A strong sales team is essential for any company to generate new growth to reach the next level. A sales team is only as effective as its sales training, and microlearning for sales training has become the best practice for targeting sales skills.
Microlearning is a focused and skill-based approach to learning that delivers small learning units. Each short, succinct microlearning module deals with a single learning objective, giving learners clear direction and performance goals. Here are five ways to use microlearning for sales training.
- Focus your learning tracks
When planning microlearning for sales training, it is important to remember that your sales team is made up of individuals. Each individual may differ in abilities and experience and need to be able to slow down or speed up as necessary.
By focusing your microlearning tracks for sales training, you can pinpoint each specific skill or knowledge set, assess as needed, and allow your learners to move on at their own pace.
- Explainer videos
You don’t know what you don’t know, and it’s the same with your learners. When your learners make a mistake during sales training, it’s important that they know how and why without having to retake an entire module. Explainer videos are strategically placed to help your learners when needed, making it more likely for them to retain the information.
- Branching scenarios
Branching scenarios are a scenario-based learning method which allows learners to put themselves in real sales situations. During microlearning for sales training, trainees are given a very specific scenario. From there, learners choose which scenario would be best.
The thing about real life is that there is not always a right or wrong answer, or the wrong answer may not be obvious right away. With branching scenarios, learners can see the overall effects of their choices. This offers trainees to learn in a safe environment, free from consequences of their actions or from affecting the bottom line.
- On-demand access
Time is valuable to both you and your learners. Not just what, but when, to plan can be challenging. For this reason, microlearning for sales training should be available on-demand. Having readily available access to learning will make your learners more willing to reach out for those resources when they need them.
Think about it: when was the last time someone came and asked for more training? Likely never. But if your employees can access training at any time, then they will be able to answer training questions or fill in lagging skills on their own.
- Zones of Proximal Development
The Zones of Proximal Development is a learning and development term developed by Leo Vygotsky. The Zone of Proximal Development is defined as the space between what a learner can do without assistance and what a learner can do with guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers. To put it in a nutshell: when using microlearning for sales training, challenge your learners.
Obviously, you don’t want to push your learners far beyond their capabilities; this leads to anxiety and burnout. Challenge, however, leads to growth. Challenging your learners also shows that you see potential in their ability to do more. Challenge your learners, within reason, and watch their confidence and capabilities climb.
The enormous growth of smartphones and the rise of millennials in the workplace make a perfect match with microlearning for sales training. If you’re looking for a versatile and effective tool for sales or for that matter, any training, microlearning is your solution. Want to know more about microlearning for sales training? Contact us today!
