Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM NOVEMBER 2016 58 M EGA Group USA, a leading buying group for independent retailers pursues best pricing for its members, as well as creating the best marketing and business services programs available, but MEGA has a bigger mission—helping independent retailers create profitable and sustainable businesses. Part of this is achieved through leadership training and sales mentoring. In 2015, MEGA hired Doug Stewart, an accredited Dale Carnegie instructor as Director of Training. Since that time, MEGA has begun to build a complete training system for its 1,750 members. 2015 focused on developing a complete Product Protection training course, providing members access to an exclusive program designed to impact how they run their product protection business and improve profitability. MEGA Business Academy (MBA), created in 2016, is the next step in the evolution of the MEGA U training division. It was created to empower business owners by fostering mentorship, best practice sharing and accountability. MBA is a two-day retreat made up of 10-15 dealers, covering topics such as how to create a positive company culture, sales process, managing family conflict, establishing corporate vision and employee engagement. Business leaders receive extensive management training on finance, marketing and other business best practices. The MBA retreats culminate with the development of performance groups that continue to meet, focusing on like-minded projects that further business success for the groups. "As a small business owner I long for 'worth my time' sales training, financial review topics led by intelligent people, and networking in a structured 'let's tackle this topic and get back to work' kind of way," stated Katrina Lynch-Allen, owner of Lynch's Furniture and Appliance in St. Robert, Missouri. "MEGA's business retreat hit all my wants and needs." The next two MBA leadership retreats were announced this week. They will be held January 10-12, 2017 in Logan, Utah and February 7-9 in Lexington, Kentucky. "We feel lead to equip our dealers with effective training in all aspects of business," said Mallory Parker, executive vice president of business services at MEGA Group USA. "MEGA U is designed and purposed for dealers to have access to information that assists them towards success and profitability. Creating effective leaders; sharing and implementing best practices; and offering simple, unique and refined sales training are fundamental to our learning program." Interested in learning more about the 2017 MBA leadership retreats or MEGA membership? Visit www.megagroupusa.com. B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO MEGA GROUP USA ANNOUNCES 2017 MEGA BUSINESS ACADEMY LEADERSHIP RETREATS

• Cover