Today’s dynamic business landscape has allowed entrepreneurial opportunities to flourish more than ever. The gig economy, alongside direct selling, plays a vital role in boosting local economies. However, skill gaps still exist. Reskilling and upskilling have always been important across various industries, and the need to quickly acquire and hone new skills has become increasingly urgent.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, businesses predict that new technologies and a focus on sustainability will create numerous new jobs. The most in-demand skills will be creative thinking, problem-solving, and learning new things. Embracing these skills will be crucial for staying relevant and competitive in the evolving job market.
The good news is that the rise of digital learning and the abundance of online courses available today make it easier than ever to upskill. The trick is understanding which skills are necessary to stay ahead of the game.
Want to stay competitive in an ever-evolving world? Here are five things you can do to sharpen your edge and up your sales game.
qLearn Courses for Upskilling Your Direct Selling Game
Learn how to crunch those numbers
Analysis has always been a highly sought-after business skill, but what’s in demand is the ability to understand data. Research shows that the ability to investigate trends and customer needs can lead to salespeople closing more deals.
Granted, not everyone finds numbers, graphs and diagrams easy. However, several programmes, like qLearn’s Information Management course, are specifically designed to help marketing professionals utilise information to boost returns.
Improve your social media marketing skills
To be an expert direct selling rep, you absolutely have to know how to create engaging content for social media. Whether you’re uploading stories on Instagram and videos on TikTok, posting on Facebook, or blogging, the ability to effectively market through social media is crucial.
qLearn’s Facebook – Social Media Marketing course offers insights into creating compelling content, growing your audience, and maximising engagement on social platforms. Additionally, strong writing skills are essential for crafting compelling messages. The Presentation and Writing Skills course introduces you to a world of letters, giving you a solid foundation to build on your writing and presentation skills. You’ll also acquire the valuable skill of minute writing, learn to manage email stress and get started with social media. Plus, you’ll revise your English grammar and spelling and master the art of crafting the perfect résumé.
Get better at presentations
Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran, every marketing pro wants to knock it out of the park at presentations. It takes practice and quite a bit of talent to become an expert presenter. Indeed, the new norm of online meetings has resulted in additional challenges and requires a different focus. qLearn’s Delivering Professional Presentations course has been designed to provide you with the skills you need to deliver a presentation confidently and professionally; from exploring best practices to finding the right tools, this course packs a punch.
Prioritise efficient time management
It might seem silly to suggest sales professionals have issues managing their time. However, recent shifts in work environments and hybrid working styles have led to many people, including direct sellers, complaining of distractions and other productivity issues. Developing time management skills has become crucial, particularly to those whose work involves making and closing deals. The qLearn Managing Yourself and Your Time course focuses on identifying negative time-stealing habits and replacing them with more efficient processes.
Learn to lead better
As much as direct selling is about closing deals, it’s primarily about relationships. Whether you’re a company leader, upline or newbie, it’s vital to have a great working relationship with your team members.
The lack of face-to-face interactions in these current working norms can be challenging, which is why a course like Using Teamwork To Boost Performance is key. It supplies you with the leadership skills needed to motivate and guide your team to success – and your career to greater heights.
To further develop your leadership capabilities, qLearn’s Developing Your Leadership Style course helps you identify and refine your personal leadership style. This module includes a diagnostic assessment to discover which style fits you best, and provides strategies to adapt your style depending on the situation.
In the ever-evolving world of direct selling, staying ahead requires continuous learning and skill development. Leveraging the comprehensive courses offered by qLearn will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to excel. Embrace these opportunities to reskill and upskill, and watch your direct selling game reach new heights.
This article was originally published on 14 September 2021 and has been updated with new details for more relevance.
