We’re always looking for ways to make sales training easier for business owners to access.
We find that lots of our potential clients are looking for convenient, modern ways to transform sales success. They know sales training works, but they don’t want to go through the old fashioned process of sending their teams to various locations to receive it. The answer to all these problems is virtual training.
What are virtual training platforms?
Virtual training platforms are online/digital learning environments which harness the benefits of technology to manage training for businesses and corporations. They are sometimes referred to as learning management systems because that effectively is what they are: a hub for all aspects of a training journey.
Especially popular with sales training providers, these virtual platforms often use video conferencing technology to allow users to attend and teach classes. They can also be used to host and attend meetings, create learning-based quizzes and games, and many even employ AI technology to personalise learning paths.
Types of virtual training for employees
Virtual training for employees has two forms which are most effective. The first method is virtual instructor-led training (VILT), an extension and improvement on standard instructor-led training which incorporates online affordances to enhance engagement and effectiveness. If done correctly (read more on how to run an effective VILT session), this method allows a trainer to develop and deliver a lesson with the same advantages of face to face learning, from the comfort of their own desk.
An interactive, flexible, and engaging training method, VILT is accessible to all members of your team and a highly effective sales training method.
Another highly effective type of virtual training (VR) is virtual reality training. A new but innovative method, primarily for sales training, VR training creates an immersive environment to facilitate a completely life-like learning experience.
This method allows your team to learn through experience, without interacting with real customers. As this method is largely used for sales training, reps gain practice in real-world scenarios, receiving instant and personalised feedback for the most effective learning.
How does virtual training work for sales teams?
Virtual training for sales teams is a flexible and cost effective method for targeted growth and improvement. Most virtual programs will begin by establishing your sales process, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses, and creating a training plan which targets your points for improvement.
Using this plan, the next step is to implement a variety of virtual training methods revolving around your team’s specific needs. This might include:
- Setting up virtual reality sessions;
- Virtual instructor-led training;
- Webinars; or
- Virtual workshops.
One goal of virtual training is to provide variety to keep training entertaining and engaging, but also because different lessons need to be delivered through different methods. To encourage knowledge retention as a result of learning, virtual training often implements gamification to reinforce and embed information.
What is included in virtual training environments?
Virtual training environments are usually software or programs which include a variety of features. The primary features are video conferencing services with the ability to form breakout rooms and other interactive modes.
These programs will also have assessment tools to help trainers track progress, but also to help trainees understand where they are up to. Assessment tools also help with information retention, acting as a gamification technique.
On top of this, virtual training environments contain video players, for video-delivered learning, module descriptions, document hubs and much more. Most environments are flexible too, so whatever you need, they can contain. They also include the ability to curate your environment, so often you will be able to work alongside a sales training provider to design the most appropriate layout for your team and its priorities.
The pros and cons of virtual training platforms
Virtual training platforms are generally a very effective hub for employee training and growth, but as well as the positives, there are a few potential pitfalls to consider:
Pros:
- Flexible - Virtual training is flexible and convenient to take part in. Many aspects do not have to take place at certain times, and those which do are easily accessible, with no travel restrictions. Offering training which fits around the schedules of your employees will also increase engagement with the programs.
- Cost effective - Eliminating travel costs, and minimising time spent travelling to and from in person training sites is what makes virtual training platforms so cost effective.
- Personalisation - Virtual training platforms can be used to create personalised learning plans. Often through AI, these programs can determine your employees individual strengths and weaknesses and cater to this through personalised training.
- Self-teaching and learning - Empowering your employees to teach themselves at times has a positive impact on engagement and employee satisfaction. Obviously not every aspect of virtual training is self-driven, but there is a healthy balance between VILT and self led training.
Cons:
- Technical limitations - Whilst virtual training platforms are very advanced and subject to few technical problems, like with everything, there are always going to be some issues. Even if it’s just internet or computer related issues, it could have an impact on training.
- Isolation - Some argue that virtual training can be isolating. They feel that learners won’t have the same level of interaction with others as they may do with in person learning. We think that this all depends on the quality of the training though. A good sales training provider knows how to make the training interactive enough, and encourages participants to work together on certain tasks.
Which industries benefit from virtual training?
There are lots of industries that benefit from virtual training. Three big ones are military and law enforcement, sales, and healthcare.
Within the military law enforcement and healthcare industries, virtual training can take a very active role, facilitating scenario-based training where trainees can follow certain orders or instructions, and practice carrying out procedures.
In sales, virtual training takes the form of practising interpersonal relationship skills and using communication skills to effectively navigate difficult situations and conversations.
How to determine what your business needs from virtual training platforms
To determine what your business needs from virtual training platforms, we recommend doing lots of research and reading around different training providers. Make sure you develop an understanding of all the different types of training, and how they can help your business and your industry specifically.
Also, we would recommend conducting internal meetings to decide just what you feel the desired outcomes of a training plan would be for your organisation. If you want to find out more about virtual training from a world class sales training provider, contact Mentor Group today.
If you want to learn more about how Mentor Group can help your business adopt a revenue-centric strategy, and transform the revenue potential of your organisation in the process, visit our Contact Us Page or reach out directly to info@mentorgroup.com
