The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has established a new online training module to help newbies launch a successful career in wholesaling.
The Bolt Learning-designed Introduction to Wholesale lesson provides immediate insight into how the sector operates, the major players and their customers, and the opportunity for brands to grow sales in partnership with FWD members.
It gives an overview of the wholesale sector, including the different routes to market and the value of each to suppliers.
The 20-minute module profiles the larger wholesalers and buying groups, gives the market share of each and provides an introduction to extra services wholesalers provide for their retail and foodservice customers.
The FWD says the programme is designed as an engaging and interactive experience, and includes activities such as roleplay scenarios, interactive charts and quizzes to ensure the training engages and tests learners.
Learning reviews at the end of each section are designed to maximise retention.
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Managers can access analytics to understand how their employees have performed, helping them identify potential knowledge gaps.
Participants are awarded a certificate upon successful completion.
“The wholesale channel is a great place for ambitious young people to make a name for themselves, and we want to offer them a flying start on day one in their new job with this comprehensive guide to the basics of the industry,” said FWD chief executive James Bielby.
“This course gives them the knowledge to start building a successful career in this dynamic market.”
Bolt Learning director Tom Fender said: “We have had suppliers telling us how they struggle to get senior executives to really understand the opportunity in the wholesale market, so this induction can help with strategic decision-making as well.”
AB InBev has been among the first suppliers to adopt the training. AB InBev commercial controller - off trade wholesale Andy Topham called it “a really positive initiative which is fully aligned with FWD’s strategy of promoting the wholesale channel”.
“We have signed up new starters as part of their induction to the channel as well as other internal support functions including our senior leadership team,” he added.
The course costs suppliers £25 per user and the FWD is subsidising its use by wholesaler members who can participate for free.
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