Is VR Training in the Workplace The Future Of Upskilling Sales Teams?

Is VR Training in the Workplace The Future Of Upskilling Sales Teams? Using VR for corporate training and events featured article image

We’ve heard much about the Metaverse lately, especially since Facebook changed its name to Meta. So we are so happy to get our hands on a VR headset. In particular, the Oculus Quest 2 will be used to try out in meetings, events, and corporate training. Now, we’re not talking about online learning. The one where you turn on your webcam, set a whimsical virtual background and converse in the chat window. No, we’re talking about a fully immersive virtual reality training experience. Yes, we know VR training isn’t exactly new for professionals like surgeons and soldiers. However, corporate training has only begun implementing VR training technology to improve its performance. Overall, this revelation left us with a question. Is VR Training in the workplace the future of upskilling our sales teams? Let’s find out.

What is Virtual Reality Training?

Virtual Reality Training uses digital simulations of specific professional scenarios for training purposes. It allows learners to interact with activities through an immersive headset and a pair of controllers. Learners move, look and speak in their 3D virtual setting. All while interacting with other employees, instructors, or in virtual environments. It takes away any sights, sounds and distractions of the “real world” to help the learner engage. Most programs are either 100% simulated programs, pre-recorded videos or live virtual interactions. 

Also read: 13 Top B2B Sales Trends to Watch This Year (2022) & What Is Digital Sales Transformation?

Further on, we’ll consider examples of different uses for VR training, but first, let’s explain the two types of VR: 

  1. 360° Video — An environment created from a recorded video shot with an omnidirectional camera to provide a 360° “real-world” view.
  2. Full Virtual Reality (VR) — Uses a fully simulated interactive environment. 

‘I hear and I forget. I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.’

 Xunzi (340 – 245 BC) a Chinese Philosopher

What are the benefits of VR training in the workplace?

Before beginning the process of deciding whether to invest in VR training, many seek to understand how it adds tangible value to operations and revenue. Discover several benefits of adopting VR training in the workplace below:

Also read: Importance of Training and Development in the Workplace

1. More cost-effective than traditional in-person training methods

Sure, the upfront costs can look a little daunting. Yet overall in-person training methods would still cost more than attending a pre-recorded Virtual Training Session. More so, once you’re all set up with equipment, applications and content; the license fee for virtual training is often quite reasonably priced when compared to in-person training. Don’t forget that as VR enters the mainstream, headsets and software will become cheaper as demand rises.

How much does virtual training cost?

The short answer is it depends. Virtual reality training programs can be costly. However, how much it costs will depend on what you require regarding program and content customization. Some pre-recorded virtual sales training programs start at $250 per learner. But if you need something custom-built for your team, you can expect that price to increase drastically. Aside from software, you’ll also need to invest in VR headsets. In general, they can range anywhere in quality and price from as low as $50 to $1500.

2. Provides a unique learning experience

What we like the most about VR training is the immersion. No distractions. With this headset on, you’re immersed in your virtual world. For example, you see your virtual event space when you look around. Not your computer, not your email, not the notifications on your phone. The immersion really helps to eliminate distractions that can happen when someone is learning on their computer.

3. Remote training and accessibility

If you have an international team spread out worldwide, you can bring each individual together to undertake team training together. Businesses no longer need to get employees together in the same physical space. Professional training has never been more accessible while still being immersive.

Ultimately, E-Learning has helped, but…

E-learning has been monumentally helpful, especially since the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold when many professionals started to work remotely. It’s highly accessible and convenient to use. It allows the learner greater autonomy to skip materials they already know and understand and the flexibility of choosing how and when to study these materials.

Virtual Reality training is filling the remote gap.

VR is more than just an immersive interactive experience; it’s a “real” environment where learners can fully develop soft skills and engage in advanced scenario-based learning and technical practices that once could only be done in-person and on-site; usually at high costs for the training provider.

Also read:

So – what’s the difference between AR and VR training?

Are you confused between AR and VR and how they’re used to deliver effective workplace training? Let’s explore their differences in detail below:

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality training in the workplace uses a VR headset connected to software that immerses the learner in an interactive or non-interactive simulated environment. This immersive environment is then used to teach learners how to perform certain aspects of their job that could be considered too risky in real life, safely and controlled, with no risk to the learner.

Augmented Reality (AR)

In comparison, Augmented Reality is an extension of “reality technology” (XR), an umbrella term used to describe technology that allows you to “add to reality” by superimposing texts, images, video and 3D models onto the world with mobiles, tablets and AR glasses that overlay the digital interactive elements exactly where the user is pointing the device.

VR Vs AR infographic, Virtual reality Vs Augmented Reality In The Workplace Infographic

Also read:

How to use VR Training in the workplace (+Examples)

While VR technology might have been born from gaming, the reality is that virtual reality innovations are shifting more and more into business applications. Below, we’ve illustrated several ways to use virtual reality training in the workplace.

1. Soft Skills Training

While many are still observing social distancing measures, business leaders everywhere are struggling for innovative ways to train employees in new skills, upgrade existing capabilities, and complete compliance training while watching as the skills gap widens.

However, the biggest challenge for leaders is supporting staff to improve soft skills that require interaction outside of their remote environment – with a whopping 59% of surveyed hiring managers, and 89% of executives reporting difficulty recruiting candidates with the requisite soft skills, such as communication, resilience, stress management, sales, teamwork, and leadership, it’s fair to say there needs to be a new way to train employees that desperately need these skills without having to be in-person. 

That’s where VR training is bridging the gap. So much so that the PwC VR Soft Skills Training Efficacy Study found VR training achieves this in an accessible and affordable way while allowing learners to feel they’ve had a meaningful experience.

Learn more in this video below by Scott Likens from PwC teams and the Harvard Business Review. They discuss how to use virtual reality (VR) to boost employees’ people skills in a webinar – sponsored by Oculus for Business.

2. Virtual Reality Sales Training

The possibilities for VR Sales Training are really exciting. Companies can either use pre-recorded VR scenarios or recreate their showroom or head office in virtual reality if the budget allows so that VR training can be delivered in a familiar space. Imagine getting virtual reality sales training in a digital version of your showroom, where the trainer can walk over to one of the products and start talking about it as they train, or a salesperson can practice selling their products in a digital version of their store.

Here are some of the uses and benefits of using VR to train sales teams across various industries, from technology to telecommunications:

Enhance e-learning

E-learning has always been a fast, effective, affordable way to onboard new hires. The thing that has always been missing from e-learning is the ability to practice these new skills in a safe environment. That’s where VR can come in, to add a practice element that mimics real-life scenarios without needing a live partner to practice with or a trainer to lead the activity.

Using a combination of e-learning and Virtual Reality, new hires can learn new skills with minimal downtime and supervision. VR sales training is mostly used with e-learning, but not all training is done in VR.

Practice real-life scenarios through role-playing in virtual reality

To maximize retention of new skills, learners need to practice new techniques they’re taught. This is often done through role-playing. By incorporating VR, learners can use a virtual environment to practice. Existing VR role-playing simulations include live sales pitches in a boardroom, 60-second virtual elevator pitches and even virtual reality exhibition scenarios. VR role-playing allows practice to happen without having to rely on another person to partner and interact with. Instead, the learner interacts with the virtual environment.

Using AI to test and analyze learners’ performance

Some VR training software incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze the learner’s tone of voice, eye contact with different prospects in the room, the number of filler words used and the pace of speech. This removes the need for a trainer or coach to be present to give feedback. Instead, the leader only needs to read the report from the AI to decide what further development might be needed.

The benefits of using VR for sales training infographic

3. Employee Collaboration

Promoting positive relationships is essential, even when staff are working from home. While many leaders and managers are content with the current status quo of collaborating with remote employees through video chat, VR technology transforms how remote coworkers foster a sense of alliance previously reserved only for a traditional office setting.

4. Virtual events & exhibitions

We’re all used to online events and conferences these days that we attend through our computer, but what if all attendees attended in virtual reality? With companies like the one that lent us the Oculus Quest 2, your attendees don’t have to buy their own. Instead, you can arrange for everyone to borrow a headset for the event.

The options available for an event set in virtual reality are where things get exciting. Companies can have their own custom space with stages and breakout rooms built. Participants can sit in the crowd, and the virtual event speaker can present slides and draw them on a whiteboard to illustrate their points. Participants can choose what breakout room they want to enter and then join the live discussion there. Some companies have even included a DJ booth and virtual bar or had an artist put on a concert as part of their virtual event.

Challenges of adopting VR training in the workplace

Many companies might find the initial investment of purchasing headsets to facilitate virtual training in the workplace to be expensive. The good news is that there are cost-efficient options out there, such as the Oculus Quest 2 or even headsets that use the learner’s mobile phone as the screen.

However, some have found that the price wasn’t the only barrier to adopting its use – some employees might not even want to get on board with the technology. Although the sole purpose of introducing VR training in the workplace is to benefit employees – there is always a risk of employee backlash if not discussed beforehand.

Are you considering taking the leap and getting stuck into VR training in the workplace but don’t know where to look for a suitable VR headset? Check out our recommendations below:

Oculus Quest 2

It’s easy to use and comfortable to wear and allows you to experience 360-degree content with a sharper resolution than its predecessor. However, note that if you’re not a fan of Facebook, it may not be for you as it requires you to connect to Facebook and has introduced ads.

Platform: Standalone

Price: $299 USD

Reasons to buy: Immersive experience, comfortable

Reasons to avoid: Can cause motion sickness, has advertisements, requires signing in to Facebook

HTC Vive Pro

This VR headset is worth considering if you require high-resolution, realistic, and astounding image quality. It has built-in headphones and soft nose guards to help block out as many distractions as possible. The only real downside is that the set-up is complicated as you need to install lighthouses to track the HTC Vive Pro in the space you intend to use it in, alongside the fact that it’s one of the best headsets currently available.

Platform: PC

Price: $799 USD

Reasons to buy: High-resolution display, Built-in headphones

Reasons to avoid: expensive VR headset, difficult set-up, headphones crackle

Merge VR

The Merge VR is great for those looking for a more inexpensive VR headset; while initially designed for kids, it is also compatible with many different types of phones, making it one of the most accessible VR headsets. 

Price: $50 USD

Reasons to buy: Inexpensive, easy set-up, easy to use, and soft foam interior makes it comfortable for long periods of use. 

Reasons to avoid: The industry is moving away from headsets that use phones in favor of all-in-1 units.

VR Software for the Workplace

Take a look at some of the most popular VR software available for companies to help with everything from collaboration and VR training to virtual events:

Arthur

One of the apps that can be used for this is called ‘Arthur’, although there are a lot of different software options available for virtual events. With these, you can have a virtual office space to meet and collaborate with your team or an events space to hold training sessions or events.

If you’ve got a team spread around the world or working from home, as is often the norm these days, imagine being able to meet virtually in the same virtual room and talk and collaborate while using a virtual whiteboard if you want. 

Mursion

Mursion virtual reality training allows learners to “master the complex interpersonal skills necessary to be effective in high-stakes professions.” Unsurprisingly, they support organisations in various industries with custom training programs such as healthcare, education, hospitality, finance, and the corporate sector. Overall, Mursion provides a wide range of immersive and authentic workplace environments to simulate challenging interpersonal on-the-job exchanges, enabling learners to improve their performance in a safe environment.

Oculus for Business

Oculus for Business is both enterprise-ready and user-friendly. It focuses on eliminating the physical barriers and discovering powerful new ways to train, collaborate, and boost productivity with VR training in the workplace. Oculus for Business is built on an enterprise-grade infrastructure that adheres to stringent data security standards and provides straightforward device management and advanced support, making it effortless to adopt and scale throughout your organization.

Final word: Is VR Training in the workplace the future of upskilling sales teams?

While VR headsets have been primarily used in the mainstream for gaming so far, we’re looking forward to seeing them used more in virtual reality training in the workplace and making virtual events more of an accessible and immersive experience.

However, until VR training in the workplace becomes more common, the cost will remain high – especially if you require a custom program designed specifically for your business’s needs. But as the effects of the pandemic continue to encourage remote work, VR training in the workplace will become an essential and practical investment for many businesses.

Investing in sales training enhances skills and empowers your team to thrive in today’s dynamic market.

At SOCO, we understand that the core of successful selling isn’t about aggressive tactics but about fostering genuine connections and providing real solutions.

Our training programs are crafted to help your team adapt, grow, and excel in building those vital customer relationships. With SOCO, you’re not just learning to sell; you’re learning to succeed.

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