Train to gain sales at the Xtratherm Academy

Xtratherm, manufacturers of Thin-R insulation, has strengthened its commitment to merchants by introducing the innovative Xtratherm Academy.

Train-R Module 1 provides vital information on all aspects of energy efficiency in new dwellings.

The programme takes staff members through basic knowledge of insulation materials and how they perform to renewable technologies and Building Regulation compliance.

Train-R is designed to provide staff with the knowledge and expertise to enable them to advise customers on how to create buildings that achieve better energy standards.

The training programme provides a better understanding of how to CO is produced by our buildings and outlines the steps a builder or self builder can take to create more environmentally friendly buildings that achieve better Energy Labels, are kinder to our environment and which ultimately creates more valuable property.

The constant updating of Building Regulations and the demand for more energy efficient products has changed the methods of selling by Builders Merchant as the sale has become much more technical.

Builders and self builders are also expecting to receive this technical knowledge as part of their service, which can prove a challenge, especially with the current skills shortage and high staff turnover in some branches.

E-learning has been seen as the training method of choice because it enables staff to receive invaluable training time in the branch and therefore minimizes the disruption within the business.

It is also a very cost effective method of increasing the skills base across the entire team, which will result ultimately in more sales.

Staff that complete the Train-R package will be able to recommend the most appropriate products for their customers needs allowing them to create better insulated more thermally efficient properties.

The ability to understand the methods of achieving thermal efficiency in dwellings through the correct specification of insulation materials, coupled with advice on other energy efficient inputs such as ventilation, heating systems or renewable technologies is providing a winning combination for many merchants.

Danny Kearney, Technical Manager at Xtratherm, explains: "The challenge is keeping staff up to date with the constant changes in the market and also with the latest Building Regulations".

"Train-R E-Learning has been developed by Xtratherm through consultation with Builders Merchants, covering very specific topics that can be accessed at any time by their staff from within their branches".

"It provides a very effective method of supplying the team with essential knowledge, with full technical backup on the end of the phone".

"The response we have had already to Train-R has been very positive and we are already developing further modules for inclusion of the Xtratherm Academy at the request of our customers".

Train-R is designed to provide the equivalent of one-to-one coaching guiding the user through all the issues surrounding sustainable dwellings from how CO is created to recommending the most appropriate insulation for walls, ceilings and roofs.

The E-learning package also tests the knowledge of the user with a concluding set of questions at the end of each module to ensure the information has been understood.

Train-R is easy to use and requires no previous knowledge of insulation products and takes much less time to complete than many traditional training programmes but provides the same valuable and up to date information.

Train-R is only available from Xtratherm and can be accessed via the Xtratherm website.

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