If you’ve ever tried to roll out a product certification program, you know it’s never as simple as “upload some slides and call it a day.” Whether you’re in sales enablement, product marketing, or training, you’re probably looking for a way to actually get your team ramped up and certified—without wasting time. This guide walks you through launching a product certification program using Saleshood. I’ll point out what works, what to skip, and a few tricks that’ll save your sanity.
Step 1: Define What “Certified” Actually Means
Before you even log into Saleshood, get real about what you want people to know or do. Certification should mean something—otherwise, you’ll just be rubber-stamping your team.
Ask yourself: - What does a certified rep actually need to know or demonstrate? - Is this about memorizing features, demo skills, objection handling, or something else? - How will you measure if they’re ready? (Think: quizzes, roleplays, demo recordings.)
Pro tip:
Don’t try to cram everything into one “mega-certification.” Stick to the must-haves that move the needle. You can always add advanced modules later.
Step 2: Map Out Your Certification Flow
Put pen to paper (or open a doc) and sketch out the steps in your certification path. This helps you avoid making things up as you go along inside Saleshood.
A solid flow might look like: - Product overview (video or slides) - Key features deep-dive - Competitive positioning - Demo scenario walkthrough - Knowledge check (quiz) - Demo recording or pitch submission - Manager sign-off or peer review
What to ignore:
Don’t get bogged down with “bonus material” at this stage. If it’s not essential for certification, park it for later.
Step 3: Build Your Content—But Don’t Overthink It
Now you’re ready to create your materials. Saleshood supports videos, PDFs, quizzes, and user submissions. But don’t let perfectionism kill your momentum.
What works: - Short, focused videos over long, rambling ones. - Real-life examples and demo recordings. - Simple slide decks—polished enough to be clear, but not Hollywood-level. - Quizzes with clear right/wrong answers; avoid “gotcha” questions.
What doesn’t: - Walls of text or endless PowerPoints. Nobody learns from a 60-slide deck. - Over-produced videos that take months to make.
Pro tip:
If you’ve got decent training content already, use it and tweak as needed. No need to start from scratch unless your product’s changed.
Step 4: Set Up Your Program in Saleshood
Now you’re ready to get your hands dirty in the tool. Saleshood calls these “Learning Paths” or “Huddles,” depending on your setup.
4.1. Create a New Learning Path or Huddle
- Choose “New Learning Path” from the dashboard.
- Name your certification clearly (e.g., “Product X Certification—Level 1”).
- Add a short description so learners know what they’re signing up for.
4.2. Add Your Content
- Upload your videos, slides, and supporting docs.
- Insert quizzes after each module, not just at the end.
- Use the role-play or video submission feature for demos or elevator pitches.
What to ignore:
Don’t overload every module with attachments. Keep it lean—if it’s not core to passing, leave it out.
4.3. Configure Completion Criteria
- Set which modules are required.
- Decide if learners need to pass quizzes or submit recordings.
- Turn on manager or peer review for demo submissions if you want a second set of eyes.
4.4. Test It—Don’t Skip This
Before rolling it out, go through the whole program yourself (or have a trusted colleague do it). You’ll catch broken links, confusing quiz questions, or other gotchas.
Pro tip:
Pretend you’re a new hire—does the flow make sense? Is anything missing or overkill? Now’s the time to adjust.
Step 5: Launch (But Don’t Make It a Big Production)
You don’t need a company-wide announcement or a splashy campaign. Instead, pick a pilot group—maybe a few reps or managers—and get feedback.
What works: - Rolling out to a test group first. - Asking for honest feedback (not just “it’s great!”). - Tweaking things before wider rollout.
What doesn’t: - Forcing everyone through an untested program. - Acting on feedback from just one loud voice—look for patterns.
Pro tip:
If managers buy in, adoption goes up. Get them involved early, ideally as reviewers or cheerleaders.
Step 6: Track Progress and Certify
Saleshood tracks who’s done what, so use that data. Set clear deadlines and send nudges if needed.
- Monitor completion rates.
- Review submitted demos or pitches.
- Don’t be shy about chasing folks who stall out—sometimes a quick Slack nudge is all it takes.
What to ignore:
Don’t obsess over perfection. If a quiz question is confusing, fix it and move on. Certification is about learning, not bureaucracy.
Step 7: Gather Feedback and Improve
After a few cycles, ask new and seasoned reps what worked, what was a pain, and what didn’t help at all. Make updates—don’t treat your program as set in stone.
- Did people actually feel more confident after certifying?
- Are managers seeing better results in the field?
- Is there content everyone skipped or complained about?
Pro tip:
Keep a “future updates” doc so you don’t lose good suggestions or fixes.
Step 8: Keep It Alive
Certification shouldn’t be “one and done.” Products change, competitors move, and sales tactics evolve.
- Schedule regular reviews (quarterly works for most).
- Update content as needed—don’t wait for a massive overhaul.
- Use Saleshood’s reporting to spot knowledge gaps or update needs.
What doesn’t work:
Letting your certification program get stale. If people complain it’s out of date, trust them—they’re probably right.
Launching a certification program in Saleshood isn’t rocket science, but it does take planning and a little discipline. Keep it simple, focus on what matters, and don’t get lost in the weeds. Iterate as you go—you’ll learn what works for your team faster than any guide can tell you.
Now, get to it. The best certification program is the one people actually complete—and use.