AI Sales Training 101: Benefits, Challenges, and Key Features

AI sales training is the best new thing when it comes to sales enablement tools. With AI-driven training, teams can really hone in on the skills they need to improve without worrying about the risk of losing clients or deals. 

In our comprehensive overview guide, we’ll give you everything you need to know about AI sales training, including what it is, how it works, what features to look out for, and how your brand can reap the benefits of this kind of enablement.

What Is AI Sales Training?

AI sales training is a type of sales training that leverages artificial intelligence — usually generative AI — to improve the skills and performance of sales reps. Many teams beyond traditional sales teams use this type of training, including RevOps, marketing, and product development.

How does AI sales training work?

As mentioned above, this kind of training works by tapping into generative AI to facilitate personalized training for teams. For example, some teams use common AI sources like ChatGPT or Gemini to improve in-house training. Other companies might use resources specifically designed for AI sales training, like Yoodli or Second Nature AI. It’ll depend on the needs and business goals of the organization or team interested in training. 

Why is this kind of training important? 

AI sales training is important for companies to gain a competitive advantage over other brands, especially since sales is such a competitive industry. Traditional training methods are being replaced by AI methods at record pace, and brands need to keep up with the trend. 

Essential AI Sales Training Features

AI sales training is a very versatile field and as such, there are many popular features folks look for in training solutions. Here are some of the best key features to keep in mind when exploring various options for AI–driven training.

AI sales roleplays

First and foremost, AI sales roleplays should be top of your list when it comes to the key features you want your team to have access to. Sales roleplays can come in all different shapes and sizes, but they all have some commonalities. The goal of sales roleplays, for example, is to provide a safe, risk-free environment for sales teams to practice new techniques, methods, and frameworks on AI-generated clients. 

With traditional sales training, a rep might practice roleplaying with another rep. In a worst case scenario, they might experiment with new skills or frameworks live with an actual client. The drawback, of course, is that if they don’t execute it in the right way, they could face a lost deal or client. That’s one of the main reasons AI sales training is so beneficial. 

The AI-generated partners will vary from platform to platform. Whereas some options might appear more cartoony, like Mursion’s roleplays, other apps provide human-like level realism. 

AI sales coaching

Another key feature of AI sales training is AI sales coaching. The main difference between this and traditional sales coaching is that your coach is AI generated. The capabilities will vary from app to app, but many AI sales coaching options offer coaching tips and specific feedback based on the sales rep’s performance.

Custom paths to improvement

In a similar vein, the best AI training options will provide opportunities and personalized paths to improvement that will differ based on a rep’s skills and performance. There’s no “one size fits all” path to improvement, which is where traditional sales training sometimes falls short. 

With AI-powered training, leaders can carve out better, more personalized paths for their reps to improve on their own time, at their own level.

Yoodli for AI Sales Training

Arguably the best solution for AI sales training is Yoodli, a virtual AI sales coach that provides reps with the most realistic roleplays via an easy-to-use, intuitive platform.

In particular, Yoodli reigns queen when it comes to its realistic sales roleplays. In fact, top brands like Korn Ferry, Dale Carnegie, and Google have all used Yoodli to boost seller attainment while also slashing ramp across the board.

But Yoodli doesn’t just provide sales roleplays. This app takes it to a whole other level with its intelligent, AI-driven sales coaching. For example, reps participate in realistic sales simulations — be it cold calls or customer discovery calls — and Yoodli responds with actionable feedback based on the reps’ individual performance during their practice. This means anyone working in sales can practice new skills and methodologies in real, life-like sales environments totally risk free. 

The conversation reps experience during simulated calls with their AI partner is reminiscent of a conversation with an actual human. That’s because Yoodli takes on customer personas to provide intelligent back-and-forth banter to best prepare sales teams for real calls with their clients. 

For sales enablement leaders, Yoodli offers admin customization capabilities. Companies can actually shape Yoodli and make it their own based on their own brand methodology. That way, organizations can leverage Yoodli for their own solutions and use cases, from manager training to pitch coaching and beyond. Plus, Yoodli offers enterprise-grade privacy, such as SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR, and more.

The results from Google Cloud’s case study are a great example. Google successfully trained and certified over 15,000 sales reps and extended its partnership with Yoodli to other enablement programs.

The best part? You can get started with Yoodli for free at https://yoodli.ai/.

Benefits of AI Sales Training

As you’d expect, there’s a plethora of specific advantages folks can reap from this kind of AI-driven training. Here are the top benefits of using AI sales training for your team and organization.

Better sales performance across teams

Perhaps the most attractive benefit is improved sales performance across teams. This kind of training leads to more revenue growth across the board, improved conversion rates, and higher win rates. 

On top of that, training powered by AI can boost client satisfaction rates due to better overall performance from reps. 

More cost-effective

Relying on AI sales training as opposed to more traditional sales training methods can actually be more cost-effective in the long run as well. Companies can slash training costs with AI compared to traditional sales training companies. This can make training more affordable and efficient across the board. 

Plus, with options like Yoodli, brands can take advantage of at-scale sales training to certify large numbers of reps. This is especially beneficial for bigger companies where traditional sales training can be upwards of thousands of dollars. For smaller teams, this type of training is just as useful.

Improved sales skills

As mentioned earlier, this kind of targeted training can be a catalyst for reps to improve their sales skills. No matter what level of experience or skill a rep has, they can use AI sales training to take their abilities to the next level.

Specifically, this kind of AI-driven training can lead to: 

• Better communication skills
• Improved ability to problem-solve  
• Enhanced product or service knowledge, especially for newer sales reps
• Better negotiation skills

Boosted employee retention and engagement 

Although it’s certainly an underrealized benefit, AI sales training can also lead to better employee retention rates and engagement levels. This type of sales training can motivate and empower reps to want to do better and that, in turn, leads to higher retention rates.

Plus, increased employee satisfaction comes with its own laundry list of benefits, from lower turnover to higher productivity rates and revenue.

Other AI sales training benefits

The benefits of AI sales training don’t stop there, though. AI-driven training can also give teams a competitive advantage over other brands and teams. It can help reps stay ahead of their competitors.

This kind of competitive edge can help not only retain the best employees, but also attract top talent. If you’re looking to build a powerful team with impressive retention rates, this kind of dedicated training is the way to do it.

Challenges and Limitations of AI Sales Training

However, there are some challenges and limitations to AI sales training worth keeping in mind. Here are a couple of drawbacks to AI-driven training that teams should consider when exploring options. 

Data, privacy, and security concerns

Not surprisingly, data, privacy, and security concerns are top of mind for many companies. There’s some anxiety over the idea of an AI app like ChatGPT or Gemini potentially dealing with sensitive client data. The last thing brands want is a data breach that puts their clients and consequent deals at risk. 

That’s why it’s so important for options like Yoodli to have enterprise-grade privacy. This can help protect against breaches while also making sure there’s a level of compliance with data privacy regulations. 

Lack of human oversight

There’s also a distinct lack of human oversight when it comes to some AI training options. Sales leaders know that AI can’t completely replicate the empathy and judgment humans offer, and in sales, human-to-human interaction is huge. However, many AI sales companies use humans on some level to provide a more blended approach to mitigate that. That’s why finding a realistic option for sales roleplay is so critical for AI sales training. 

The Main Takeaway 

The artificial intelligence industry has only just begun to take off, and more and more brands are taking advantage of this revolutionary type of sales training. Knowing what makes a good option for AI-driven sales training is key, and brands like Yoodli are paving the way for realistic, risk-free, integrative sales training. 

Sources

• Forbes: “Artificial Intelligence Is Revolutionizing Sales Coaching,” “Promoting Employee Happiness Benefits Everyone.”
• Medium: “Understanding The Limitations Of AI (Artificial Intelligence).”