How To Encourage Behavioral Change
Many employees already have a negative perception of online training thanks to past experiences. Which makes it even more challenging to enact change and challenge their assumptions. Before you can impart knowledge, you must open their minds. You must give them ways to evaluate their own performance and spot weaknesses discreetly. Instead of publicly shaming employees for their wrongdoings and making them lose face (and motivation). Here are 7 subtle and supportive ways to enforce positive behaviors in sales online training.
1. Use Simulations To Provide Subtle Feedback
Simulations are known for their experience-building benefits. Employees get to learn from mistakes, so they don’t repeat them on the job. However, sales online training simulations also facilitate feedback to enact positive change. It’s a more subtle way to point out areas for improvement and suggest follow-up support resources. As a result, trainees can see where they went wrong and how to address the problem on their own. For example, they must build their persuasion skills to seal more deals and improve customer service stats.
2. Launch Social Media Groups For Peer Support
Seeing things from a new POV might be enough to change employees’ minds and enforce positive behaviors in sales online training. Start a closed social media group wherein employees can share ideas, express opinions, and provide feedback. Members may even uncover performance issues they were unaware of thanks to co-worker insights. These social media groups are also ideal for quick tips on how to improve productivity and proficiency. As well as post microlearning resources that align with specific behaviors or habits.
3. Create Demo Videos To Set The Example
Sales online training requires the learn-by-doing approach. But sometimes performing tasks in the workplace is out of the question. For instance, you need to teach employees the right and wrong way to handle a customer complaint. That’s where video demos come into play. They set the example and prevent mistakes from happening in the first place. Trainees log into the retail LMS for a moment of need support. The video explains how to carry out the task step-by-step. As well as how to avoid the most common pitfalls. Then employees replicate what they’ve seen on the job to enhance their performance behaviors. Another approach is live demos with a Q&A at the end to facilitate positive change in real-time.
4. Challenge Assumptions With Self-Assessments
Self-assessments give employees control of their own diagnostics. They can take pop quizzes to determine what they need to work on and disclose emerging gaps. It allows them to challenge personal assumptions autonomously and determine if their pre-existing knowledge is correct. For example, they’ve always thought their sales technique was correct and followed company policy. However, a self-assessment highlights improvement areas and forces them to re-think their approach.
5. Emphasize Cause And Effect Using Branching Scenarios
As Newton aptly stated: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Branching scenarios give employees the chance to see how their behaviors and actions translate into real-world outcomes. Better still, it’s in a supportive environment where mistakes are part of the process. They’re able to try out different techniques to see where it leads them and if their current attitude requires an adjustment. As an example, they may not think their communication skills are lacking. Or automatically assume that their product knowledge is on-point. Only to discover (thanks to the branching scenario) that they still have a lot to learn if they want to achieve their full sales potential.
6. Incorporate Storytelling To Enact Positive Change
Stories usually involve emotions. Trainees feel for the main character and relate with their plights. Storytelling in sales training enforces positive behavioral change by making employees reflect and re-evaluate their own habits. How would they handle the situation differently to achieve the best outcome? Do they recognize any negative performance behaviors or skill gaps? Can an attitude adjustment help them achieve their goals? Stories also encourage trainees to examine past experiences and how their actions contributed to the results. For instance, maybe things would’ve been different if the salesperson tried to listen to the customer instead of losing their patience. Or suggested another product that led to repeat business rather than pitching a higher-ticket item that was less beneficial.
7. Gamify The Experience
Gamification motivates employees to give it their all. Even if it’s just to earn a badge or move up the leaderboard. But the most surprising benefit is often overlooked. Game mechanics also encourage positive behaviors in sales online training through reinforcement. Trainees only earn a badge if they make the right decisions and display favorable habits. Those who lack the necessary wherewithal don’t earn the grand prize, which prompts them to reevaluate their actions. You may already reward your top salesperson, but gamification gives recognition for personal development. Your employees must use the available retail LMS resources to hone skills and disclose weaknesses. Those who make the effort and continually improve add more points to their total. Which fuels them to actively participate and seize every opportunity to train.
Conclusion
Employees may not even realize their attitudes are a roadblock to personal growth. These training tools allow them to re-evaluate their performance behaviors and limiting beliefs. For example, they don’t think they can move up the corporate ladder or become the top salesperson. Online training opens their eyes to the fact that they do have hidden talents and strengths. All it takes is an attitude adjustment to get on the fast track to success and reinforce positive behaviors.
Find the right retail LMS for your sales online training course with the help of our free online directory. Search by features, pricing model, and employment type to choose the best investment for your team. Then read online reviews to avoid those dreaded post-purchase regrets.
