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⇱ Introduction to Sales: Foundations for Success | Coursera


Introduction to Sales: Foundations for Success

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Introduction to Sales: Foundations for Success

Included with

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

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Build a foundation in professional sales by mastering roles, processes, methodologies, and technologies for success in modern sales organizations.

  • Navigate the sales landscape by differentiating roles, understanding structures, and mapping career progression from entry-level to leadership.

  • Execute sales processes using SPIN, Challenger, and Solution Selling while demonstrating strong communication and relationship-building skills.

  • Leverage sales technology and create a career strategy aligned with ethical principles, strengths, and professional portfolio development.

Details to know

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Recently updated!

April 2026

Assessments

12 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

There are 4 modules in this course

Over 4.5 million sales jobs go unfilled annually due to lack of qualified candidates, yet sales remains one of the most accessible and rewarding career paths for motivated individuals.

This comprehensive beginner course transforms sales novices into confident professionals ready for today's dynamic marketplace. Through interactive modules, you'll explore the sales profession from multiple angles - understanding different roles, mastering essential methodologies, and gaining hands-on experience with the tools that drive modern sales success. Learn directly from industry experts who share real-world insights, ethical best practices, and proven strategies for building trust-based customer relationships. From your first cold call to closing deals, develop the foundational skills employers seek. Basic computer literacy (comfortable with email, web browsing, and productivity software like Word/Excel). No prior sales experience required. This course is intended for early-career professionals aspiring to start a career in sales (SDRs, AEs, BDRs), career-changers transitioning from customer service or marketing roles, junior sales representatives seeking foundational training, and anyone curious about building a career in professional selling. By course completion, you'll have created a portfolio-ready Sales Career Launch Plan demonstrating your understanding of sales processes, tool proficiency, and strategic thinking. This practical artifact, combined with your new skills in prospecting, relationship building, and sales technology, positions you to confidently pursue roles as Sales Development Representatives, Account Executives, or other entry-level sales positions across any industry.

In this module, you will explore the diverse landscape of the sales profession, discovering various roles, career paths, and organizational structures that define modern sales teams. You will learn how sales professionals collaborate with marketing and customer success teams to drive revenue growth. Through self-assessment, you will begin to identify which sales roles best align with your personal strengths. By the end of this module, you will have a clear understanding of the key players in the sales ecosystem and how they work together.

What's included

11 videos11 readings3 assignments1 plugin

11 videosTotal 67 minutes
  • Course Introduction6 minutes
  • Meet the Experts6 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: A Day in the Life of a Sales Professional14 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Why Sales is the Ultimate Career Launchpad6 minutes
  • Introduction to Sales: Beyond the Stereotypes5 minutes
  • What Does a Sales Development Representative Really Do?5 minutes
  • Account Executive vs. Account Manager –Responsibilities and Measures of Success5 minutes
  • Customer Success Managers: Driving Retention and Growth5 minutes
  • Inside a Modern Sales Organization5 minutes
  • Sales + Marketing + Customer Success: The Revenue Engine4 minutes
  • Sales Team Dynamics: Collaboration in Practice 5 minutes
11 readingsTotal 72 minutes
  • Course Welcome and Overview5 minutes
  • Course Syllabus5 minutes
  • Transitioning into Sales: Common Questions for Career Changers 10 minutes
  • Career Resource: Resume Template for Entry-Level Sales Positions 10 minutes
  • Helpful Tips for Course Completion2 minutes
  • Sales Career Guide5 minutes
  • Job Analysis Template 10 minutes
  • Choosing Your Sales Path: SDR vs. AE vs. AM Decision Guide 10 minutes
  • LinkedIn Profile Guide for Aspiring Sales Professionals 5 minutes
  • Industry Comparison Chart5 minutes
  • Summary and Highlights: The World of Sales5 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 48 minutes
  • Introduction to Sales Roles and Career Paths10 minutes
  • Sales Team Structure and Collaboration8 minutes
  • Sales Roles and Teams30 minutes
1 pluginTotal 15 minutes
  • Your First Day at TechStart Inc.15 minutes

In this module, you will master the foundational knowledge every sales professional needs to succeed. You will explore the complete sales cycle and learn how the selling environment, from B2B to B2C and inside to field sales—shapes the approach. You will use a character strengths framework to identify your ideal sales environment. Through examination of proven methodologies and sales psychology, you will develop a toolkit of approaches for different selling situations, preparing you to engage customers effectively while building trust and delivering value.

What's included

11 videos5 readings4 assignments1 app item1 plugin

11 videosTotal 49 minutes
  • Understanding the Sales Funnel 4 minutes
  • Stages of the Modern Sales Cycle 5 minutes
  • Sales Metrics and Success Measures5 minutes
  • Demo: Sales Process Mapping Workshop6 minutes
  • Day in the Life: B2B Enterprise Sales Rep4 minutes
  • Inside Sales vs. Field Sales: Which is Right for You?5 minutes
  • Retail vs. SaaS Sales: Key Differences4 minutes
  • Matching Sales Environments to Your Strengths 4 minutes
  • SPIN Selling Explained4 minutes
  • Solution Selling vs. Challenger Selling4 minutes
  • Choosing the Right Sales Methodology4 minutes
5 readingsTotal 35 minutes
  • Sales Cycle Best Practices5 minutes
  • Sales Metrics Explained: Quick reference for KPIs and benchmarks 10 minutes
  • Sales Process Template 10 minutes
  • Methodology Comparison Guide5 minutes
  • Summary and Highlights: Sales Fundamentals and Processes5 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes
  • The Sales Cycle: From Prospect to Customer12 minutes
  • Industries and Sales Environments10 minutes
  • Sales Process, Methodologies, and Skills8 minutes
  • Sales Fundamentals and Processes30 minutes
1 app itemTotal 60 minutes
  • Lab: Create Your Sales Process Map60 minutes
1 pluginTotal 15 minutes
  • Lab: Sales Environment Self-Assessment 15 minutes

In this module, you will gain hands-on experience with the technology ecosystem that powers modern sales operations. You will learn to navigate Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, master communication and productivity tools, and explore how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform sales processes. Through practical demonstrations and labs, you will build confidence in using these tools to manage relationships, track opportunities, and enhance productivity. This foundation prepares you to adapt quickly to any sales technology stack in your future role.

What's included

6 videos6 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

6 videosTotal 30 minutes
  • Using a CRM Platform to Track Your Work4 minutes
  • Know Your Numbers: Why Data Management Matters 4 minutes
  • Demo: CRM Platform Tour: Salesforce, HubSpot and others7 minutes
  • Sales Tech Stack Essentials5 minutes
  • Email Tools for Sales: Automation and Templates5 minutes
  • Video Conferencing and Virtual Demos5 minutes
6 readingsTotal 30 minutes
  • CRM Selection Guide 5 minutes
  • CRM Selection Guide: Choosing the Right Platform for your Role 5 minutes
  • CRM Comparison Chart5 minutes
  • Sales Tools Analysis5 minutes
  • Building Your Sales Tech Stack: Essential Tools for Beginners5 minutes
  • Sales Tools Budget Calculator 5 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 48 minutes
  • CRM Systems and Data Management10 minutes
  • Communication and Productivity Tools8 minutes
  • Sales Tools and Technology Landscape30 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • The "Human-in-the-Loop" Outreach Strategy 10 minutes
1 pluginTotal 15 minutes
  • Lab: CRM Hands-On Practice15 minutes

In this final module, you will first explore the critical importance of ethics and integrity in building a successful sales career. You will then synthesize all course learning into a comprehensive Sales Career Launch Plan that demonstrates your readiness for the profession. Through creating practical deliverables including role analyses, sales process maps, and a personalized development roadmap, you will build a portfolio that showcases your understanding and commitment to professional selling. The module concludes with resources to support your career transition and a final exam validating your mastery of sales fundamentals.

What's included

5 videos8 readings2 assignments1 peer review2 plugins

5 videosTotal 27 minutes
  • Why Ethics Matter in Sales5 minutes
  • Breaking Stereotypes: Building Trust in Modern Selling4 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: How Integrity Helped My Career7 minutes
  • Course Wrap-Up5 minutes
  • Expert Viewpoints: Tips and Advice for a Career in Sales7 minutes
8 readingsTotal 50 minutes
  • Ethical Selling Principles Guide: A Practical Overview of Ethical Principles (Honesty, Transparency, Respect, and Compliance with Regulations)5 minutes
  • Ethical Dilemmas in Sales: Common Scenarios and Guidance 5 minutes
  • Final Project Overview5 minutes
  • 30-60-90 Day Plan Template5 minutes
  • Interview Preparation Checklist 10 minutes
  • Congratulations and Next Steps5 minutes
  • Team and Acknowledgments 5 minutes
  • Course Glossary 10 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 38 minutes
  • Ethics and Integrity in Sales8 minutes
  • Final Exam: Introduction to Sales30 minutes
1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes
  • Final Project: Submission and Evaluation 60 minutes
2 pluginsTotal 30 minutes
  • Ethics in Action15 minutes
  • Final Project: My Sales Career Launch Plan15 minutes

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