The small sampling of testimonials included on our web site demonstrates the passion our clients feel about using the Friedman System. Many of our clients have achieved previously unattainable levels of success after implementation, proving our system's ability to truly drive production like no other.
Click on a topic below to review feedback from a few of our customers about the specific successes they achieved utilizing our system. Or, simply scroll through the full list of testimonials below to better understand the wide range of improvements we have helped our customers achieve over the years through the use of our various products, seminars, training and consulting programs.
Since September, we've had ZERO staff turnover, our average sale is up 14%, and we've seen better morale and complianceÑall due to The Friedman Group. GREGORIE DOUGLAS FURNITURE
Harry Gregorie, Owner
2 Stores
We entered this program looking for standardization for our operations. We not only came out of the program with that standardization, but with higher expectations from our staff and an understanding that we aren't hostage to our sales staff. It's a tremendous feeling and we certainly have more confidence and a plan for expanding our business. Well worth the time. BIKE BARN
Rufus Barnes, Owner
4 Stores
Now we have a formulated system for training that guarantees everyone can succeed. And my job is easier because now I can hold everyone accountable based on performance statistics. You can analyze statistics but not individuals. The biggest advantage of bringing in The Friedman Group isÑyou're going to get the job done! SPORTMART
Kevin Satterfield, Sales & Operations Manager
88 stores
The Friedman Group took our business to a level we never imagined we could reach by helping us raise our standards and improve compliance. MODELL'S SPORTING GOODS
Mitchell Modell
125 Stores
We used to have a problem finding sales help. Now we're getting peopleÑeven qualified salespeopleÑcoming to us because they've heard we use Harry Friedman's training programs. GEE LORETTA!
Laura Garduno
The chapter on hiring was worth the price of admission alone. Running the ad provided for salespeople got us 54 calls in one day and the best people we have ever hired. LA-Z-BOY FURNITURE GALLERIES
Warren Jalving
2 Stores
I could never come up with a fair and equitable way to issue salespeople goals and hold them accountable for them. Camp provided the answers. MARYLAND CHAIR CO.
Tony Ciliberti
5 Stores
I learned more from the last 3 days than in the last 4 years. I particularly benefited from the Model Store concept and how to deal with compliance issues. ONE STOP AUTO PARTS
Craig Williamson
37 Stores
The Friedman program has been in my store for about a year and I've definitely seen sales increase as a result of it. But being at Camp in person now showed me how to increase the performance of my average and below average salespeopleÉand that they are where my future increases lie. BETSEY JOHNSON
Lisa Schulman
22 Stores
Your management systems are a big part of the success of our Wynn Las Vegas stores. WYNN LAS VEGAS
Kerri Frame, Director of Stores
35 Stores
The Friedman Group has the simplest, most organized system for managing a store and increasing sales that we've ever found. We have them deliver a customized Management Camp just for our dealers several times a year. LA-Z-BOY, INC.
Ron Wolinski, Director of Education
400 Stores
Project Gold Star represents the most money we've ever spent on training in the company's history. And it represents the biggest return we've ever gotten. We now have an infrastructure and plan of how to manage our retail business for growth. Before we were undisciplined. We had a staff with no direction or goals. Now we have weekly sales goals. We're on fire! We're up over 10% from last year on a store that was trending down 15%. I highly recommend this fantastic program. BOB WAGNER'S FLOORING AMERICA
Matt Wagner, Owner
2 Stores
As a result of our implementation of the course, our add-ons, multiple item sales and conversion rates have all increased. Our managers now understand that this is a business we are running. The program took out the Ôfamiliocity' and a no-excuses environment was created in our store. Thanks Harry! BROTHERS APPAREL
Brother Ed Abdalla
Catherine Abdalla
1 Store
Like many spa retailers, I sometimes wondered whether I was running my store, or it was running me. Harry's Camp showed me how to take control of my store and get my managers and salespeople doing their job properly, so that I don't have to do it for them. Any spa retailer, large or small, will benefit from this 'real life' program. What's more, they'll be able to use this information right away and increase sales as a result of it. THE SPA BROKERS, INC.
Don Chandler
2 Stores
Although I'm sure for many companies an increase to the bottom line is the main objective from this course, but it was not mine. I am very pleased to say that I will use the bottom line information in the future, but the corporate culture change that this PGS has facilitated was desperately needed in my company. There are so many tools and so much information to get me back on track to running my company and leading in nine hours of fun every day. Work is now more enjoyable for me and more exciting, which should be contagious to our customers. So here's to a new corporate culture of my design. LIFESTYLES HOME FURNISHINGS
Treasure Tannery, Owner
2 stores
With every topic discussed I kept thinkingÉthat's happening in my store! I wish I had attended Camp sooner so that I would have known the best way to handle each situation. FANDEMONIUM
Brett Werger
2 Stores
I don't have to flounder around trying to figure out how to do my job. Now I have a blueprint. WALTER E. SMITHE FURNITURE
Patricia Calesini
11 Stores
Most Ever Spent On Training Yields 25% Sales Increase
Project Gold Star represents the most money we've ever spent on training in the company's history. And it represents the biggest return we've ever gotten. We now have an infrastructure and plan of how to manage our retail business for growth. Before we were undisciplined. We had a staff with no direction or goals. Now we have weekly sales goals. We're on fire! We're up over 10% from last year on a store that was trending down 15%. I highly recommend this fantastic program.
BOB WAGNER'S FLOORING AMERICA
Matt Wagner, Owner
2 Stores
No Longer Hostage to Sales Staff
We entered this program looking for standardization for our operations. We not only came out of the program with that standardization, but with higher expectations from our staff and an understanding that we aren't hostage to our sales staff. It's a tremendous feeling and we certainly have more confidence and a plan for expanding our business. Well worth the time.
BIKE BARN
Rufus Barnes, Owner
4 Stores
From Last to First in Sales - 20% Sales Increase
It's hard to believe it was one year ago that we started Project Gold Star. In that time, our Westside location went from last place in sales to number one in sales, with an increase of 20%! We have implemented the program in our other four stores in January and our overall sales are tracking up 9% for the year, and our Westside location is still leading the group. Thanks for all your help. COLUMBUS CAR AUDIO
Dan Foland
5 Stores
Focus On Selling Instead Of Operations Booms Sales
Project Gold Star changed our staff's focus to sales. We always looked at sales history, but not in a way to make goals. We didn't use history to increase sales. A major shift was changing from monthly department goals, to weekly individual goals - a goal that the individual had control over. We brought two departments in two locations into the program. For the first seven months, November of 2001 to May 2002, here are our results...
Store #1
Department A – Up 56%
Department B – Up 22%
Store #2
Department A – Up 32%
Department B – Up 16%
We're now playing the 'sales game' and not the 'operational game' and we're having a ball! HAMPTON ROADS HARLEY DAVIDSON
Mary Hughes, President
3 Stores
Learned More In 4 Months than Previous 10 Years
Over the course of four months in the Project Gold Star program, I probably learned more than in my last 10 years in retail. Before hand, I felt I had most of the answers. Boy was I wrong. The course is absolutely amazing.
RED WING SHOES
Paul Johnson
5 Stores
Add-ons, Conversion Rate Up—16.7% Annual Sales Increase
Because of Project Gold Star, there has been a paradigm shift in our thinking of how to run a retail store. The big issue has been quality help and compensation. Basically, we get what we pay for. The Big Hit is that it is a game. Our game. And it takes discipline to ensure that it is our game that is being played.
As a result of our implementation of the course, our add-ons, multiple item sales and conversion rates have all increased. Our managers now understand that this is a business we are running. The program took out the ‘familiocity’ and a no-excuses environment was created in our store. Thanks Harry!
BROTHERS APPAREL
Brother Ed Abdalla
Catherine Abdalla
1 Store
Priceless...A Retail Bible
Systems, systems, systems. Life will be much better with the Friedman system. Compensation plans, Fair Share Doctrine, Accountability. The list goes on and on. I am thrilled to have this ‘retail bible.’ Priceless.
FURNITURE WORLD EAST/MR. TILE INC.
Andrea Solomon-Eller, CEO
Giving Staff a Chance to Sell Results In 30% Annual Sales Increase
WOW! What an eye-opener! Coming into this program I thought we were a selling organization that needed help with infrastructure. Wrong. We needed both, but more importantly, we needed help with giving our salespeople a chance to sell.
This course has helped me with ability and confidence I thought only achievable with time. I feel myself and my organization are light years ahead of my competition. Harry & Company have given me the structure and organization to run my company effectively. Thanks for the information and most of all, the time.
AUCOIN HART JEWELERS
Tommy Aucoin
1 Store
A New Corporate Culture
Although I’m sure for many companies an increase to the bottom line is the main objective from this course, it was not mine. I am very pleased to say that I will use the bottom line information in the future, but the corporate culture change that this PGS has facilitated was desperately needed in my company. There are so many tools and so much information to get me back on track to running my company and leading in nine hours of fun every day. Work is now more enjoyable for me and more exciting, which should be contagious to our customers. So here’s to a new corporate culture – of my design.
LIFESTYLES HOME FURNISHINGS
Treasure Tannery, Owner
2 stores
Changed My Life...Sales Up Dramatically
I went to The Friedman Group’s Management Camp not long ago and came away feeling pretty bad about the direction our company has taken for the last 20 years and how off track it was. We were operations focused, not sales focused. I decided to turn it around and signed up for Project Gold Star. It has actually changed my life. It has completely changed our business. Our sales are up dramatically. My excitement and enthusiasm has carried throughout our entire company and I’m now very optimistic about our future.
SPORTSMAN’S SKI HAUS
Dave Harvey, Vice President
2 stores
The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done For Myself
Project Gold Star was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself or our business. We needed this big time. The learning was amazing and the interaction with other kinds of retailers was outrageous. We’re a high-end luxury market retailer and always believed we were different from other retailers. After this I realized we’re completely the same as every other retailer. That was a very big lesson to learn. I can’t wait to roll this out to our other stores and I highly recommend this to any retailer.
ARTISTIC TILE
Lauren Levinson, Vice President
6 Showrooms
Tools To Put an End to 30 Years of Frustration
Project Gold Star is going to totally change the way we’re doing business. And after just four months, we’re already seeing the results. We now have the information to help us do what we’ve tried to do for 30 years, and the tools to make it happen.
SPORTSMAN SKI HAUS
Mike Gwiazdion
2 stores
Objective Standards, Measuring Results Turns Into 12% Sales Increase
Our biggest struggle, once we knew we needed to change, was to make it happen. The impetus came through attending Project Gold Star, and it has set us up for success. I can’t believe how much of our business was run without objective standards and how much money we were paying for work that wasn’t being measured for results. We knew that our employees are the foundation of our business. But we never expected to be able to have someone consider sales as a career in our organization. Now we know a career with us is a great option.
ECO-OUTDOOR SPORTS, RICHMOND, BC
John Hall, Co-Owner
2 stores
Zero Staff Turnover and Average Sale Up 14%
We started Project Gold Star in September. Since then, we have ZERO staff turnover. We have not lost a single employee at this store since October, other than one sales associate we terminated due to low statistics. Our average sale is up 14% and we’ve seen better morale and compliance on policies and procedures. We’re very proud of our growing monthly sales increases:
October +1% January +11%
November +12.2% February +25.6%
December +15.3% March +24% GREGORIE DOUGLAS FURNITURE
Harry Gregorie
2 Stores
National Luggage Dealers Assoc. President Sees 10% Sales Swing
I’m happy to report that our Friedman pilot store finished July only 2% down. While I’d rather be in the black, that number represents an almost 10% growth from three months ago. I am committed to succeed with the Gold Star program. My brothers and I have tried a lot of different things over the years to affect our business. The results have been mixed. The difference with your program is that I noticed change almost immediately. There’s not doubt that the store culture is changing for the positive and that my people are buying into it. Harry, I have benefited personally and professionally from your course. As president of the National Luggage Dealers Association, I’d like to have you ‘show the light’ to the other owners in my group!
SHAPIRO LUGGAGE
Alex Shapiro
7 Stores
Vision of How to Run a Successful Retail Store No Longer Blurry
I can count the very few times in my life I made wise decisions. Project Gold Star is one of them. Having two family members in the business that didn’t see the reason why I would spend eight days in Colorado, I can now say they see for themselves the positive changes, which have and are taking place in our business. I have a vision, which is no longer blurry or deceptive, on running a professional and successful retail operation. Thank you.
GALO SHOES
Edna Galo, Owner
4 Stores
From Down 3% and Staff Discipline Nightmares—To Up 8%
Our sales were already at -3% and heading steadily downward. With the help of Harry and everyone at Project Gold Star, I struggled through an incredible amount of staff resistance, discipline nightmares and some very dismal sales statistics, to come out on the other side with sales increases that have made some of my other retailing friends truly jealous.
Despite the slumping economy and the recent impact of 9/11, we have experienced a third quarter growth of 8% and my sales associates have become selling machines. They sell with enthusiasm and style and treat each customer with loving care – a philosophy we stole from The Friedman Group.
You gave me the tools and support to take my store to the next level. I can’t begin to thank all of you for the professional, courteous and enthusiastic way you presented your program. Despite the demanding curriculum, it was always fun to visit your facility and work with your staff. (But, it might take a year for me to lose the weight I gained from those incredible cookies!)
QUINN’S GOLDSMITH, INC.
Joni Peth, General Manager
1 Store
Manual Like A Bible—Takes You To Another Level Of Thinking
This program has been an opportunity of a lifetime. The manual is like a new bible for me because I can easily refer to the section I need at any time. I have always felt like I was pretty sharp, but this program showed me what I was missing, what I forgot, and how to organize it all. It reminded me to play the bigger game. Project Gold Star truly takes you to another level of thinking.
AUCOIN HART JEWELERS
Wendy Laurent, Sales Manager
1 Store
We're using Friedman Systems in 14 countries. Results? How about a company-wide 18% sales increase.
H. STERN JEWELLERS
Roberto Stern
180 stores
A conservative estimate? I'd say The Friedman Group got us an increase of six million dollars in six months.
KITS CAMERAS
Trent Barnes, Vice President of Stores
150 stores
The Friedman Group’s program was responsible for 50% of our total sales increase. More important, it contributed 25% of our total profit in its first year rollout. We absolutely recommend it for any retail organization.
GODIVA CHOCOLATIER
Erin M. Stimmell-Clark, Vice President Retail Operations, North America
162 stores
Over the last 13 years, La-Z-Boy has worked with many well-known consultants to provide our dealers with the finest sales training programs available. Unfortunately, it took us 10 of those years to discover The Friedman Group. The customized, video-supported, self-study system that we developed with them is now in its fourth printing and still going strong. It is the most successful program we have ever done, because it does one thing the others didn’t. It works!
LA-Z-BOY, INC.
Tom Zollar, Director of Retail Services
400 Stores
Unlike working with many consulting companies in the past who said ‘we’re the experts, just do what we say,’ there was a lot of interaction with The Friedman Group. They were very understanding of our needs and the changes we were going through and made the pilot and roll-out go very smoothly for our sales, management and product knowledge training programs. Their Self Track system – using the video training, exercises and checksheets – was very well received by everyone at store level. We also found that The Friedman Multiple Store Supervision training was the tie-in between managers and district managers and was essential to making the whole program work. We’ve had other programs facilitated by our Training and HR staff, but there was always a lack of accountability at store level. We needed the right outside company to help sell it – and more importantly – implement it and transfer ownership to the people in the stores. That buy-in was critical. I don’t think we could have achieved it without The Friedman Group.
REITMANS
Dana Massaro, National Training Manager
646 stores
The 100 Kodak Express members involved in this programme report many benefits of undergoing the Friedman effect. This has brought management disciplines to the floor, better product understanding resulting in better customer service, quantifiable return on investment and sound foundations on which to train and develop staff in the future. From Kodak’s point of view, we know that any new members joining the Kodak Express group can feel confident that they now have the tools on which to develop their business and team support to monitor and coach sales and technical staff.
KODAK
David Sissingh, Marketing Manager, of Kodak New Zealand
As a result of the Friedman program, our staff became much more accountable and are more personally responsible for what goes on in their stores. Sales through August were up 37%. We went from 3.2 items per sale to over 4.1, and our average sale went up $15!
OSHKOSH B’GOSH
Nancy Sheppard, Retail Sales Operations Manager
120 stores
Now we have a formulated system for training that guarantees everyone can succeed. And my job is easier because now I can hold everyone accountable based on performance statistics. You can analyze statistics but not individuals. The biggest advantage of bringing in The Friedman Group is—you’re going to get the job done!
SPORTMART
Kevin Satterfield, Sales & Operations Manager
88 stores
The Friedman Group took our business to a level we never imagined we could reach by helping us raise our standards and improve compliance.
MODELL’S SPORTING GOODS
Mitchell Modell
125 Stores
Your management systems are a big part of the success of our Wynn Las Vegas stores.
WYNN LAS VEGAS
Kerri Frame, Director of Stores
35 Stores
A test of your selling system in two regions of our 120-store menswear chain, resulted in 10.4% and 9.5% increases. The roll out to the entire chain brought profit increases 6 TIMES the total cost of running the program!
KG MENSWEAR
Asher Berlan, President
120 stores
After Management Camp we commissioned The Friedman Group to run a ‘pilot’ in-store programme for 20 of our stores. It was so successful that we rolled it out to 80 more stores…because it enabled us to bring discipline and accountability into our business.
TANDY ELECTRONICS, AUSTRALIA
Malcolm Williams
211 Stores
After spending 15 years in the retail business, I thought I had a pretty good handle on the business in general, and selling specifically. The only thing I can tell you is that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I have now had an opportunity to put into practice the training techniques you taught us. It really works!
HALLMARK CARDS
Janelle Coons, Retail Specialty Group
The Friedman Group instilled a definite sales culture that wasn’t there before and we’re much healthier because of it. Within TELUS’ consumer sales channels, we’re now known as ‘the’ most sales-oriented group – bar none. Our reputation has spread to the point that job applicants know they’ll have to perform and we’re getting better quality applicants as a result.
TELUS, CANADA
Bruce Okabe, Vice President, Consumer Retail Sales Solutions
40 stores
The Friedman Group has the simplest, most organized system for managing a store and increasing sales that we’ve ever found. We have them deliver a customized Management Camp just for our dealers several times a year.
LA-Z-BOY, INC.
Ron Wolinski, Director of Education
400 Stores
I wanted to update you on the success throughout our organization as a result of our Sales Management System developed by your company. It has produced bottom line dollars for every company within our network that have implemented it. I have seen documented proof of additional profits of up to $200,000 annually as a result of the program. Remember, our membership does not consist of large companies (average annual volume of $1.l9 million) – so such increases are very large for our companies. The program appears to be one where bottom line results are virtually guaranteed.
CONTRACTORS 2000
Jack Tester, Executive Director
Your Weekly Sales Training Program is the most widely used training program that we’ve ever introduced to our members. Our members are reporting tremendous success and it’s really making a difference on the sales floor.
CARPET ONE
Evan Hackel, Vice President of Training
720 Member Stores
We decided to have The Friedman Group help us put in all their training techniques because implementation is the most important part of the program. Their training is all reality-based. Nothing conceptual or pie-in-the-sky. Project Gold Star is a winner!
BANG & OLUFSEN
Lawrence Davis
22 Stores
We started using your Weekly Minimums Planner that we brought back from Camp as of January 1. Since then, sales are up 18% over last year—this is the biggest increase in years. We now know how to objectively measure our staff’s performance and sales conversion rate, which has allowed us to grow like never before.
PHILLIPS FURNITURE
Tom Phillips, Jr.
Since implementing the non-negotiable customer service standards we learned at Camp, sales in the test region are up in excess of 20%, with two stores achieving higher than 50% over last year. I highly recommend this seminar.
UNITED PET SUPPLY, INC.
Christopher M. Brooks
13 Stores
After doing ‘OK’ for our first 10 years in business, we implemented your retail sales and management techniques. Our sales skyrocketed by an unheard of 240%...and are still climbing!
JOANN’S APPAREL
Bryan Burnett
4 Stores
I recently took my first day off in four months. My sales are up 30% over last year! Thanks! You’re the best!
PROFESSIONAL HORSEMAN SUPPLY
Cheryl Martin
2 Stores
With every topic discussed I kept thinking…that’s happening in my store! I wish I had attended Camp sooner so that I would have known the best way to handle each situation.
FANDEMONIUM
Brett Werger
2 Stores
24 consecutive months of solid sales increases…and after our second time through Camp, the increases are even bigger!
DUBOIS BRIDAL & FORMALWEAR
Richard J. DuBois
12 Stores
I don’t have to flounder around trying to figure out how to do my job. Now I have a blueprint.
WALTER E. SMITHE FURNITURE
Patricia Calesini
11 Stores
All of our stores’ stats are running the same—except for the store whose manager we sent to Camp. Her store is going through the roof! I’m definitely sending more managers to Camp.
ADVENTURE 16
John Mead
Never, in my 25 years in this business, have I found anyone able to identify and SOLVE the problems of selling in a retail store like Harry Friedman has.
NATIONAL SHOE RETAILERS ASSOCIATION
Bill Boettge, President
My sales have TRIPLED since attending Camp last year! We had to add 5 people to our sales staff, just to handle the increase in sales.
ALAMO AUTO SOUND
Michael Westwood
Like many spa retailers, I sometimes wondered whether I was running my store, or it was running me. Harry’s Camp showed me how to take control of my store and get my managers and salespeople doing their job properly, so that I don’t have to do it for them. Any spa retailer, large or small, will benefit from this “real life” program. What’s more, they’ll be able to use this information right away and increase sales as a result of it.
THE SPA BROKERS, INC.
Don Chandler
2 Stores
The Friedman program has been in my store for about a year and I’ve definitely seen sales increase as a result of it. But being at Camp in person now showed me how to increase the performance of my average and below average salespeople…and that they are where my future increases lie.
BETSEY JOHNSON
Lisa Schulman
22 Stores
I could never come up with a fair and equitable way to issue salespeople goals and hold them accountable for them. Camp provided the answers.
MARYLAND CHAIR CO.
Tony Ciliberti
5 Stores
The information in this course is explosive and may cause harm to your personal tax bracket.
KING’S JEWELRY
Scott Berkebile
30 Stores
I have three stores on the Friedman program and they are all running greater increases than all the other stores in my region! Here was a store in Springfield that nobody wanted or ever believed in that is up 29%, and Ann-Marie is like a different person! All my other stores are calling me and asking when do they get to do this. I can’t wait for next year.
DAVID’S BRIDAL
Lisa Bottoms
240 Stores
I learned more from the last 3 days than in the last 4 years. I particularly benefited from the Model Store concept and how to deal with compliance issues.
ONE STOP AUTO PARTS
Craig Williamson
37 Stores
Having been a District Manager for 6 years and a Regional Manager for 3 years, it all finally makes sense. This course defined what a supervisor of multiple stores must do to—GET RESULTS!
FOOTACTION USA
Kipp Sassman
439 Stores
More efficient recruiting efforts. New ideas for compensation. Ideas for getting on track. This will help with future expansion efforts and current locations.
SLEEP TRAIN
Mike Lavelle
5 Stores
This seminar was very comprehensive in tackling what worries retailers most right now—turnover. Thanks. We have walked away with some great ideas.
OSHKOSH B’GOSH
Kristin Fassbinder
48 Stores
We are having a hard time ‘growing’ our stores. The various compensation packages I believe will help define the ‘hazy’ areas of sales and operations. The importance of training was very well made—we need to get busy on it.
ENGLEDOW GROUP
Jim Engledow
3 Stores
Lots of good ideas presented in easy to understand blocks.
DISCOUNT TIRES
Michael Tweddell
82 Stores
It was just plain great! I know I am really going back to the business with information I can use now and again next year. Our money was well spent—not always the case.
Dipalo
Jim Weddle
3 Stores
