What are some effective ways to train your staff on new product features and benefits?

It’s important during training that your staff doesn’t just “know” the features and benefits but also how to effectively pitch the product without fumbling. This should be done with numerous practice sessions, preferably three sessions per associate to ensure that the training sticks. You want to be aware of key words being used as well throughout the associates pitch. Are they verbally demonstrating the product with words like “good” when they should be using words like “great, fantastic or wonderful.” Ultimately, the associates should perfect their pitch amongst their peers and receive feedback from their peers. What do their peers like about it and what do they wish would’ve been done differently.

Identifying learning objectives is essential for training staff on new product features. I find that making the training interactive and relatable helps. Imagine setting up a mock customer scenario where staff role-play both sides—this makes it tangible and fun. Additionally, gamifying the learning process with quizzes or small competitions can make retention easier. Incorporating real-life success stories of how the product benefits customers can also foster a deeper understanding. This approach not only engages the team but also reinforces the product's value in a memorable way.

In my experience my knowledge of the product features and benefits is vital to the training. Then how to pass it on based on the different personalities of the staff. Knowing when to use it and how. Be confident in the product .

What's a store manager's biggest mistake while training their staff on new products? - They train them from the company's rather than the customer's perspective. The learning objective primarily SHOULD NOT be that the staff knows and remembers all the features and benefits of the product. The objective should be that the staff clearly understands the problems and pains of the customer that the product can solve and then train them on how every feature and benefit works for them when they use it (real-life scenarios). This is the key to skyrocketing store conversion: talking about what customers want to hear rather than what the staff has to say.

Be sure to ask your vendor to help with the training. They have a vested interest in making sure you will be successful with their products or services. They can also give insight into common obstacles that other accounts have experienced. In addition, this also gives your team another resource to address follow up questions.

When training staff on new product features and benefits, think outside the box by using story-driven learning. Instead of standard training, create a narrative around the product. Imagine it as a character in a story, with its own unique journey and role. This makes the information memorable and engaging. You can use a mix of multimedia tools—videos, interactive quizzes, and live role-plays—to keep it dynamic. By weaving the product's benefits into a relatable story, you help your team connect emotionally and understand its value more deeply, making the learning experience both fun and effective.

When training staff on new product features, I find it incredibly effective to make the process interactive and hands-on. I start by creating immersive scenarios where they can use the product just as a customer would. This helps them understand real-world applications. I also love incorporating role-playing exercises where they can practice explaining the benefits to each other. This not only boosts their confidence but also makes the training fun and engaging. Lastly, I encourage sharing personal insights and experiences with the product. It fosters a collaborative learning environment and deepens their connection to the product.

I have found it useful to have preconversations with some team members to find out what they may see as challenges or concerns. This helps so you can anticipate possible push back or concerns. It keeps the training postive and productive as well. You can increase team interactions with random verbal quizzes with small prizes for correct answers. Suggested prizes - candy, pens, breath mints, etc. This keeps the training fun and encourages participation.

If a training session has to be meaningful and impactful for staff, I strongly recommend involving customers in the training process, too. Here's how I used to do it, and you can do it, too: - Based on the product the staff is being trained on, prepare a list of 5 powerful interview questions for the customer around the usage of the product. - Once any customer purchases that product, get the staff to interview that customer and ask those five questions. (interview at least 20 customers) - Ask the staff to record the answers in one-liner - Compile all the answers and find the commonalities - Use that data to train your staff on real-time insights instead of teaching them assumptions or general theories.

Whenever there is a new launched product, the brand trains their staff on the benefits & features. To build the trust and confidence on the product, the brand should provide their employees a sample to try. Once the staff tries the product by themself, the confidence on the product automatically grows. Make use of tools that helps to engage the customer while describing the products. Trainers must help the staff learn all the open ended questions that relates to the product. Most of the time, staff gets overcharged with the new launch & they start to sell the new launch to every customer. Its vital for a brand to educate the staff on the targeted audience for the product.

Training staff on new product features and benefits can be exciting! I love turning these sessions into engaging, hands-on experiences. I start with role-playing scenarios where team members present the product to each other, simulating real customer interactions. It's also fun to create a game or quiz that rewards product knowledge. I find that visual aids, like infographics or short videos, help too. Regularly touching base with quick refreshers and celebrating wins keeps everyone motivated and sharp. This way, training feels less like a chore and more like a dynamic part of our everyday routine.

I like to use 1:1 conversations to gain feedback on their biggest take away and address any questions or concerns. 1:1 time is a great way to get to know your team better to help them grow professionally.

When it comes to training, I believe in making it fun and personal. I find that creating a friendly competition, where staff earn badges or perks for mastering new features, can boost engagement. Celebrating their progress with shout-outs in team meetings or sharing their success stories in our internal newsletter keeps the momentum going. Recognizing individual and team achievements publicly not only motivates but also builds a supportive community. It’s all about creating an environment where learning feels rewarding and valued!

For training on new product features, I’ve found that gamifying the process can work wonders. Design interactive challenges where staff compete to create the most compelling sales pitch or role-play a customer scenario using the new features. This hands-on approach helps them internalize the information more effectively. Additionally, try hosting a “feature fair” where each team member presents a product feature as if they're pitching it to a client. It turns learning into a collaborative and engaging experience, making the training both fun and impactful.