IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 16, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- ZLAND, a worldwide leader in providing on-demand business software and solutions tailored to meet the needs of growing small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), has made training its growing network of authorized franchisees and staff and management at its headquarters a priority by hiring a training director and opening a state-of-the-art training center.
Carla Foster, a veteran training executive and instructor, has been named as ZLAND's first director of training, and the company has opened a state-of-the-art training center at is new headquarters on Innovation Drive in the University Research Park in Irvine, adjacent to the University of California, Irvine, one of the country's top research institutions.
In 2004, ZLAND plans to train more than 3,000 people at its new center, including owner/operators and key managers from ZLAND Business Centers, as well as staff and management from headquarters and regional offices.
"Every day, well more than half a million customers count on ZLAND -- our software, services, and most of all our people -- for their small and medium-size businesses," said Lisa Morgan, ZLAND's president. "As we continue to grow, training is essential, ensuring that ZLAND franchisees are able to meet the demands of the marketplace, and that the marketplace can continue to count on ZLAND.
"This is particularly true," she said, "as we build on our core product line, and as we add new financial services to our offerings. Comprehensive, continuing training is more important today than ever."
New Franchisee Training Program Unveiled
Ms. Foster said ZLAND plans to implement a new franchisee training program for those joining the company's growing network of authorized business centers, and an advanced franchisee training program focusing on features and benefits of individual product lines.
For new franchisees, a two-week program will be held monthly, providing "a total introduction and overview of product line" and a "how to run a ZLAND franchise" components.
"Only by knowing ZLAND's comprehensive product lines inside out -- financial services, credit and debit card processing and loan origination services, accounting, payroll, and other optional packages -- will franchisees have their best chance for success for themselves and be able to best serve the needs of their client companies," she said.
The program, she said, will include facilitator-led instruction, self-paced instruction manuals, and online training and instruction utilizing DVDs.
In addition, ZLAND management and staff will receive training on the company's growing line of products and services, including a wide range of new financial services.
`No Good Idea Lost' in New Training Center
All classes and hands-on instruction will take place, she said, in the company's new training center, in which all walls are "white boards."
"It's safe to say that no good idea will be lost," Ms. Foster said, "and that anyone with an idea will be encouraged to stand up and, literally, write it on the wall!
"We have designed the training program to take advantage of energy and enthusiasm of the entrepreneurs who are the backbone and strength of ZLAND's growing network of authorized franchisees," Ms. Foster said. "We want to harness their desire to learn, and give them insight on the product line and how we think are the best ways to operate a ZLAND franchise."
Ms. Foster joined ZLAND after more than 10 years of experience in the training industry and preparing written and online materials. She has served as manager of technical curriculum development for Avolent in San Francisco, manager of educational services and documentation for ACS Retail Solutions in Dallas, manager of training and documentation for Southwestern Bell in Dallas, and manager, script development/content design for Whitestone Productions in Tustin.
She has an M.A. in Education and English from California State University in Long Beach, where she also received a B.A. in English.
Information about ZLAND's growing network of franchisees serving SMBs nationwide is available at www.zland.com, or by calling (877) 682-0922.
About ZLAND
ZLAND (www.zland.com), headquartered in Irvine, California, is a worldwide leader in delivering on-demand business software and solutions tailored to small and mid-sized businesses through a growing nationwide network of authorized franchisees. Offering an award-winning suite of on-demand software solutions, ZLAND has delivered easy-to-use business accounting applications since 1982, and ZLAND Web-based business solutions since 1995. Today, with more than 500,000 loyal customers worldwide, ZLAND offers a product suite which includes more than 160 software applications, business loans and credit card processing and other value-enhancing services designed to help companies increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and streamline operations.
The ZLAND logo can be viewed at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=763