Agent Support Program

SWEP provides extensive and on-going support for the members of its Agent Network and the details of this program are being continually reviewed and refined.

1. Agent rewards

Currently Agents producing 20 samples or more in any one calendar month receive one FREE SAMPLE voucher for every 20 samples submitted in that month.

The purpose is to provide a facility that assists Agents in further developing their business. While they are free to use the vouchers for their own samples, they can also be gifted to selected clients as a kind of “Thank you” or used to help conduct field trials in their area. Both these uses will not only assist in acquiring new customers, but also in developing Case Studies and Testimonials that can be used to enhance the Agent’s credentials in the region.

2. Marketing support

SWEP sends out Press Releases to its National Media List from time to time. Copies of these are also sent to Agents who in turn may submit them to their Regional Newspapers and so on.

We are also developing a range of support materials and resources for Agents setting up sites at Field Days and other events. Agents requiring this form of assistance should give us at least two weeks notice of the event.

3. Information Resources

SWEP has produced a series of Fact Sheets and other Publications that are included in Sampling Kits or sent directly to Clients as required. Agents are also able to provide these to their clients. The aim of this is to help in answering the questions clients have about soils, soil testing and SWEP.

In addition to this, we regularly send out Agent Updates that cover current and important topics. Some examples of Agent Updates are:

• Aluminium & Heavy Metals
• Agent Support CD
• Aussie soils
• Australian & proud of it
• Desirable Levels
• Express Post Kits
• Field Day Support
• Nematode Test
• New Complete test
• Queries to SWEP
• Soil Silicate
• Soil test Options
• SWEP Lime Calculator
• SWEP Fertiliser Selector
• Sampling method
• Total Phosphorus and Available Silicate
• Using Bio-active materials
• Virtual Lab Tour
• Web Links

Web CD4. Training & professional development

Each year SWEP holds a National Agent's Conference that focuses on making the most of what we have to offer and learning about new developments, research outcomes and so on. The proceedings are published and distributed to all Agents (whether or not they were able to attend the Conference).

The 2004 conference was also recorded for production of a DVD series. The first in this series - The Mikhail System - will be available shortly.

An Agent Support CD-ROM is also available to agents that includes a complete set of Agent Updates, report examples and other information documents.

5. Case Studies & Field Reports

SWEP is continually on the lookout for examples of field results that can be presented in support of our principles and recommendations. These are distributed to all Agents as they become available.