One of the biggest concerns we’ve heard from Alberta tech company founders is that they need help growing their companies through sales and business development. According to the most recent report from the Sales Talent Agency, there are currently 2,600 open positions for entry-level sales positions. What does that mean? There are 1,776 privately held tech companies in Calgary alone…and many of them are hiring! According to Calgary Economic Development, there has been a 22 percent growth in tech talent and total tech jobs over the past five years. Alberta is ranked as one of the top 50 North American tech markets. The numbers don’t lie - there are endless opportunities to join innovative companies that are tackling some of the world's greatest challenges. What are you waiting for?

Sales is all about building relationships with people, so if you are curious and love helping others by following a well-defined process, this pathway could be for you. The sales team plays an integral role in the company’s growth and success. A great salesperson can be the most important part of the sales funnel, converting prospects into customers. Read on for more of our frequently asked questions.

Why enroll in the Lean Sales program?

This course is designed to prepare participants for entry-level sales roles. You’ll learn everything you need to know about sales – from prospecting through closing. We go into the nitty gritty on sales, but we also guide you through the strategy bits every tech company needs to win – like understanding your target customer, value, differentiation, pricing and unit economics. We will teach you a highly strategic approach to building or tuning a sales engine. You’ll learn practical skills like prospecting, qualifying and demos. You’ll also learn how to craft (or refine) sales messaging and how to do effective sales presentations and product demos.

Are there any qualifications or prerequisites required?

If you have strong communication skills, love working with people, problem-solving and are comfortable with technology, then you’re likely a good fit for the Lean Sales program. We’re open to anyone who thinks they can add value in tech marketing, even if they come from a non-traditional background.

Ideally, we like to see some experience in sales, even if it’s volunteering. Some other key skills and traits you already possess:

Curious
Patience
Consistency
Keen listener
Strong interpersonal skills
Great communication skills
Enjoy following a process and overcoming challenges

Why are there four weeks of Essential Skills Training?

In the first portion of the program, you will engage in deep career work to help identify skills, interests, values, and unique aspects of your personality. This self-reflection will give you a strong foundation to choose a career path that is a great fit for you. If you're still not sure, don’t worry. Our facilitators are experts in career development and we will help you figure out which of the four career paths is the best fit.

What roles will I be qualified for?

Entry-level sales roles like Sales Development Representative (SDR), Business Development Representative (BDR), and sales support roles.

What kind of projects will you work on?

You will work on real-world sales projects, which may include one or several of the following:

Researching and building prospect lists

Auditing a sales process and making recommendations for improvements
Refining sales messaging and its applications in email/phone scripts
Developing a sales presentation
Defining prospecting cadences

What is the learning style?

This is not an academic or theory-based course. You will get hands-on learning, working on real industry projects. We like to think of learning in three phases:

Learn - review videos/readings in advance
Apply - apply the learning to real tech company projects and assignments
Discuss - live sessions with instructors to discuss what you learned, collaborate with your cohort, and get feedback on your work and review how it was applied.

Our model of “learn while doing” ensures progress each and every week, and our alumni report gains in skills, confidence and tangible outcomes.

Who are the instructors?

Your instructors are from OnRamp and will include industry experts and seasoned sales professionals, with experience in the tech trenches.

What equipment will I need?

Standard laptop and access to wifi. Wifi is provided free of charge in our Learning Space. You may also need access to Zoom and earphones.

How will I land my first job?

We offer a wide variety of career support. We teach you professional networking skills, and help with resume writing and LinkedIn accounts - all of the tools you’ll need to land that first job. In addition, we offer Lunch and Learns with local tech employers, make introductions to local tech companies and organize and attend tech ecosystem events. The Learning Space is situated in the heart of Calgary’s Innovation District so you will be close to all of the action and networking opportunities.

What are the hours and expectations?

Cohort 2 and 3 - part-time and virtual 9 weeks. It’s an intense, fast-paced learning experience intentionally designed to emulate what it’s like working in a tech company. You’ll be accountable for your own learning, with our support, but we won’t be holding your hand. It’ll be hard work, but for those who are up for it, you’ll be job-ready upon graduation.

What are you waiting for?

Ready to learn more? Attend our TechTrek event.

What is Lean Sales?