Pet Store Pro, the free online training program created by the Pet Industry Distributors Association (Bel Air, Md.), in December introduced a new curriculum designed specifically for pet store managers to help them meet the challenges of day-to-day operations. The management-level training teaches effective ways to lead and motivate employees and improve store profitability.

The interactive, self-paced courses are offered to qualified pet retailers at www.petstorepro.com. Three chapters are available, with new titles to be added throughout 2012. Current titles include:

• Creating Loyal Customers for Leaders. This course helps managers establish a storewide commitment to providing excellent customer service. Topics include tools for building effective teams, identifying opportunities for improvement and encouraging personal authority in every employee.
• Maximizing Gross Margin. This course improves profit planning by ensuring managers understand each component of profitability. Lessons include calculating markups and markdowns, analyzing gross margin data over time and profit-driving strategies.
• You Be the Judge in Interviewing. This course explains the legal requirements of interviewing and hiring to employ the best people while staying within the law. Topics include U.S. labor laws, appropriate interview questions and how to document interviews by taking notes.

Additional titles that will be introduced throughout 2012 include Coaching for Performance Excellence, Communication for Retail Managers, A Positive Management Approach to Workplace Conflict and A Problem-Free Approach to Problem Solving.

“Pet Store Pro’s new store manager curriculum is another tool to help independent pet retailers gain a competitive edge over their big-box competition,” said Steve King, PIDA’s president. “PIDA’s board of directors is committed to keeping the program up-to-date and relevant for today’s pet retailer.”

The new store manager training uses the same online learning platform as the existing employee curriculum. No additional registration or login information is required. [February 2012 PET AGE]