SPICERS ANNOUNCES MORE SUPPORT FOR SYNERGY PARTNER
At its annual Synergy Conference yesterday, Spicers announced a number of upgrades to the partner programme for 2010 to help dealers develop their core business strengths.
In 2009 Spicers added a greater variety of benefits for partners to give tangible value to their businesses. Next year the programme will continue to support dealers through further developments including the launch of an online training academy, a series of roadshows to provide face-to face support for dealers and the first customisable end-user magazine, The Office Magazine.
As well as providing sales and consultancy support, Spicers will also work with its Synergy partners to develop new product areas, create targeted offers and create lasting relationships with their customers.
Jane Rowe, Marketing & Communications Director, Spicers UK said: “The changes we made to the Synergy programme this year offer our partners unrivalled support, which now includes the BOSS Federation Gold membership. It is important we continue to provide this high level of support, and have worked closely with our partners to develop the programme for 2010.”
Additional Synergy benefits for 2010:
Business Development Fund
The Fund, which is available for dealers who meet the criteria, allows Synergy dealers to invest in the development of their business. This may include marketing collateral, training or other development focused activities.
Synergy Academy
The Synergy Academy is an online training portal launching in February 2010, to help partners grow and develop their business through comprehensive training and development programmes.
Managers can create bespoke training programmes for staff, with the ability to:
· Set up individual user accounts within all areas of the business
· Tailor training programmes for staff based on individual requirements assessed via online tests to gauge current ability levels
· Implement follow-up tests to ensure staff have maximised the resources available and shown development – clearly showing the return on the investment in training
Initial training modules include amongst others:
· How to increase your sales
· Field-based selling
· How to PR your business
· Credit management
· Health & Safety
The Academy was developed following feedback from the 2009 Synergy Roadshows, and will continue to evolve to reflect partner needs.
Synergy Magazine
The Office Magazine (TOM), an end-user magazine designed to help dealers engage with their customers and extend the conversation, will be launched in February 2010. Three editions will be published in 2010 (February, June and October), becoming quarterly from 2011.
The editorial format will consist of a mixture of serious business issues, such as legal compliance and management techniques, as well as more light-hearted pieces including what’s hot / what’s not, competitions and reader offers.
The magazine can be delivered to dealers’ customers through their sales force or via Royal Mail on their behalf. Synergy dealers will receive 50 free copies when they register for the magazine and for an additional cost they can order additional copies or it can also be personalised with branding on a belly band, on the front cover or with bespoke sections in the centre of the magazine.
Synergy Roadshow
Following the success of last year’s Roadshow, Spicers will hold a second during March 2010 visiting Bristol, Greenwich, Glasgow and Birmingham. These events give dealers the opportunity to network, learn about the ongoing developments and share views and ideas with the Spicers team. Synergy is all about ‘Success in Partnership’ and the Roadshows are what will continue to drive this success.
