Mohawk University (MU) was founded 16 years ago and has since “successfully trained thousands of flooring professionals and won numerous awards,” 
noted Tim Gray, MU’s director.
Despite the program’s success, he said the company has made “dramatic changes in its teaching methods” this year. “Instead of just conveying information in a classroom, MU has adopted new ways of helping flooring retailers turn information into action to create change in their business.”
The change followed a survey of flooring dealers to determine the areas where they needed the most assistance in their business. From that, four key issues were identified: sales growth and margins; financial results; management training, and improving employee performance.
Based on these findings, Gray said Mohawk partnered with internationally known training organizations such as U.S. Learning and Franklin Covey to develop new courses for the university.
The first of these focuses on sales growth and margins. “Techniques of Professional Selling,” a comprehensive sales training course from Don Hutson of U.S. Learning is offered in 24 modules viewed in the retailer’s store. “This allows the store to include all retail sales associates in the training process, without having to travel, and rapidly improve selling effectiveness and closing rates,” he explained. “Retail sales associates can immediate apply what they learn on topics such as people skills, goal setting, customer service, value vs. price, and others.”
A second new course is “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” the renowned Franklin Covey program that has helped thousands improve their business 
productivity and the satisfaction in their personal lives. “It addresses management training,” Gray noted, “and in doing so, redefines effective management as leadership: ‘Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.’”
The third course created this year is “Hiring, Measuring, and Coaching Your Employees for Better Performance.” “It can impact not just employees, but also management and financial results,” he said.
And the fourth course, “Design Sales College,” demonstrates how margins can improve quickly through increased sales of better quality, higher profit merchandise, he explained.
“In these economic times,” Gray added, “every business investment has to be justified and evaluated on its ability to provide results. These new offerings from Mohawk University are helping dealers make immediate improvements to their stores, by creating action in the areas that can make the most impact.”
To learn more about these and the scores of courses offered by MU, call 800.664.2958 or visit mohawkuniversity.com.