Exide launches battery training programme

In order to further its customers’ knowledge about the battery business, Exide Technologies has launched what it calls ‘Exide Academy’. This new programme covers a broad range of commercial and technical topics, including margin optimisation and start-stop technology.

Customers can learn directly on their iPad or by downloading material to their computer. They can begin by learning the basics of battery technology, then progress to more complicated areas, such as how HVR prolongs battery life in AdBlue-equipped trucks.
 
The learning material is split into a series of books that can be downloaded from ExideAcademy.com. Acquiring them is as simple as a visit to the website on your iPad and downloading the books you want – these will then appear in your bookshelf within the iBooks app.
 
“We wanted to create a truly immersive learning experience, and the iPad made that possible,” commented Magnus Ohlsson, vice-president aftermarket sales and marketing at Exide. “Sometimes customers will carefully go through the material from beginning to end, and other times they’ll use it to quickly find the answer to a question. We’re giving customers full control over what they learn and where they learn it, and giving them the knowledge they need to grow their business.”

Exide Technologies has trained its sales team to guide customers through the learning process. As well as helping to answer questions, they will offer advice on reducing labour costs, protecting market share and selling more higher-margin products.

Batteries are changing at unprecedented speed, notes Exide Technologies. With the increase in start-stop and regenerative braking systems, batteries are becoming more closely tied to the overall architecture of the car. Because the market is changing so quickly, Ohlsson believes Exide Academy will create more opportunities for resellers to increase their sales and profitability.
 
“Consumers are seeking out expertise in the latest battery technologies,” he continued. “So we’re making sure Exide resellers will be best prepared to service the fastest growing segments of the car parc. Our goal is to help our customers outperform their competitors and become tomorrow’s leaders in the battery business.”