During its recent Fall Educational Seminar Series, SIA previewed the results from the Model for Success, a multi-phase program commissioned by SIA to help study purchase behavior and provide definitive solutions that will enable suppliers and retailers to move more product and increase unit sales. Several sessions focused on the importance of customer-focused programs and communications that start with a better understanding of the motivations and orientations of the customer.

Beginning October 17, a unique snow sports retail sales training program called Desperate Measures will be staging a ten city eastern seaboard tour of seminars called Desperate Measures University. An abbreviated version of the program was presented at the SIA seminars by Dave Bertoni, co-founder of Integrated Training Solutions, creators of Desperate Measures.

“The objective of Desperate Measures training is to create retail customers for life. That is perfectly aligned with the needs of the snow sport industry’s – to attract and maintain new people to the sports,” said Bertoni. “Retailers, resort operators, ski schools or manufacturers all face this central challenge, and employee training that results in customer-centric service is the cornerstone of success,” he continued.

The Desperate Measures training seminars will starts October 17th and continue through the middle of November. The course is four hours in length and features workshops that reinforce the skills learned, so that sales people can begin being more effective in their stores right away. The cost for pre-registered attendees is $40 and includes workbooks and materials.

“Desperate Measures is one of the best industry-specific sales and customer service training programs we have seen. And, the concepts are presented in a way that really brings them to life and makes selling fun, more fun,” said SIA President David Ingemie.