Our long-term goal is profitability. By the end of the fourth quarter, I plan to clearly show how CTU impacted our bottom line.
Christopher Cook, Manager, ColorTyme, Mathews, La.

Photo/ColorTyme

Mike Tagle, Carol Thomas, Justin Nusser, Justin Vaughn; back row: Christopher Cook, Gerardo Cuevas, Ryan Alford, Greg Green, Bill Carlton.

ColorTyme and its ColorTyme University for Store Managers program celebrated its 33rd graduating class of nine students, which included: Bill Carlton, Ada, Okla.; Christopher Cook, Mathews, La.; Gerardo Cuevas, McAlester, Okla.; Greg Green, Grants Pass, Ore.; Justin Nusser, Ponca City, Okla.; Mike Tagle, Corpus Christi, Texas; Carol Thomas, Ark City, Kan.; and Justin Vaughn, Brownwood, Texas. In addition, representing ColorTyme's corporate staff (and graduating with flying colors) was Ryan Alford, public relations and communications specialist.

ColorTyme is America's oldest franchisor of independently owned-and-operated Rent to Own stores. The company has added 116 new stores and 51 new franchisees in the last five years for a total of 204 stores in 33 states.

Valedictorian honors were extended to three students: Christopher Cook, Greg Green and Justin Nusser. The three-way tie for valedictorian was the first in CTU history. The class "Most Valuable Participant" (MVP) award went to Mike Tagle.

"I felt CTU to be an excellent experience," said Christopher Cook, manager for the ColorTyme store in Mathews. "The subject matter was pertinent and the structure was good. You can tell that the instructors, Ted Schlaack and Mark Shealy, put a lot of effort into making CTU a great experience. I definitely benefitted from it. Our long-term goal is profitability. By the end of the fourth quarter, I plan to clearly show how CTU impacted our bottom line."

ColorTyme University was created to provide store managers, franchise owners and regional directors the training they needed to not only do their jobs, but do them well. A majority of the subject matter in each CTU course focuses on how students can enhance their personal and professional productivity.

"We give each student a Franklin planner and then teach them how to use it to prioritize their business and daily lives," said Ted Schlaack, CTU professor and ColorTyme franchise consultant. "Once we've established the importance of organizing and planning, on day one, we then jump into the core of CTU. Each day starts with a quiz and ends with a review. It's a high impact learning environment that works for all of our students. Mark and I congratulate the 33rd graduating class."

After covering the FranklinCovey concepts, they then focus on employees and customer service on day two. Day three covers financial management and day four centers on how to put it all together, including brief lessons on problem-solving and leadership. To conclude, the fifth day is the final test and then graduation.

"The CTU experience was really enjoyable," said Justin Nusser, manager for the ColorTyme store in Ponca City. "It was the most quick, concise way to learn a lot. I took a lot from the class and from the other managers. By the time I was on my way home, I was already trying to figure out ways to put my plan of action in to effect. My staff has been very receptive to my ideas and we are going to accomplish a lot."

The next CTU for Store Managers is scheduled for Oct. 18-23, 2009, in Plano, Texas.