ODI, DesignWorks Jewelry Group Ltd. Makes Unprecedented Education Commitment Through the Diamond Council of America
Entire Sales Force Enrolled in DCA Diamond Course
Victor Weinman, President & CEO of ODI, now DesignWorks Jewelry Group Ltd. announced at the Orlando JCK Show that he had made a serious commitment to education and training for his entire sales and sales support staff.
Weinman said, "ODI, now DesignWorks Jewelry Group Ltd., as a major supplier of diamonds and diamond jewelry to the industry, must always assure our customers of our commitment to the highest levels of competency and product knowledge. As a major building block towards that end, I have selected the Diamond Council of America diamond course as a requirement for our entire sales and sales support team. This foundation will amplify their diamond expertise and dramatically improve our ability to service our customers."
ODI was recently approved for Associate Membership in the Diamond Council of America and has enrolled their entire sales force in DCA's Diamond Course. Each of ODI's 20 sales associates received their courses, tests and instruction packets at an early morning breakfast meeting led by Terry W. Chandler, President / CEO of the Diamond Council of America prior to the Orlando JCK Show.
In addressing the ODI sales force Chandler said, "I'm not aware of any manufacturing entity that has made such a commitment to the education and training of its sales associates and support staff. You are setting an important precedent for the industry".
DesignWorks Jewelry Group Executive Vice President, Alan Cohen, in support of this trend setting undertaking, stressed the importance of training and education for manufacturers and their representatives as well as retail sales associates. Cohen said, "Our representatives work with highly trained buyers and executives daily. We have an obligation to them as well as to the entire industry to maintain educational excellence and the highest standards possible".
DesignWorks membership in the Diamond Council of America and their full participation in the education program is the result of a year-long planning process spearheaded by Bruce Cohen, ODI Sales Manager. "We are very impressed wit h DCA's program and have made a pledge, among ourselves, that every person enrolled will receive their DCA certification before the JCK Las Vegas Show in 2002."
The Diamond Council's diamond course consists of twenty-two chapters of study, four examinations, and a comprehensive final examination. The course focuses both on selling and product knowledge.
The Diamond Council of America is a not-for-profit education organization that has been training retail and industry associates since 1944. Terry Chandler, DCA President, stated, "The Diamond Council of America serves as the Industries "community college". Our courses serve both as the foundation of a "life-long" learning effort by entry level jewelry professionals as well as an excellent continuing educational tool for veterans."
" I am impressed with ODI's dedication to excellence and extremely proud that they are Diamond Council members", Chandler added. "They have taken a "cutting edge" position that will benefit their associates, their customers and the industry."