Certified Tobacconist Newsletter
Educational News & Events
In This Issue
NEW CERTIFIED TOBACCONISTS
IPCPR & TU
CRT SEMINARS
NEW CONTENT
POST CERTIFICATION
PRESIDENT'S NOTES
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Issue: 3 Summer/2008
Greetings!

Welcome to the most exciting Tobacconist University Newsletter, ever!  This is an explosive time for TU and there is much to digest.  Since our January Newsletter we have added 30 new Certified Tobacconists and that number should be doubling every quarter as we move forward. 
 
Perhaps the biggest news on the horizon is the new Exclusive Partnership we have established with the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR).  As the IPCPR's Official Curriculum Resource for Professional Tobacconists, TU will have a booth at the convention in Las Vegas, July 13-17, which will empower us to start promoting, serving, and certifying IPCPR Retail Tobacconists for free.
 
Now is the time to consider getting yourself certified and start spreading the word.  For the first time in history, Tobacconists are empowered to project their credibility and professionalism through independent professional certification. Remember that the first Sommelier organization did not come to America until 1954, so there is much work to be done!
NEW Certified Tobacconists
certified medallion 2008Certified Tobacconists have been sprouting up everywhere over the last few months.  From Miami to Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Maryland and even New Jersey; there are now Certified Tobacconists working in over twenty five states. 
 
NEW CST
As you may already know, the key to Certifying Retail Tobacconists [around the country] is getting Certified Salesforce Tobacconists (CST) to administer the final exam.  The final exam must be taken in a face-to-face setting so TU relies on our CST to service retailers. 
 Miami Cigar Co. Certified logo
This Spring we finalized 14 Certifications for Miami Cigar & Co., the world's first Certified Salesforce Tobacconists!  This is an unprecedented and historic accomplishment.  In addition to certifying their in-house salesforce, TU certified their customer service professionals to ensure the highest possible levels of service.  Miami Cigar & Co. paid for education and for the privilege of servicing retail Tobacconists.  Only an extraordinary company would go to such extreme lengths to service their customers!  We look forward to many more accomplishments, milestones, and Certifications with Miami Cigar & Company.   
 
So, which industry salesforce has the dedication and passion to be the next CST?  Who will invest the time and money needed to become the best?  What other company is willing to commit itself to the CST Code of Ethics & Standards? Who could it be?....that is in development...stay tuned....  
 
NEW CRT
And of course, our pride and joy, Certified Retail Tobacconists.  The health and vitality of our industry rests on the shoulders of retail Tobacconists; so every one we certify brings us closer to our goal of "Preserving Luxury Tobacco for Generations to Come". 
 
 CRT June 2008
Since January, we have Certified Retail Tobacconists in five states!  This generation of CRT has helped refine the final exam, E-Seminars, and continues to give feedback on our Academic Curriculum. 
 
Every day that passes, Tobacconist University becomes a stronger promotional tool to be leveraged for Tobacconists' success.  And we continue to be inspired by the conviction and passion of retail Tobacconists.  Nobody works harder for their freedom than these gentlemen and women.  It is really a privilege to serve them.
 
Starting now, TU is ready to certify retail Tobacconists throughout the country - IPCPR retail members for free.  Bring your expertise and passion to TU and we will list, promote, certify, and support you.  Leverage TU to train your Tobacconists, project your credibility, co-brand and promote your business.  If you are a Brick & Mortar Tobacconist, we welcome you... 
IPCPR & TU
 
IPCPR logo smallWe are thrilled to announce our new exclusive relationship as the IPCPR's Official Curriculum Resource for Professional Tobacconists.  As the oldest and most credible trade organization for retail Tobacconists, the IPCPR's membership defines credible, professional Tobacconists.  As part of our strategic partnership with the IPCPR, all retail members will be entitled to free Certification; a $250 value to IPCPR retail members. 
 
Look for TU at the Las Vegas IPCPR convention, Booth 0037.  We will be there to share our educational and promotional tools with the world's greatest Tobacconists.  Come by our booth to see the websites, certified accoutrements, and meet other Certified Tobacconists.
CRT SEMINARS - now available
campus page wwwE-Seminars 
In January of 2008, TU began Pilot Certifications (CRT) with five retailers around the country.  By using our newly developed E-Seminars (multi-media emails) we created a companion learning course to our Academic Curriculum.  These E-Seminars are extraordinary tools for professional development and training - suited for novice and experienced Tobacconists alike.
 
We called the Seminars "Pilots" because we were looking for feedback and practice.  While we had to turn many retailers away due to the Pilot nature of the program, the feedback we received has been excellent.  Ultimately, we have created an unprecedented training/learning tool that is now available to all IPCPR retail Tobacconists - for free. 
 e seminars 2
TU will send out a new series of CRT E-Seminars every first Monday of the month.  A total of twelve Seminars will go out every Monday and Wednesday for six weeks.  If you are an IPCPR retail member and you would like to receive the Seminars, just send us an email and we will add you to the next scheduled list.  When you are done with the Seminars you can schedule the final exam with a CST - they will bring you the exam, administer it, and then mail it back to TU.  Otherwise, you can come to our office in Princeton, NJ to take the exam.
 
Las Vegas Seminars + Certification
If you are attending the IPCPR convention in Las Vegas and would like to take the final exam at our booth (0037), TU will be offering an Expedited E-Seminar Series.  Starting on Tuesday July 1st, we will send you one E-Seminar per day, culminating on Saturday July 12th.
 

IPCPR convention

If you would like to get Certified at the show, please send us an email telling us to add you to the Las Vegas 2008 Expedited E-Seminar Series (July 1 - July 12).  We must have your name and information to prepare your test and list you on the TU website.  
NEW CONTENT PREVIEWS
 
POST-CERTIFICATION
Lapel Pin imageSeminars, Benefits, & Leverage
While the benefits of education and certification begin the day a Tobacconist starts studying, the greatest rewards come after certification.  It takes time to leverage credibility, but the rewards are long-term; one customer, one promotional event, one co-branded webpage, one day at a time - this is how great things are accomplished. 
 
Immediately after certification, our Tobacconists begin receiving Post-Certification Seminars to help them leverage the varied tools of certification: lapel pin, diploma, certified store decals & signage, co-branding privileges, certified accoutrements, co-branded websites, and more.
 
Tobacconist Certification is a cultural evolution for individuals, stores, our industry, and society.  As with all education, the rewards build up over time to create lasting change; but the benefits will be determined by the user.  The greatest impact and value from TU begins to grow after Tobacconists become certified and TU is there to support and leverage the process.
President's Notes
 
There are so many exciting events, relationships, and opportunities converging now that it can be difficult to grasp it all.  But TU is meant to be large and dynamic, so that everyone who comes to us can decide what education, services, and/or opportunities to leverage.  Ultimately, its up to you, since we do not really have much to sell and most of our services are free.  Just get involved and help us "Preserve Luxury Tobacco for Generations to Come".
 ALTOC cobranded www
I would like to mention one of my favorite projects, which is about to be finished and released: the Co-Branded TU Website(s).  The images here show exactly what Certified Retail Tobacconists will be able to do, for just pennies a day, when they start to leverage the assets of TU.  These mockups show my retail store logo in the header for TU webpages: these pages will be hotlinked to/from my retail website.  The Co-Branded TU Website(s) will enable retailers to exponentially enhance the value they give their customers and Tobacconists.  In the process, they will be projecting and promoting their own ALTOC cobranded taste wwwcredibility in unprecedented ways.  To quote Tortorici & Randolph Public Relations,  "That's Gold"!  This is a perfect example of what we mean when we say "creating new value and opportunities".  And there will be many more new opportunities to come!  
    
If you want to learn more about TU, I will be speaking at the IPCPR Tortorici & Randolph Public Relations Seminar on Sunday, July 13 in Las Vegas from 4 to 5:30 pm.  In addition, I will have have the privilege of addressing the audience at the IPCPR Opening Breakfast & Annual Meeting.  I hope to see you there. 
Rainbow Lines 3
"Preserving Luxury Tobacco For Generations To Come"
 
 
Sincerely,
 
JLA signature
Jorge Luis Armenteros, CMT 
President & Founder
 
 

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