Become an instant expert in panel products

Become an instant expert in panel products COWIE: Norbord has developed an interactive training course designed to give builders" merchant counter and yard staff a good all-round knowledge of its principal products. After completing the course, sales and technical staff will be able to speak with confidence about the qualities, applications and suitability of the various Norbord products and help their clients make the right choice. Developed with help from Martin Brown, an expert, professional coach and trainer who has worked with many leading companies in a variety of industries, the course uses information videos, case studies and both individual and team activities to create an informative and enjoyable learning experience. The full course covers Sterling OSB, Caberwood MDF and Caberboard flooring including Caberdek, Norbord"s market-leading peel-clean brand. Norbord"s special No-Squeak and Caberfix floor fixing adhesives are also covered. Each product module can be used independently as a stand-alone session if necessary. Participants are encouraged to handle samples and develop an understanding of how each product is used and in what type of applications. As well as straightforward product descriptions, participants carry out a wide range of practical exercises, take part in quizzes and are encouraged to contribute their own comments and ideas. This mixture of activities is carefully designed to appeal to the widest range of learning styles, thereby optimising the effectiveness of the course. Builders" merchants also played an important role in developing the course, explained Mr Brown: "It is always a challenge to put together a short training session but by consulting with our target audience at the design stage we were able to tailor the session to their needs and learning styles and so create a fun but challenging learning session." The course is currently being piloted with builders' merchants and Norbord expects to roll the modules out during the course of 2012.owever, the course is not limited to builders" merchants. Anyone who sells, recommends or specifies wood based sheet materials and flooring products, or who works with builders, architects and specifiers such as local authorities and house-builders, will also benefit says Norbord. Become an instant expert in panel products Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 24/02/2012