By Appointment Ltd has launched a DVD series with clear guidance and information how to raise standards among customer advisors and telephone sales staff.

The telephone skills training series, produced by training mentor and director of By Appointment Ltd, John Knight, is aimed at keeping sales performance and customer service up-to-scratch through instant access to a training course and refresher tips.

The "Making great new sales appointments" DVD contains four hours of training material on how to get through to senior executives, obtaining business appointments, the dos and don'ts of cold telephone calling and strategies for making prospects sit up and take notice.

Knight says: "Cold calling is tougher than ever, so sales staff need to be very astute to get past the gatekeepers to the decision makers.

"This DVD set will be a valuable investment for any company or business and in particular will improve the abilities of the growing number of smaller businesses and the self-employed. As well as increasing your sales significantly, it is a constant training resource. Companies can dip in and out of the advice on offer, using it for induction days, refresher courses, staff reviews and motivational sessions."