Sales Courses vs. DIY Learning: Which is Right for You?
When it comes to acquiring new skills, particularly in a dynamic field like sales, the choice between formal sales courses and do-it-yourself (DIY) learning has become a pivotal decision for many. You either enrol in official sales courses that come with a certificate of completion, or embrace self-directed (DIY) learning. In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, having the right sales skills to attract and retain customers is more of a necessity rather than an option.
But how do you decide which study methodology is best suited for you? Do structured sales courses that might focus on advertising certain tools and products outrank the freedom DIY learning offers or vice versa? Prepare to redefine your sales growth, strengthen professional insight and boost your performance as we dig deeper into which method holds the best impact on your success!
Taking official sales courses can provide a structured and guided approach to mastering not only the art of selling but also marketing, customer service and communication skills. On the other hand, DIY learning may require more self-motivation and may not provide the same level of comprehensive instruction and support. Ultimately, the best approach will depend on individual learning preferences and goals.
Understanding Sales Courses and DIY Learning
In the ever-evolving world of sales, the quest for knowledge and skills is a journey without a final destination. And for those seeking to upskill or pivot their sales skills and roles as a sales professional, two intriguing pathways beckon: pursuing certified sales courses with a Certificate IV and diploma or embarking on a DIY learning journey and making Google your best friend. Understanding the differences and advantages of each approach is essential in planning which one is right for you and gives more value and an edge over the competition.
First and foremost, sales courses are structured training programmes designed to provide comprehensive guidance, expert solutions and education on various aspects of sales, including marketing techniques, customer interaction, and creating winning campaigns. These courses are taught by industry experts in Australia who have extensive experience and knowledge in their line of work. With their ability and qualifications, these experts create a sales strategy for different businesses and offer a structured curriculum that covers essential topics including prospecting, building relationships, and closing deals to help every organisation maximise revenue.
On the other hand, there is the option of DIY learning. This approach involves independently seeking out resources, information, and strategies to develop your sales skills. Here, self-motivation and discipline are crucial. You have to research and gather content relevant to your market, product and service from various books, articles, online videos, podcasts, and mentorship programs. Anyone who chooses DIY learning can create their own direction and sales guide, exploring different sales channels. The DIY way allows a person to design a sales process, what areas of sales they want to focus on and tailor their learning journey according to their specific needs and preferences.
Overview of Sales Courses
Whether you’re a novice looking to break into the world of sales or a seasoned sales manager aiming to refine your techniques, the transformative benefits of sales courses can propel your career to new heights. Here’s an overview of what makes sales courses an appealing option:
- Expert guidance: Sales courses are taught by experienced professionals who have a deep understanding of the industry in the Australian market. Their expertise ensures that everyone receives accurate, up-to-date information, industry insights, and best practices.
- Structured curriculum: Sales courses often follow a well-defined syllabus that covers all aspects of the sales process, from marketing to advertising products and services. This structure ensures that each salesperson gains a comprehensive understanding of various techniques, strategies, and the latest technology to make the selling process efficient and convenient even for clients.
- Interactive learning: A lot of sales courses, regardless of brands, incorporate interactive components such as role-plays, simulations, and group activities. These hands-on experiences cover a range of topics from finance management, web design, email marketing to social media marketing and allow you to practise new skills in a safe environment and receive feedback from instructors and peers.
- Networking opportunities: Participating in a sales course provides valuable networking opportunities. You get to connect with sales leaders, marketers, fellow learners and other employees beyond the office who have similar goals and aspirations. You also have the chance to connect with an industry professional or account executive who possesses a variety of qualifications, spanning from sales and accounting to digital marketing.
- Credibility: Completing a recognised sales course, which includes topics like finance analysis and management, adds credibility to your resume and demonstrates your commitment to professional development. It can enhance your career prospects and open doors to new job opportunities, whether in the sales, finance or accounting sectors.
One of the leading sales training providers in Australia, Dynamo Selling, specializes in sales training across all industries. They offer customised packages for national sales teams, small groups, or one-on-one training to build on existing sales skills and knowledge in order to become a leading sales company or sales professional.
Overview of DIY Learning
In today’s digital age, the concept of self-directed learning or DIY (Do-It-Yourself) has gained significant traction. DIY learning, be it in digital marketing, financial accounting, or sales analysis, refers to the process of acquiring knowledge and skills without formal instruction or structured courses. It offers individuals the flexibility to learn at their own pace and explore their own methods through online resources and communities.
A DIY approach to learning provides employees and organisations with the freedom to choose what skills or concepts to focus on based on personal needs or interests. Sales professionals can explore various resources such as e-books, articles, podcasts, webinars, and online forums to enhance their knowledge and qualifications in specific areas of sales. With the abundance of free or low-cost online courses available, individuals can tailor their learning experience according to their schedule, finance management and budget constraints, in their own place and time.
However, it’s important to note that DIY learning requires self-motivation and discipline. Without structured guidance or accountability measures in finance or social media marketing analysis, some individuals may struggle to stay focused or motivated. Additionally, the abundance of information available online can be overwhelming, making it crucial for learners to discern credible sources from unreliable ones.
Learning Techniques in Sales Courses and DIY
In most ways, sales courses provide a more structured approach to developing sales skills compared to DIY learning. These courses often incorporate a comprehensive curriculum designed by industry experts who have extensive experience in the field. They offer a guided learning path composed of modules focusing on essential sales skills, techniques, strategies and even accounting and digital marketing.
One distinct advantage of formal sales courses is the expertise and guidance provided by experienced instructors. The idea of having someone to monitor your tasks and answer your questions immediately can push you to take action and boost productivity. These professionals not only have qualifications in sales but often in areas like finance and social media marketing too, offering valuable insights, practical advice, and personalised coaching to help learners overcome everything and refine their selling abilities.
Moreover, the interactive nature of classroom or virtual sessions as seen in sales training courses allows participants, largely salespeople, to learn from the experiences of both the instructor and their peers. With several types of techniques users use in sales courses, it can help improve consumers’ attention spans and use available data to optimise results.
On the other hand, DIY learning offers a more customised approach to understanding the fundamentals of sales. Individuals have the autonomy to choose specific areas they want to focus on, whether project management, leadership or entrepreneurship within a sales context. With self-guided learning, salespeople can set their own goals, pace their progress based on their availability, and adapt the learning experience to suit their personal preferences. DIY learning allows for greater exploration and tailoring of content to one’s specific needs.
It is worth noting that while sales courses can be highly beneficial for comprehensive skill development within a structured framework, engaging in a combination of both formal training and DIY learning can be a powerful approach. This hybrid model allows individuals to leverage the structure and expertise provided by sales courses while incorporating the flexibility and customization offered by DIY learning.
Methodologies in Sales Courses
Sales courses offer a guided learning experience designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in sales engagement. These courses often follow specific methodologies that have been developed and refined over time by experienced sales professionals. The aim here is to create proficient salespeople, managers, leaders in project management and potential entrepreneurs.
Role Play:
One prevalent methodology used in sales courses is role play. Whether it’s the salesperson or a potential client, this technique allows participants to practise real-life sales scenarios and impact in a controlled environment. Role-playing qualifies as an essential ingredient to becoming successful, not only in sales but also in leadership and entrepreneurship.
Case Studies:
Sales courses often incorporate case studies where learners analyse and discuss real-world selling scenarios. This methodology helps participants understand practical challenges they may encounter in their sales careers and learn from successful strategies implemented by others, from the perspective of not just salespeople, but also as part of a sales team practising leadership skills.
Interactive Workshops:
Interactive workshops are another popular methodology used in sales training programmes. These workshops engage participants through group activities, discussions, and collaborative learning exercises. By working together with peers and sharing experiences, learners can gain a deeper understanding of various sales concepts, explore ways to connect with an audience and develop effective strategies for success.
Skill-focused Training Modules:
Sales courses also employ skill-focused training modules that address specific areas of the sales process. These modules typically break down complex techniques into manageable steps, allowing participants to practise and refine individual skills such as prospecting, presenting, negotiating, or objection handling. This hands-on approach ensures a comprehensive qualification for salespeople, leaders and entrepreneurs alike. Many sales courses, often led by experienced sales representatives, integrate ongoing coaching as part of their methodology.
Methodologies in DIY Learning
Do-it-yourself (DIY) learning refers to the process of acquiring knowledge and skills independently, without formal instruction or guidance. Embracing the spirit of a self-made sales representative may lack the structure and guidance provided by sales courses, but adopting the right methodologies can still lead to valuable learning experiences. Here are a few common methodologies used in DIY learning:
Self-Study:
Self-study is a primary methodology in DIY learning. This involves exploring a number of leads and resources, such as books, articles, videos, podcasts, and online tutorials. Learners take responsibility for their own education, setting goals and creating study plans to acquire knowledge at their own pace.
Online Communities and Forums:
Engaging with online communities and forums offers an avenue for connecting with fellow sales representatives and teams, who share information, insights, and experiences. By actively participating in these communities, and closely following the steps of professionals who prioritise communications and public relations, learners can tap into the collective wisdom of others and gain valuable perspectives on sales techniques and strategies.
Hands-On Experience:
In a DIY learning approach, hands-on experience plays a crucial role. Learners seek out opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world selling situations or simulated scenarios. This practical application helps strengthen their mind, refine their skills, identify areas for improvement, and gain confidence in their sales abilities, a trait admired in effective sales teams.
Continuous Learning:
Committing to continuous learning is essential in DIY learning. Following the pathway of an excellent communications representative, sales professionals must stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and new sales strategies. This involves regularly reading industry publications, staying updated with current news and events, attending webinars and conferences, and engaging in ongoing self-improvement activities.
- According to Training Magazine’s 2020 report, organisations across industries spent an average of $1,286 per salesperson on training that year.
- However, a LinkedIn Learning report in 2018 indicated that more than 50% of people turn to self-paced online learning platforms when they want to learn something new.
- A study published by HR Magazine in 2019 suggested that companies investing $1,500 or more per employee each year on training average 24% higher profit margins than businesses who invest less.
Making Your Choice: Sales Courses or DIY Learning
When it comes to gaining knowledge in sales, both sales courses and DIY learning have their merits. However, one question remains: how do you decide which is right for you? While several tips and guides have already been made, individuals must take a look at these factors before making a decision.
Learning Style: Reflect on your preferred learning style. Do you thrive in structured environments with clear guidance, or do you prefer the freedom to explore on your own? If you benefit from interactive sessions, personalised feedback, and a step-by-step curriculum, a sales course might be the better option. However, if you enjoy self-directed learning and have the discipline to stay motivated without external accountability, DIY learning can be a suitable choice.
Time Availability: Evaluate how much time you can dedicate to learning sales skills. If you have a demanding schedule and limited flexibility, a structured sales course with set class times might not be feasible. In such cases, DIY learning allows you to learn at your own pace, fitting study sessions into your busy routine. DIY learning enables you to consume information at your own pace according to your personal interests and needs.
Budget: Consider your budgetary constraints. While enrolling in sales courses allows you to learn about the latest sales strategies, customer psychology, and effective communication techniques, it also involves financial investment as they require payment for enrollment. On the other hand, DIY learning can be more cost-effective or even free if you utilise available online resources. You have the freedom to delve deep into specific areas that resonate with you or require improvement.
By considering your individual preferences and circumstances and evaluating the knowledge gained between Sales Courses and DIY Learning, you can decide which of these methods is the right path for expanding your knowledge of sales.
Want to learn more about sales training and sales courses for your sales team? Get in touch with Dynamo Selling today! You are one call away from developing the sales skills and abilities your team needs to make meaningful improvements in their sales results.
