Certificate of Completion vs. Becoming Certified: Which Leads to More Success?

11/11/15

You're probably familiar with various brand-sponsored certificate and certification programs available to your sales reps. However, do you know whether your employees are earning these certifications based on assessed knowledge and skill, or are they simply earning certificates for participation? 

Intel® Retail Certification ProgramMost certificate programs only require participation, whereas certification programs require participants to demonstrate knowledge and/or skill through some type of assessment measure. 

It’s important to recognize the differences in these two types of programs and understand how a certification program is often the more beneficial of the two.

Sales Reps Demonstrate Deeper Level of Knowledge

True certification programs require participants to exhibit, through some measure of evaluation, a certain level of achievement against a set of standards. This type of curriculum-based training and assessment results in a deeper understanding of products, processes, and strategies. 

As a result of earning a certification, sales reps gain more knowledge and confidence. They are better equipped to interact with customers who come into your store, answer their questions about products, and ask them the right questions to determine which product best fits their needs. 

More often than not, this will also lead to an increase in customer loyalty and sales

Support for Employee Roles and Areas of Expertise

The most effective and dynamic certification programs offer multiple instruction levels, or tiered trainings, geared to different roles or areas of expertise. For instance, a newly hired sales rep might enroll in a program’s basic level of certification that focuses on "soft skills" and general product knowledge. 

A highly-seasoned or highly-specialized rep may prefer more advanced levels of learning, focusing on the technical details of products and specific strategies for selling each one. 

Leading certification programs don’t fall within the “one-size-fits-all” category that describes some certificate-only programs. They provide varying levels of training based on a continuum of progressive learning and skills.

Recertification Option for Updating Skills

Retail sales reps who truly love what they do seek every opportunity to advance their careers. There are few better career-advancement opportunities than an in-depth certification program that exposes them to a wealth of knowledge about cutting-edge devices and technologies

By contrast, certificate programs typically provide an overview of basic product information without additional training on sales strategies or the customer experience. What's more, certificate programs usually don't require continued education at specified intervals. 

The best educational certification programs offer ongoing recertification opportunities for those who want to brush up on or expand their critical knowledge, while learning about newly released products and technologies. 

By expanding their knowledge base through recertification, sales reps are better positioned than their certificate-bearing peers to boost their sales numbers, mentor less-experienced peers, form lasting relationships with customers, and ultimately rise through the ranks of management.

Certificate vs. Certification: A Clear Difference

All in all, the difference between simple certificate programs and comprehensive certification programs is like night and day. While certificate programs offer value, by design they don’t provide the level of detail and required assessment of a certification program.

If you want to give your sales reps an edge in the competitive retail environment and in the advancement of their careers, encourage them to opt for a certification program. It’s a great way for them to measurably learn more and be recognized for their accomplishments.

Pathways to Success

The Intel® Retail Edge Certification Program provides the perfect opportunity for your sales reps to earn certification and be rewarded and recognized for it. 

The Certification Pathway offered through the Intel® Retail Edge Certification Program offers three levels of training with corresponding assessments. Upon successful completion, participants earn a certification comparable to other sought-after IT certifications such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate* (MSCA*).

For those who prefer to learn more without earning a certification, the training-only Professional Development Pathway is a great option.  

Another learning opportunity is offered through the newly-released Specialty Certificate Program which provides quick, yet in-depth training on specific topics of interest with no assessments required. 

Find out more today about the Intel® Retail Edge Program and options for certification.

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*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

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