THE FRAGRANCE FOUNDATION’S 2010-2011 CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR FRAGRANCE SALES SPECIALISTS
The Fragrance Foundation's online CertiȀcation Program for fragrance sales specialists
is designed to establish the professionalism of fragrance selling. It was created in 1994 and to date approximately 8,000 sales specialists have received certifcation. The Program is an in-depth, detailed course that provides the fragrance sales specialists with the specific knowledge needed to increase the customer’s fragrance purchasing experience and grow sales.
The study content includes 5 chapters ranging from the history of fragrance to selling skills and sales trends.
The Program is also an excellent tool for fragrance industry members who wish to increase their fragrance expertise.
REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for the Certification exam, a sales specialist must:
- Have worked in fragrance sales for at least one year
- Receive a recommendation to work towards certification from his or her supervisor, retailer or vendor
- Complete the necessary online application and fee process
- Agree to prepare for the exam by studying the Certification Study Guide
- Be accepted by the independent Certification Advisory Board
To qualify for the Certification exam, a fragrance industry member must:
- Complete the necessary online application and fee process.
REGISTRATION
Online registration:
August 1 - October 31, 2009
February 1 - April 30, 2010
REGISTRATION FEE
$125/person (The Fragrance Foundation)
$150/person (Non-members)
The Certification Program is offered twice a year, in the fall and in the spring. The fall time schedule begins August 2nd and runs through November 1st, 2010. The spring time schedule starts February 1st and runs through May 2nd, 2011.
Before you register for the program, please review the CFSS FAQ's at: www.fragrancetraining.com
For group reservations, contact The Fragrance Foundation at: 212-725-2755 x105 or via email at: lnicoletti@fragrance.org
ONLINE EXAMINATION
Complete the certification exam online from anywhere with just a computer and an Internet connection beginning October 1st, 2010 for the fall session and April 1st, 2011 for the spring session.
Once the exam is completed, the participant immediately receives their score. A passing score is 70 and above. Those who achieve 90 and above pass "with honors". A sales specialist who receives a score of 60 to 69 is allowed to take the exam in the next session without re-registering or paying a registration fee. Any sales specialist who has a score below 60 must go through the registration process once again and pay the registration fee.
We will announce the names of the Certified Fragrance Sales Specialists in May. The fragrance sales specialist who achieves the highest exam score (of both sessions) will be honored at the FiFi® Awards Ceremony to be held in New York City in May 2010. (Please note that only participants located in the US are eligible for the award.) To be honored as the C.F.S.S. top scorer* at the FiFi® Awards, the Certification Advisory Board has stipulated that the sales specialist's main responsibility must be selling to the consumer.
*In case of a tie for top scorer, the Certification Advisory Board has determined that each of the sales specialists must respond to a bank of additional questions plus an essay question developed by The Fragrance Foundation. This process will determine the top scoring sales specialist to be honored on stage at the FiFi® Awards. However, all top scoring sales specialists will be recognized at the awards ceremony.
All applicants who pass the distinctive title of Certified Sales Specialist and receive a C.F.S.S certificate and the specially-designed C.F.S.S. insignia pin.
THOUGHTS ON C.F.S.S.
"Our Certified Fragrance Selling Specialists wear their pins with pride! The C.F.S.S. Program helps build confidence and expertise in our cast members, while adding value to our clients' experience. It’s a win-win for everybody.
Karen Kenney, Vice President Education and Development, SEPHORA UNIVERSITY
“At Nordstrom, we try hard to provide our customers with the best service possible and that includes making sure that our beauty advisors are educated and informed. We value The Fragrance Foundation and see the Certification process as a way to enhance our beauty advisors’ knowledge and expertise. Nordstrom has been a part of the C.F.S.S. Program from the very beginning and year after year we look forward to offering this exceptional educational program to our people. It’s our Certified Fragrance Sales Specialists who offer a real point of difference to our customers. Their diligence with The Fragrance Foundation Certification study program has placed them in a position as an expert within our department as well as in the industry. We know with their added knowledge they are able to create a unique shopping experience and a trusting relationship with our customers.
Mitzi Rogers, Merchandise Manager, Fragrance
NORDSTROM
Amy Cuadra, 2010 CFSS Top Scorer, Cast Member, Sephora, Prudential Center, Boston, MA
Are your fragrance sales specialists ready?
We would like to invite you to select those fragrance sales specialists in your company or at your counters whom you feel should achieve certification in 2010/2011.
The study guide and exam are available in Spanish as well.
Without a doubt the Foundation's online certification course is the industry's most valuable educational asset!
Who should participate?
Any qualified fragrance sales specialist or fragrance industry member who wishes to:
- Increase his or her professional and fragrance knowledge
- Achieve a trusted credential of professionalism in the fragrance field
Why should retailers & manufacturers encourage participation?
- Enhances sales specialists’ authority
- Inspires confidence
- Improves customer experiences
- Increases fragrance sales
Exam registration and the online Study Guide
Upon registering online for the exam and payment of the fee, access is given to the online Study Guide which can be read online or downloaded for offline printing and reading.
Download a PDF of the brochure
With generous support from P&G prestige
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