Kbsa board member and founder of Coalville Kitchens and Kutchenhaus Lutterworth Luke Wedgbury considers how KBB retailers can boost their business with training 

Training and education can be one of those issues which can be overlooked or set aside for another day, when there is more time and money available.

However, far from being a ‘nice to have’, integrating regular training and education into the day to day running of a business, can reap substantial rewards.

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All businesses can grow turnover and improve profit margins, whatever their size, with success not dependant on the amount of budget available.

Product knowledge

Enhancing product knowledge is a great place to begin.

Manufacturers offer a wealth of in-depth product knowledge, especially on appliances.

Keeping up to date with the latest trends, and technologies enables showroom staff to offer more accurate advice, build customer trust, and increase conversion rates.

Keeping informed about industry trends, competitors, and market conditions can be achieved by tapping into industry-specific media, magazines, blog posts, and Instagram for example.

This knowledge will help a retailer identify new opportunities and stay competitive.

A deep understanding of the market also allows for smarter targeting of customer segments.

Encouraging continuous learning within a team also fosters a culture of innovation, keeping them ahead of industry shifts and competitor offerings.

This can give a business a distinct advantage in the marketplace.

Communication skills

Reinforcing the importance of customer service and training in communication skills enables salespeople to better understand customer needs.

Regular in-house meetings can provide a good platform for understanding and honing these skills.

If staff can provide a personalised experience this can lead to greater customer satisfaction, and an increased likelihood of repeat business.

Many businesses miss opportunities for upselling and cross-selling.

Education on how to ask the right questions can drive up average values per sale.

Similarly, following up a sale with enquiries on other rooms in the house, or more projects in the pipeline can secure future sales.

Training can boost confidence and performance of staff and instil confidence in salespeople, allowing them to approach prospects with assurance, handle objections effectively, and close sales.

This not only helps meet sales targets but also ensures a higher level of performance.

A good place to share ideas on how best to incorporate training and education into a business is a Mastermind group that brings together up to 10 business owners to share ideas.

KBB business owners interested in joining a Mastermind group contact Luke on luke@coalvillekitchens.com