Certified 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. 

 

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. 

 

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....  

 

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". 

 

 

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... 

We 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.

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. 

 

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.

 

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.  

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.