Although warehouses and DCs typically fill supervisory positions from the ranks of hourly workers, it doesn't always work out as well as they expect. Part of the problem is that the skills that make an excellent hourly employee are not necessarily the same ones that make an excellent supervisor. And too often, companies fail to provide their recently promoted employees with management and leadership training.

To fill that training gap, Tom Zosel Associates, a consulting firm that spe cializes in distribution and transporta tion operations, launched its TZA Training division in 2006. Through that division, the company offers courses designed to improve interpersonal skills, like communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

TZA Training recently expanded its program, more than doubling the number of classroom courses and live Webcast sessions it offers. Among the new offerings are several supervisory/management-level courses in performance management, creating a self-disciplined workforce, managing a diverse workforce, and presentation skills.

TZA also provides classes and workshops for warehouse associates, floor managers, and executive management. It conducts those classes both at customers' facilities and at its "TZA University" training center in Long Grove, Ill. For more information, visit www.tzatraining.com.