Thought Leader Series: Get your team ready to improve sales and returns

Lorena Brockman is a blogger for JennsBlahBlahBlog.com and has notable know-how in blogging, sales, marketing, and has been deemed "Greatest Auntie Ever" by many. To learn more about Lorena, visit her company's blog at JennsBlahBlahBlog.com.

Every industry changes over time, and it's important to keep up to date with all the changes. Sales and return customers can easily dwindle if you and your sales team aren't on top of the game. But there are some training opportunities to increase your sales and compete on a high level.

Just about every market is extremely competitive and developing customer relationships is of the highest importance. Hiring new sales reps can hinder a customer relationship and possibly damage it permanently. But don't lose hope! There are a number of ways to get some training for your novice, and senior, sales reps to ensure their returns are increased.

E-learning

E-learning can be an incredibly convenient and helpful way for sales professionals to grow their skills. 

There are many online-based training opportunities for sales representatives of all industries; some even offer accredited training or certifications.

HubSpot offers an online Inbound Sales Certification program for sales professionals from all backgrounds, from managers and seasoned veterans to beginners.

In-house training

Developing a training program for your sales employees that is executed within your business's office has its advantages. The training is usually done at a central location or the company's headquarters. A large group of sales members gather and are immersed in the training, which is usually executed by sales specialists. Some of the topics that are focused on include product, company, and market knowledge as well as non-selling activities like customer service best practices.

Outside training

Many companies opt for outside training with specialists not affiliated with the company. The specialists chosen for this type of training are usually more specialized and focus on particular parts of the industry or the company itself. An outside look at a company's sales and marketing strategy can offer unbiased criticism to improve.

Conferences

Conferences are held all over the country, take place yearly, and are numerous. Some of the top sales-related conferences for 2016 include:

• 360° of Brand Strategy for a Changing World - May 2-4 - San Diego, California
• Sales Innovation Expo 2016 - May 11-12 - London, UK
• 2016 General Merchandise Marketing Conference - June 10-14 - Orlando, Florida
• Dreamforce '16 - October 4-7 - San Francisco, California
• INBOUND 2016 - November 8-11 - Boston, Massachusetts

These conferences provide opportunities to improve an employee's knowledge of sales trends, digital marketing, brand strategy, and more. Of course, there are highly notable professionals in attendance as well. Conferences provide the an opportunity to meet and make great business connections and to learn more about the changing sales and marketing industry.

Conferences offer great opportunities to build business relationships. 

Every industry is ever-changing, and having available education and enhancement opportunities is crucial to keeping your company's sales on the upswing.

If you are interested in learning more about aligning your sales processes with your marketing plan, check out another one of our blog articles, "The sales funnel + inbound marketing strategy: The next dynamic duo."

Want to find better ways to measure your results and prove your return on investment for your marketing strategies? Get your free copy of our eGuide: The six marketing metrics your boss actually cares about.

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