6 Signs That Your Sales Online Training Design Needs A Makeover
Most of us have a favorite childhood movie that stirs up the nostalgia. But there are certain things that date the film and diminish the viewing experience as we get older. We can’t connect to the characters as well, or the plotline becomes unbelievable. Or maybe the star’s feathered bangs and neon leg warmers are just too distracting. The same can be said for your sales online training courses. Though your content may be leg warmer-free (hopefully), there are still elements that are out of touch. Here are 6 warning signs that your sales online training design is showing its age.
When To Update Your Sales Online Training Design
1. Employees Can’t Relate To Characters
Your sales online training characters are out of touch with modern employees. It’s not just their appearance (though that is a major roadblock). Trainees can’t connect with their motivations, how they speak, or the tasks they perform. In fact, the virtual employee in your simulation or tutorial only makes employees feel isolated from the experience. There’s no one they can relate to on a personal level. Conduct surveys of your team to identify personality traits and preferences, then use this as inspiration for your character design.
2. Demos Lead To On-The-Job Mistakes
You have plenty of demos that show employees how to perform tasks and avoid common errors. However, they no longer have a profound impact on your team. Maybe the processes are outdated, or you’ve added steps along the way to streamline the task. Whatever the case, you need to revise the video clips and tutorials to reflect today’s protocols and policies. It’s wise to use a template that’s easy to update based on procedural changes and new approaches. For example, you discover there’s a better way to process returns based on trial and error. You can quickly incorporate new info to help service staff on the job and speed up the process.
3. Low Employee Engagement
Another warning sign that your sales training course is on its last leg is low employee engagement and participation scores. They log in to the course because it’s mandatory, but then they mentally check out. It might take them twice as long to complete activities, or they receive low assessment scores. The solution is to include interactive and immersive resources that grab their attention…and hold it. Like simulations that thrust them into the middle of the action and build practical experience or branching scenarios that test their ability to make on-the-spot decisions and learn from mistakes. Let them know that the sales online training is intended for them (not employees who left the organization a decade ago).
4. Low Customer Satisfaction Scores
Customers walk into your shop or phone into the call center with certain expectations. They expect your sales employees to know the products and pitch them without being too pushy. Or that someone will help them solve a common problem and improve the functionality of the product. But outdated training doesn’t give your staffers the support they need to live up to customer expectations. Which leads to low satisfaction scores and a drop in repeat business. Customers don’t return to your company because the CX and service are lacking, and it all boils down to neglected online training design that needs some TLC.
5. Outdated Product Info Leads To A Drop In Sales
Online training resources are usually the only tool available to your employees when it comes to product knowledge. They rely on the fact that the content is up to date and that your organization frequently expands the sales training library. However, their sales figures will suffer if product info is limited or expired. For instance, the demo or feature checklist is from five years ago. The new version of the item has new functions and benefits, but employees still pitch the outdated information. Even if they do land the sale, customers aren’t getting what they paid for. The new product might not suit their needs, which leads to high return rates. If they do keep the item, the sales experience leaves a lasting negative impression. After all, the employee didn’t even know what the product was capable of, so the company must be out of touch.
6. Employees Stick With The Same Sales Techniques
Your sales team uses the same techniques time and again, even if they are less effective today. This is because they don’t have any other option. Your sales online training course is showing its age and doesn’t cater to personal preferences. Nor does it give your employees the support they need to hone skills and fill gaps. You must offer your sales staffers JIT tools to perfect their approach and continually expand their talents. They can’t stick with the same old sales techniques and expect different outcomes. That’s the definition of insanity, according to Albert Einstein. So, offer a good selection of training support tools that reflect new and improved techniques. And always be on the lookout for new processes you can pass on to your team to boost company profits.
Conclusion
These are just a few red flags that indicate your online training design needs a refresher. When in doubt, get input from your team to see if it’s time for an L&D overhaul. Does the content still align with their training requirements and preferences? Are there timely real-world examples and anecdotes to help them apply what they learn? Outdated training courses are not only a waste of time for employees; they’re also a waste of valuable company resources.
Find an eLearning content provider who can help you modernize your sales online training and connect with your staff. Use our online directory to choose a partner who understands your niche and provides a broad range of solutions.
Owiwi
Owiwi is a psychometric tool that measures soft skills through an engaging game. It reduces hiring stress for candidates, provides data-driven, bias-free insights, and speeds up the screening process with automated, standardized assessments.
