In response to retailer requests for sales floor performance training, 3point5 has introduced two new online training modules.

Basic Sales Floor Training and Basic Technical Apparel Training are immediately available to the 1200+ retailers who are currently members of 3point5. On Sept 1, 3point5 will offer additional retailer training programs: Selling Footwear, How to Sell Layering, and Selling Sunglasses and Goggles. All programs will be free until October 1, 2006.

Adventure 16, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports and Jan’s Mountain Outfitters are now live with their own online training sites on 3point5. The sites, which are directed to their staffs, include the Basic Training Programs plus Training on the sales philosophy, culture, and history of each individual retail operation.

Jeff Smith, partner in Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, says, “By using 3point5, we now present our brand story to everyone in the company effectively, consistently, and at the convenience of the employee. In addition, manufacturer training and basic selling skills are presented within the context of our brand as a retailer, so the staff understands why a manufacturer is in our product mix and how to talk to the customer about the items we offer. Best of all, it is quantifiable and easily measured. We can track employee progress and correlate it to sales performance.”

Paul Kirwin, Founder of 3point5, says, “On Basic Sales Floor Training we worked with Jim Dion, well respected trainer and author of Retail Selling Ain’t Brain Surgery, It’s Twice as Hard. And for Basic Technical Apparel, we drew on the strengths of the best component manufacturers, two of which are members of 3point5.”

3point5 is an Internet based community of manufacturers, retailers, and retail salespeople all focused on improving sales performance at the point-of-purchase. This interactive, online program presents talking points about brands and products, reinforces those talking points with Edugames, and rewards increased brand knowledge with deeper discounts on gear. These informed retail salespeople now engage consumers with a stronger sales message strengthened with firsthand experience.

Current customers live on 3point5 are:

  • HEAD Skis
  • Suunto
  • Patagonia
  • Teva
  • The North Face
  • Therm-a-Rest.

New members to be launched September 1 are:

  • Arc’teryx
  • W.L.Gore
  • Marmot
  • Mountain Hardwear
  • Smith Optics
  • Thinsulate.

Over 4500 retail salespeople are training on 3point5.