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Operations & Closing Skills

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

Recommended experience

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

What you'll learn

  • Apply structured sales processes to manage opportunities across the sales pipeline.

  • Identifydeal readiness and guide prospects through the final stages of the sales cycle.

  • Use practical closing techniques to convert qualified opportunities into successful deals.

  • Organize sales activities and workflows to improve operational efficiency in B2B sales.

Details to know

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Recently updated!

April 2026

Assessments

29 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

Build your Marketing expertise

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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  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
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There are 17 modules in this course

Strengthen the operational skills needed to manage sales opportunities and close deals effectively. In this course, you’ll learn how to structure the sales process, manage opportunities through the pipeline, and apply closing techniques that help move deals toward successful outcomes. The course focuses on practical approaches for organizing sales activities, tracking opportunities, and guiding clients through the final stages of the buying process.

You’ll explore how sales operations support successful deal execution, including pipeline management, opportunity tracking, and coordination of sales tasks. Through real-world scenarios, you’ll practice identifying deal readiness, responding to buyer concerns, and applying closing strategies that help convert opportunities into completed sales. What makes this course unique is its focus on the operational side of sales success. Instead of relying only on persuasion techniques, you’ll learn how structured sales processes, workflow organization, and effective deal management improve closing performance. These skills help sales professionals maintain momentum in the sales cycle and ensure deals move forward efficiently in complex B2B environments.

In this module, you will develop a shared, operational definition of the B2B sales funnel that you can reliably use in real sales conversations, pipeline reviews, and negotiation planning. You will not focus on tactics or scripts. Instead, you will learn to internalize the funnel as a decision-alignment framework—one that explains why certain actions work only at specific moments in the buyer journey. You will learn to differentiate stages based on buyer readiness and seller intent, rather than surface-level activity labels. You will understand that each funnel stage exists to reduce a specific type of risk, such as misfit, misalignment, premature commitment, or negotiation friction. You will also examine common breakdowns caused by stage confusion, such as proposing before discovery or negotiating before qualification.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videosTotal 14 minutes
  • Why Sales Funnels Exist in B2B Negotiation8 minutes
  • What Each Funnel Stage Looks Like in Real Sales Conversations6 minutes
1 readingTotal 8 minutes
  • Understanding the Six Stages of the B2B Sales Funnel 8 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 25 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Arrange the B2B Sales Funnel on a Timeline15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Can You Identify Funnel Stages Correctly?10 minutes

In this module, you will move from knowing the B2B sales funnel to using it as a practical decision framework. While the previous module focused on understanding the six funnel stages, this one focuses on application and judgment. You will learn to place real sales activities into the correct stage based on intent, buyer readiness, and risk. You will correct a common professional mistake: assuming that sales activities automatically define the stage. Instead, you will evaluate why an activity is being performed and what decision it is meant to support. For example, you will learn that a demo can function as discovery, proposal support, or negotiation reinforcement depending on context. You will understand how misplacing activities creates friction, confusion, and resistance—often mistaken for buyer objections.

What's included

1 video1 reading2 assignments

1 videoTotal 7 minutes
  • Sales Activities vs. Sales Stages — Why Confusion Costs Deals7 minutes
1 readingTotal 8 minutes
  • Mapping Sales Activities to Buyer Readiness in the Funnel8 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Graded Assessment: Assessing Sales Funnel Judgment: From Stage Recognition to Activity Placement20 minutes
  • Hands-On Activity: Place Sales Activities into the Correct Funnel Stage15 minutes

In this module you will examine why defining a BATNA is foundational to negotiation effectiveness. Using realistic workplace scenarios, this module will help you to recognize how BATNA shapes confidence, decision-making, and outcomes before any discussion begins.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment

2 videosTotal 8 minutes
  • Why Preparation Determines Negotiation Success3 minutes
  • What Happens When You Negotiate Without a BATNA5 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • Why Walking Away Is Often Empowering6 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Spot the BATNA15 minutes

In this module, you will apply BATNA thinking by completing a structured pre-call planning sheet. This module focuses on turning abstract preparation concepts into a practical artifact they can reuse at work.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videosTotal 10 minutes
  • From BATNA to Strategy: Filling the Planning Sheet6 minutes
  • Anticipating Concessions Without Undermining Your BATNA4 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • The Pre-Call Planning Sheet That Stops You from Winging It 6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes
  • Negotiation Readiness: BATNA Assessment25 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Build Your Pre-Call Planning Sheet15 minutes

This module builds the recognition foundation needed to map stakeholders correctly. Learners learn what the economic buyer, technical buyer, and user champion roles do in a deal (authority, risk ownership, adoption pull) and how those roles show up in realistic sales evidence like call notes, objections, and meeting behavior. The module focuses on correct identification under ambiguity—because titles alone are unreliable. Learners finish the module able to assign roles confidently and justify their reasoning in sales terms.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment

2 videosTotal 11 minutes
  • Map the Decision System, Not Just the Contacts6 minutes
  • Spotting Roles from Real Deal Evidence5 minutes
1 readingTotal 8 minutes
  • The Hidden Architecture of the Deal 8 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Diagnose Stakeholder Roles Before the First Call 15 minutes

This module converts role recognition into a usable planning artifact: an influence–interest map. Learners learn how to separate influence (power over the outcome) from interest (level of care and engagement) and how to place stakeholders based on case evidence. The module emphasizes usefulness: the map should tell you who to prioritize, who to align, who to de-risk, and where the deal is vulnerable.

What's included

1 video1 reading2 assignments

1 videoTotal 5 minutes
  • Influence vs Interest—The Two Variables That Prevent Deal Surprises5 minutes
1 readingTotal 5 minutes
  • Strategic Navigation: The Rules of the Map5 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Graded Assessment: Mapping Stakeholders with Evidence: Roles, Influence, and Strategic Judgment20 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Create a Stakeholder Influence-Interest Map for an Enterprise Prospect15 minutes

Learners explore how shared evaluation criteria bring clarity and alignment to pricing decisions. Through realistic sales scenarios, they examine how cost, ROI, and implementation time help teams compare solution options objectively and reduce opinion-driven debate.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 10 minutes
  • Introductory Video: Welcome to Smart Decision Matrix3 minutes
  • What Makes a Decision Matrix Credible: Evidence Before Scoring 4 minutes
  • How Shared Criteria Improve Sales Alignment3 minutes
1 readingTotal 5 minutes
  • Beyond Pros and Cons: The Logic of Weighted Decisions5 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-on Learning: Understanding Decision Criteria10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Shared Criteria in Decision-Making 5 minutes

Learners practice building and applying a weighted decision matrix to compare pricing packages. Using hands-on activities, they assign weights, score options, and identify a preferred solution, strengthening their ability to justify recommendations with structured, job-ready reasoning.

What's included

1 video1 reading2 assignments

1 videoTotal 4 minutes
  • How to Build a Weighted Decision Matrix4 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • Reading the Dashboard: How to Interpret Matrix Results 6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Graded Assessment: Evaluating Pricing Options Using a Decision Matrix20 minutes
  • Hands-on Learning: Create a Weighted Matrix15 minutes

In this module, learners build a shared vocabulary for price negotiations by examining three foundational tactics used in sales conversations. Through concrete examples and annotation practice, learners learn to recognize anchoring, bracketing, and trade-offs as they appear in real deal language.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videosTotal 10 minutes
  • Let's Learn How To Talk Price4 minutes
  • The Big Three: Anchoring, Bracketing, and Trade-Offs6 minutes
1 readingTotal 5 minutes
  • A Practical Taxonomy of Price-Negotiation Tactics5 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 25 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Festival Deal Negotiation: Spot the Strategy15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz : Recognizing Price-Negotiation Tactics in Real Conversations10 minutes

In this module, learners move from recognition to execution. They practice setting strong anchors, responding to counter-anchors, and trading non-price concessions to protect margin mirroring how experienced sales professionals manage real negotiations.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 19 minutes
  • Why Discounting Too Fast Costs You More Than Margin?7 minutes
  • Handling the Counter-Anchor7 minutes
  • Anchoring High and Trading Smart5 minutes
1 readingTotal 5 minutes
  • Non-Price Concessions That Buyers Actually Value5 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Graded Assesment : Run the Price Conversation20 minutes
  • Hands-on Learning : Simulated Price Call15 minutes

You will understand how visual hierarchy principles influence audience attention, clarity, and perceived value in sales presentations.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

3 videosTotal 15 minutes
  • Introduction and Welcome4 minutes
  • Why Visual Hierarchy Drives Persuasion5 minutes
  • How Audiences Read Slides5 minutes
1 readingTotal 7 minutes
  • Visual Hierarchy Basics: Contrast, Alignment, Repetition7 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Spot the Hierarchy Problems15 minutes

You will redesign pitch slides using contrast, alignment, and repetition to improve focus, readability, and message clarity.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

3 videosTotal 15 minutes
  • Why Slide Structure Matters More Than Content Density5 minutes
  • Applying Contrast, Alignment, and Repetition5 minutes
  • Redesigning a Slide for Clarity5 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • A Simple Framework for Structuring Pitch Slides6 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Redesign One Pitch Slide15 minutes

You will present a structured 3-slide pitch that clearly communicates the problem, value proposition, and next step with confidence.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 13 minutes
  • Why Clear Structure Supports Confident Delivery4 minutes
  • Structuring a 3-Slide Mini-Pitch4 minutes
  • Delivering with Clarity and Confidence5 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • A Practical Guide to Confident Pitch Delivery6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Graded Assessment: Designing and Delivering Effective Pitch20 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Deliver Your 3-Slide Mini-Pitch15 minutes

You will distinguish between key B2B closing techniques and understand when and why each is used to move deals forward.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 12 minutes
  • Welcome to Closing Deals Confidently4 minutes
  • Why Deals Stall at the Finish Line4 minutes
  • Recognizing the Right Moment to Close4 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • Closing with Precision: Integrating Technique, Context, and Delivery in Modern B2B Sales 6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 20 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Identify Closing Signals in Real Deals15 minutes
  • Recognizing Closing Moments5 minutes

You will distinguish between key B2B closing techniques and understand when and why each is used to move deals forward.

What's included

3 videos1 reading2 assignments

3 videosTotal 11 minutes
  • Introduction to Choosing the Right Close4 minutes
  • Why the Right Close Matters4 minutes
  • Buyer Signals and Closing Fit4 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • Selecting the Right Close: Aligning Technique with Buyer Behavior in B2B Sales6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 20 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Match the Close to the Deal15 minutes
  • Match the Close to the Scenario5 minutes

You will create and deliver a clear, confident summary close that reinforces value and supports buyer decision-making.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videosTotal 8 minutes
  • Why Delivery Matters as Much as Technique4 minutes
  • Delivering the Close with Confidence4 minutes
1 readingTotal 6 minutes
  • Closing Techniques: Summary closes6 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes
  • Closing Techniques Quiz20 minutes
  • Hands-On Learning: Deliver the Close15 minutes

In this project, you will manage a B2B sales opportunity by building a structured deal execution plan. You will organize the opportunity across the sales funnel, define your approach to planning and engagement, and prepare key actions required to move the deal forward. You will identify and map stakeholders involved in the deal, evaluate decision options using a structured framework, and prepare for pricing discussions. You will also develop a clear sales pitch outline and define a closing strategy to guide the deal toward agreement. This project simulates how sales professionals manage opportunities, structure deal workflows, and apply closing techniques in real sales environments. It focuses on organizing actions, making informed decisions, and executing a sales process that supports successful deal outcomes.

What's included

2 readings1 assignment

2 readingsTotal 7 minutes
  • Why Sales Operations and Deal Execution Matter 3 minutes
  • Sales Deal Execution: Project Requirements 4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes
  • Execute a Sales Deal Plan and Closing Strategy60 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

This course teaches how to manage sales opportunities, structure the sales process, and apply closing techniques that help convert qualified prospects into successful deals.

No. The course introduces core sales operations concepts and closing strategies, making it accessible for learners who want to improve deal management and closing performance.

By learning structured pipeline management, opportunity tracking, and practical closing strategies, learners can better manage deals and move prospects efficiently toward purchase decisions.

This course focuses on the operational side of sales success, helping learners understand how structured workflows, pipeline management, and closing techniques work together to improve deal outcomes.

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.