Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JULY 2017 62 T he 2017 Regional Service Training Institute (RSTI) will take place this coming August through November. Appliances are becoming more electronic and complicated every year, and technology is changing at a rapid pace, opening up a wide variety of opportunities. These are very exciting times to be involved in the appliance service industry. The United Servicers Association is actively focused on helping its members and the entire service industry achieve maximum success. The RSTI is providing educational tools and improving strategic relationships throughout the industry. The Appliance Service Training Institute in San Diego earlier this year was a huge success in achieving these goals, and we're looking forward to further successes. Beginning in August, USA is taking their RSTI & ISM programs to deliver them at regional levels. The 2017 Regional Service Training Institute (RSTI) is a series of two-day training events that will be held in several cities all over North America. Besides the technical training, we will have the Institute of Service Management (ISM) at strategic locations. The ISM is an intense, one-day service business management boot camp. This training is for service company owners and managers. In an intimate group setting, we will cover financial strategies, marketing plans and service optimization development for your company. USA has partnered with Mr. Appliance, Rossware and the local parts distributors in each city to bring this valuable service technical and management training to a city near you. In each city, we will feature hands-on OEM technical training from various manufacturers, and a series of business management topics including internet marketing, how to calculate hourly cost to run your business, flat rate pricing, and technician customer soft skills. Each day will include breakfast, lunch, and discounted sleeping rooms for attendees staying overnight. Each event will feature three 3-hour hands-on OEM technical training sessions. USA will share with attendees proven strategies on how to improve your business in each of the areas listed above. Manufacturers will have products to teardown and demonstrate the current repair techniques associated with each brand. There will be a round table session for all servicers to discuss current issues and challenges facing us today. These RSTI's promise to be a program you can't afford to miss. Registration to the RSTI events starts at $199 and is open to all service companies. Registration to a regional event also entitles new USA members. As a USA member, you'll get access to all the benefits of USA including ChatUSA, an online chat forum to discuss business matters with hundreds of colleagues around the country. To register for a local event near you, go to www.unitedservicers.com. Register today, space is limited. For questions regarding these events call 800-683-2558. Event details and registration can be found at www.rsti.us. Sign up early so you won't be disappointed. One of United Servicers Association's key member benefits is an online service sharing library. Utilizing the latest Internet sharing technology, USA members can access service manuals online and also upload missing service manuals to the library, making it even more useful for all members. USA member companies can set up accounts for each of their technicians to search OEM service manuals and bulletins from their laptops right in the customer's home. The powerful search engine allows users to search by brand, type, and individual words found in a document like "dual evaporators" or "thermistor", instantly listing all service manuals containing those search words. You must be a current USA member to gain access to this free member benefit. All you have to do is go to www.USAservicelibrary.com to register. The service library is one more reason to be a member of the non-profit trade association of United Servicers. We're devoted to building strong service businesses to compete in today's competitive environment. The 2018 Appliance Service Training Institute will be held January 21st – 25th, 2018, in sunny St. Pete Beach, FL. Registration is open at www.asti.us. Be sure to book early so as not to miss out. Every year we sell out the ASTI hotel sleeping rooms and this year will be no exception. Make your reservations today. Sarah Brown, Executive Director, United Servicers Association S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T RO THE 2017 REGIONAL SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTE (RSTI)

• Cover