What is the turnover rate at Brown-Forman?
JIM BAREUTHER: Our turnover rate is generally in the 3 to 5 percent area. How do you keep it that low? JIM BAREUTHER: There are a number of reasons. First, when we recruit people, we look for individuals who have a college degree plus three to four years of sales experience. During the first 24 months, new salespeople go through an extensive training program where we teach effective selling skills and product knowledge, but also focus on building strong relationships with our customers. We provide a nurturing work environment where people can grow personally and financially, where people receive recognition and rewards. We create an environment where we concentrate on a strong sense of values. We take pride in strong family values. There is a lot of consistency in our culture that translates into greater meaning for our employees. Although we are a public company, the Brown family has controlled Brown-Forman for the past 127 years.
