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Communication, Influence & Sales Techniques

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Apply active listening techniques to understand client needs and build trust in sales conversations.

  • Use persuasive storytelling to communicate business value and influence decision-makers.

  • Structure effective sales conversations that guide clients toward informed decisions.

  • Adapt communication styles to engage different stakeholders in B2B sales environments.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Recently updated!

April 2026

Assessments

20 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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This course is part of the B2B Sales Negotiation: Leveraging AI Professional Certificate
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.
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  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate from Coursera

There are 12 modules in this course

Develop the communication and influence skills needed to succeed in modern B2B sales. In this course, you’ll learn how to build trust with clients, communicate value clearly, and guide sales conversations with confidence. The course focuses on practical techniques such as active listening, persuasive storytelling, and structured sales communication that help sales professionals connect with stakeholders and influence decisions.

You’ll explore proven approaches for building rapport, identifying client needs, and presenting solutions in a way that highlights business value. Through guided exercises and real-world sales scenarios, you’ll practice framing messages, responding effectively to client concerns, and adapting your communication style for different audiences. What makes this course unique is its focus on communication strategies used in complex B2B environments. Instead of focusing only on theory, you’ll learn how to apply communication techniques in real sales interactions, helping you strengthen relationships, improve client conversations, and move deals forward more effectively. These skills form the foundation for advanced negotiation, sales strategy, and relationship management covered later in the program.

You will identify key active-listening behaviors such as paraphrasing, asking open-ended questions, and summarizing to strengthen trust and engagement during buyer interactions.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 16 minutes
  • Welcome and Course Introduction5 minutes
  • What Active Listening Really Looks Like in Sales6 minutes
  • Common Listening Mistakes That Break Trust5 minutes
1 readingTotal 10 minutes
  • Active Listening: Definition, Skills, and Techniques 10 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 20 minutes
  • Hands-on Learning: Identify Active Listening Behaviors15 minutes
  • Practice Assignment: Active Listening Fundamentals Check5 minutes

You will analyze a discovery call and produce a clear, structured summary that accurately reflects the buyer’s stated needs and priorities.

What's included

2 videos1 reading3 assignments

2 videosTotal 9 minutes
  • Listening for Needs, Not Just Keywords5 minutes
  • Turning a Discovery Call into Clear Notes4 minutes
1 readingTotal 8 minutes
  • Active Listening: Techniques, Benefits, and Examples8 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes
  • Hands-on Learning: Summarize a Discovery Call15 minutes
  • Practice Assignment: Listening-to-Summary Readiness Check5 minutes
  • Graded Assessment: Master Active Listening Task20 minutes

In this module, you will examine why structured stories outperform feature-based pitches in sales conversations. By breaking down the situation–struggle–solution framework and linking it to buyer psychology, you will build a clear mental model for how narrative shifts perception, attention, and recall.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment

2 videosTotal 8 minutes
  • Storytelling as a Sales Advantage3 minutes
  • Why Buyers Remember Stories, Not Slides6 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • How Narrative Structure Shapes Buyer Perception6 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Reframing a Sales Message as a Story10 minutes

In this module, you will apply storytelling principles to craft a concise, persuasive customer success story for a sales conversation. You will focus on translating the situation → struggle → solution framework into a 200-word narrative that demonstrates customer value, credibility, and relevance. Through guided examples, hands-on drafting, and a single extended Coach dialogue, you will refine your story for real-world delivery and buyer impact.

What's included

1 video1 reading2 assignments

1 videoTotal 5 minutes
  • Writing a 200-Word Story for a Product Pitch5 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • What Makes a Customer Story Believable in Sales6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Drafting a Customer Success Story for a Product Pitch15 minutes
  • Graded Assesment : Applying Storytelling to Sales Conversations20 minutes

In this module, you will learn how to diagnose B2B negotiation scenarios and determine whether a competitive or collaborative approach is most appropriate. Using real-world business cases, you will apply a structured diagnostic framework to evaluate relationship value, strategic importance, and long-term impact, ending with a clear decision-making method you can use before any negotiation.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment

2 videosTotal 9 minutes
  • Introduction and Welcome3 minutes
  • Competitive vs. Collaborative Negotiation in Practice5 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • How to Choose the Right Negotiation Style (Diagnostic) 6 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Diagnose the Right Negotiation Style15 minutes

In this module, you will move from diagnosis to execution by applying a structured collaborative negotiation checklist in a realistic B2B scenario. You will learn how to open with shared purpose, uncover underlying interests, design value-expanding trade-offs, and guide the conversation toward mutual agreement, ending with a practical role-play that demonstrates your ability to create sustainable, win-win outcomes.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videosTotal 8 minutes
  • The Collaborative Negotiation Checklist in Action5 minutes
  • Advancing through Continuous Learning3 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • Preparing and Structuring Collaborative Negotiation 6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Draft a Collaborative Negotiation Script15 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Applying Negotiation Style and Collaborative Techniques20 minutes

In this module, you learn how to distinguish between features, benefits, and measurable business outcomes, and why outcome-value framing strengthens executive negotiations. You practice converting feature-based messaging into quantified business impact statements.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment

2 videosTotal 9 minutes
  • Introduction and Welcome 4 minutes
  • Why Executive Buyers Respond to Business Outcomes5 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • From Features to Outcomes: How Buyers Hear Value in B2B Sales 6 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Reframing Drill: Convert 5 Features into Measurable Business Outcomes15 minutes

In this module, you will learn how to structure a value proposition centered on measurable outcomes. You apply a practical framework to rewrite product messaging so it clearly demonstrates financial, strategic, and executive-level impact.

What's included

1 video1 reading2 assignments

1 videoTotal 5 minutes
  • Structuring an Outcome-Driven Value Proposition5 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • Using a Structured Worksheet to Turn Features into Executive-Ready Outcomes 6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Complete the “Value Proposition Builder” Worksheet15 minutes
  • Graded Assignment: Value Selling Mastery Assessment20 minutes

In this module, you explore how rapport is formed quickly in client conversations and why early connection shapes trust and engagement. You identify three rapid-rapport techniques—mirroring, small-talk alignment, and shared experiences—and reflect on how these behaviors influence first impressions. By the end of the module, you will be able to list and recognize rapport-building techniques used in effective sales openings.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

3 videosTotal 11 minutes
  • Introduction and Welcome3 minutes
  • What Rapport Really Looks Like in Sales Conversations4 minutes
  • Common Rapport-Building Mistakes to Avoid4 minutes
1 readingTotal 8 minutes
  • Rapid-Rapport Techniques for Early Client Conversation8 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Identify Rapport Techniques in Action15 minutes

In this module, you apply rapport-building techniques in simulated first-meeting scenarios. You focus on opening conversations naturally, choosing appropriate techniques, and establishing connection without wasting time. By the end of the module, you will be able to demonstrate rapport within the first two minutes of a client interaction.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videosTotal 6 minutes
  • Opening a First Meeting with Confidence and Connection3 minutes
  • Demonstrating Rapport in the First Two Minutes3 minutes
1 readingTotal 10 minutes
  • Applying Rapid-Rapport Techniques in the First Two Minutes of a Client Meeting10 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Practice a Rapport-Focused Opening15 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Build Client Rapport Task20 minutes

In this module, you will explore four common DISC-style communication profiles used in B2B sales. The lesson focuses on recognizing behavioral cues and language patterns so sales professionals can quickly adapt their approach in real conversations.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

3 videosTotal 11 minutes
  • Welcome & Course Introduction3 minutes
  • When Great Sales Messages Miss the Mark4 minutes
  • How Sales Pros Identify Buyer Styles Fast4 minutes
1 readingTotal 8 minutes
  • The Four Communication Styles: Spotting Communication Styles in Buyer Language8 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Match the Style15 minutes

In this module, you will practice adapting sales communication for Analytical buyers by revising real emails. Emphasis is placed on clarity, structure, data use, and credibility—all critical to gaining trust and supporting decision making.

What's included

1 reading2 assignments

1 readingTotal 7 minutes
  • Effective Communication with Analytical Buyers and Writing for them.7 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Tailor the Email15 minutes
  • Graded Assessment: Adapting Communication Styles for Sales Impact20 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. The course introduces foundational communication and influence techniques used in B2B sales. It is suitable for learners who are new to sales as well as professionals who want to strengthen their client communication skills.

You’ll develop skills in active listening, persuasive storytelling, relationship building, and structured sales communication that help you influence stakeholders and communicate value effectively.

The course focuses on practical scenarios such as client meetings, sales conversations, and value presentations. You’ll practice techniques that help build trust, uncover client needs, and guide conversations toward solutions.

No prior sales experience is required. The course introduces essential communication and influence techniques that are useful for learners entering sales roles or professionals working in client-facing positions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.