Plenty of questions are swirling around in salespeople’s minds: Is it acceptable to prospect right now? Are my clients in a position to renew this month? How do I start a sales conversation? With so much change and uncertainty in the world right now, working in sales is especially challenging.

Paul Petrone, head of academic and government marketing at LinkedIn Learning, points professionals to a slew of free courses that cover the pressing issues for many salespeople right now. Keep reading this issue of Promotional Consultant Today for Petrone’s list of courses that cover everything from selling with authenticity to embracing unexpected change.

Courses To Help You Sell During Unusual Times
How do you sell right now? During this time, more than ever, Petrone says it’s critical to understand the needs of your customers and prospects. It’s about asking thoughtful questions and actively listening, so you deeply understand their pain points and needs—which have likely changed.

Petrone says it’s also an opportunity to go deeper with existing customers and multi-thread throughout the organization to gain a more comprehensive view. The more helpful you can be here, the stronger and more meaningful those relationships will become. Explore these courses to learn how to empathize with your buyers and then co-create value with them.

Empathy for Sales Professionals
Asking Great Sales Questions
Solution Sales
Customer Journey Mapping: Case Study in Action
Selling with Authenticity

Courses For Showing Up Well On Screen
Since face-to-face meetings are temporarily on hold, salespeople must now sell almost exclusively online, via audio or video meetings. Petrone says this requires a new skill set: showing up digitally. When the pandemic ends, these skills will still be highly relevant and valuable. Watch these courses to learn how to sell well via digital meetings.

Digital Body Language
Leading Virtual Meetings
Executive Presence on Video Conference Calls

Courses To Help You Maintain Productivity
Working remotely can be a challenge when it comes to staying focused and productive. Salespeople must also learn how to make distinctive differences between work and home and still feel connected to their organization. Review the courses below to learn how to thrive while working from home.

Working Remotely
Time Management: Working From Home
Productivity Tips: Finding Your Productive Mindset

Courses To Help You Handle Emotions
Taking care of your customers and prospects right now is important, but you also must take care of yourself. Petrone encourages everyone to take a moment to focus on themselves when they feel stressed. Here are a few courses to help you through.

Embracing Unexpected Change
Managing Stress for Positive Change
Performing Under Pressure

If you’re not sure how to take the next step, consider pausing. The courses above can help guide you through the uncertainty and help you bolster your skills. Best of all—they’re free.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Paul Petrone is head of academic and government marketing, LinkedIn Learning at LinkedIn.