The Ultimate Guide to Sales Training Software 2024
Alex Zlotko
CEO at Forecastio
Last Updated
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As a sales leader you know the problem all too well. Your sales team has potential but getting them to hit their numbers feels like pushing a boulder up a hill. Some reps are crushing their quotas while others can’t close deals. You spend hours one on one coaching but there’s never enough time in the day to give everyone the attention they need.
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. In my 15 years of working with B2B SaaS companies I’ve seen this pattern play out over and over again. The good news? Modern sales training software has become a game changer for building high performing sales teams. But with so many options out there, choosing the right sales training software can be overwhelming.
In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about sales training software and how it can help your sales team. Let’s start with the basics and then get into the reviews of the best sales training software platforms out there.
What is Sales Training Software
Sales training software is a specialized platform to develop and enhance the skills of your sales team through structured learning programs, practice scenarios and performance tracking. But modern solutions go way beyond just online courses or video libraries.
Today’s sales training platforms use artificial intelligence, data analytics, and interactive technology to create personalized learning experiences that adapt to each rep’s needs. They help you identify skills gaps, provide targeted training, and measure the impact on your bottom line - all while saving you time that you can reinvest in strategic activities.
Think of it as having a sales training department that works 24/7, never gets tired, and can support every member of your team exactly where they need help most.
Benefits for Sales Reps
Sales training is critical for sales reps to perform better and increase revenue. Here are the benefits:
Better Sales Skills and Knowledge: Comprehensive training programs help reps master sales skills and product knowledge.
More Confidence and Motivation: Well-trained reps feel more confident in themselves which leads to more motivation and job satisfaction.
More Productivity and Efficiency: Good training helps reps simplify their sales process and become more productive.
Better Customer Understanding and Preferences: Training modules on customer psychology and behavior help reps understand and meet customer needs.
Better Communication and Negotiation: Sales training helps reps communicate and negotiate better which leads to better deal outcomes.
More Ability to Handle Objections and Close: Training gives reps strategies to handle objections and close more deals.
Career Development and Growth Opportunities: Continuous learning and skill development opens up new career paths within the organization.
Why Traditional Sales Training Doesn’t Work
Remember the last time you ran a traditional sales training workshop? Everyone was engaged during the session but three weeks later most of your reps had returned to their old ways. This isn’t just your experience - research shows that sales professionals forget up to 84% of traditional training content within 90 days.
Modern sales environments require a more advanced approach. Your reps need continuous learning opportunities that fit into their daily workflow not just occasional training sessions. They need immediate feedback on their performance and the ability to practice new skills safely before they use them with real customers.
The Evolution of Sales Training Tools
The landscape of sales training has changed a lot over the last decade. What started as simple e-learning platforms has evolved into sophisticated ecosystems that integrate with your entire sales tech stack. Let’s get into how modern sales training tools solve the key challenges:
Personalized Learning at Scale
One-size-fits-all all training programs are a thing of the past. A sales training LMS looks at each rep’s performance data to create customized learning paths that address their weaknesses and build on their strengths.
Real-time Performance Data
This is where tools like Forecastio come in. Not a traditional training platform but provides the foundation for any sales training program by giving you detailed insights into your team’s performance. By integrating with your CRM and analyzing sales patterns it helps you identify exactly where each rep needs help so you can target your training efforts where it will have the most impact. Sales enablement programs can be measured and benchmarked against key performance indicators (KPIs) so training can be exercised and the organization can see the outcome, especially revenue growth.
Continuous Learning and Reinforcement
Instead of relying on periodic training sessions, modern sales training programs embed learning opportunities throughout the sales process. They provide just-in-time training materials, practice scenarios, and reinforcement exercises to help reps retain and apply what they’ve learned.
Personalization and AI-Driven Training
Personalization and AI-driven training are key features of modern sales training programs. These features enable sales teams to get training content tailored to their specific needs and skill gaps. By using machine learning algorithms AI-driven training analyzes sales data to provide personalized recommendations for improvement. This way each sales rep gets the training they need to succeed in their role and overall sales performance improves. Personalized training makes learning more relevant and engaging and helps in identifying and addressing individual weaknesses so the sales team can be more successful.
Data and Analytics
Data and analytics are key features of sales training tools. These tools give sales teams real-time data and analytics on their performance so they can see where to improve and track progress over time. By using data-driven insights sales enablement teams can measure the effectiveness of their training programs and make informed decisions to improve sales performance. Analytics helps to pinpoint skill gaps and performance bottlenecks so you can target interventions that drive better results. With these insights, sales leaders can refine their training strategies to ensure they are meeting the changing needs of their sales teams.
2024 Best Sales Training Software
Let’s get into the top platforms that can help your sales team. We’ll start with the most important piece of the puzzle - where your team needs help most.
1. Forecastio – The Foundation for Data-Driven Training
Not a traditional training platform but deserves the top spot in this list because it provides something that most traditional sales training tools lack: real-time data-driven insights into your team’s performance gaps.
Think of Forecastio as your sales team’s diagnostic tool. Just as a doctor wouldn’t prescribe treatment without first understanding what’s wrong, you shouldn’t implement training programs without knowing exactly where your team needs help.
Key features:
Advanced performance analytics to see where reps struggle
Real-time tracking of key sales metrics
Seamless HubSpot integration
AI-powered insights that identify the causes of performance gaps
Pipeline analysis and accurate sales forecasting
What’s unique: Forecastio’s data analysis can pinpoint skill gaps so you can focus your training investments where they’ll have the biggest impact. Sales leaders using Forecastio report spending 66% less time preparing for one-on-one sales meetings.
2. MindTickle - All-in-One Sales Training
MindTickle stands out for its ability to create learning experiences that are immersive and engaging and deliver measurable results. What’s cool is how it combines structured learning programs with real-world practice scenarios to train sales reps.
Features:
AI-powered role-plays with personalized feedback
Customizable onboarding program
Advanced gamification and engagement tools
Video coaching with performance analytics
Enterprise-grade content authoring
MindTickle doesn't publicly display pricing. To learn more, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly. All plans require an annual commitment.
3. Lessonly by Seismic - Learning in the Flow
Lessonly by Seismic has made sales training feel less like a task and more like a part of the daily work. Their approach to interactive learning is especially effective for teams that need to stay up to date with rapidly changing products or market conditions.
Features:
Interactive scenario-based learning paths
Real-time coaching and feedback system
Content management platform
Sales enablement integration
Performance tracking
Lessonly doesn't publicly display pricing. To learn more, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly. All plans require an annual commitment.
4. Allego - Video-Based Sales Training Mastery
Allego has changed the way sales teams learn through video-based training and coaching. What’s cool about remote and distributed teams is that they can capture and share winning sales techniques across the organization. Top performers can record their best practices and other team members can learn from real-world examples.
Features:
Mobile-first video recording and knowledge sharing
AI-powered conversation intelligence and analysis
Point-in-time coaching with instant feedback
Just-in-time content delivery
Sales meeting intelligence with insights
Allego’s doesn't publicly display pricing. To learn more, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly. All plans require an annual commitment.
5. SalesHood - Peer-to-Peer Excellence
SalesHood is unique in its collaborative approach to learning. The platform leverages peer-to-peer learning, which is perfect for teams that value knowledge sharing and collective growth. Sales leaders love how it creates a culture of continuous improvement and mutual support.
Features:
Collaborative learning environments with peer feedback
Automated coaching and development tools
Certification tracking
Interactive sales pitch practice
Performance correlation analytics
SalesHood has flexible pricing starting at $40 per user per month for the Essential plan. Professional and Enterprise pricing is custom.
6. Brainshark - Content Creation Machine
Brainshark has made a name for itself by making it super easy for sales organizations to take their sales knowledge and create and distribute training content. Its strength is in turning existing content into learning experiences, which is perfect for companies with multiple products or complex solutions.
Features:
AI-powered content authoring
Video coaching platform
Readiness scorecards
CRM integration with major platforms
Custom learning paths
Brainshark’s doesn't publicly display pricing. To learn more, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly. All plans require an annual commitment.
7. Second Nature - AI Practice Revolution
Second Nature has disrupted the practice game with its AI for sales practice. The platform offers AI conversation partners that simulate different customer personas so reps can practice their pitches and handle objections in a risk-free environment. What’s cool is the AI adapts to each rep’s skill level and gets tougher as they get better.
Features:
AI role-play simulation
Real-time feedback
Custom scenario builder with multiple personas
NLP technology
Performance analytics
Second Nature doesn't publicly display pricing. To learn more, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly. All plans require an annual commitment.
8. WorkRamp - Unified Learning Platform
WorkRamp takes a comprehensive approach to sales training by integrating customer-facing team development with overall org learning. This is perfect for companies that want to ensure consistency of message and knowledge across sales, customer success and support teams.
Features:
Custom learning paths
Virtual instructor-led training
Certification programs
Interactive quizzes
Cross-functional content management
WorkRamp doesn't publicly display pricing. To learn more, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly.
9. Showpad Coach - Sales Enablement Integration
Showpad Coach stands out by combining sales training with content management and enablement. This integration means reps not only learn new skills but also have access to the content and tools to apply those skills in real-world scenarios.
Features:
Video role-play and assessment
Content management system
Performance tracking dashboard
Pitch practice platform
Analytics suite
Showpad Coach doesn't publicly display pricing. To learn more, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly.
10. RevenuePath - Analytics First
RevenuePath is different by putting analytics at the center of sales training. By focusing on data-driven insights, the platform helps sales leaders decide where to focus their training for maximum revenue impact.
Features:
Revenue-focused performance analytics
AI skill gap assessment
Automated coaching recommendations
Custom learning paths
Real-time ROI tracking
RevenuePath doesn't publicly display pricing. To learn more, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly. All plans require an annual commitment.
11. Chorus.ai - Conversation Intelligence Pioneer
Chorus.ai has changed how sales teams learn from actual customer conversations. The platform can analyze real sales conversations and extract insights. Perfect for companies focusing on sales dialogue quality. What sets it apart is it can identify winning patterns in successful deals and help replicate them across the team.
Features:
AI conversation analysis
Smart moment identification
Deal risk assessment
Team coaching recommendations
Video platform integration
Chorus.ai is in the premium segment. To learn more about their pricing, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly. All plans require an annual commitment.
12. LevelJump - Revenue First Training
LevelJump is unique in its focus on connecting training to revenue outcomes. Built in Salesforce, it allows sales leaders to create training programs that tie directly to pipeline milestones and revenue goals. This has been particularly effective for companies that need to show clear ROI on their training investments.
Features:
Native Salesforce integration
Revenue milestone tracking
Outcome-based analytics
Automated coaching workflows
Program templates
LevelJump’s pricing is enterprise-focused with Basic and Pro plans. To learn more about their pricing, you can request a demo or contact their sales team directly. Enterprise is custom pricing based on your needs. All plans are annual, so they’re committed to long-term partnerships with their customers.
Making the Right Choice: Implementation Strategy for Success
You’ve chosen the right training tool, now the hard part is implementation and adoption. Let’s break it down.
Start With Your Data Foundation
Before you get into any training platform take time to understand your current performance. This is where Forecastio’s analytics comes in handy. By analyzing your sales data you can see where training will have the biggest impact on your bottom line.
A sales leader I worked with recently used Forecastio to analyze their sales data and found that their win rates were dropping in deals where competitive differentiation was required. They focused their initial training on competitive positioning and saw a 23% increase in win rates against key competitors in the third quarter.
Create Your Implementation Roadmap
Success with a sales training platform is more than just choosing the right tool. You need a roadmap that takes into account your team’s specific needs and circumstances. Here’s a proven approach that has worked for many companies:
First, identify your quick wins. Look for areas where small improvements will have a big impact. For one team I worked with, focusing on discovery call quality resulted in a 15% increase in pipeline conversion rates overnight.
Next, create a phased rollout plan. Don’t try to change everything at once. Start with a pilot group of receptive reps who can become internal champions for the new system. Their success will drive adoption across the rest of the team.
Driving Adoption Through Value
The key to adoption is showing your sales reps value early on. Your team needs to see how the training platform will help them close more deals and earn more commission not just satisfy management’s need for metrics.
One way to do this is to start with a specific challenge your team faces regularly. For example, if your reps struggle with pricing objections start with that. When they see immediate results in their ability to handle those situations they’ll be more motivated to get into the broader training program.
Measuring Success: Beyond Basic Metrics
When measuring the impact of your sales training software basic metrics like completion rates aren’t enough. The true measure of success is how the training is changing your team’s performance and your bottom line.
Start by looking for early signs of program effectiveness. Watch how your team is engaging with the training platform – are they spending quality time with the content? Are they actively participating in practice sessions? While these engagement metrics don’t tell the whole story they give you early feedback on how your implementation is going.
The real story starts to come into focus when you look at your business metrics over time. Watch how win rates change after training programs. One sales leader I worked with saw a 27% increase in win rates within 3 months of a focused objection-handling program. Look at the deal size – are your reps selling bigger packages or negotiating better terms? Many companies also see sales cycles shorten as reps learn to navigate deals better.
Customer satisfaction scores tell an interesting story too. Well-trained reps set better expectations and manage relationships better resulting in higher customer satisfaction and more referrals. One tech company saw its NPS scores increase by 15 points after implementing the best sales training software because their reps were better at aligning solutions to customer needs.
True ROI
Calculating the return on your sales training software investment means looking at both sides of the equation. On the cost side consider not just the obvious costs like software licensing fees and implementation resources but also the time your team invests in content creation and administration.
The benefits often go beyond pure revenue gains. While increased sales performance is the most visible benefit don’t overlook the value of reduced ramp time for new hires. Companies consistently see new reps reach quota attainment 30-40% faster with structured training programs. Lower turnover costs are another big benefit – well-trained reps who feel supported in their development tend to stay longer and the costs associated with sales team churn are substantial.
Time savings often surprise companies implementing sales training software. Sales managers typically spend 25-30% less time on manual training activities and can focus on strategic coaching and deal support. One sales director reported reclaiming almost 8 hours a week after implementing automated training workflows – time she now spends on high-impact coaching sessions with her team.
Future of Sales Training Programs
As we look ahead several trends are emerging:
AI-Powered Personalization
The next-gen of training platforms will use AI to create highly personalized learning experiences that adapt in real time to each rep’s performance and learning style.
Virtual Reality Integration
VR is becoming more practical and affordable for sales training – immersive practice environments that feel very real.
Predictive Analytics
Advanced analytics will predict which reps will struggle with specific skills before it impacts performance so you can intervene proactively.
Make Your Choice
As you look at different sales training platform options remember the best choice for you will depend on your situation. Consider these final recommendations:
For growth teams: Start with Forecastio to establish your baseline and then layer in MindTickle or LevelJump for structured training.
For enterprise companies: Look at comprehensive solutions like Allego or Showpad Coach that have integration capabilities and scale.
For smaller teams: Look at focused solutions like Second Nature or RevenuePath that have core functionality without complexity.
Don’t look for the perfect platform, look for the right solution for your team’s specific needs and challenges. Start with clarity, implement methodically, and measure consistently. With the right approach sales training software can be a powerful driver of performance and revenue growth for your company.
Next Steps: Implementing Your Sales Training Strategy
Now that you’ve looked at the sales training software landscape and know what’s possible you might be wondering where to start. The key is to start with an assessment of your current situation and take it one step at a time.
First, use a tool like Forecastio to get a clear view of your team’s performance. Knowing exactly where your reps are strong and weak will help you make a better decision on which training platform is right for you. Look beyond surface-level metrics – dig into won and lost deals, conversation quality, and specific skills gaps that need to be addressed.
Remember the best training solution for your team might be a combination of platforms. Many successful sales teams use Forecastio’s analytics alongside a dedicated training platform. This combination gives you the insights to guide your training strategy and the tools to execute it.
Start small but think big. Choose one area to improve, implement your solution, and measure the results. Success in one area will create momentum for broader rollout across your team.
Your Action Plan
Book a data review session this week. Look at your current sales performance metrics and identify your biggest opportunity to improve.
Conduct one-on-one meetings with your team. Understand their challenges and what kind of support they feel would help them most. The best training solution is one your team will use.
Request demos from 2-3 platforms that fit your needs. Don’t just watch the standard presentation – come prepared with scenarios specific to your team’s challenges.
Set clear success metrics before you start. Know what success looks like for your company and how you’ll measure it.
Your investment in sales training software isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about building a more confident, capable, and successful sales team. With the right approach and tools, you can create a learning environment that drives long-term growth for your company.
In today’s B2B world having a trained sales team isn’t just a nice to have – it’s a must-have. The time and resources you invest in sales training today will pay off in better performance, higher win rates, and stronger customer relationships tomorrow.
Interested in seeing how Forecastio can help you assess your team’s training needs and track progress over time? Book a demo with us today.
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