How Vernon Built Confidence and Connection Through Sales Training
Building a new digital sales team from scratch is no small feat. Just ask Lisa Hubbard, VP of Sales and Marketing at Vernon Graphics & Promotions. When her team shifted toward inside and digital sales, she wanted to give them more than scripts and sales decks, but she wanted skills.
That’s where Factor 8 came in.
In this interview, Lisa shares why she chose to invest in sales training, what made Factor 8 stand out from other programs, and the lasting impact it’s had on her team’s confidence, collaboration, and results.
Prefer to watch or listen? Hear Lisa share her experience below.
What made you decide to bring sales training to your team?
We just started a digital sales team, an inside sales team here at Vernon. It was new for the company, and we felt the need to bring in robust sales training. I’ve been familiar with Factor 8 for many years, so it was a great opportunity to tap into that resource and bring their sales training to the team.
Can you tell us a little bit about your team? Who they are and what they’re responsible for?
They’re our digital sales team, and they handle everything an outside account executive does, just over the phone or via Teams or Zoom.
They also take the lead on our marketing efforts. They monitor customer engagement with our campaigns, track interest from marketing emails and social posts, and connect with customers who are actively engaging with us.
How was this training different from other programs you’ve experienced?
What I really liked about Factor 8’s training is that it was very tactical. You learn a skill, then practice it. The modules covered all types of sales functions, like prospecting, getting through the gatekeeper, leaving a voicemail, those baseline skills you sometimes take for granted.
The team would go through a module, practice the skill, record calls, listen back, and have open discussions about what worked and what didn’t. It created great dialogue around the skills they were learning. It also helped rebuild that “muscle memory” for skills they knew but had fallen out of practice with.
What did your team respond to or benefit from the most?
They loved the hands-on practice and the discussions. It wasn’t just training, it was interactive. They could immediately apply what they learned, share what worked, and learn from each other.
What changes did you see in your team after the training?
The biggest change was that they kept talking about it. They still reference the training when we have lockdown days or team huddles. They remind each other, “Don’t forget your voicemail skills,” and share success stories from what they learned.
That kind of peer reinforcement has been great to see.
Were there any specific metrics that improved?
Confidence definitely increased. Practicing those skills helped rebuild their confidence, and hearing each other’s success stories reinforced it.
For example, someone would share, “I tried this approach, and I finally got through to the contact I’ve been chasing,” or “I asked for a referral, and it worked.” Seeing those wins motivated everyone to try new things and build on their success.
If you had to sum up the impact of this training in one sentence, what would you say?
Priceless.
What would you tell another leader who’s thinking about investing in this type of training?
It’s worth every penny.
There are so many selling skills we take for granted—things we might’ve learned ten years ago but haven’t revisited. This training helps you dust those off, go back to the basics, and then build on them.
It’s absolutely time well invested.
I’ve followed Factor 8 for 15–18 years, and my experience has always been great. The training is genuine and personal. Our trainer, Steve, worked closely with each individual and made it personal to them. You can tell Factor 8 genuinely wants you to succeed, and my team felt that.
I’ve followed Lauren and Factor 8’s journey on LinkedIn for years; they’re always sharing great insights and nuggets that truly help people be more successful.
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Lisa’s story is proof that great sales training doesn’t just build skills—it builds confidence, connection, and momentum that last long after the sessions end.
If your team is ready to level up like Vernon’s did, learn more about our customized sales training programs or reach out to see how we can help you hit your goals faster.
Special thanks to Lisa Hubbard and the Vernon Graphics & Promotions team for sharing their experience!
