Retail Sales Online Training Pitfalls You Should Avoid
Everyone’s allowed to make mistakes. But there are some that cost you more dearly than others. Namely, L&D errors that lead to online training resource misallocation, high employee turnover, and low customer service scores. Is there a way to avoid these slip-ups so that you can broaden your profit margin and retain top talent? Knowing all the risks involved is the first step of the sales online training process. It enables you to avoid common pitfalls and create backup plans that minimize the damage already done. Below are 7 retail sales online training mistakes that take a bite out of your budget and tips to stretch available online training resources. I also share some pointers to reuse existing assets, invite employee contributions, and outsource online training tasks to improve ROI.
1. Not Personalizing JIT Resources
Employees need custom-tailored online training that puts them in control of their personal growth. Targeted JIT resources that address their moment of need so that they can bridge gaps immediately. In fact, the lack of personalization can cost you top talent and lead to compliance breaches. It’s not that employees are trying to break the rules or prove a point. They simply don’t know how to apply policies in the real world or overcome common challenges. For this reason, it’s crucial to survey their preferences and pre-assess your sales team to customize the JIT repository.
2. No Built-In eLearning Feedback
You expect employees to participate in retail sales online training activities but don’t provide any direction. Every online training resource should have built-in eLearning feedback to help them disclose hidden areas for improvement. Then seek out online training tools that help them continually improve and broaden their skill set. You can even incorporate peer-based eLearning feedback in the form of social media groups or online discussions. Co-workers share their experiences and ask for guidance. Or simply read others’ comments to evaluate new approaches. For instance, another member of the sales team handled the simulation differently and achieved a better outcome.
3. Lack Of Practical Application
Retail sales online training should focus on practicality. How can employees apply their skills and knowledge in the workplace? How do the policies relate to their job duties? Is there a way to put everything into context so that they understand the repercussions of their actions and behaviors? You can’t simply hand them a manual and hope for the best. Effective online training requires interactive online training resources that expose them to realistic challenges and customer personas. Such as simulations, branching scenarios, and demo videos that highlight the perfect pitch or teach them how to handle stressful situations. Show them how those company policies and compliance regulations tie into their work responsibilities so that they avoid potential risks.
4. Prioritizing Sales Techniques Over Skills
Of course, retail sales online training must involve techniques and tricks to help them land more sales. However, that should not be the primary goal. Cultivating skills and talents must be the top priority because they serve as the building blocks. Product knowledge will only get them so far. Your employees need to engage with customers, identify their expectations, and follow-up to build a rapport. These are the vital steps of the sales process that require core competencies.
5. Overlooking Customer Experience
Every customer who calls into your organization walks into a store, or schedules a meeting expects something different from you. Sure, the end game is to purchase products/services at the best price. But they’re looking for a superior customer experience that’s targeted to their needs and buying behaviors. As such, retail sales staffers must know the ins and outs of CX and how to deliver the total package. A negative experience reduces repeat business and customer loyalty, which has a direct impact on your profit margin.
6. Not Using In-House Talent
Your organization probably has a shortlist of top performers you know you can count on. These are the sales employees who meet their goals and always lend a hand. But every member of your organization has something to offer. Use in-house talent to expand your online training library and reduce L&D spending. For example, assess the team to identify undisclosed strengths and talents. Then invite them to develop online training resources based on their areas of expertise. It might be a task they complete in record time without making any mistakes. Or a skill that makes them the top customer satisfaction scorer. Give them some guidelines so they know what’s expected and which online training resources they can use to facilitate knowledge sharing.
7. Forgetting About Existing Assets
Most organizations have an asset library where they store outdated content or design elements that didn’t make the cut. Draw on these online training resources to stretch your budget and enrich your current retail sales online training program. Tag your assets to make the process easier and less time-consuming. You should also make this repository available to outsourcing partners. Give them free reign of your library so that they can repurpose tools and get a feel for your brand identity. Their experienced team may be able to see hidden gems that you overlooked to improve online training resource allocation.
The thing about retail sales online training mistakes is that many are easily corrected. As long as you remain vigilant and conduct periodic Training Needs Analysis to spot the gaps. Give employees the opportunity to provide eLearning feedback to enhance personalization. Then invite in-house contributors to populate the online training library with their niche expertise. You should also do a clean sweep of your asset repository from time to time to declutter and look for reusable content.
As a general rule, your sales team should be well-rounded. Is a new sales online training course worth the investment? Download the eBook Skyrocket Sales On A Global Scale: How To Launch A Successful Sales Online Training Program In Your Organization and get to know how to launch, enhance and retain successful programs in your organization.