Feb 01, 2015 10:26 AM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) will launch a university that will offer industry newcomers and experienced professionals live classroom, virtual classroom and online courses for professional development.

APSP University will offer a variety of tracks for manufacturers, building/install professionals, retailers, designers, service techs, sales/executives and small business owners, with a training path to help them meet their goals.

The first series of six APSP members-only webinars will begin Feb. 11. In "How to design an effective pool and spa sales presentation," students are taught that selling is a fundamental skill in today's progressively complicated market. Many new methods and techniques have been developed to prepare salespeople in facing the new challenges of the market, however not all of them are successful in their approach. Students are provided with a number of interactive exercises which have proven effective in addressing important principles of selling.

"Recent surveys from our membership indicate that technical education, certification and business skills are at the top of the list for our members," APSP President and CEO Rich Gottwald, said in a statement. "As the trade association of the pool and hot tub industry, we have a duty to provide our members with tools to become more technically advanced, industry certified, and to provide them with business skills that will enable them to become more profitable and competitive in the marketplace."

APSP members can earn 1 CEU toward APSP certification/recertification by attending one of these webinars. In addition to the February 11, webinar on sales presentations, the following webinars are scheduled:
Feb 18: QuickBooks made easy

Feb 25: Microsoft Outlook

March 4: Project Management for Pools

March 11: Communication Skills

March 18: Effective Pool Sales Presentations with PowerPoint

APSP members can register here.

The cost of each webinar is $99 (with coupon code APSP50) and is available to APSP members only. For further information email Patrick Giambalvo at pgiambalvo@apsp.org

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