FINDLAY, Ohio (July 18, 2014) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has launched an enhanced online training program for direct and indirect wholesale and retail tire dealers.
The new program, eCooper University Training Rewards, offers Cooper-brand customers a variety of online courses focusing on selling skills, product knowledge, the Cooper brand and business management, the tire maker said. Participants who complete the training classes earn points that translate into various levels of certification, as well as incentive rewards.
“Our distribution partners, whether wholesalers or retailers, are key to our success,” said Phil Caris, vice president of sales, Cooper Tire. “We want them to be as knowledgeable about how to sell tires and run their businesses as they are about our products and our brand. We believe that when they are successful, we are successful.”
Several of the business-based learning modules are built on topics addressed in Cooper's former CAMP program and have been updated for the website, Cooper said. The program also is designed to build on the success of the eCooper University eCertification program, which will be replaced by the new online program.
The eCooper University Training Rewards program offers certification levels comprised of several complementary classes, Cooper said. The program's Basic Training certification includes entry-level training for people moving into the industry as sales representatives and counter people.
Cooper said certification levels include Sales Specialist, designed to help sales professionals address specific markets within the industry; Sales Leader, which is designed to help sales professionals achieve expertise in tire sales and product knowledge; and Tire Business Leader, a certification for managers and principals of tire businesses.
The Basic Training level courses already are available along with 10 product-specific courses. Additional certification classes will be made available over the next 12-18 months, Cooper said.