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
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 E-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 can be administered by TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY (TU), an authorized Certified Retail Tobacconist (CRT) or another Certified Salesforce Tobacconist (CST). 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, website, and linking to their email.
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.
