Nandakumar Chari
JULY 14, 2023
As the landscape of sales continues to evolve and adapt to the demands of a globalized marketplace, organizations are increasingly relying on distributed sales teams to drive growth and expand their reach. However, managing and training these geographically dispersed sales teams can pose significant challenges. That’s where sales training platforms come into play. These powerful tools are designed to empower sales professionals with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to excel in their roles, regardless of their location. In this blog, we will explore the best sales training platforms specifically tailored for distributed sales teams. Whether you’re a sales manager looking to enhance the effectiveness of your remote team or a sales representative seeking to upskill and stay ahead of the competition, this guide will provide valuable insights and recommendations to help you make an informed decision.
What are the challenges with a distributed sales team?
Distributed sales teams have many advantages. They can reach a wider customer base, be more agile, and save on costs. However, they also face a few challenges, including:
- Lack of face-to-face interaction: Distributed sales reps often lack the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with their managers and peers. This can make it difficult to build relationships and learn from each other.
- Difficulties in tracking progress: It can be difficult to track the progress of distributed sales reps, as they are not always in the office. This can make it difficult to identify areas where they need additional training.
- Cost of training: The cost of training distributed sales teams can be high, as it requires travel and accommodation for trainers.
- Perceived loyalty: Most distributed sales teams are “partner” driven like dealers, distributors, and channel partners who have their business priorities which may not be fully aligned with the brand.
The sales training software can help distributed sales teams overcome these challenges. The right sales training software can provide distributed sales reps with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful, while also making it easier for managers to track their progress and provide feedback.
Why do you need to invest in Sales Training Software?
A study by Aberdeen Group found that companies that use sales training software see a 25% increase in sales productivity. The study also found that companies that use sales training software have a 17% higher win rate than those that do not.
Another study by Forrester Research found that companies that use sales training software see a 12% increase in sales revenue. The study also found that companies that use sales training software have a 10% higher customer satisfaction rate than those that do not.
These studies show that sales training software can have a significant impact on a company’s sales performance.
Key features to look for in a sales training platform for distributed sales teams
When choosing sales training software for distributed sales teams, there are a number of key features to look for, including:
- Personalization: The platform should be able to personalize the training experience for each learner. For example, this can be done by tracking learner progress, interests, and skill level.
- Just-in-time learning: The platform should provide access to content on-demand. Importantly, this will help learners stay up to date on the latest information and best practices.
- Engaging Microlearning content: Microlearning is a type of learning that delivers small, bite-sized pieces of content that can be consumed quickly and easily. This makes it ideal for distributed sales teams, who may not have a lot of time to sit down for traditional training sessions. Additionally, deliver microlearning through a variety of channels, including video, audio, text, and interactive content. Hence, this will help keep learners motivated to learn.
- Ease of use: The platform should be easy to use for both learners and administrators. For instance, you should be able to create content and assessments using templates and regenerative AI or create and run automated programs for knowledge checks and gamification.
- Gamification: Gamification is the use of game-like elements in non-game contexts. This can be an exciting way to make sales training more engaging and interactive. Create leaderboards, challenges, and rewards. Which in turn, can help motivate sales reps to learn and improve. Therefore, you can improve the loyalty and engagement of the distributed learners.
- Reporting and analytics: The platform should provide reporting and analytics tools. Above all, this will help managers track the progress of their sales team and identify areas where they need additional coaching. Additionally, these insights should be available to the sales users to drive self-improvement.
Preview of the best sales training platforms for distributed sales teams
There are many sales training software platforms on the market that are designed for distributed sales teams. Some of the most popular options include:
Streamz.ai
Streamz.ai is a cloud-based sales training platform that uses artificial intelligence to personalize and optimize sales training programs. It is a mobile-first sales enablement platform that helps businesses train, empower, and enable their sales teams. The platform uses gamification, behavioural science, and instructional design to create a fun and engaging experience for sales reps. This, in turn, provides businesses with data-driven insights into their sales performance. Onboard new reps, train existing reps on new products or features and provide ongoing support and motivation using the Streamz platform. Scale as your business needs. Access the cloud-based platform from anywhere, on any device. This makes it ideal for businesses with distributed sales teams. Streamz.ai offers a variety of features that can help businesses improve their sales performance, including:
- Gamification: Streamz.ai uses gamification to create a fun and engaging experience for sales reps. The platform allows extensive gamification programs, with leaderboards, badges, and points. This helps to keep reps motivated and engaged, which can lead to improved sales performance.
- AI-based Nudges: Streamz.ai uses behavioural science to understand how reps learn and what motivates them. The platform drives the completion of the activities and learning modules through a series of automated nudges.
- Microlearning: Author a microlearning experience that is effective and efficient using over twenty interactive microlearning templates. This enables the instructional designers to quickly create training.
- Automated Knowledge Checks: The platform enables the creation of knowledge check programs from a “skills-selected “question bank. These assessments are further personalized for each learner based on their previous learning history, skill scores etc.
- Data-driven insights: Streamz.ai provides businesses with data-driven insights into their sales performance. Correlate sales and Skill gaps to identify areas where sales reps need additional training or support.
- Scalability: Streamz.ai is a cloud-based platform that can be scaled to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. This makes it ideal for businesses with distributed sales teams.
- Accessibility: Streamz.ai is a mobile-first platform that can be accessed from anywhere, on any device. This makes it valuable for distributed sales teams to learn on the go.
Mindtickle
Mindtickle is a cloud-based sales training platform that uses video to provide personalized feedback and coaching to sales reps. The platform offers a variety of features that can help you improve your sales team’s performance, including video capture, video analysis, and video feedback.
Key Features:
- Content management: Mindtickle enables a centralized hub to store, manage, and access training and sales content from anywhere.
- Conversation Intelligence: Tap into sales conversations to understand winning behaviours and coach reps.
- Readiness Index: Define who your ideal sales rep is, and tie skills to business success by setting benchmarks.
- Analytics and dashboards: Correlate rep performance and measure skill levels against CRM data.
- Individualized coaching: Enable managers to coach their sales team effectively with data-driven insights.
Allego
Allego is a cloud-based sales training platform that uses interactive content to engage and motivate sales reps. The platform offers a variety of features that can help you create engaging and effective training programs, including interactive content, gamification, and social learning.
Key features:
- Content management: Empower reps with contextual content engagement tools for the modern buyer anywhere.
- Conversation Intelligence: Capture all conversations and analyze improvement areas
- Modern Learning: Build customized learning paths, Ai based Microlearning to onboard and train sellers
- Launch New Products: Roll out new products, processes, and messaging with engaging learning that drives results.
- Sales Enablement Analytics: Get a 360 Degree view into performance by scoring sales competencies.
Lessonly
Lessonly is a cloud-based sales training platform that uses a variety of content formats to create engaging and effective training programs. The platform offers a variety of features that can help you create engaging and effective training programs, including video, audio, text, and images.
Key features:
Content authoring: Easily create interactive sales courses and simulate real-life scenarios with role-plays and video recordings.
Content management: Enable sellers to find, personalize, and share memorable content with prospects or customers in a matter of seconds.
Coaching: Exceed goals with data-driven sales coaching plans, highlighting knowledge gaps to focus on in the future.
Integrations and APIs: Integrates with Salesforce, Slack, and dozens of other tools.
Enablement Intelligence: Create repeatable performance and revenue growth with data-based insights for better training, engagement, and content.
Conclusion
Sales training software (or sales readiness software) is essential for any business that wants to close more deals and grow its revenue. The right sales training software can help you create more engaging and effective training programs. Most importantly, this will help your sales team improve their skills and knowledge which in turn will drive better revenue and closing rates.
If you are looking for a sales training software platform for distributed sales teams, do consider the options we have discussed in this blog post.
