Who buys sales training?

I haven't worked with anyone yet who has gone out and paid for sales training. Realistically, who buys sales training?

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Originally Posted by Thomas

I haven't worked with anyone yet who has gone out and paid for sales training. Realistically, who buys sales training?

Companies and organizations are the dominant buyers of sales training.

Many companies outsource their sales training for their own employees. Some companies outsource the training that they provide for their reseller customers and distribution channel personnel. Many membership organizations and trade associations pay for, or share the cost of, seminar training for their members as a benefit of membership.

Surprisingly, individuals make up only a small part of the market for training. Most salespeople are simply not interested in investing in their career, out-of-pocket. One reason might be that many who enter sales do not see themselves as staying in it. I am sure there are many reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas

I haven't worked with anyone yet who has gone out and paid for sales training. Realistically, who buys sales training?

I would buy it, if it were in my budget. I get most of my training in the field (ouch), bookstore, library, and on this forum--which I have found to be as helpful--if not more--as any of the previous. The immediate feedback on your specific need is wonderful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas

I haven't worked with anyone yet who has gone out and paid for sales training. Realistically, who buys sales training?

Most everyone I've known who went through sales training did so at their employer's expense.

I am an individual financial advisor, and I have paid for sales training out of my own pocket. Why?

Well, in my industry there is roughly a 5% chance of a new advisor still being in the business after 3 years. And even of those 5%, not all of them are at a level of success that I would be happy with. So, maybe 1-2% of the people that the companies train are at the point where I would consider myself a success. So, I invested my own money in my career instead of playing those odds.

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Originally Posted by Derek

I am an individual financial advisor, and I have paid for sales training out of my own pocket.

What sales training program did you attend? Was it general or industry specific?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek

I am an individual financial advisor, and I have paid for sales training out of my own pocket. Why?

Well, in my industry there is roughly a 5% chance of a new advisor still being in the business after 3 years. And even of those 5%, not all of them are at a level of success that I would be happy with. So, maybe 1-2% of the people that the companies train are at the point where I would consider myself a success. So, I invested my own money in my career instead of playing those odds.

A very smart business decision on your part, Derek. Regardless of the venue of training you choose, there is an enormous residual benefit. You expose yourself to others who are serious enough about their career to invest in it beyond reading a book.

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Originally Posted by Gary Boye

One reason might be that many who enter sales do not see themselves as staying in it. I am sure there are many reasons.

Cost probably has a lot to do with it too.

I don't think sales training companies typically target individuals. If they do, and it's true that most individuals go the route of books, what does that say about those sales training companies sales and marketing skills?

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Originally Posted by AZBroker

What sales training program did you attend? Was it general or industry specific?

The sales training course I took is called High Probability Selling (www.highprobsell.com). And actually, I am still taking it. I am 1/2 way through the 12 week course.

It is a general sales training course, but the owner of the company (Jacques Werth, I have seen a few posts from him on this forum in the past) told me that the 2 industries that use his program most often are financial services and real estate.

I like the course a lot so far. They provide a lot of statistics and studies to back up what they are telling you. As an analytical, I really appreciate that kind of data.

Ask me in the spring and I will tell you about my specific results. But so far, my short term successes are good.

Who buys sales training?

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