So how do we define onboarding?

Creating an onboarding program that is aligned with the specific needs of your sales reps as well as the organization leads to greater success in the field, as your reps will know the products they’re selling and have the knowledge and skills to back them up. Knowledge gained through onboarding also helps reps get to know their customers, both existing and potential. It provides information about current users and enhances creative thinking around new business opportunities. Even further, reps enter the field with the comfort of knowing the values and standards of the company, so they can sell with confidence. If onboarding at your company is too general, you may miss out on opportunities to improve key sales skills aligned with your organization .

Average ramp time for new sales reps can be anywhere between 6 and 12 months. A strong onboarding program can use many techniques and best practices to improve the onboarding process and decrease ramp-up time:

Sales reps who are highly engaged in their work do everything they can to satisfy their clients, grow their client base, help other sales reps succeed, and contribute ideas to improve the overall sales department. These highly engaged employees are advocates for your company and an integral part of your sales department. Building employee engagement starts with onboarding. When new reps get the tools and information they need right from the start, they are more likely to buy into the company’s goals, bond with the sales team through shared experiences, and contribute in a positive way every day. (And the most effective onboarding might even start before day 1!)

A job done poorly gets poor results—and sales onboarding is no exception. An onboarding process that is effectively built from the start can lead to improved sales opportunities, more closed deals, and great salespeople who stay for the long haul. SalesTicks can help you implement these best practices to develop a world class onboarding program.

Setting new hires up for success in their role is a huge part of attracting and retaining top talent. In today’s competitive job market, job seekers are more knowledgeable and discerning of their prospective employers than ever before. If a talented sales rep is considering joining your team, the onboarding and training programs may play a significant role in their success. A strong onboarding and training curriculum sets you apart as an employer who values and invests in their employees. A strong onboarding program also helps you retain the top talent you have recruited.

Your sales onboarding schedule does not need to be a one-size-fits-all setup where every rep follows the same learning path. Depending upon how an organization is structured, tailoring the onboarding program to specific sales roles can be a great way to improve efficiency.