9 Best Sales Courses to Upskill Sales Managers

Today’s sales managers are expected to juggle performance coaching, pipeline accuracy, rep enablement, cross-functional alignment, and a dozen other KPIs without dropping the ball.

 

But while the demands have grown more complex, the training rarely keeps up.

 

Generic leadership programs don’t cut it.

 

Sales managers need training that’s purpose-built: courses that speak to their specific challenges, from improving forecast accuracy to reducing ramp time to coaching low performers back on track.

 

Because when a sales manager gets better, the entire team gets better. Revenue performance, team morale, rep retention it all starts at the top.

 

SUMMARY:

 

In this blog, you’ll find a curated list of sales manager training programs built to drive real results.  Whether you're stepping into the role, leveling up your leadership, or trying to hit key KPIs, this guide has what you need. 

These courses were selected based on input from top sales managers and in-depth reviews from real learners.

 

What’s inside:

• Leadership and coaching programs that actually stick
• Training tied to pipeline, forecasting, and revenue growth
• Courses for building high-performing, motivated teams
• Options for both tactical skills and strategic thinking

 

1. Dale Carnegie Sales Leadership Excellence

 

What is this course about?

The Dale Carnegie Sales Leadership Excellence program is designed to empower sales leaders with proven principles and practical skills essential for leading high-performing sales teams. Rooted in Dale Carnegie’s timeless leadership philosophies, this course blends motivational techniques, communication skills, and strategic leadership practices tailored specifically for the sales environment. Participants learn how to inspire, influence, and drive their teams to achieve and exceed sales targets while fostering a positive, results-oriented culture.

 

Course Focus:

 

• Fundamentals of effective sales leadership
• Building and sustaining team motivation
• Communication and interpersonal skills for leaders
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Performance management and accountability

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• Emerging and experienced sales managers
• Leaders aiming to boost team morale and productivity
• Professionals seeking to enhance leadership presence
• Those managing small to mid-sized sales teams

 

Pricing: Typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,500 depending on delivery and region.

 

Duration: Usually 3 to 5 days intensive workshops or spread over several weeks in modular sessions.

 

Delivery Mode: Available both as in-person workshops and online instructor-led courses.

 

2. HubSpot Sales Management Training

 

What is this course about?

HubSpot Sales Management Training offers a comprehensive suite of courses targeting sales fundamentals, team leadership, and sales operations management. Leveraging HubSpot’s CRM platform insights, the training equips sales leaders with actionable strategies to build high-performing teams, optimize sales pipelines, and integrate sales technology effectively. The program also addresses the challenges of remote team management and data-driven sales coaching.

 

Course Focus:

• Sales fundamentals and best practices
• Leading and motivating sales teams
• Sales operations and pipeline management
• Using CRM and sales analytics for decision making
• Remote sales team management strategies

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• New and seasoned sales managers seeking structured training
• Sales leaders wanting to leverage CRM data effectively
• Managers transitioning from individual contributor roles
• Teams adopting HubSpot CRM or similar platforms

 

Pricing: Free introductory courses available; advanced certifications typically $500-$1,500.

 

Duration: Flexible; self-paced online modules ranging from 3 to 12 hours total.

 

Delivery Mode: Fully online through HubSpot Academy platform.

 

3. LinkedIn Learning's Growing as a Sales Manager Path

 

What is this course about?

LinkedIn Learning’s Growing as a Sales Manager learning path is a curated collection of courses designed to develop core sales management skills. The program covers essential topics such as transitioning into management, coaching sales reps effectively, and measuring team performance. It is designed for sales professionals new to management roles or looking to sharpen their leadership toolkit with actionable insights and practical tips.

 

Course Focus:

 

• Transitioning from individual contributor to manager
• Coaching and mentoring sales teams
• Performance measurement and feedback
• Building high-performing sales cultures
• Managing remote or hybrid sales teams

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• First-time sales managers
• Sales leaders seeking continuous development
• Professionals transitioning into leadership roles
• Managers of small to medium sales teams

 

Pricing: Subscription-based; LinkedIn Learning costs approx. $30/month or $240/year.

 

Duration: Self-paced; typically 6-10 hours across multiple courses.

 

Delivery Mode: Fully online, on-demand video courses.

 

4. RAIN Sales Management Training

 

What is this course about?

RAIN Sales Management Training focuses on consultative selling, strategic account management, and negotiation skills tailored for sales leaders. The program blends theoretical knowledge with practical frameworks to help sales managers coach reps, build strategic sales plans, and close deals more effectively. Its consultative approach emphasizes understanding client needs and developing long-term relationships.

 

Course Focus:

 

• Consultative selling techniques
• Strategic account planning and management
• Sales negotiation skills
• Coaching for sales excellence
• Pipeline and territory management

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• Sales managers in consultative or complex sales environments
• Account managers looking to step into leadership
• Leaders seeking structured sales process improvement
• Teams focused on strategic and relationship selling

 

Pricing: Varies; typically $1,500 - $3,000 per participant.

 

Duration: Usually 2 to 4 days, available in classroom or virtual format.

 

Delivery Mode: Both in-person workshops and live virtual training.

 

5. Protouch Sales Management Training

 

What is this course about?

Protouch offers customized sales management training programs designed to align with the unique needs of sales teams and organizations. Their tailored approach includes coaching on leadership, sales strategy, and operational efficiency. Protouch’s training is focused on practical application, helping sales managers improve team dynamics, drive sales execution, and embed consistent sales processes.

 

Course Focus:

 

• Customized sales leadership development
• Sales process optimization
• Team motivation and coaching
• Sales analytics and performance tracking
• Change management and adaptation

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• Sales leaders in organizations seeking tailored solutions
• Managers needing practical, organization-specific training
• Teams undergoing transformation or growth phases
• Leaders focused on measurable sales performance improvement

 

Pricing: Customized pricing based on program scope.

 

Duration: Variable, from short workshops to multi-month engagements.

 

Delivery Mode: Primarily in-person; virtual options available on request.

 

6. SMEI Certified Sales Executive (CSE) Program

 

What is this course about?

The Certified Sales Executive (CSE) program by Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI) is a rigorous certification aimed at equipping sales leaders with advanced skills in strategic selling and sales management. It emphasizes aligning sales efforts with broader business strategies to build long-term competitive advantages. The course includes practical tools to identify underperforming areas, enhance profitability, and lead sales teams more effectively.

 

Course Focus:

 

• Sales management roles and responsibilities
• Strategic selling aligned with business objectives
• Profitability and sales process optimization
• Leadership and team engagement
• Tools for diagnosing and fixing sales issues

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• Experienced sales managers and directors
• Professionals aiming for recognized sales leadership certification
• Sales leaders responsible for strategic sales execution
• Those focused on improving sales team effectiveness and profitability

 

Pricing: Approx. $2,500 including exam fees.

 

Duration: 8-10 weeks, combining self-study and instructor-led sessions.

 

Delivery Mode: Online and blended learning options.

 

7. Cranfield Strategic Sales Leadership Programme

 

What is this course about?

Cranfield’s Strategic Sales Leadership Programme is an executive-level course designed to develop the capabilities required for effective sales management and leadership. It explores the qualities that make great sales managers and provides practical coaching techniques to improve team performance. The program is suitable for those working in both B2B and B2C contexts and aims to increase revenue through improved leadership and sales skills.

 

Course Focus:

 

• Fundamentals of sales management
• Sales coaching and performance improvement
• Strategic leadership in sales contexts
• Revenue growth through team development
• Application across B2B and B2C sales environments

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• Senior sales managers and leaders
• Those responsible for driving revenue growth
• Sales professionals transitioning into leadership roles
• Leaders seeking practical coaching methods

 

Pricing: Typically £3,000-£5,000 (varies by cohort).

 

Duration: 3-5 days intensive workshop format.

 

Delivery Mode: Primarily in-person with some virtual options.

 

8. Harvard Strategic Sales Management Program

 

What is this course about?

Harvard’s Strategic Sales Management program is a prestigious executive education offering focused on advancing strategic thinking and leadership in sales management. It addresses how to enhance sales team performance through effective coaching, performance measurement, and aligning sales strategy with company goals. The program is designed to develop skills that help managers increase company revenue in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets.

 

Course Focus:

 

• Strategic sales management principles
• Sales coaching and talent development
• Performance metrics and analytics
• Revenue growth strategies
• Managing sales teams in diverse market contexts

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• Senior sales executives and directors
• Sales leaders responsible for strategic initiatives
• Managers seeking advanced leadership training
• Professionals focused on measurable sales growth

 

Pricing: Typically $5,000 - $7,000 depending on session and delivery.

 

Duration: 4-6 days executive program.

 

Delivery Mode: In-person executive education, sometimes virtual options available.

 

9. Richard Harris: The Harris Consulting Group

 

What is this course about?

Richard Harris’s N.E.A.T. Selling™ Training and Reinforcement Program is a specialized sales leadership and team training initiative focused on sharpening core sales skills prospecting, qualification, discovery, and negotiation. Designed to enhance pipeline quality and forecasting accuracy, the program emphasizes practical, repeatable sales behaviors that drive higher win rates and boost overall sales confidence. With a strong foundation in technology and SaaS sales, Richard’s approach combines strategic insights with real-world applications to empower sales leaders and their teams.

 

Course Focus:

 

• Effective prospecting and pipeline development
• Qualification frameworks to identify the right opportunities
• Deep discovery techniques to understand customer needs
• Negotiation strategies to close deals confidently
• Reinforcement methods to sustain skill adoption

 

Who Will Find This Helpful:

 

• Sales leaders and managers in technology and SaaS sectors
• Teams needing improved pipeline quality and forecasting accuracy
• Sales professionals focused on skill reinforcement and behavior change
• Organizations looking to increase win rates and sales confidence

 

Pricing: Customized based on program scope and delivery.

 

Duration: Flexible; typically modular sessions over several weeks or months.

 

Delivery Mode: Primarily virtual live sessions; on-site workshops available upon request.

 

How to Choose the Right Sales Manager Training Course for Your Needs

 

Selecting the ideal sales manager training course requires a clear understanding of your current challenges, team dynamics, and long-term leadership goals. With a diverse range of programs available from foundational leadership skills to advanced strategic sales management here’s how to find the best fit for you and your team:

 

1. Identify Your Leadership Development Goals

 

• Are you a new manager transitioning from a sales rep role?

• Are you an experienced leader aiming to refine strategic and coaching skills?

• For new managers, courses like LinkedIn Learning’s Growing as a Sales Manager focus on essentials such as coaching, performance measurement, and managing teams.

• For senior leaders, programs like Harvard’s Strategic Sales Management or Cranfield’s Strategic Sales Leadership provide deeper strategy and leadership development.

 

2. Consider Your Industry and Sales Environment

 

• Does your sales team operate in a specific industry like technology, SaaS, or pharmaceuticals?

• For tech/SaaS-focused teams, Richard Harris’s N.E.A.T. Selling™ Training offers relevant skills in prospecting, qualification, and negotiation.

• If your organization needs customized training tailored to unique culture and challenges, consider Protouch Sales Management Training for tailored leadership development.

 

3. Evaluate Course Content and Focus Areas

 

• What skills or outcomes are most critical for your team?

• Need to improve pipeline quality and forecasting accuracy? Richard Harris’s program excels here.

• Want to enhance leadership presence and team motivation? Dale Carnegie Sales Leadership Excellence emphasizes interpersonal and motivational skills.

• Seeking structured sales management certification? The SMEI Certified Sales Executive program offers formal validation of skills.

 

4. Determine Learning Format and Time Commitment

 

• Does your team prefer flexible, self-paced online learning or intensive, in-person workshops?

• Online courses like HubSpot Sales Management Training and LinkedIn Learning offer flexibility with shorter modules.

• Programs such as Cranfield and Dale Carnegie are immersive, requiring several days in a workshop setting.

• Some courses blend virtual instructor-led sessions with self-paced components for balanced flexibility.

 

5. Assess Budget and Expected ROI

 

• What is your training budget and how much are you willing to invest in leadership development?

• Free or low-cost options (e.g., HubSpot) provide foundational knowledge at minimal cost.

• Certification courses and executive programs tend to be higher investment but offer recognized credentials and deeper impact.

• Custom programs’ pricing varies align scope and deliverables with your budget.

 

6. Look for Reinforcement and Practical Application

 

• Does the course include ongoing skill reinforcement and practical application?

• Programs like RAIN Sales Management Training and Richard Harris’s N.E.A.T. Selling™ focus on reinforcement through coaching and real-world practice.

• Reinforcement ensures behavior change is sustained beyond the training event, increasing long-term value.

 

7. Consider Certification and Career Advancement

 

• Is earning a recognized professional certification important for you or your team?

• Certifications such as SMEI’s CSE (Certified Sales Executive) can boost professional credibility and open new career paths.

• If certification isn’t a priority, you might opt for skill-specific or custom leadership programs instead.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Sales management isn’t a static role it evolves with every new target, every team shift, and every market curveball. 

 

And while there’s no shortage of training options, the real difference comes from choosing a course that speaks to your current reality, not someone else’s theory. The programs we’ve covered aren’t just popular, they're proven. But their impact depends on how honestly you assess your gaps and how intentionally you act on them.

 

Because great sales managers don’t just lead deals. They lead people. And the best ones never stop learning how to do it better. Choose the course that pushes you forward, not the one that just looks good on paper.