Best Buy(TM) Teams with Microsoft to Deliver Learning & Certification Program

May 19, 2006; 07:20 AM
MINNEAPOLIS - The Best Buy commitment to satisfying the technology needs of small business customers has earned it distinction as the first retailer to achieve Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status. The certification program, jointly developed by Best Buy For Business and Microsoft Learning, equips Best Buy For Business professionals and Geek Squad(R) Agents with specialized third-party knowledge for advising small business customers about their technology product and service requirements.

Already more than 300 Best Buy For Business professionals and Geek Squad Agents have completed Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) training, including the Small Business Specialist designation; by year-end more than 900 Best Buy For Business and Geek Squad Agents are expected to be MCP certified.

Best Buy For Business combines brick-and-mortar access through select Best Buy stores with direct reseller channels to bring great selection and knowledgeable advice to small-business owners and operators. Recognizing that these customers seek market-leading service from professionals who understand their technology needs, all Best Buy For Business Technology Consultants and Specialists, as well as Geek Squad Special Agents, will complete an MCP curriculum that covers Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003. At the Best Buy For Business district level, some Geek Squad Agents also are required to achieve a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification.

"MCP training distinguishes our in-store staff and Geek Squad Agents as being specially qualified to address customer needs locally across our store network," said Tom Healy, executive vice president of Best Buy For Business. "This high caliber of training benefits our customers, and enables our staff to develop their own skills and knowledge."

Best Buy For Business is currently expanding training and certification throughout its nationwide network by creating a sophisticated learning portal. This state-of-the-art portal will provide a blended learning approach featuring a wide variety of learning tools and assessments. The program will incorporate Microsoft Learning's new generation of certifications to train and validate Best Buy For Business staff and Geek Squad Agents on new technologies as they're introduced into the marketplace. In addition to the required exams and certifications, the portal will offer opportunities for those who aspire to learn beyond their core skills.

"Best Buy has teamed with Microsoft to develop a best-of-breed learning and certification program that is already yielding significant results," said Lutz Ziob, general manager of Microsoft Learning. "This innovative program is a benchmark for how highly-trained professionals can provide the best service to their customers in a retail environment."

About Best Buy

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is an innovative Fortune 100 growth company that continually strives to create superior customer experiences. Through more than 940 retail stores across the United States and in Canada, our employees connect customers with technology and entertainment products and services that make life easier and more fun. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services. A Minneapolis-based company, our operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com and BestBuyCanada.ca), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com and GeekSquad.ca) and Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com). We support our communities through employee volunteerism and grants from The Best Buy Children's Foundation.

Best Buy and Geek Squad are trademarks of Best Buy Enterprise Services Inc. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.