10 Tips for Prepping for a Staff Play Day
By Pat Herring
When you take the time out to get your staff members together to learn how to use new products you are rewarded with better informed and engaged employees. Pat Herring shares how to put a play day together.
1. Keep in mind that this play day may have some cost but the beneficial effect will outweigh your initial costs- no price can be placed on a knowledgeable sales staff.
2. Ask companies or sales reps for project sheets for your play day.Or, request additional informational flyers with your order
3. Request free samples of product for staff training. Many vendors will provide a small amount of product for training purposes. Otherwise, buy additional supplies to use for the event.
4. Record key product information attradeshows so you're better prepared to answer employees' product questions when you get back to the store.
6. Take plenty of pictures of samples in each booth to help with staff training (please ask permission before doing so).
7. When doing workshops and make & takes at shows, place the company names and booth numbers on back of projects for future reference.
8. Ask suppliers about training materials and educational resources on Web sites and otherwise.
9. Give yourself plenty of lead -time to get the products and to plan your favorite event successfully.
10. Make it easy to match products with suppliers for future reference without written notes! Take a picture of the companies name displayed in the booth, then take pictures of the projects you are interested in. So company name, then pictures, company name, pictures etc. When you look at the frames, you will know exactly which name and picture go together.
