A TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY® Certified Salesforce (CST)
commits to the teaching, study, and implementation of
TOBACCO COLLEGE
ACCOUTREMENTS COLLEGE
TASTE COLLEGE
SERVICE COLLEGE
as well as the TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY®
CST Code of Ethics & Standards
Apprenticeship Program
Certified Salesforce Contract
STEPS TO CERTIFICATION:
1. Go to our Campus Store and commit yourself by paying for your CST Certification. CST Dues are $500 and payment must be made before you are listed on the TU website. See contract page for details; the username/password is tobacconist/pride. If you prefer to sign up by mail, download the CST Intro, provide the requested information, and mail it with payment to TU: 66 Witherspoon St. , PMB 322 , Princeton, NJ 08542.
2. After payment is received and you accept the CST Code of Ethics & Standards, you will be listed as an apprentice on the Certified Tobacconist webpage.
3. CST study the CRT Apprentice Seminars which are located in the Certified Tobacconist & Apprentices section of the TU Forums. The Apprentice Seminars are .pdf files which can be downloaded at your convenience. After you have completed the seminars, you will be eligible to take the final exam, and earn your TU Certification. Your first year as a CST begins the day you pass the final exam.
Note: the final exam must be administered by TU or another TU Certified Tobacconist. The time and place of the final exam will have to be coordinated by TU and the CST Apprentice. The final exam can also be taken at the annual IPCPR convention at the TU booth.
Upon successful completion of the final exam, TU will issue and mail the diploma, lapel pin, as well as list the new CST's logo and website on the Certified Tobacconist webpage and put them on our homepage rotation.
If a CST ceases to be employed by a salesforce, their certification will be changed to a CCT. If a CST violates the Code of Ethics & Standards, their certification can be completely revoked.
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Certified Salesforce Tobacconist, or CST, is a professional designation available to people in the luxury tobacco industry. For our discussion purposes, organizations will be referred to as a Certified Salesforces and individuals will be called Certified Salesforce Tobacconists (CST). Ultimately, the professional designation for both entities is still the same: CST.
A CST candidate must study TOBACCO, ACCOUTREMENTS, TASTE, and SERVICE COLLEGE as well as the FAQ and glossary, to attain the requisite knowledge for TU Certification. All of the independent study is conducted through the internet curriculum and Apprentice Seminars. Candidates can call or email TU for help or guidance at any stage in the process. In order to pass the final exam and earn TU Certification, a candidate must score 90% or better. Upon successful completion of the final exam, the candidate earns their certification.
The Certified Salesforce Tobacconist (CST) final exam must be administered by TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY (TU). The final exam must be scheduled through TU at least two weeks in advance. Once the final exam is completed, it will be sent to TU for grading. The CST candidate will be notified within one month, whether or not they passed. Upon successful completion, TU will issue and mail the diploma, lapel pin, as well as complete the CST's listing on the Certified Tobacconist webpage. Among other benefits, CSTs will have the option of listing their company, logo, blog, and website.
TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY® Professional Designations
are specific Titles that attest to a person or organization’s credentials
in the luxury Tobacco industry.
TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY® believes that great Tobacconists are an indispensable part of our social fabric. Tobacconists are the final point of contact for luxury tobacco products, before they fall into the hands of loving consumers. Luxury tobacco salesforces are the lifeline to traditional retail Tobacconists and tobacco connoisseurs. Ultimately, TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY® exists to support, empower, and dignify this venerable and culturally significant profession.
Unfortunately, great producers of luxury tobacco do not have the time to travel to retailers. In their place, come representatives, or salespeople, charged with conveying the attributes of their products. In a perfect world, Tobacconist salespeople are surrogates for the great men and women that produce luxury tobacco products. Salespeople should know and understand all the qualities that distinguish their products from the competition. Additionally, salespeople should understand the needs and challenges faced by retailers, in order to better serve them.
Luxury tobacco salespeople should be role models and resources for retailers and their staffs. All of the traditions, values, and heartfelt contributions of cigar makers, artists, and craftsmen are curated by Tobacconists. Therefore, it is the duty of every Tobacconist to consummate the relationship with the consumer with professionalism and integrity.
TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY® Certified Salesforces are composed of men and women committed to customer satisfaction, mutually beneficial relationships, and providing the most extraordinary service possible.
Much like a TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY® Certified Retailer, a company with a Certified Salesforce is committed to excellence in products, knowledge, and customer service long before they become certified. They already understand that an exceptional organization must be composed of remarkable people and values. Great salesforces are passionate about their work everyday; focusing on product quality, freshness/conditioning, merchandising, packaging, distribution, and customers is an endless job. Great salesforces understand that being “the best” is not a destination or a physical place. Rather, being “the best”, and striving for excellence, is a journey, wrought with challenges, that men and women with honor and passion pursue.
When a CST enters a retail store, they are there to support the Tobacconist in any way possible. A CST will answer phones, stock product, welcome customers, or do anything else that will help support their retailer. A CST will regularly spend time with a retailer to understand their product mix and take time to get to know their customers. They understand that the retail customer is the industry’s greatest priority and his/her complete satisfaction is our only worthy ambition.
