Retail Observer

NOVEMBER 2018 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 61 and now up to a $500 co-op match per qualifying brand. This is a testament to a member-owned buying group. They are listening to our problems and delivering solutions," said Samuel McVay, Charley's Appliance, El Dorado, Kansas. Members will work with BrandSource and the vendor to determine the best digital marketing strategy for their retail business co-op dollars, increasing their bottom line and enhancing their online presence. If the member requests, BrandSource will claim the co-op on their behalf and work with the proper teams to drive their business through digital marketing. The member-owned and not-for-profit ad agency, AVB Marketing, will play a big role as well, offering advice and guidance on the best digital tactics to use for their business. "The BrandSource team is tasked with putting more money in the members' pockets each year and helping them grow their business. Everything BrandSource does is for the members, and our recent $500 co-op monthly match reflects that guarantee," said Jim Ristow, chief executive officer, BrandSource. BRANDSOURCE HEAVY HITTERS PROGRAM A HOME RUN It was a home run for BrandSource at the 2018 Convention as they debuted their industry-first retail sales Heavy Hitters Academy! The best and brightest retail sales associates in the industry were recognized and honored through specialized product training and customer-focused education. BrandSource put together a specialized training track for the retail sales industry, including vendor product trainings, industry-expert education and a best practices roundtable. Vendor partners, GE, LG, Serta-Simmons, Electrolux, and Whirlpool sponsored the academy, honoring the retail sales people for their hard work and giving them the chance to enhance their talents. "Our first-annual Heavy Hitters academy was a huge success! We started this academy to reward, educate, motivate and inspire our retail sales associates. They are such an important part of the retail industry and we wanted to help ignite a fire in their hearts so they can take the training back to their stores and drive improvements, and most importantly, increase their bottom line," said Tom Bennett, president of BrandSource. There were more than 20 high-quality education sessions offered for participants, helping them to sharpen and improve their professional selling skills. The sessions focused on practical selling techniques and quality customer service through employee engagement, along with high-performance attitudes and aspiring leader qualities. The sessions concluded with an awards ceremony, where vendor partners chose some of the top Heavy Hitters that exemplified, to them, stellar sales and customer service. Each of those Heavy Hitters received an engraved bat, along with a personalized jersey and hat. All Heavy Hitters will be receiving a certificate for completing the course. "The Heavy Hitters program and the ceremony itself was very humbling. It was an honor to be recognized with our teammates by our vendor partners. Industry recognition beyond lunch or a round of golf is unheard of, and I was honored that BrandSource put together this industry-first program for the retail sales people," said Ross Blount, director of contract/builder division sales at Grand Appliance. The Heavy Hitters Retail Sales Academy will continue next August at the 2019 National Convention at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas, Texas. Information and applications will be available online in the coming months at www.avbevents.com. RO

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