Upskilling Startup Founders at the 2024 Africa Startup Festival Sales Masterclass

B4B Consulting collaborated with the Africa Startup Festival (ASF) to deliver an impactful 3-hour sales leadership masterclass. Designed to enhance the sales capabilities of startup founders and sales professionals, the session was also a strategic initiative to drive interest in the upcoming ASF event.

About the Africa Startup Festival (ASF)

The Africa Startup Festival is a distinguished platform that brings together innovative startups from across the continent with investors, mentors, and industry experts. Known for nurturing entrepreneurship, promoting technology, and fostering growth, ASF hosts various programs, including large-scale networking events, workshops, and mentoring sessions, to empower startup leaders and their teams. The ASF Masterclass was a lead-up to the annual event set for November 2024.

Challenge

Many startup founders and sales professionals face challenges in building scalable sales processes, hiring and retaining top talent, and effectively leveraging data to guide strategic decisions. ASF recognized this need for sales leadership training within the Nigerian startup ecosystem. They aimed to address these pain points by engaging thought leaders to provide attendees with actionable tools and insights for sustainable business growth.

Solution

With extensive experience in organising and structured learning program development, B4B Consulting was engaged to design and deliver the sales masterclass. After an initial project kickoff call with ASF, B4B outlined a comprehensive program plan tailored to meet the event’s goals. Key preparation steps included:

Program Development: Crafting a detailed plan that included content flow, session agenda, and facilitator guides.
Facilitator Engagement: Enlisting four experienced sales consultants from TSU, a Built4Balance learning initiative, to lead the masterclass segments.
Content Creation: Developing customized training materials and slide decks.
Dry Run: Conducting a rehearsal session with facilitators to ensure seamless execution on event day.

Audience

The masterclass was exclusive to 50 participants selected from a pool of 166 registrants. The audience included startup founders, CEOs, sales leaders, and business development managers with at least three years of experience in sales, marketing, or business development.

Training Content

The masterclass featured four focused sessions:

Building a Scalable Sales Process: Frameworks for developing repeatable and sustainable sales practices.
Hiring and Retaining the Right Sales Talent: Effective recruitment strategies and methods for fostering a positive company culture for sales teams.
Leading and Coaching Sales Teams: Practical coaching models and leadership techniques.
Data-Driven Leadership: Leveraging metrics and data analysis for informed decision-making.

Outcomes and Impact

The masterclass was well-received, with participants praising the relevance and applicability of the sessions. Key takeaways included:

Enhanced Sales Frameworks: Participants gained actionable strategies for building scalable and efficient sales systems.
Improved Talent Management: Attendees learned to effectively identify, recruit, and retain top sales talent.
Effective Leadership Techniques: Founders and sales leaders were equipped with coaching and leadership skills that could be immediately applied.
Data Utilization Skills: Participants learned how to leverage data for strategic decision-making and performance tracking.
Feedback and Testimonials: Post-event surveys reflected strong positive feedback, with many attendees noting the training’s practical relevance.

Client’s Feedback

Clinton Nnaemeka, ASF Convener, stated,

“Working with B4B is such a breath of fresh air. I never have to wonder if they’ll deliver or if their programs will be impactful—they just always do. The only question I ever have is, “How much space can I give them?” because they always exceed expectations. This partnership is one I’m sticking with for a long time, and if you’re thinking about working with them, take this as your sign to jump in. You won’t regret it.”

Conclusion

B4B Consulting’s tailored approach delivered a high-value learning experience that equipped participants with essential sales leadership tools. The session not only advanced their skills but also generated significant buzz for the Africa Startup Festival, resulting in 166 leads for the main event.