Do you have a well-structured onboarding process for your new sales reps? It’s one of the best ways to set them up for success in their role. Studies show that sales reps who complete the best sales onboarding programs are productive 3.4 months sooner, on average, than those who complete weaker onboarding programs.

If you want to improve the onboarding experience for your sales team, read on. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we’re sharing a post from the Pipedrive blog that explains how to give your new sales reps the best possible start.

1. Pre-onboarding preparation. The Pipedrive post recommends preparing for your new hire before they even begin. Create measurable objectives that sales reps can meet before moving on to the next one. You should also have a robust variety of resources at the ready, including an org chart and a brief primer on your sales structure.

2. Orientation. When your sales rep arrives, spend the first week on orientation. Host an in-person welcome meeting, if possible, so the new employee can meet others around your promo company. The Pipedrive post also recommends assigning a mentor for your new sales rep and walking them through the key technologies they’ll use every day.

3. Basic sales training. In addition to a welcome pack with resources and an orientation, provide sales training that can get your new sales rep up to speed on the promo industry. The post recommends spreading out your training program over enough time to cover each topic in relevant detail.

4. Role-specific training. In this step of the onboarding process, you’re helping prepare sales reps for their specific responsibilities. You might cover detailed information on various promo items or relevant case studies your sales reps could share with prospects.

5. Shadowing and mentorship. The experienced sales reps on your team are a great resource for your new sales reps. Make sure you build in shadowing and mentorship programs to ensure your knowledgeable team members can share their expertise with the new reps. The post says the relationships your new salespeople develop with their mentors can continue to support their development as they grow into the role.

6. Ongoing support and development. Remember that it will take time for your new sales reps to ramp up to full effectiveness. You can speed up the process, the Pipedrive post says, by building a structure for continuous development. Provide regular feedback and encourage your sales reps to share their ideas and express their challenges.

7. Sales onboarding evaluation and adjustment. As your new hire reaches the end of the ramp-up process, evaluate the success of their onboarding. This can help you refine the process for new hires in the future.

Don’t neglect your onboarding process. Not only can it help your new sales reps hit the ground running, but it can also improve retention rates and overall team performance. When your new team members feel prepared and valued, they’re more likely to thrive, which can lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: The Pipedrive blog. Pipedrive is cloud-based CRM tool that helps sales teams manage sales pipelines.