Nikon Instruments Adopts RLI’s Sales Training Package

Nikon Instruments, a world leader in microscopes, scientific and technical instruments and software, recently joined the ranks of companies that have incorporated Rapid Learning Institute’s Selling Essentials newsletter and Quick Take rapid learning modules into their training and talent development programs.

Stanley Schwartz, Nikon’s Vice President for Global Training and Education, says that his sales force has been uniquely engaged by RLI’s short, highly graphic Quick Take format which allows the learner to complete the training module in seven to ten minutes.

“Our certification rate has hit an all-time high of 50% in just 2 months – that’s five times higher than any of our other technical courses,” Schwartz says. “Our employees are really motivated to complete the Selling Essentials modules.”

Schwartz, who has been active in training at Nikon for nearly three decades, noted that in addition to their speed, his employees also value RLI’s materials for their quality and clarity of message.

“Most of our sales managers have 20 – plus years of experience – and they were a little skeptical that anything could be taught in eight minutes online,” Schwartz says. “But when we showed an RLI sales module to a broad range of our people – managers, reps, staff people – they really liked it. They appreciated that we were giving them something of topical substance that is professionally produced, engaging, well documented, easy to use – and that they could do at their own pace. The result is, our people take pride in the fact we’re doing this.”

“Nikon is a global company – and we know they could have chosen from any number of talent development firms, “ says Glenn Eckard, RLI Chief Operating Officer. “We’re very pleased that they chose us. We’re even happier that Nikon has gotten an ROI so quickly and that it finds RLI content to be such a seamless fit with their sales training philosophy.”

Rapid Learning Institute (RLI) provides online training and talent development tools for businesses, government agencies, nonprofits and educational institutions in the areas of sales, human resources, management, leadership and safety. RLI’s approach is founded on the idea that talent development can only be effective if managers make it a priority and follow up to ensure that learning sticks. The company’s signature five to 10 minute modules, called Quick Takes, help managers build their core competency as talent developers by giving them the tools they need to replicate in others the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors that drive performance.

Based in Greater Philadelphia, RLI is an operating division of Business 21 Publishing, LLC