Over the course of time, many sales managers are faced with how to reduce turnover of associates. This is especially true of those in the fast-paced and ever-evolving tech retail space.

While a certain amount of turnover can’t be avoided, there are ways to create compelling incentives to keep your top talent on board for the long term. These days, the seeds of effective employee retention efforts are found in an unexpected place: employee training programs. This includes your store and brand training programs too.

Here are three key ways an employee training program positively affects sales associate retention: 

1. Instills Confidence

Training programs addressing product knowledge, sales tips, and guidance for customer interactions are key confidence builders for your sales associates. These types of programs are particularly helpful in environments which are quota-driven or sales-goal oriented.

Knowledgeable, well-trained employees are more likely to integrate what they've learned during training activities into their efforts on the sales floor. This makes them more likely to close sales, particularly those that are more difficult. They also have the opportunity to earn more commissions or have their hours increased, providing an added financial incentive to remain a part of your sales team.

2. Increases Sense of Loyalty and Commitment

When employees understand their sales managers and retailers are willing to invest in and encourage their participation in comprehensive training programs, they may feel an increased sense of loyalty and commitment. This provides an opportunity for the retailer and sales associates to focus on common goals and create an avenue for achieving them together.

Some training programs provide rewards or other incentives to participants. This creates more allegiance to the retailer and products they offer. Once employees see the willingness of a company to make substantial investments in their future success, they're more likely to go the extra mile and resist the temptation to move on to other companies that may or may not be willing to make a similar investment.

3. Improves Morale and Teamwork

Effective and productive training programs offer opportunities for employees to make their voices and ideas heard. Associates don't always feel like they have a stake in high-level decisions.

During training and with the new knowledge gained, employees feel more empowered to share their opinions, ideas, and concerns about topics. These can include teambuilding, department policies, customer experiences, and other mission-critical aspects of the organization.

Align Your Organization's Sales and Training Goals

Retailers use various compensation plans as incentives to reward valued sales associates. Programs focused on increasing knowledge and sales skills while creating great customer experiences prove their worth many times over. This is most often demonstrated through better closing and upsell rates.

Partner training programs you recommend to associates should also include incentives. Those that combine engaging learning materials with opportunities to be rewarded for participation are far more likely to hold your employees' attention than a traditional classroom-style arrangement. 

Invest in a Next-Generation Employee Training Program

Sales associates want to sell products. They want to create success for themselves thereby creating success for their employer. The Intel® Retail Edge Program can help you break the cycle of high employee turnover rates and give your entire team the tools needed to create great customer experiences and sell more devices. 

The program revolves around a comprehensive catalog of interactive courses, videos, sales tips, live Webcasts, and other resources designed to engage and educate retail sales associates. It's the perfect opportunity for associates to learn about the latest devices and technologies powered by Intel.

Associates check their knowledge with quick quizzes, have the opportunity to be rewarded for participating, and interact with an online community of other associates and participants.  Simply put, the Intel® Retail Edge Program is a great way to get your associates excited about their jobs and encourage them to help you meet your sales goals. 

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