roll into dealerships with a sticker in the $15,000 range, Priddy says.
"Although our pictures were snapped through open doors of a car carrier and the lighting was extremely limited and filtered, we were still able to capture several details that weren’t supposed to be revealed until next week," she says.
"Scion’s version of the IQ is more stylish and appealing than Toyota’s, with exaggerated fender flares, unique wheels and a new front fascia, as well as an interesting scoop-looking detail behind the front wheels."
Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.
Brenda Priddy says that after a long stakeout ("on a public street, of course") outside a top-secret Toyota facility, her spy photographers caught a quick glimpse of Scion’s upcoming New York International Auto Show Concept. The ”super-compact” hatchback, named IQ (like Toyota’s version), will debut as a Scion and is expected to be sold in the United States.
The IQ, the first real competitor to the Smart, will likely be powered by a 1.5L engine and will roll into dealerships with a sticker in the $15,000 range, Priddy says.
"Although our pictures were snapped through open doors of a car carrier and the lighting was extremely limited and filtered, we were still able to capture several details that weren’t supposed to be revealed until next week," she says.
"Scion’s version of the IQ is more stylish and appealing than Toyota’s, with exaggerated fender flares, unique wheels and a new front fascia, as well as an interesting scoop-looking detail behind the front wheels."
Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.
Brenda Priddy says that after a long stakeout ("on a public street, of course") outside a top-secret Toyota facility, her spy photographers caught a quick glimpse of Scion’s upcoming New York International Auto Show Concept. The ”super-compact” hatchback, named IQ (like Toyota’s version), will debut as a Scion and is expected to be sold in the United States.
The IQ, the first real competitor to the Smart, will likely be powered by a 1.5L engine and will roll into dealerships with a sticker in the $15,000 range, Priddy says.
"Although our pictures were snapped through open doors of a car carrier and the lighting was extremely limited and filtered, we were still able to capture several details that weren’t supposed to be revealed until next week," she says.
"Scion’s version of the IQ is more stylish and appealing than Toyota’s, with exaggerated fender flares, unique wheels and a new front fascia, as well as an interesting scoop-looking detail behind the front wheels."
Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.
THI, the parent company of the Extang Corporation and TruXedo Inc., has acquired the assets of BedRug from Wise Industries Inc. North American soft-tonneau manufacturer THI was created as an investment vehicle of the private-equity firm Kinderhook Industries.
“Consistent with its strategy for Extang and TruXedo, Kinderhook intends to support a vigorous investment program in marketing and new product development at THI and BedRug to expand into the next generation of accessories for the back of a pickup truck,” stated Kinderhook’s managing director Thomas Tuttle in a company press release.
Part of the acquisition includes merging BedRug into THI’s group of aftermarket companies under THI’s CEO Bill Reminder and COO Kelly Kneifl.
Tuttle also noted that Kinderhook and THI will continue to explore additional strategic acquisition opportunities in the light-truck aftermarket that are consistent with THI’s overall strategy.
THI, the parent company of the Extang Corporation and TruXedo Inc., has acquired the assets of BedRug from Wise Industries Inc. North American soft-tonneau manufacturer THI was created as an investment vehicle of the private-equity firm Kinderhook Industries.
“Consistent with its strategy for Extang and TruXedo, Kinderhook intends to support a vigorous investment program in marketing and new product development at THI and BedRug to expand into the next generation of accessories for the back of a pickup truck,” stated Kinderhook’s managing director Thomas Tuttle in a company press release.
Part of the acquisition includes merging BedRug into THI’s group of aftermarket companies under THI’s CEO Bill Reminder and COO Kelly Kneifl.
Tuttle also noted that Kinderhook and THI will continue to explore additional strategic acquisition opportunities in the light-truck aftermarket that are consistent with THI’s overall strategy.
THI, the parent company of the Extang Corporation and TruXedo Inc., has acquired the assets of BedRug from Wise Industries Inc. North American soft-tonneau manufacturer THI was created as an investment vehicle of the private-equity firm Kinderhook Industries.
“Consistent with its strategy for Extang and TruXedo, Kinderhook intends to support a vigorous investment program in marketing and new product development at THI and BedRug to expand into the next generation of accessories for the back of a pickup truck,” stated Kinderhook’s managing director Thomas Tuttle in a company press release.
Part of the acquisition includes merging BedRug into THI’s group of aftermarket companies under THI’s CEO Bill Reminder and COO Kelly Kneifl.
Tuttle also noted that Kinderhook and THI will continue to explore additional strategic acquisition opportunities in the light-truck aftermarket that are consistent with THI’s overall strategy.