When we launched DotActiv Academy, we positioned it as an online education portal to learn how to use our software. Since then, it has changed. First, we introduced retail theory courses. Then, we restructured our Software Mastery Level courses. However, while both were important enhancements, it’s our latest upgrade that is the most significant. We’ve redesigned DotActiv Academy as a social retail training community.
Why have we made changes to DotActiv Academy?
It’s no secret that category management is a specialised topic. After all, how often do you bump into someone at a social event who happens to know or specialise in it? Or even someone who specialises in a related topic?
That means that it’s not currently practical to relate to or interact with others who are in the same field beyond your place of work. If you don’t have any real opportunity to connect with like-minded category management professionals, there is every possibility of you feeling isolated.
But it doesn’t need to be that way. In truth, it shouldn’t. Category management might be a specialised topic but it deserves a platform where people can interact and share their experiences.
That’s what the new DotActiv Academy aims to achieve.
We want to provide retail professionals interested in category management with a platform to connect, debate and draw inspiration from one another. That also means that we’ve transformed DotActiv Academy from a learning platform to a social community with learning at its core.
While it still has all the retail training courses as it did before; it also has so much more.
What new social features does DotActiv Academy offer?
The new DotActiv Academy has a handful of new social features and content available to you when you sign up. It’s a new take on retail training that has a heavy focus on social interactions and connectivity.
Social forums
The first significant change to the platform is the introduction of social forums.
Here, you have an opportunity to post any question about category management or a related topic. At the same time, you can join the latest debates and post your own ideas.
Instead of trying to get the answer for yourself, you can speak to like-minded category management professionals. That means less time wasted seeking answers.
Live newsfeed
We believe that category management no longer needs to be something done in isolation.
Similar to any other social network, the live newsfeed allows you to keep up to date with all the latest posts. Here, you can see any questions posted by your connections and see who has answered. You can also join in on the conversation if you have something to add.
You can also customise your newsfeed to only see those topics most pertinent to what you want to learn.
Member connections and inboxing
If you’re looking to connect with like-minded category management professionals, you can do so on DotActiv Academy. Interested in picking the brain of a category management professional or getting assistance with a project?
Within a Members section, you can filter through and click on any member to get a detailed view of their profile.
You can also connect with any member by adding them as connections and having one-on-one conversations with them away from forums.
Other features
Other features for the new DotActiv Academy includes a personal timeline that shows your activity. With it, you can keep track of your account activity.
There are also notifications that keep you informed of when you were mentioned. Part of this includes any new messages that you might receive via your inbox.
You can also access the DotActiv PowerBase where you can find immediate answers to questions about our software.
Who can get access to the new DotActiv Academy?
Previously, if you wanted access to DotActiv Academy, you needed to purchase a copy of DotActiv Lite, DotActiv Pro or DotActiv Enterprise.
We’ve changed that.
There is no cost to join the community. You don’t need to purchase our software to access the academy. That means that it doesn’t matter where you are in the world. If you’re a retail professional interested in learning about and adding value to the topics of category management, you’re welcome.
Our software is for retailers, suppliers and for any retail service provider interested in reselling our software and services. We also cater to multiple retailers and all sorts of suppliers. It doesn’t matter if you are a category specialist, convenience store, sell general merchandise or even clothing. DotActiv Academy and its software is for you. It’s the same if you’re a wholesaler, distributor or manufacturer.
We’re not stopping there either.
When you register a free account on DotActiv Academy, you do not only get access to the above social features. You’ll also get free access to the Software Master Levels to learn all about our software and how best to use it.
Conclusion
Powered by new social features and exclusive content, DotActiv Academy offers you all you need to inspire innovative thinking and further your retail career. Want to connect with like-minded category management professionals? Register your free account here.