Escape from frustration: finding the best whiteboard skills training
Chalkboard skills are today’s best-selling favorites. If you’re looking to improve your whiteboard selling skills, it pays to know what to avoid…and what to look for. Discover it here.
Whiteboard sales and interaction training is rarer than you might think. Here’s why: Lots of people promise skills, tools, and advice, if you buy their product. But not many people teach you practical skills to use with any whiteboard, flip chart, or interactive whiteboard.
If you’re looking for a training solution, here are 3 main pitfalls to avoid.
IN. Internal vendor seminars
While inside sellers understand the product lines and benefits, they are often unfamiliar with adult learning, whiteboarding skills, and interactive story selling. Relying on internal staff is a short-term tactic that often leads to inconsistent skill development.
b. Internal leadership seminars
“John in the Chicago office is a great whiteboard. Let’s have him teach a class on that.” Sounds like a great idea, right? Mistaken.
John may have natural talent. It is possible that he has been drawing, sketching and doodling cartoons since he was 6 years old. But he won’t necessarily understand how to deal with salespeople who can’t draw a straight line. He may or may not have training and experience in adult learning, step-by-step instruction, and positive coaching.
Organizations often look inward to cut costs and leverage team strengths. They are looking for a manager or leader who has natural talent. This person is a great role model. But keep this in mind: the naturally gifted leader may be the worst person to teach a seminar or workshop.
against Local community training
Community education is great for some topics, but few people are familiar with your business or your customers. Also, graphic designers are used to having the luxury of designing a message without a live audience. They don’t understand the nuances and pressures of the blackboard while the audience watches.
While prices at a community college or learning annex may be affordable, it’s rare to find expert facilitators certified in the critical skills of blackboard sales.
d. elite training only
Looking for a competitive advantage, some organizations make the decision to train only their elite salespeople. This is a dangerous and risky decision. This is why.
Customers and prospects seek out your entire sales force. They want and demand consistently high standards and quality. If only elite salespeople learn whiteboarding skills, what do their customers see? A mix of skills. This implies that you only care about C-level customers and the best elite employees.
If your customer is connecting the dots… this could also indicate that your company only cares about the best customers. If they are a small business, should they expect second or third rate treatment?
Do any of these options sound familiar? If so, you’ve just gone down some paths that aren’t very productive. But don’t give up. There are other powerful options for learning whiteboarding skills.
Here are some popular favorites:
1. Local bootcamps and seminars
Check your local offerings for whiteboard experts. You can find local seminars in your area. Tip: Find professional experts who are well-versed in visual language, sales, and whiteboard impact.
2. Custom whiteboard trainings
Enhance the skills of your team with personalized training. This is one of the fastest ways to address specific needs, design custom whiteboard templates, and set a powerful standard for team performance.
3. Self-study tools
Solo entrepreneur or running a small business? Don’t be discouraged. Get self-study tools and set up your own practice space. Working step by step, you’ll develop your own style, adapt techniques to your subject, and be up and running in record time.
4. one on one training
Whether you’re selling products, services, or solutions… one-on-one coaching is a fast way to do it. You’ll get targeted feedback, tailor advice to your unique selling needs, and get all the attention you deserve.
No matter what you choose… now you know what to avoid and what to do. With a few smart moves, she’ll escape the frustration and gain a powerful new ability to sell on the board.