Tesori Nascosti

Bestway VP Benny Cheek leads a training session during the company’s convention in Memphis, Tennessee.  See a complete photo gallery here.

Over 90 Bestway Rent to Own managers re-discovered hidden treasure at the company’s 2007 convention at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Bestway CEO David Kraemer explained that the theme of this year’s convention is “Tesori Nascosti”, Italian for “hidden treasure”.



Sales at Bestway are tracking well above last year. The challenge now, says Kraemer, is adding increased retention to those sales. “Deliveries are up well over 20% in the last nine months but we’re seeing returns creep up. We feel like we can improve results by focusing on keeping customers rather chasing after new ones.”



The rent to own model is a simple one of rent and collect. Kraemer said that maintaining a balance between those two quite different skill sets requires constant training. “It’s one of the most difficult things to teach people as they move up through the system.”

Bestway District 2 managers show their pride during the company’s annual bowling tournament. District 2 has won Bestway’s “Best of the Best” award for 8 of the past 9 months.

Bestway’s already world-class training system is constantly being refined. The training offered during this week’s convention is a superb example of real-world experiences condensed into a training package.



“Ultimately we do three things - rent collect and manage assets,” said Kraemer. “The list of things we need to do well to accomplish those objectives can turn into a laundry list.” Bestway’s training system is designed to develop competencies in the key components without getting diluted and losing sight of the main objective - gaining new customers and helping them acquire ownership.



The best training in the world won’t make a difference if it’s ignored. Bestway takes great pains to tie training directly to a manager’s success. “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care,” said Kraemer. “We start out by showing our managers how much we care about their success.”



Bestway’s store count is up 15% from last year. Kraemer re-stated his belief that the company can be a 300 store chain. In order to grow at a pace that will satisfy the CEO, the company will have to get more aggressive at acquisitions. Bestway Operations Analyst Steve Kruse said, “There are acquisition opportunities in every state we’re in.”



Bestway Chief Financial Officer Beth Durrett said seeing the intensity and passion of the company’s store managers at the annual convention is rewarding. “This convention rejuvenates me. It reminds me of what we’re capable of.”

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RTO Magazine is the leading rent to own industry print publication.