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CREP Program RES Academic Council Training Business Case Guide

Step-by-Step Guide: Getting Employer Support for the CREP Program

Before you get underway in your application process with your employer, recognize that these processes take time! The average time reported to process a request for tuition or training is just over 5 weeks. Make your request early, and accept that you may need to pay for the course yourself, and then accept reimbursement from your employer.

1. Research the CREP Program

  • Gather Details: Understand the curriculum, duration, outcomes, and cost ($2,999).
    • The only certification by RES
    • The only certification from an accredited university
    • The highest level of education available in a credential at this time
  • Benefits to Role: Identify how the program enhances your current job performance and aligns with company goals. 
  • No Missed Work Hours: This part-time course would be taken on personal time, not company time.

2. Assess Company Policies

  • Review Internal Resources: Check the employee handbook or intranet for professional development policies.
  • Consult HR or Manager: Inquire about existing training budgets and reimbursement programs.

3. Prepare a Business Case

  • Align with Company Objectives: Demonstrate how the CREP certification will contribute to personal and team efficiency, client satisfaction, or revenue growth.
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis: Compare the program cost to potential gains, such as improved performance in enablement, and therefore, across the sales team. Include predicted reduced need for external hires.

4. Explore Funding Options

  • Full Coverage: If the $2,999 fee exceeds the typical per-employee training budget (often between $500 and $2,000), propose a phased payment or split-cost arrangement. If you are applying for Enableship scholarship dollars, include this information, and the notification date of acceptance, in your request.
  • Partial Payment: Offer to cover a portion of the cost personally or suggest using departmental funds to supplement.
  • Budget Increase: Request an exception or increase in the professional development budget, highlighting the program's long-term value.

5. Address Potential Concerns

  • Time Commitment: Explain how you'll manage work responsibilities alongside the program.
  • Return on Investment: Provide examples of how the certification will lead to measurable improvements in your performance, and that of the stakeholders you support.
  • Retention: Be prepared to discuss commitment to the company post-certification, as some employers may require a tenure agreement.

6. Formalize the Request

  • Written Proposal: Submit a detailed request outlining the program, costs, benefits, and funding options.
  • Follow-Up Meeting: Schedule a discussion with your manager or HR to review the proposal and answer questions.

7. Post-Approval Actions

  • Documentation: Obtain written approval and understand any reimbursement procedures.
  • Progress Updates: Keep your manager informed about your progress and share key learnings with your team.
  • Apply Learnings: Demonstrate the value of the certification through improved performance and contributions.

Note: The average training expenditure per employee varies by company size. For instance, small companies spent approximately $1,420 per employee in 2023, while large companies spent around $481 per employee. Given the CREP program's cost, it's essential to present a compelling case for funding. Use the below examples when requesting support within your organization. 

Make sure to tailor the templates to include specific goals and metrics for your

Business Case for CREP Program Enrollment | EXAMPLE ONLY

To: [Manager/Director’s Name]
From: [Your Name], Director of Revenue Enablement
Date: [Insert Date]

Program Start Date: [Insert Date]
Subject: Request for Professional Development Funding: Certified Revenue Enablement Professional (CREP) Program

Objective:

To secure funding for the Certified Revenue Enablement Professional (CREP) program to enhance our revenue enablement strategy, leadership capabilities, and cross-functional alignment.

Program Overview:

  • Credential: Certified Revenue Enablement Professional (CREP)
  • Provider: Revenue Enablement Society & Florida State University School of Business
  • Cost: $2,999
  • Duration: 6 weeks (part-time, self-paced)
  • Outcome: Certification in revenue enablement best practices, strategic leadership, and measurable impact initiatives.

Rationale:

1. Strategic Alignment with Organizational Goals:

The CREP program focuses on enhancing leadership in revenue enablement, directly aligning with our annual departmental and business objectives to:

  • Improve cross-functional collaboration between Sales, Marketing, Customer Success, and Operations.
  • Develop data-driven enablement strategies that optimize revenue outcomes.
  • Implement best practices in training, coaching, and skill development for our revenue teams.

By earning this certification, I will be better equipped to implement scalable initiatives that drive sales performance and customer retention.

 

2. Measurable Impact on Revenue Operations:

Completing the CREP program will directly impact our team by:

  • Increasing Revenue Team Efficiency: Implementing frameworks that reduce onboarding time by a projected 30% and increase process adherence by a projected 20%.
  • Boosting Sales Performance: Improving quota attainment through tailored enablement strategies based on industry best practices.
  • Enhancing Strategic Planning: Applying cutting-edge methodologies to increase predictability in revenue forecasting and reduce reactive initiatives.

 

3. Cost Justification and Funding Options:

While the program fee of $2,999 may exceed typical professional development budgets, the return on investment justifies the cost.

  • Partial Funding Proposal: If full funding is not available, I am willing to split the cost or use departmental resources where possible.
  • Extended Budget Consideration: Given the strategic value and long-term impact, I propose allocating part of next quarter’s budget or utilizing any unused training funds from this fiscal year.
  • Flexible Payment Option: If budget allocation for this quarter is a challenge, I would be open to deferred or phased reimbursement.

 

4. Mitigating Concerns:

  • Time Commitment: I will manage coursework outside of peak operational hours to ensure no disruption to current projects.
  • Knowledge Transfer: I will host a debriefing session with the team to share insights gained, maximizing the company’s return on investment.
  • Long-Term Commitment: As the certification directly benefits my current role, I am committed to applying the new strategies within our enablement initiatives and sharing best practices across the team.

 

Next Steps:

  1. Review the Proposal: I am available to discuss the potential benefits and answer any questions.
  2. Decision: If approved, I will complete the enrollment process and submit the necessary documentation for reimbursement.
  3. Implementation: Upon completion, I will create a summary report detailing new strategies and their implementation timeline.

Conclusion:

Investing in the CREP program will not only elevate my leadership capabilities but also enhance our team’s ability to drive revenue growth and operational efficiency. I am confident that this professional development will result in significant improvements across our revenue organization.

Thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Director of Revenue Enablement