HIGH POINT—The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA) has announced a new series of sales training workshops for members that are being produced by brand partner, Viscosoft, a supplier of mattresses, pillows, toppers, and related top-of-bed accessories.
The workshops, set to debut soon after the Las Vegas Market, will feature IHFRA member and Director of Training Harry Costantino.
Costantino is a 35-year industry veteran who, in addition to his current role as director of training and key account development at Viscosoft, has served as sales trainer and director of customer relations at Jordan’s Furniture and head coach for BedGear.
“The need for independent sales reps to provide retail sales associates with effective training that positions them as product experts and helps them help their retailers close sales has never been greater,” said Ray Allegrezza, IHFRA’s executive director.
He added, “Harry’s proven track record in sales as well as training will allow us to help our members take the quality and effectiveness of their sales training skills to the next level.”
Costantino added, “Many retailers count on their reps to provide their teams with effective product-related sales training, but since most reps haven’t spent years earning a living on a retail sales floor; they may lack the hands-on experience needed to deliver product knowledge as well as proven retail sales techniques.”
Based on his tenure at retail, Costantino observed that “Any rep who can provide product knowledge along with practical sales training that helps his retail partners outsell their competition is always welcomed by retailers and respected by their sales staff.”
At press time, Costantino was working with IHFRA’s managing director Steve Allegrezza to finalize specific topics that will be addressed in the upcoming series of workshops.
All of the workshops will be made available to IHFRA members free of charge and will reside on IHFRA’s website, www.ihfra.org
For more information, contact Steve Allegrezza at sallegrezza@ihfra.org, or for those attending the Las Vegas Market, visit Harry at the Viscosoft showroom, C-1536.
