Have you met Morgan? A terrific sales rep. Except recently, Morgan has slipped out of the top tier of the leaderboard and I think I know why: she struggles to adapt to the new selling environment.

How to Make Hybrid Sales Training Work

Erica Schultz
November 21, 2022

Want to take this article with you or share with a colleague? . With the rise of virtual training, hybrid workforces, and self-directed learning, what is the role of in-person training? Is in-person sales training dead? Yes and no. It’s true the global pandemic radically changed how sales organizations think about live events, including salesforce onboarding, education, and SKOs that were once the norm. The pandemic challenged sales teams to try new and creative solutions for training, most of them digital-first.

33 Tips to Look Professional in Your Virtual Meetings

Mike Schultz
September 24, 2021

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to selling virtually. Projecting a professional image in your virtual meetings is an important (and often overlooked) factor to consider. With a little forethought and preparation, you can make a great first impression with your buyers. Read on for guidelines and tips specifically focused on projecting a professional image in your virtual sales.

Virtual Selling Q&A: 11 Answers to Your Questions

Erica Schultz
May 12, 2021

Becoming a top seller has always been part art and part science. The following are among the hallmarks of successful sales professionals: Deep expertise in your company’s offerings and industry The skills to determine customer needs and proactively drive opportunity The ability to help buyers to shift and set new priorities and attack challenges with better approaches However, being successful in sales also requires the ability to connect, engage, collaborate, and influence buyers remotely.

The Virtual Selling Skills You Need [Research + Tools]

Mike Schultz
March 31, 2021

Note: You can download this article as a PDF to save it for later! Developing relationships, collaborating online, leading virtual sales conversations, gaining and keeping attention, leveraging technology, making the ROI case, delivering value—these are hard to do regardless of the sales and economic environment. But, do these become more difficult when selling virtually versus face-to-face? Are some areas more difficult for sellers than others? What influences buyers’ purchase decisions when buying virtually?

20 Virtual Sales Relationship-Building Tips

Andy Springer
February 3, 2021

Virtual meetings are now part of our everyday reality. Even in situations where you’re able to meet with some folks in person, you’re still likely to face a high number of virtual meetings on your calendar. This isn’t going to change any time soon. The way the world does business has shifted drastically in light of the pandemic. Even when it’s safe to do so, we’re likely to see many people continuing to work remotely because technology and processes have been put in place to make it a viable long-term option.

Virtual Sellers: Here’s How to Connect with Buyers and Build Strong Relationships

Dave Shaby
January 20, 2021

As a classic advertising slogan once reminded customers, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s true now more than ever. When we could interact face-to-face at events or in meetings, it was easier to attract the attention of a potential buyer and begin making connections naturally. But as a virtual seller, you don’t have the luxury of allowing relationships to unfold organically.

Our Top 10 Virtual Selling Resources

Erica Schultz
December 29, 2020

Recent years have been marked by a lot of changes, distractions, and new challenges. If it were up to us, we’d title them, “The Years Sellers Plugged In.” Not only literally, with the wholesale shift from live to virtual selling, but also figuratively in the sense sellers had to become even more keenly aware of buyer wants and needs to be successful in a virtual environment. This list of resources reflects sellers’ hunger for knowledge and skill development in all areas of virtual selling, from leading effective virtual meetings and asking strong questions to tackling challenges and developing strong virtual relationships. We hope you'll find this list to be a valuable resource as you prepare for your own virtual outreach.

3 Ways to Enable Collaboration—Even in a Virtual Meeting

Mike Schultz
December 9, 2020

Stop. Collaborate. Listen. Sellers of a certain age know that rapper Vanilla Ice was actually onto something when he uttered those words at the start of his song, "Ice Ice Baby." Years later, the concept of collaboration and a seller's ability to work with buyers, instead of speaking at or simply selling to them, to close a deal has become more important than ever.

New Infographic: 4 Ways to Take the Lead in Virtual Selling

Erica Schultz
December 1, 2020

As we near the end of the year, we’re left wondering what the world will look like in the next stages of pandemic recovery. One thing that’s for certain? Virtual selling is here to stay. In fact, 89% of B2B decision makers say they’re likely to sustain the new sales model beyond the next year, according to McKinsey & Company. If you want to succeed in 2021, you must master this new medium of sales. But virtual selling isn't just selling via phone. Seventy-seven percent of decision makers prefer to use video over phone when meeting with sellers. In this infographic, we share the 4 Virtual Selling ImperativesSM—the critical areas where sellers must Take the Lead if they want to develop stronger relationships, create comprehensive solutions, increase buyer satisfaction, and secure more business virtually.

[Free Download] The Ultimate Virtual Selling Toolkit

Erica Schultz
November 12, 2020

Experts—including us!—keep touting the need to transition to virtual selling. But virtual selling isn’t a switch you flip on and off, nor is it your in-person sales process delivered via Zoom. It’s an integrated approach to meeting buyers where they are and when they are in world that looks vastly different than it did just a year ago.

4 Virtual Selling Imperatives: Take the Lead for Success in the New Normal

Dave Shaby
October 14, 2020

How sales happen has changed significantly in just the last several months, and these changes are here to stay. Selling virtually has proven to be a challenge for even the most seasoned sellers. It requires sellers to be more strategic, more deliberate, and more proactive than ever before. It requires a refocused approach because the rules have changed. Our client work around the world, and our research in the area of virtual selling, has revealed a set of four keys that are most critical for virtual sales success:

10 Ways to Keep Buyers Engaged During Virtual Sales Meetings

Dave Shaby
October 7, 2020

Imagine this: You're in a live sales meeting in a conference room with three decision-makers, and one of them, while you're talking, pulls out their phone and starts responding to text and email messages. They continue to check the news and start fiddling on social media. You even hear a light snicker.

[Complimentary Guide] 4 Steps to Fill Your Pipeline with Quality Opportunities

Erica Schultz
October 1, 2020

Prospecting is a challenge for even the most experienced sellers, and with the shift to working, buying, and selling virtually, organic opportunities to make new connections and create conversations have disappeared. There aren't any in-person networking events, tradeshows, travel, or opportunities to grab dinner, a cup of coffee, or attend a sporting event together.

[Partner Webinar] Shape Your Sales Approach for the New Normal

Erica Schultz
September 9, 2020

Salespeople everywhere are struggling as they navigate changed budgets, new targets, and selling virtually. Some are even trying to force their in-person processes to work in a virtual world (spoiler: they don't).

[Infographic] Climb Your Way to Virtual Selling Success

Erica Schultz
August 26, 2020

When the team at the RAIN Group Center for Sales Research surveyed 528 sellers and buyers on their virtual buying and selling experiences earlier this year, we uncovered significant gaps between what influences buyer purchase decisions and seller effectiveness. The sad truth? Only two or three in 10 sellers do well in the four areas that most influence purchase decisions.

How to Tackle the Top 8 Virtual Selling Challenges [SlideShare]

Erica Schultz
August 19, 2020

The RAIN Group Center for Sales Research has kept its finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the world of sales as we transition to virtual selling. Since beginning our research in Q2 2020, we’ve surveyed 528 sellers and buyers on their virtual buying and selling experiences. Our analysis has uncovered the top challenges of virtual selling, many of which buyers themselves have said are a deciding factor for purchase decisions. In the presentation below, we share the top challenges sellers face as they transition to virtual selling and how to tackle them.

Virtual Selling: Your Guide to Standing Out in a Digital World

Erica Schultz
July 29, 2020

2020 has flipped sales on its head and driven unprecedented levels of virtual interaction. Sellers are faced with more challenges than ever. You can’t sell the same way you did before. You need to adapt, pivot, and change almost everything you did previously. If you want to thrive in sales today, it'll require you to transition to the new world of selling virtually, and take the "new norm" by storm. Whether you’ve been in sales for years or you’re just starting out, learning how to sell remotely can feel intimidating.

Virtual Sales Skills & Challenges: 18 Need-to-Know Stats

Mike Schultz
July 15, 2020

Developing relationships, collaborating online, leading virtual sales conversations, gaining and keeping attention, leveraging technology, making the ROI case, delivering value—these are challenging regardless of the selling and economic environment. But are they more difficult in a down economy while many sellers are transitioning to virtual sales? Are some sales skills more difficult to apply than others in a virtual environment? Where are sellers succeeding and failing according to buyers today?

Want to Build Greater Rapport Virtually? Do This One Thing

Erica Schultz
July 7, 2020

88% of sellers find developing relationships virtually challenging. It’s one of the biggest challenges sellers face today. Many sellers lament that it’s just not the same as meeting someone face-to-face. They struggle to connect and build trust. Fortunately, it’s possible to develop strong relationships even when you can't connect with buyers in person. One of the easiest ways?

Virtual Training Best Practices: How to Get and Keep Attention and Engagement

Andy Springer
July 1, 2020

Engagement Threshold (noun): The point at which attention is captured and maintained, and below which is lost. We teach the concept of the engagement threshold to sellers that need to hold buyers’ attention in virtual sales meetings. When we teach it to sellers, we need to gain and keep their attention. It’s never been easy, but in a virtual environment, it’s significantly more difficult.

Complimentary Report: Virtual Selling Skills & Challenges

Erica Schultz
June 24, 2020

What are the top challenges sellers face as they transition to virtual selling? How effective are sellers in the virtual space? What factors have the greatest influence on buyers' purchase decisions when buying virtually?

Make the Transition to Virtual Training: 3 Keys to Success

Erica Schultz
June 17, 2020

Since the global pandemic of 2020 began, virtual training has become imperative. But designing and delivering effective virtual training is the exception more than the norm.

How to Choose the Right VILT Platform

Andy Springer
June 10, 2020

We’re asked all the time about which platform for use for virtual instructor-led training (VILT). With all of the choices out there—Zoom, Adobe Connect, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, GoToWebinar, On24, etc.—which one is best? Like any good consultant, my answer to this question is, “It depends.” There isn't a straightforward answer because different platforms excel at different things. At RAIN Group, we’re platform agnostic and don't promote one platform over another. We partner with our clients to determine which platform is right for them and what they're looking to do. There are, however, three key considerations for platform selection.

10 Research-Backed Ways to Improve Sales Success

Mike Schultz
June 3, 2020

This article originally appeared in Entrepreneur and has been updated given the current sales environment. The first half of 2020 proved to significantly alter the way every single industry operates. Businesses have been forced to become more nimble and sellers have had to learn to sell virtually and remain productive while working from home. While this new environment has presented new challenges, many companies and individuals are adapting and succeeding even in tough times.

17 Common Virtual Selling Mistakes to Avoid

Dave Shaby
May 27, 2020

There are many mistakes to avoid when it comes to virtual selling. Although we all make—and learn from—our mistakes, they're often magnified in a virtual environment, which makes awareness and preparation paramount to success. Avoid these 17 common mistakes to impress your buyers and stand out from the competition:

Virtual and In-Person Training Are Different in These 6 Ways

Andy Springer
May 13, 2020

Ask the question, “What needs to happen at your company for successful virtual training now that sellers are working remote?” and you’re likely to get answers like this: Facilitators need to engage participants Content needs to be relevant to the buyers and scenarios sellers face Sellers need to practice the new skills Training needs to be dynamic and interactive It's a nice list, but not unique to virtual instructor-led training (vILT).

Your Virtual Selling Checklist: Take the Lead in Virtual Selling

Erica Schultz
May 6, 2020

Selling virtually is a challenge for even the best sellers. The Virtual Selling Checklist below will help you make the transition to virtual selling as you wrap your head around three key components to success: Selling: While many of the principles remain the same (i.e., building rapport, uncovering needs, inspiring with new ideas, building an impact case, etc.), how you go about doing these in a virtual environment is drastically different. Meeting technology and experience: From audio and video to lighting and background, you need to manage the experience to make it as seamless and pain-free as possible for your customers. Productivity: Working from home opens the door to distractions and disruptions, so it's important to proactively manage your time, environment, and goals.

Complimentary Guide: 9 Principles of Virtual Learning Success

Erica Schultz
April 29, 2020

Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, virtual training has become an imperative. But designing and delivering effective virtual training is more the exception than the norm. Virtual training failure is all too common. That’s because virtual training that works is still in its infancy, and most organizations struggle to convert what works for in-person training to a virtual environment.

On-Demand Webinar: 9 Key Principles of Virtual Learning Success

Erica Schultz
March 18, 2020

COVID-19 has rapidly accelerated changes in how business is done around the world. With employees working from home, travel bans, and new developments daily, virtual training has become an imperative. But many organizations have never done virtual training, and many L&D and sales enablement professionals are looking for new ideas and approaches. It’s easy for virtual training to fail, so how do you make it truly successful with so much riding on it?

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