Word of the Day

Commodity

Even if you don't think you do, you already know plenty about commodities. Want us to prove it? No problem.

What makes oil produced in Saudi Arabia different from oil exported from Nigeria? It's the same thing that makes the corn you ate at last summer¿s barbecue different from the corn used to produce ethanol. Stumped? Well, don't feel bad, it's a trick question. The answer? Absolutely nothing. Corn is corn no matter where it comes from -- just as wheat is wheat and natural gas is -- right! -- natural gas. (Though the quality may differ, the make-up is uniform.)

So, in less elaborate terms, corn and oil (and all other commodities) are homogenous goods that can be processed, resold and more often than not, used as an input to the production of other goods or services. These goods are traded on a commodity exchange, thus setting the price-per-barrel (or other metric unit) used to value them.

Now pay attention, here's a question that indeed does have an answer: What is the difference between a commodity and a stock? While a stock can tank and become worthless, a commodity cannot have its value be wiped to zero. One other difference: Most commodities are traded in futures, meaning traders buy and sell where they think the price of a product will be at a certain point in the future. Stocks trade based on the value of the underlying company at that point in time.

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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Energizer Holdings Partners with LearnSomething and GMDC to Develop Online Product Category Education and Certification Program

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 29, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----LearnSomething, Inc., the leading provider of e-learning solutions for the food, drug and mass retail industries, announces its partnership with Energizer Holdings to produce "Prepare to Sell(TM)" (PTS) programs designed specifically to improve the service skills and product and category knowledge of employees serving retail customers, and increase consumer basket size. The program is being developed in collaboration with the Global Market Development Center (GMDC).

The programs are next-generation online training executions and include the Store Level program for staff and the new Category Buying and Merchandising Level PTS program, "Product Category Certification," for buyers and category managers.

"At Energizer Holdings we see the great need of improving category education at all levels: store associates, category managers and senior trade executives. LearnSomething's PTS e-learning modules will provide expertise in the selling, and managing, of Energizer Batteries and Energizer Personal Care products. This is the next step in Shopper Based Solutions. Most importantly, our shoppers will be better served due to LearnSomething. We at Energizer Holdings believe by partnering with LearnSomething we will enhance our revenue and profits," stated Lou Martire, VP of Trade Development for Energizer.

PTS Store Level programs provide retail employees with three customer service components: (1) Customer Interaction Skills, from greeting customers to completing the interaction; (2) Product Category Knowledge, building product solutions for customer needs; and (3) a Product Information Database, viewing product information and images.

PTS "Product Category Certification" increases the expertise of buyers and category managers, improving their ability to forecast consumer demand and design strategic marketing and merchandising programs, which optimize organizational resources and build customer value.

"Both the Store Level and Category Buying and Merchandising Level PTS programs offered will help raise the level of customer service by dramatically enhancing the in-store experience of consumers. By achieving total solutions, shoppers will better understand and appreciate product category offerings at the buying and merchandising level," according to LearnSomething CEO Steve Roden. We are excited about providing excellence in retail experience through all our 'Prepare to Sell(TM)' programs, and especially our newest family member, 'Product Category Certification,'" Roden added.

"GMDC is committed to continually expanding educational offerings for our members which can directly grow their businesses. Our partnership with LearnSomething meets this goal, and working with General Merchandise Supplier members such as Energizer to develop these training courses will offer both our Retail and Wholesale members ways to strengthen their businesses," stated David McConnell, GMDC President and CEO.

About LearnSomething

LearnSomething Inc. is the leading provider of e-learning for the food, drug, mass retail and healthcare industries. LearnSomething products and services help companies meet training needs quickly and effectively through flexible online and CD-ROM based training programs. For more information, visit www.learnsomething.com.

About GMDC

GMDC (Global Market Development Center) is the premier trade association dedicated to serving General Merchandise and Health Beauty Wellness retailers, wholesalers and suppliers. GMDC promotes critical connectivity to grow and expand member companies by uniting members through business building events and opportunities and enriching their thinking through education and training; consumer and business insights; and information resources. For more information, visit www.gmdc.org.

SOURCE LearnSomething, Inc.

http://www.learnsomething.com

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