Contact:
Tara Powers, Brian Burch (616) 233-0500, tpowers@zondervan.com, bburch@lambert-edwards.com
First Christian Publisher to Host Online Training
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 31, 2008 — With hundreds of Bibles available to consumers today in different translations, categories, text sizes and bindings, the options can seem endless and overwhelming. With so many options, CBA frontliners must be well trained in how to help a consumer find the right Bible for their needs.
For years Zondervan, the world’s largest Bible publisher, has offered a Bible training program for CBA frontliners to help them work with a customer to make Bible shopping easier. Today the company announced a complete online revision of its popular program. Zondervan’s new Online Bible Training, the first in the industry, features an easy-to-use eLearning platform to teach everyone from managers to sales clerks how to match a Bible with a customer’s needs.
“Shopping for a Bible should never be intimidating or overwhelming, but that’s often the experience for most consumers. To avoid this, the sales associate is critical to making Bible shopping a positive experience that the consumer can feel good about,” said Moe Girkins, president and CEO of Zondervan. “Zondervan’s Online Bible Training was designed to use a simple Internet interface so retailers can educate their staff immediately upon hiring, track their progress and help them guide consumers to the best Bible resource more effectively.”
Developed for Zondervan by BI Worldwide, the Zondervan Online Bible Training is completely interactive and accessible to any retailer, anywhere at no cost. Slides and videos bring viewers through the variety of Bibles translations and styles, merchandising and promotions. The system currently is open to anyone at www.ZondervanBibleTraining.com. Future updates will introduce Login controls, which will allow managers to receive instant feedback on employee progress and quizzes at the end of each section give managers accountability over sales training. It will also feature multimedia video to make the learning experience more interactive.
Zondervan Online Bible Training is divided into nine sections. Five are currently available, with the remaining four going live on August 1, 2008:
- Overview & Introduction
- Bible Selling Tips
- Translation Information
- Bible Product Training
- Overview of Bible References
- Merchandising (Aug 1)
- Promotions (Aug 1)
- Bindings (Aug 1)
- Imprinting (Aug 1)
Previously, retailers relied on a series of DVD videos from Zondervan to educate staff. The online system can be updated in 2-4 weeks, compared to every two years using DVDs, which required a lengthy and costly production investment.
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).