Rob Nicholl is on a high having recently climbed Ben Nevis! And - ever dedicated to the cause - he celebrated this achievement with a photo taken at the summit with the immortal words - "Channel Advantage Was Here!!!"

Rob is one of our fantastic Panasonic product demonstrators and can be seen in action most weekends in Comet Edinburgh. If you are in town, please pop by to say hi, congratulate him on his feat and ask him about the Viera TVs!

This has now started a trend - have you been anywhere cool, wild or interesting recently? Why not share your photo on our Facebook page and tell us your story!

The training followed the Channel Advantage proven formula for success - a mix sessions including product knowledge, people skills and processes.

Great Products

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With such a fantastic range of products from Sonos such as the PLAY:3 and PLAY:5 new sound systems to demonstrate, the product training was fun, engaging and highly interactive. 

Testing the Team's knowledge James Hazell and Laura Smith - two of the in-house Sonos retail product specialists - set head to head challenges for the team - with winners gaining sweets for their efforts.

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Great People

The team members have various levels of experience, but share a passion for technology and specifically music. Being people-focussed and having engaging personalities is key to a successful product demonstrator.

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Great Processes

Jade Simms and Simon Harvey from the Channel Advantage Ops team presented  important procedural information relating to 

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We'd like to wish all the new team members a very successful campaign!

To see more photos, click here.

To find out about other tactical demonstration opportunities with Channel Advantage, email bookings@channel-advantage.co.uk.

And if you would like to be a Client, please email rlipscombe@channel-advantage.co.uk.

Channel Advantage's full-time Netgear training team was out in force at the recent Dixons Retail "PLC" store staff training conference and Audio Visual roadshow series which began on 1st July 2011 and finishes on 25th July. 

Well over 1,000 store staff and managers as well as Head Office teams attended the shows that have been taking place across the UK from Birmingham and Newcastle, to Edinburgh and Glasgow, through to Milton Keynes and Tunbridge Wells and beyond. Netgear created a living room environment complete with comfy sofas to demonstrate the key role it plays in delivering a fully functioning connected home enabling Smart TVs and wireles communications. The roadshows are a key opportunity to have quality time with those who influence at the point of sale and the Netgear team was keen to make the best of it.

Team Member Philip Walsh adds: "The buzz at the roadshows has been amazing. We can talk about Netgear all day and it is fantastic when we get an audience of people who are genuinely interested and want to learn. We know how important store colleagues are in assisting shoppers to make the right choice, especially when it is perceived to be a complex purchase, and having the opportunity to meet and train so many in one go has been fantastic."

One of the attendees from the Heathrow roadshow was keen to comment: "Before today I was completely confused about the world of routers and home networking, but this session has been really fun and interactive... we even had to map out a house layout with the best solution for a specific scenario. I didn't get the prize, (one of three WiFi adapter), but better than that I actually think I know what I am talking about now!"

To find out more about Netgear, click here.

For more photos, visit our flickr site.

To talk to us about running a full time team for your brand, contact rlipscombe@channel-advantage.co.uk.

To join us - on a full or part-time basis, click here.

Channel Advantage hosted the second annual Longbridge Business Breakfast at their offices in Stonor Park on Wednesday 20th July. 

With the lure of sizzling bacon butties and steaming coffee, over 50 people travelled from as far afield as Wales and Cambridge for an 8am kick off at The Retreat - Channel Advantage's stunning training facilities set in the beautiful surroundings of Stonor Park. Attendees included top business executives from Intel, Samsung, Epson, Binatone and Synthetix and all were captivated by the inspirational presentation from the guest speaker.

Jeff Grout, author and non-executive Director at Longbridge, gave a fantastic presentation on the topic of Leadership - filled with quotes, examples and thought-provoking questions. One particular focus, on attitude to change, promoted smiles and laughter as the audience was asked to cross arms, then change...

This is the second Business Breakfast with Longbridge, a multi-sector recruitment company, hosted at Channel Advantage's training and meeting facility at Stonor Park. Darren Carroll, who heads up the Technology division gave a brief intro and conclusion; as did Richard Lipscombe, MD of Channel Advantage.

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A further breakfast is scheduled for September - and if you re interested in attending, please contact rlipscombe@channel-advantage.co.uk.

For all the photos, check out our flickr page.

Today sees the launch of Face to Face International magazine - the first truly European magazine for all organisations that need a personal presence in the market place.

Face to Face Magazine focuses on the field marketing and brand experience industry and is published in three languages (English, French and German) to reflect the nature of its European profile and to raise awareness of the innovative new agency alliance of Face-to-face International.

In its 60 glossy pages there are a number of thought-provoking, instructive and interesting articles where the focus is on de-mystifying the field marketing industry and fundamentally ‘making the complex simple’ – the alliance’s key mantra. Aimed at all levels of management and brand decision-makers the articles cover thought-leading topics including: how to select an agency, recruiting the right field staff to represent your brand and a focus on reporting systems. Also included are book reviews, research findings on shopper behaviour and insights into how consumers are influenced.

A key section of the magazine highlights the new Face to Face International organisation – an alliance of three leading agencies in the UK, France and Germany. Tony Hall, CEO of Channel Advantage the UK Founding Partner adds: “Face to Face Magazine is the first magazine to really give a European view of the Field Marketing  industry. Whilst dealing face to face is essentially the same process in each country, there are some key areas where teaming up with leading agencies can simplify and streamline activities – offering potential cost-savings and other efficiencies.”

The first issue of Face to Face Magazine is available now  with a cover price of £3.90 (€4.50). Complimentary copies (UK version) are available on request from facetoface@channeladvantage.co.uk or telephone 01491 639100.

Are you passionate about photography and would you be excited about working with one of the world's leading technology brands? Then we would like to hear from you!

We are currently looking to recruit high calibre individuals to join our team. With a strong background in retail, combined with demonstration experience, you will work with one of the biggest names in photography as the face of Panasonic Lumix.

You will use your high level of knowledge and expertise to provide advice, inspiration and education to customers about Panasonic’s Lumix range. For the individual with the right combination of successful candidate will be responsible for making a significant contribution to the success of our client, Panasonic, within some of the biggest names in photographic retailing in the UK. This will be achieved through effectively communicating the full range of Lumix products and services through demonstration activity.

Objectives: 

·     To maximise the perception, awareness and promotion of Panasonic Lumix cameras.

·     Delivering a compelling Lumix experience to consumers.

·     Helping consumers to make an informed choice.

·     Training, gaining loyalty of retailers, encouraging to "sell" and "upsell" Panasonic cameras.

·     The timely and accurate completion of reports and any other requests for information.

Candidate specification:  

·     Excellent knowledge of photography.

·     The ability to break down complex messages and deliver them in a simple and engaging way.

·     Enjoys getting to know people and sharing knowledge & experience with others.

·     Excellent communication and demonstration skills.

·     A lively and positive personality.

In-store requirements 

·     Conducting two demonstration days per week (Saturday & Sunday) over a 10 week period throughout July, August & September

·     To be an ambassador for Panasonic

·     To conduct demonstrations to customers in selected Jessops and Currys stores

·     To actively promote the Panasonic brand at all opportunities

·     To train store staff on Panasonic products therefore increasing advocacy of Panasonic products

·     To gather information on competitor products as required

·     To check stock of Panasonic products as required

·     To ensure Panasonic is achieving its agreed amount of shelf space in store

·     To ensure in-store promotions are executed in store and are 100% compliant

Areas available

·     Belfast

·     Birmingham

·     Bristol

·     Bluewater

·     Cambridge

·     Cardiff

·     Edinburgh

·     Glasgow

·     Lakeside – West Thurrock

·     Leicester

·     Leeds

·     London – Central

·     London – North

·     London – South

·     London – East

·     London – West

·     Manchester

·     Merryhill

·     Newcastle

·     Plymouth

·     Southampton

If you feel you have the prerequisite experience and skill sets and are keen to join a team that's breaking new ground in retail then please apply by email to bookings@channel-advantage.co.uk quoting the job reference CAJob1382.

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