(Weymouth, MA) -- According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, as the economy continues to lag and unemployment rises more people will seek online tools to further their education and increase their skill sets. Online classes present a very flexible option as students can log on at any time to take their classes, and they are also significantly less expensive than traditional programs. Print service providers should take note of these benefits and look for online programs to enhance their sales team’s industry knowledge and provide a competitive advantage for their business.

Using interactive online training programs, print service providers can eliminate the travel expenses and out-of-office time associated with traditional training methods. e-Learning also allows employees to learn at their own pace and on their own time from anywhere across the world. Not only will taking advantage of e-learning help print service providers stay ahead of the curve, but it will enable them do so more efficiently, which is essential in today's economy.

“It is important for print service providers to continuously develop their employees’ technical prowess, sales skills, and general industry knowledge to stay ahead of competition and become recognized as a knowledgeable solution provider,” commented Barb Pellow, Group Leader at InfoTrends. “Unfortunately, education is often overlooked as delivering jobs and meeting deadlines take precedence. Additionally, as budgets tighten and resources become scarcer, finding the time and money needed for classroom training can be difficult.”

InfoTrends, the leading worldwide consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry, has introduced a new e-learning portal with the first curriculum focused on Customized Communications Sales Training. The Web-based training program is designed to educate print service providers’ sales reps on the opportunities and trends within the customized communications market.

“Customized communications offer a world of opportunity for service providers to deliver new value-added capabilities including variable data printing, multi-channel communications, and Web-to-print to meet the needs of the marketing professional,” continued Pellow. “Our educational portal defines the various market segments, explores business opportunities, provides real-world examples and success stories within each segment, and offers a ‘how-to’ approach to selling customized communications solutions.”

The Customized Communications curriculum consists of seven courses which together make up the Customized Communications Certificate Program. Participants have the option to enroll in the full program ($399) or to take courses on an individual basis ($99 per course), selecting only the topics that pertain to their specific needs.  Each course follows an interactive and engaging format, providing students with a stimulating learning environment. The following courses are currently available:

1.  Overview of Customized Communications
2.  Entry-Level Variable Data Print
3.  Web-to-Print
4.  Advanced Variable Data Print
5.  TransPromo Communications
6.  Multi-Channel Communications
7.  Solutions Selling – A “How To” Approach to Selling Customized Communications

To get started with InfoTrends’ Customized Communications Certificate program, visit http://elearning.infotrends.com and register today.