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The All New MVS STIHL Training Center

At Mississippi Valley Stihl, training has always been a major focus. That's because we believe knowledge helps salespeople and dealers be at the top of their game - learning the latest technology, keeping in touch with the ever-changing industry and sharing new ways of improving your bottom line! Over the years, MVS has held classes led by Tom Winnenger, Jim Yount and Red Letter Communications. Although we have used a conference room (800 square feet) for some training, it was never quite big enough and was used for everything from in-house meetings and interviews to sales meetings and get-togethers. But that's all about to change.

Our new STIHL® Training Center provides a little more than three times the space (2,400 square feet) and it's all dedicated to training. The culmination of our focus on training is to offer a full-blown, state-of-the-art training center solely devoted to the purpose of teaching our sales representatives, dealers and more about the value of STIHL.

“The MVS STIHL Training Center will not be used solely for technical training,” Mike Joynt, President of MVS, said. “This facility will also feature training in the areas of marketing, financial, sales, merchandising and more. It's our goal to get you whatever instruction you need to be the best in your area!”

In response to ever-changing technology and growing regulations, MVS saw the need to offer ongoing continuing education for sales reps and dealers in a comfortable environment. “In fact,” Mike said, “we may find that our industry will come to demand that we keep learning in order to keep pace with the big box dealers.”

The real motivation for the MVS STIHL Training Center, however, has been the dealers. “As our dealers improved, we needed to meet their business challenges in newer and better ways,” Mike continued. “And that's why we need to step up our training and offer more opportunities for sales, marketing, technology and hands-on demonstrations.” In addition to the larger building and indoor training room, the MVS STIHL Training Center will also feature an outdoor area that will offer more opportunities for hands-on training. (Watch our next newsletter for more news on the outdoor area!)

“We believe this facility shows our continued dedication to and exclusive support of our OPE dealers,” Mike said.“We want to offer more tools to be even more profitable and competitive against the big box stores than ever before.”

The new MVS STIHL Training Center includes a full-service kitchen, bathrooms and a café-style area where participants can relax during breaks. State-of-the-art technology includes:

• a T1 line which allows MVS to perform “webinars” (basically online classes and seminars)

• a 9 ft. projection screen for better visibility for all participants

• an advanced audio-visual system that provides the capability of using DVDs, CDs, and VHS tapes for the purpose of instruction - for any type of video or Power Point® that may be necessary

• a visual presenter that captures visual images by using a video monitor mounted vertically on a base; the image is then converted to an electronic signal which can be transmitted to a projector, video monitor, computer or communications network (enables participants to see the fine details of whatever the instructor is presenting by magnifying the parts and pieces and displaying them for the entire class to see)

• a sympodium which allows the instructor to make illustrations on an overhead for better explanations (think of football, where John Madden indicates the direction of each player with lines so that moves can be followed)

• a balanced sound system which offers state-of-the-art sound that is akin to surround sound

Watch upcoming newsletters to see what types of training will be available in our STIHL Training Center! We'll be offering Jim Yount seminars, STIHL Service Advantage training, marketing and more.

For more information on classes and how you can register, speak to your Territory Manager or call MVS at (309) 697-5860.