A 15-Minute Staff Training on Wooden Boards

New sales staff rarely know why one board costs three times more than another. This briefing takes 15 minutes and needs three boards from your shelf: one edge-grain, one end-grain and one in a different wood.

Minutes 1–3: the wood

• Oak: dense and hard, with a strong grain and a warm colour
• Ash: similar in hardness, lighter in colour, with a lively grain
• Both are European hardwoods suited to daily cutting

Let everyone handle both.

Minutes 4–6: the construction

• Edge-grain: the fibres run along the surface. Lighter and less expensive.
• End-grain: the fibres stand upright. The knife slides between them, so the board shows fewer marks and is gentler on blades. It is thicker, heavier and takes more work to make.

Show the checkerboard pattern of the end-grain board.

Minutes 7–9: the care

1. No dishwasher.
2. Wash by hand, do not soak.
3. Dry standing up, away from heat.
4. Oil about once a month.

Minutes 10–13: five customer questions

• “Can it go in the dishwasher?” No. Hand wash only, and it lasts for years.
• “Is wood hygienic?” Yes, when it is washed and dried properly.
• “Why is it more expensive than bamboo or plastic?” Solid hardwood, more handwork, a much longer life, and it is kinder to knives.
• “Will it crack or warp?” Not with normal care. Water and heat are what damage it.
• “Which size do I need?” Ask what they cut and how big their sink is.

Minutes 14–15: practice
Each person presents one board to a colleague in 30 seconds: wood, construction, one benefit, one care tip.

After the training
Put the four care rules and the five answers on a card by the till. Repeat the session whenever a new product arrives.