Duties of a Sales Trainer

I'm interested in understanding what a sales trainer does. How involved are they in the development of sales strategies, and what qualifications do I need to become one after high school?

A Sales Trainer is a professional who works closely with a company's sales team, with the ultimate goal of improving the effectiveness of the sales force. They are responsible for developing, implementing, and delivering training programs intended to enhance sales skills and techniques.

The responsibilities of a Sales Trainer can generally include:

- Developing and implementing training programs for new hires and ongoing staff, which can cover topics from product knowledge to sales strategies.

- Evaluating sales team performance to identify areas of improvement, and creating custom training solutions.

- Offering coaching and mentoring for salespeople, both individually and in groups.

- Facilitating role-playing activities to practice and deepen acquired skills.

In terms of strategy, Sales Trainers may contribute to the development of sales strategies; however, this largely depends on the organization. They might work in collaboration with sales management to ensure training aligns with the company's sales methods and goals. Usually, their role is more focused on teaching and coaching the sales force on how to effectively implement these strategies.

As for qualifications, a high school diploma is generally required, though a Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, or related fields is often preferred. Relevant experience in sales will also be essential. Experience in training is often preferred, but not always required. Additionally, great communication skills, a strong understanding of sales techniques, and an ability to motivate others are key.

It's also important to take any chance you can to deepen your familiarity with sales, whether that's through part-time retail jobs in high school, sales internships, or even classes or online courses in business and sales fundamentals. Building your own skill set and experience in sales will be critical in training others effectively in the future.