Building an Effective Sales Training Strategy with Learn-tech
The success of an organization, to a great extent, hinges on the effectiveness of its sales team. The stronger the sales performance, the more visibility the company gains. Result? Increased business opportunities, growth, and loyal customers.
However, a surprising statistic reveals that 80% of sales are driven by just 8% of salespeople. Now, what makes this 8% so successful?
Sure, it could be natural talent or the ideal sales persona. But more often than not, the answer lies in their mastery of product knowledge, deep understanding of customer needs, and ability to connect the two. And sales training is the conduit that makes this happen.
However, sales training too often is focused on theory, leaving sales teams without the hands-on experience they need. What they really benefit from is practical, real-world application of their skills.
That’s where robust learn tech like Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) comes in to bridge this gap, providing sales folks with opportunities to practice and refine their techniques, while also giving their managers the ability to monitor their progress and performance.
In this article, I talk about how learn tech helps build an effective sales training strategy. We will also explore some of the best tech solutions available today for your team.
Role of Learn Tech in Sales Training
Did you know, once a sales person joins, it takes anywhere between three to nine months for them to get up to speed and set to sell? Of course, they aren’t productive from the minute they join the team.
That’s only one of the many other challenges that sales managers face. From struggling reps and ever-rising revenue targets to the constant adjustment to virtual selling, they have a lot on their plate.
Learn tech like LMS and LXP offers a solution by delivering personalized training to reps while monitoring their development in real time. Instead of limiting learning to occasional in-person sessions, tech transforms training into a continuous journey.
It also makes sales training more accessible, allowing it to take place anytime and from anywhere. This flexibility opens up more opportunities for organizations to take their performance up several notches and achieve greater success.
Also, what makes sales teams particularly well-suited for leveraging learn tech is the wealth of data they already collect. By tracking the right metrics, sales departments can seamlessly integrate tech-driven training into a winning L&D strategy.
But, remember, the key lies in having the right learn tech and tools to elevate your sales training efforts.
What Your Sales Training Learn Tech Platform Needs to Have
Once you have identified the challenges you aim to address with learn tech, the next step is finding a solution that aligns with both your budget and current tech infrastructure.
When evaluating a learn tech platform for sales training, here are some essential factors to keep in mind:
1.???? Mobile First for On-The-Go-Learning
Sales reps are busier than ever, juggling tasks like cold calls, client meetings, customer research, relationship management, and training—all in a limited amount of time.
To ensure that training enhances productivity instead of disrupting it, it needs to be easily accessible and convenient, especially for reps on the move. That means making learning available both online and offline. An LMS/LXP with mobile compatibility, or better yet, dedicated native apps for iOS and Android, enables sales teams to learn anytime, anywhere. Whether it’s during a commute or between meetings, reps can access valuable resources, best practices, and training content on the go.
It also helps to pick a platform that offers a rich content marketplace with bite-sized, ready-made diverse learning material that allows salespeople to fit learning into their busy schedules, helping them improve their skills at their own pace, wherever they are.
2.???? Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Personalized Learning
AI-powered capabilities can significantly streamline the process of managing sales training within a learn-tech platform. With AI, organizations can reduce the manual effort involved in searching for and assigning courses, while also providing a more personalized learning experience for sales teams.
For instance, AI can help salespeople discover relevant courses, summarize previously completed training, or receive tailored recommendations for further development. Sales managers can also leverage AI to monitor team progress at a glance, get suggestions for follow-up training, or automate course assignments.
3.???? Realistic Training with Sales Simulations
Another key element of effective sales training is providing realistic practice opportunities. Sales teams often struggle with training methods that don’t quite capture the complexities of real-world selling situations. Learn tech platforms with AI-powered sales simulators bridge this gap by offering interactive, hands-on experiences that mirror the challenges reps will face in the field.
These simulators allow reps to practice their pitches in a safe, controlled environment that replicates the high-pressure dynamics of real sales scenarios. With instant feedback on critical performance aspects—such as tone, pitch, and technique—reps can quickly identify areas for improvement and fine-tune their skills.
This immersive, real-time practice not only sharpens selling techniques but also builds confidence that enables sales teams to approach client interactions with more assurance and precision. By preparing reps for real-world challenges, simulations turn training into a powerful sales training tool.
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5.???? Role Play Assessment
For sales teams, mastering the art of pitching requires more than just understanding the theory. It’s also about practicing in realistic situations. Learn tech platforms armed with role play assessments offer a great way for sales folks to simulate real-world interactions by allowing them to sharpen their skills in a practical setting.
These assessments provide structured practice sessions where salespeople can rehearse their pitches, receive actionable feedback, and work on improving their technique. Through regular role play exercises, reps gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses that can go a long way in helping them fine-tune their approach.
Not only do these sessions build individual confidence, but they also enhance adaptability by exposing teams to different types of client interactions and objections. The collaborative nature of role play assessments leads to teamwork and peer-to-peer learning.
6.???? Enhanced Engagement with Gamification
Sales is inherently competitive, and it’s often this drive for success that attracts people to the profession. To tap into this motivation, gamifying sales training can be an effective strategy.
By incorporating elements like leaderboards, points, badges, and rewards, sales training can become an engaging and interactive experience. These gamified features in learn tech platforms encourage team members to push themselves to complete courses, perform better in assessments, and continuously improve their skills. Each achievement unlocks new challenges, adding a layer of excitement and incentive.
When the training content is relevant and well-structured, this competitive approach leads to a sharper, more knowledgeable sales team—and ultimately, better results for the organization. Gamification keeps learning fun while fuelling a healthy sense of competition that drives engagement plus skill development.
7.???? Blended Learning
Given that sales training is about creating dynamic learning experiences that truly engage your team, a standout learn-tech platform should seamlessly integrate blended learning, featuring live training sessions like Instructor-Led Training (ILT) and Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT). These allow sales reps to connect with instructors and collaborate with peers, in turn, sparking meaningful conversations that enrich their understanding of complex topics.
By combining these interactive elements with on-demand digital content, your sales team can enjoy a learning journey that caters to various styles and needs. This flexibility not only boosts knowledge retention but also leads to a sense of camaraderie among team members.
Not only do these sessions build individual confidence, but they also enhance adaptability by exposing teams to different types of client interactions and objections. The collaborative nature of role play assessments leads to teamwork and peer-to-peer learning.
8.???? Actionable Reports and Analytics
In the competitive landscape of sales, grasping performance metrics is essential for improvement. Many standard training platforms fall short in providing the detailed analytics necessary to assess and elevate both individual and team performance.
Learn tech platforms with advanced reporting tools can offer comprehensive insights into each sales representative’s performance, pinpointing their strengths and highlighting areas that need development. These data-driven insights empower managers to recognize patterns and trends, enabling them to make informed decisions about their training priorities.
On the other hand, by using detailed feedback, sales reps can continuously enhance their skills, resulting in increased effectiveness and improved closure rates.
Wrapping Up
While training sales teams comes with its share of obstacles, leveraging learn tech can turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Platforms like Enthral come with all of the powerful features we have explored above that can enhance sales training for effective learning.
With Enthral, you can streamline your sales training process, improve your team’s skills, and boost their overall performance.
Reach out to me and together we can explore how Enthral can transform your sales team’s learning journey.
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