March 7, 2000 - NASHVILLE, TN BFTS Continues Educational Opportunities For Dealers Offering Seminars Across The Country Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Sales Company (BFTS), the pioneer and leader of dealer training and education workshops within the tire industry, continues its popular line of instructional seminars. The schedule for seminars during the 2000 calendar year is enhanced with new topics and additional locations as BFTS offers seminars at its distribution sites across the country. "In today's competitive marketplace, education is essential to communicate successfully with the customer," says Don Streiff, BFTS manager of training and development. "Our management and sales seminars have been well received in the past, but taking them to distribution centers across the country opens the door for additional training opportunities. Several new seminars that we will offer this year focus on finance, recruitment, and communications." In addition to hosting seminars in Nashville, BFTS has added new locations including Allentown, Pa., Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, Ill., Dallas, Texas and Ontario, Calif. The Professional Sales Management Seminar, which targets the experienced tire sales professional, will be offered in Chicago, Ill, Kansas City, Mo., Ontario, Calif., Dallas, Texas, Allentown, Pa., Atlanta, Ga., Nashville, Tenn., Denver, Colo., and Spokane, Wash. Core seminars that will be offered include Commercial Tire Consultant, Professional Sales Management, and National Accounts Management. Selling is an art. BFTS will offer three classes on sales including Professional Selling Techniques, Image Selling and Discount A Little Today, Lose Big Tomorrow. Personal Development seminars help boost confidence and employee moral. BFTS will offer Power Listening to Increase Productivity, Stand Up & Deliver a Professional Presentation, Building a Customer Service Team and Creating a Positive Workplace. Development in the Human Resources area will be offered through three seminars including Legal Issues for Employees, Recruiting & Retention Strategies for Today's Labor Market and Hiring & De-hiring for Managerial Effectiveness. Seminars covering Management Issues include Managing Field Sales, Think like a Manger, Coaching for Optimal Performance, How to Effectively Manage Managers, and Managing the Difficult Employee. In the field of Finance, BFTS will offer a seminar titled Adding Economic Value. Information on these seminars and their respective dates and locations may be obtained by calling 800-543-7522 ext. 3517. Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan, the world's largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products. Bridgestone/Firestone develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. is celebrating 100 years of innovation that began in 1900 through a company founded by Harvey S. Firestone. Throughout the year 2000, "Firestone: A Legend. A Century. A Celebration." recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit that built a brand that has been admired worldwide. Back to News Page