Eleven Funniest Corporate Training Videos Of The 1980s And 1990s

You've just been hired to a new job at a department store, and it's your first day (or week) or training. You're sequestered in a room with the other new hires, when the HR rep rolls the TV/VCR cart in front of the group, explains what the group will be watching, pops in the tape or disc, and exits the room. The video that you watch is the standard corporate training video that all new hires watch, and try as you might to control your laughter, you know you must, as your employment hinges on your ability to conduct yourself appropriately during your training. But you can't help it. Neither can the rest of the group, and you've found your comrades of the workplace as a result. For your consideration, here are eleven truly funny corporate training videos from the 1980s and 1990s that defy good production values (heck, adequate would even work here), logic, and the ability to stifle giggles. And the best part is, the HR rep isn't standing outside the door waiting for the video to end, so you can laugh to your heart's content. You're welcome.

1. Nintendo of America Customer Service Training (1991)

You Tube / Via youtube.com

Since all of these videos are department store training videos, we'll start with a product line training video that would likely have been relevant in the training rooms at fine electronics/department stores that sold Nintendo products and games during the 1990s.

In this video, salespersons are trained to appropriately handle any concerns customers may have about Nintendo products...no matter what concerns they have. Even issues with the "e-prong."

2. Blockbuster Video - "Buster Sales" (1990)

DLJameyson / Via youtube.com

Blockbuster University Productions created this video for the purpose of training sales associates to be "authorities of opportunity." Your trainer for this video? Buster Sales, a wisecracking guy on the store television sets, a "Professional Opportunist" who is the "Authority on Opportunity." The hapless target...er, employee in training? Marie, whom I'm sure the other employees talk about behind her back. Buster coaches Marie on the finer points in being the best possible Blockbuster clerk EVER. The relationship coaching? That's just a bonus.

Part 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7JiQaKJcSc

3. Ames Department Stores - Asset Protection Awareness - Fitting Rooms (1996)

Chris Fontaine / Via youtube.com

Ames Department Store produced a video in 1996 about asset protection with sections on awareness, fitting rooms, safety, and safe lifting. While they're all great for the nostalgia factor, the section on fitting rooms is by far the funniest of the lot. It's set up like MTV (probably to appeal to the teenagers they hire), and features a song by a group called "Fabulous Fit" (also known as a man dressed as an elderly woman) that explains proper Ames fitting room protocol. Remember, SIX is the limit!!!!

4. Montgomery Ward Loss Prevention - "Let's All Work Together" (1997)

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Our faithful loss prevention worker, "Andy," takes new Montgomery Ward employees on a journey to the sales floor at what is obviously a Chicago-based store, where he helps various departments prevent loss theft, data inaccuracy, housekeeping to prevent injury, hidden merchandise, security tags, shortchanging, and the profit partner award, which awards $250 cash and 10% recovery to employees who provide information on potential loss prevention and safety violations.

And check out "Jeff," the associate with the muttonchops. Quite possibly the crème de la crème of the high acting standards department store training videos strive for!

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhkhHSUQKRw

5. Be the Difference! (1989)

capeshokusa / Via youtube.com

A training video for several grocery store chains (including Miracle Food Mart, A&P and Waldbaum's) that teaches appropriate customer service skills, while highlighting the fact that some employees are just very lazy.

Remember: C(calm) L(listen) E(empathize) A(apologize) R(refer)!!!!!!

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9BUEoc4G8E

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-DYimArYfk

6. It Starts With You (Mid-1990s)

This training video coaches new hires about appropriate workplace procedures when working in a movie theater. The true gem is the portion on sexual harassment, specifically the guy who won't let a patron in because she won't tell him why she refuses to date him.

7. "Thank You!" For Shopping at Publix (1985)

watercooler / Via youtube.com

A video about having a positive experience while shopping at Publix, made possible by the "Publix Pros." This one is funny nor only for the nostalgia factor (big hair, cars), but for the hokey approaches the "Pros" take to customer service. A statement like that is proof that as a society, we've gotten used to lousy customer service, and this just feels so far-fetched.

THANK YEW!

8. For The Older Customer: YOU Can Make the Difference! (1980s)

watercooler / Via youtube.com

Apparently Publix has a few gems in their artillery. This three-part harmony teaches Publix employees about how to work with older customers who shop there. Part 1 involves a conversation between Gladys and Harry, who gush over the joys of dealing with Publix employees while they wash dishes, and Parts 2 and 3 teaches employees how to talk to and work with older customers to provide the best shopping experience.

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hORAqob74Oo

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bf7NfXxG9w

9. FuncoLand (1998)

raduniverse / Via youtube.com

The corporate training video for FuncoLand, a video game retailer. Adam, our hapless new employee, falls asleep studying the employee manual, and is transported into the game world, where he must prove he has the right stuff to be a FuncoLand employee by utilizing the G.A.M.E.S. method of customer service.

The true gem of this training video is the special effects, which are made to look like Adam is stuck in a video game, but just make it look like he's in front of a chroma key screen displaying full motion graphics. And the Director of Sales and Service, Chuck Simmons, seems like he is having too much fun making this video, especially when it involves playing a villain.

G(greeting) A(advise) M (more - find out more information about the customer) E(encourage add-on items) S (Say goodbye and "we appreciate your business")

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSJipzAqQ1c

10. Hardee's (1986)

EncoreVisions / Via youtube.com

And finally, we move back to the 1980s and the fast food industry, with a look at the Hardee's customer service training video from 1986. This video teaches Hardee's employees appropriate greetings, selling up, cash handling, assembling order trays, preparing drinks, order preparation times, safety, courtesy, providing special service, drive-thru sales service and procedures,

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mxfgpGACjU

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wncSQm1q05k

11. Hardee's - Your Reputation's on the Line (1988)

EncoreVisions / Via youtube.com

I was going to finish off this list at ten, but when I spotted this gem from Hardee's, I couldn't resist. Less than one minute in, Mustache Man drops a tomato on his shirt, and I knew the video deserved to be on this list.

This Hardee's training video, which obviously comes after the 986 training video, teaches new hires about how to perform their duties properly, in a much more condensed version that provides more laughs. Your host for this journey is Hope, who loves her job, even though she has no clue what life after college may hold. I wonder if she still works for Hardee's today...

I'm convinced that the only thing this video lacks is the "Hi! Welcome to Hardee's!" girl's head exploding after she says it the fourth time. And is it me, or does Hope love her job a little too much?

And that does it - you've learned what you need to know to make your experience at the retailer/restaurant of your employment memorable and fulfilling. Now, get out there and SELL SELL SELL!

And watch out for exploding heads at Hardee's. And Sales Directors who moonlight as video game villains.