Smeg’s state-of-the-art training facility and training team employ a vast range of training methods to bring the company’s 1,200 strong UK product range to life.
Located across the entire ground floor of Smeg’s purpose-built UK Head Office in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, Smeg invites trade customers from across the country the chance to really get hands on with products, with over 300 appliances live and operational.
Having recently invested in further upgrades at its Abingdon headquarters, the company uses the space to conduct inspiring training – including specialist new products such as ‘SmegConnect’, its connected offering to shortly to be bolstered by new ovens, and its ‘Vitality System’, which includes new professional appliances such as blast chillers, steam ovens and vacuum drawers.
With its vast showroom setup grouped by Smeg’s iconic aesthetic families, its ‘living kitchen’ training school, alongside its purpose-built 60-person conference space, the facility works hand-in-hand with Smeg’s field-based training offering and London flagship theatre.
Thanks to the investments made by Smeg, Clare Edwards and her team of home economists and product trainers – one of the biggest teams in the industry – can provide a completely fluid training experience in the new facility – developing the knowledge and training delivered in-store.
‘Inspire’ – Smeg’s bespoke training courses designed for independent retailers, operates in two parts (one and two), equipping sales staff with varying levels of knowledge, with everything they need to confidently and effectively sell and up-sell Smeg. The format is either single or double day.
Trainees have time to interact with appliances – the best way to truly understand how they work and a crucial element within Smeg’s training programme. Smeg swears against a ‘Death by PowerPoint’ rule, so the ‘Living Kitchen’ allows theory to become a reality.
Additional methods the Smeg team uses in its training include: In-store training and bespoke training; team building and cookery events; group and individual quizzes and challenges; and product launch and refresher training.
