Sales Onboarding Best Practices: Accelerate Ramp-Up with LXPs

Let's begin with a brief definition. A Learning Experience Platform, or LXP, is an AI-based learning environment created to provide a more interactive, learner-centric experience than the conventional LMS system. As opposed to a static LMS, LXPs are adaptive, elastic, and above all, customized.

Imagine them as the Netflix of learning, where every rep has content that aligns to their role, experience level, and learning style. They can view it anywhere, anytime which is perfect for constantly mobile sales teams.

So why are LXPs so effective for onboarding sales employees?

Because they address just what sales reps require: speed, relevance, and interactivity. With capabilities such as bite-sized learning, social forums, real-time feedback, and AI-driven content suggestions, LXPs enable reps to learn quicker and remember more, all while keeping them on track with business objectives.

Develop Role-Based Learning Paths

One-size-fits-all doesn't apply in sales. An SDR's day is very different from that of an Account Executive or Customer Success Manager. And most onboarding programs bucket them together.

LXPs enable you to create tailored learning paths for every role. That means your SDRs will concentrate on objection handling and prospecting tools, while your AEs will dive deep into negotiation techniques and product deep-dives.

This role-based training makes sure that reps aren't spending their time on non-relevant modules. Rather, they learn the very things they need to achieve in their jobs.

Use Interactive and Scenario-Based Content

If you want your reps to remember what they learned, you have to make it stick. And nothing sticks better than learning through experience.

LXPs allow role-play activities, product simulations, and interactive video scenarios that simulate actual customer calls to be easily integrated. The tools enable reps to gain confidence without ever having to put the phone to their ear.

Even go so far as to gamify the experience, which includes leaderboards, badges, and quizzes, to keep them engaged and motivated during the onboarding process.

Support Social and Collaborative Learning

Sales isn't a solo endeavor, and learning isn't either. Yank one of the largest onboarding opportunities missed: failing to engage the collective wisdom of your current sales team.

LXPs enable social learning functions such as discussion boards, peer feedback, and internal communities. But the question is, how to onboard new sales reps. The answer is that reps can learn from top performers, ask questions in the moment, and communicate wins and losses openly.

You can also designate mentors or "onboarding buddies" from the platform to support new hires. Having a human touch creates a sense of belonging and enhances learning effectiveness.

Embed Sales Tools and CRM Systems

Salespeople exist in their CRM. So why not take the training to where they already reside?

A robust LXP must seamlessly work with tools such as Salesforce, HubSpot, or any other sales enablement or CRM platform your team employs. That way, onboarding doesn't become an added task; it is naturally integrated into their workflow.

You can nudge contextual learning modules based on what reps do in the CRM. For instance, when someone makes their first call, the LXP can suggest a quick refresh on discovery questions. That's learning in the moment of need.

Track Progress through Analytics and Adaptive Learning

Not every rep learns the same, or as quickly, and that's just fine. What's important is catching who's lagging early on and getting them back up to speed.

LXPs provide solid analytics that allow you to see it all: module completion, quiz scores, time spent reading, and so on. You're able to see how each rep is doing.

Better yet, a lot of LXPs employ adaptive learning algorithms. If a rep is having trouble with a subject, the system can automatically present additional resources, practice modules, or even recommend a mentor to assist them. That sort of customized support is a game-changer for new hires.

Onboarding isn't something that needs to be finished in the first 30 days. In reality, some of the most important learning occurs after reps are already on the job.

LXPs simplify continuing learning beyond onboarding. You can update training perpetually in response to new product releases, market adjustments, or changes in your sales process. You can also plan refreshers and reminders that keep skills up-to-date over time.

And because LXPs monitor student participation for the long haul, it's simple to spot reps ready for the next level, whether that is leading a team or overseeing major accounts.

Let's make this real with a brief example

It had a 5-month average ramp-up time for new sales reps, on which they were only able to get 60% of new hires to quota in the first 6 months.

When they shifted to an LXP-powered onboarding program, they created role-based learning paths with interactive modules, real-time practice, and mentor guidance. They also integrated their platform with their CRM to offer just-in-time training.

The payoff?

Ramp time fell below 3 months. New-hire quota achievement was up to 85% in 6 months. And reps' feedback was extremely positive; they felt supported, engaged, and confident in their roles much more quickly.

Sales onboarding best practices doesn't have to be a harried dash against the clock. With the appropriate tools and approach, it can be a disciplined, interesting, and productive experience.

Learning Experience Platforms deliver that framework and the ability to customize onboarding for each sales role. With curated learning pathways, interactive content, social interaction, and intelligent analytics, LXPs enable you to get your reps ramped up quicker and better.

The secret is not to treat onboarding as a do-try-once-and-be-done-with-it project. Leverage your LXP to create a culture of constant learning, so your sales team not only gets up to speed quickly but continues to grow and win long after.

If you haven't checked out LXPs for your sales team yet, now is the time. Your future star performers are waiting.