I have gathered here four typical mistakes that I encounter when organising sales training. Of course, more are possible, but these appear most frequently.
Mistake 1 - Variety of methods
Different instructors bring a variety of techniques - one may prefer an approach from Australia, another draws knowledge from a well-known US vendor and another may draw on strategies from global corporations. Each brings his or her own experience to the training, often promoting different solutions to the same issue.
The problem arises when companies cannot justify why they have decided on a particular sales methodology. While the methods may seem similar, it is important to get it right for the specific business. A coach who is familiar with several methods and can adapt them to the needs of the organisation is an excellent choice.
Mistake 2 - Selection of 'attractive' training courses
Choosing 'off-the-shelf' training, while quick and easy, may not always meet the needs of the team or the specifics of the industry. Rather than being driven by readiness of delivery, it is worth conducting a thorough analysis of development needs. Consider consulting with an experienced trainer who can help determine what training will be most effective in solving the company's problems.
Mistake 3 - No training objectives
The most common problem encountered is the lack of a clearly defined training objective. Training should have a clearly defined business objective, such as increasing the number of new customers or improving the ancillary sales rate. A clear objective allows the selection of appropriate methods and tools, as well as the evaluation of training effectiveness.
Mistake 4 - Training as a 'gift'
Often companies offer sales training as a form of support for salespeople, but they are not always interested in participating. For adults, the perception of purpose and need to learn is crucial - without this, motivation to absorb new knowledge is low. It is more effective to involve the team in the process of identifying areas for development, which increases the commitment and effectiveness of training.
To sum up:
It will not always be perfect and not everything can always be planned for, the most important thing is that you know the purpose of your actions and the benefit that the action you are embarking on will bring you.
Regards,
Jakub Wolert