Survey finds increase in online product training.(internet news)

More and more distributors are using online training to educate employees, according to a survey from BlueVolt.

BlueVolt surveyed 1,291 distributor employees who currently participate in online training through associations and buying groups in several industries, including electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Respondents were limited to sales, counter and customer service job titles and 94 percent completed the entire survey.

The company said the results show that online training increases sales and improves customer service. Eighty-one percent of respondents said that they sell more as a result of online training through BlueVolt, while 94 percent said their customers rely on them to recommend products or manufacturers. Eighty-nine percent said that they service their customers better as a result of online training.

Sixty-three percent said that they recommend products to customers at least once a day, and 92 percent said they learned valuable company or product information from their online universities.

Ninety-two percent said they would recommend the online university.

"This survey demonstrates what we always knew -that online training is a valuable and important asset to manufacturers selling through distributors," said Chad Hoke, vice president of sales. "The time-saving and cost-effective benefits make online training an indispensable resource and the survey results show our users agree with us."

BlueVolt is an online learning and training system for the construction and trade industry. For more information, visit www.bluevolt.com.