The international army of Apple Store employees, one of the most elite corps in the retail world, is preparing like mad for a new test: selling the Apple Watch.
As much a fashion accessory as a piece of high-speed hardware, the Apple Watch will stretch Apple Store employees who are experts at moving iPhones and iMacs (heck, even the branding is different). It s also Apple s first truly new product in five years, meaning Apple employees haven t had to get acquainted with a fresh gadget in a while. And the clock is ticking: The watch arrives in stores on April 10 and will go up for sale on April 24.
Recognizing these challenges, Apple is running an ambitious training program over the next two weeks, as detailed by 9to5Mac. The series tries to impart somewhat intangible skills to Apple Store workers, such as building trust with customers. Workers are being quizzed about hypothetical customers who stroll into the store with the watch on the brain — meet Susana, as a young woman who hasn t worn a watch in years but is willing to splurge, and Lee, a young waiter who takes pride in his trendy wardrobe. The $349 question: Which watch would you recommend for each? In the real world, the choices will extend far beyond A, B and C — the Apple Watch comes in two sizes and three collections, with a vast array of interchangeable bands. Luxury models will set you back as much as $17,000.
Taking a page from traditional luxury watch makers, Apple is urging its employees to become valued fashion advisers. But in a move that is uniquely Apple, they will also be charged with wielding the watch to push iPhone upgrades. The Apple Watch requires an iPhone 5 or later, as well as iOS 8.2.
Above: Apple is busy training its employees to sell the Apple Watch (Getty Images).
