{"id":14904,"date":"2025-05-26T17:16:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T16:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/?p=14904"},"modified":"2025-08-01T17:17:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T16:17:48","slug":"mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/ga\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering B2B Sales\u2014and So Much More: Inside the Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At The Innovation Exchange, we understand that upskilling is essential\u2014especially for scaling businesses. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve created a powerful suite of supports designed to help ambitious technology companies scale faster and smarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Innovation Exchange connects scaling solution providers with large corporates seeking digital transformation. But it\u2019s much more than just a deal-making platform. For our members, it\u2019s also a launchpad for growth\u2014with a ready-made sales pipeline, direct access to decision-makers, and a dedicated Impact Selling Upskilling Platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PSX_20240502_111935-e1754064979852-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PSX_20240502_111935-e1754064979852-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PSX_20240502_111935-e1754064979852-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PSX_20240502_111935-e1754064979852-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PSX_20240502_111935-e1754064979852-1536x866.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PSX_20240502_111935-e1754064979852.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In today\u2019s competitive marketplace, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must move beyond ad-hoc selling and embrace structured, customer-focused strategies. One of the standout elements of our upskilling offer is our highly interactive and practical workshops led by Dr. Maria Coakley, designed to equip Innovation Exchange Member SMEs\u2014leaders and sales professionals alike\u2014with the tools, processes, and mindset needed to drive B2B sales success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Coakley is a respected academic and practitioner, who blends research and hands-on industry engagement. She brings a wealth of experience in both teaching and consulting, with a particular focus on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scale through structured sales processes and strategic market development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Coakley\u2019s upskilling series has become a key part of our offering, with workshops like: &#8220;How Do We Get, Keep and Grow Our Customers?&#8221;, &#8220;B2B Lead Generation for SMEs&#8221;, and &#8220;Perfecting Your B2B Customer Pitch.&#8221; These workshops offer our members a fresh, action-based learning approach. Whether it&#8217;s consultative selling, sales strategy, or pipeline management, each session is crafted to help participants not only understand the concepts but practice them in an energised environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across all sessions, Dr. Coakley emphasizes active learning, peer-to-peer collaboration, and real-world application. Participants are not passive listeners\u2014they\u2019re engaged problem-solvers. Each session is designed to create a dynamic, energised space where professionals from various industries share experiences, challenge assumptions, and refine their sales capabilities through role plays, group discussions, and reflective exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> <strong><em>\u201cI\u2019d love to do it again and bring some of my team!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>\u201cI have been looking for this kind of workshop for ages. Honestly, most valuable workshop I\u2019ve ever attended\u2014and I don\u2019t say that lightly.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong><em>\u201cIt&#8217;s been an eye-opener to what I&#8217;m doing wrong and right.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform is just one part of the support we offer members. In addition to Dr. Coakley\u2019s workshops, we strive to bring members live webinars on the most relevant and up-to-date topics, including <em>The AI Security Challenge: Safeguarding Your Business in an AI-Driven World<\/em>, <em>Fundamentals of Brand Marketing Communications<\/em>, and <em>Design Thinking for SMEs \u2013 Agile Innovation for Small Businesses<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our Members\u2019 Hub offers on-demand access to training recordings, templates, expert interviews, pitch guides, and a Members\u2019 Directory to help companies connect and collaborate. We also provide 1:1 Pitch Preparation &amp; Feedback sessions with experienced industry mentors to help solution providers tailor and refine their offer for corporate buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fully subsidised ESI programme, launched last year, has already seen five members earn their globally recognised, university credit-rated Professional Diploma in Entrepreneurial Sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Looking to access these supports or take part in Dr. Coakley\u2019s upcoming Upskilling Roadshow? Join Ireland\u2019s Marketplace for Innovation today!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/ga\/register-interest\/\">I want to become a member.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At The Innovation Exchange, we understand that upskilling is essential\u2014especially for scaling businesses. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve created a powerful suite of supports designed to help ambitious technology companies scale faster and smarter. The Innovation Exchange connects scaling solution providers with large corporates seeking digital transformation. But it\u2019s much more than just a deal-making platform. For our members, it\u2019s also a launchpad for growth\u2014with a ready-made sales pipeline, direct access to decision-makers, and a dedicated Impact Selling Upskilling Platform. In today\u2019s competitive marketplace, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must move beyond ad-hoc selling and embrace structured, customer-focused strategies. One of the standout elements of our upskilling offer is our highly interactive and practical workshops led by Dr. Maria Coakley, designed to equip Innovation Exchange Member SMEs\u2014leaders and sales professionals alike\u2014with the tools, processes, and mindset needed to drive B2B sales success. Dr. Coakley is a respected academic and practitioner, who blends research and hands-on industry engagement. She brings a wealth of experience in both teaching and consulting, with a particular focus on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scale through structured sales processes and strategic market development. Dr. Coakley\u2019s upskilling series has become a key part of our offering, with workshops like: &#8220;How Do We Get, Keep and Grow Our Customers?&#8221;, &#8220;B2B Lead Generation for SMEs&#8221;, and &#8220;Perfecting Your B2B Customer Pitch.&#8221; These workshops offer our members a fresh, action-based learning approach. Whether it&#8217;s consultative selling, sales strategy, or pipeline management, each session is crafted to help participants not only understand the concepts but practice them in an energised environment. Across all sessions, Dr. Coakley emphasizes active learning, peer-to-peer collaboration, and real-world application. Participants are not passive listeners\u2014they\u2019re engaged problem-solvers. Each session is designed to create a dynamic, energised space where professionals from various industries share experiences, challenge assumptions, and refine their sales capabilities through role plays, group discussions, and reflective exercises. \u201cI\u2019d love to do it again and bring some of my team!\u201d \u201cI have been looking for this kind of workshop for ages. Honestly, most valuable workshop I\u2019ve ever attended\u2014and I don\u2019t say that lightly.\u201d \u201cIt&#8217;s been an eye-opener to what I&#8217;m doing wrong and right.\u201d The Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform is just one part of the support we offer members. In addition to Dr. Coakley\u2019s workshops, we strive to bring members live webinars on the most relevant and up-to-date topics, including The AI Security Challenge: Safeguarding Your Business in an AI-Driven World, Fundamentals of Brand Marketing Communications, and Design Thinking for SMEs \u2013 Agile Innovation for Small Businesses. Our Members\u2019 Hub offers on-demand access to training recordings, templates, expert interviews, pitch guides, and a Members\u2019 Directory to help companies connect and collaborate. We also provide 1:1 Pitch Preparation &amp; Feedback sessions with experienced industry mentors to help solution providers tailor and refine their offer for corporate buyers. The fully subsidised ESI programme, launched last year, has already seen five members earn their globally recognised, university credit-rated Professional Diploma in Entrepreneurial Sales. Looking to access these supports or take part in Dr. Coakley\u2019s upcoming Upskilling Roadshow? Join Ireland\u2019s Marketplace for Innovation today! I want to become a member.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":984,"featured_media":14906,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[55],"class_list":["post-14904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-year-2025","category-1","description-off"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mastering B2B Sales\u2014and So Much More: Inside the Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform - The Innovation Exchange<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/ga\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mastering B2B Sales\u2014and So Much More: Inside the Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform - The Innovation Exchange\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"At The Innovation Exchange, we understand that upskilling is essential\u2014especially for scaling businesses. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve created a powerful suite of supports designed to help ambitious technology companies scale faster and smarter. The Innovation Exchange connects scaling solution providers with large corporates seeking digital transformation. But it\u2019s much more than just a deal-making platform. For our members, it\u2019s also a launchpad for growth\u2014with a ready-made sales pipeline, direct access to decision-makers, and a dedicated Impact Selling Upskilling Platform. In today\u2019s competitive marketplace, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must move beyond ad-hoc selling and embrace structured, customer-focused strategies. One of the standout elements of our upskilling offer is our highly interactive and practical workshops led by Dr. Maria Coakley, designed to equip Innovation Exchange Member SMEs\u2014leaders and sales professionals alike\u2014with the tools, processes, and mindset needed to drive B2B sales success. Dr. Coakley is a respected academic and practitioner, who blends research and hands-on industry engagement. She brings a wealth of experience in both teaching and consulting, with a particular focus on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scale through structured sales processes and strategic market development. Dr. Coakley\u2019s upskilling series has become a key part of our offering, with workshops like: &#8220;How Do We Get, Keep and Grow Our Customers?&#8221;, &#8220;B2B Lead Generation for SMEs&#8221;, and &#8220;Perfecting Your B2B Customer Pitch.&#8221; These workshops offer our members a fresh, action-based learning approach. Whether it&#8217;s consultative selling, sales strategy, or pipeline management, each session is crafted to help participants not only understand the concepts but practice them in an energised environment. Across all sessions, Dr. Coakley emphasizes active learning, peer-to-peer collaboration, and real-world application. Participants are not passive listeners\u2014they\u2019re engaged problem-solvers. Each session is designed to create a dynamic, energised space where professionals from various industries share experiences, challenge assumptions, and refine their sales capabilities through role plays, group discussions, and reflective exercises. \u201cI\u2019d love to do it again and bring some of my team!\u201d \u201cI have been looking for this kind of workshop for ages. Honestly, most valuable workshop I\u2019ve ever attended\u2014and I don\u2019t say that lightly.\u201d \u201cIt&#8217;s been an eye-opener to what I&#8217;m doing wrong and right.\u201d The Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform is just one part of the support we offer members. In addition to Dr. Coakley\u2019s workshops, we strive to bring members live webinars on the most relevant and up-to-date topics, including The AI Security Challenge: Safeguarding Your Business in an AI-Driven World, Fundamentals of Brand Marketing Communications, and Design Thinking for SMEs \u2013 Agile Innovation for Small Businesses. Our Members\u2019 Hub offers on-demand access to training recordings, templates, expert interviews, pitch guides, and a Members\u2019 Directory to help companies connect and collaborate. We also provide 1:1 Pitch Preparation &amp; Feedback sessions with experienced industry mentors to help solution providers tailor and refine their offer for corporate buyers. The fully subsidised ESI programme, launched last year, has already seen five members earn their globally recognised, university credit-rated Professional Diploma in Entrepreneurial Sales. Looking to access these supports or take part in Dr. Coakley\u2019s upcoming Upskilling Roadshow? Join Ireland\u2019s Marketplace for Innovation today! I want to become a member.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/ga\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Innovation Exchange\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-26T16:16:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-01T16:17:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/theinnovationexchange.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PSX_20240502_111935-e1754064979852.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1082\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Anne\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Anne\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Anne\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/defa33c5c76395238a45f5f0fcf6041c\"},\"headline\":\"Mastering B2B Sales\u2014and So Much More: Inside the Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-26T16:16:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-01T16:17:48+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":556,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/PSX_20240502_111935-e1754064979852.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"2025\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"ga\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theinnovationexchange.ie\\\/mastering-b2b-sales-and-so-much-more-inside-the-innovation-exchange-upskilling-platform\\\/\",\"name\":\"Mastering B2B Sales\u2014and So Much More: Inside the Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform - 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Dr. Coakley is a respected academic and practitioner, who blends research and hands-on industry engagement. She brings a wealth of experience in both teaching and consulting, with a particular focus on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scale through structured sales processes and strategic market development. Dr. Coakley\u2019s upskilling series has become a key part of our offering, with workshops like: &#8220;How Do We Get, Keep and Grow Our Customers?&#8221;, &#8220;B2B Lead Generation for SMEs&#8221;, and &#8220;Perfecting Your B2B Customer Pitch.&#8221; These workshops offer our members a fresh, action-based learning approach. Whether it&#8217;s consultative selling, sales strategy, or pipeline management, each session is crafted to help participants not only understand the concepts but practice them in an energised environment. Across all sessions, Dr. Coakley emphasizes active learning, peer-to-peer collaboration, and real-world application. Participants are not passive listeners\u2014they\u2019re engaged problem-solvers. Each session is designed to create a dynamic, energised space where professionals from various industries share experiences, challenge assumptions, and refine their sales capabilities through role plays, group discussions, and reflective exercises. \u201cI\u2019d love to do it again and bring some of my team!\u201d \u201cI have been looking for this kind of workshop for ages. Honestly, most valuable workshop I\u2019ve ever attended\u2014and I don\u2019t say that lightly.\u201d \u201cIt&#8217;s been an eye-opener to what I&#8217;m doing wrong and right.\u201d The Innovation Exchange Upskilling Platform is just one part of the support we offer members. In addition to Dr. Coakley\u2019s workshops, we strive to bring members live webinars on the most relevant and up-to-date topics, including The AI Security Challenge: Safeguarding Your Business in an AI-Driven World, Fundamentals of Brand Marketing Communications, and Design Thinking for SMEs \u2013 Agile Innovation for Small Businesses. Our Members\u2019 Hub offers on-demand access to training recordings, templates, expert interviews, pitch guides, and a Members\u2019 Directory to help companies connect and collaborate. We also provide 1:1 Pitch Preparation &amp; Feedback sessions with experienced industry mentors to help solution providers tailor and refine their offer for corporate buyers. The fully subsidised ESI programme, launched last year, has already seen five members earn their globally recognised, university credit-rated Professional Diploma in Entrepreneurial Sales. Looking to access these supports or take part in Dr. Coakley\u2019s upcoming Upskilling Roadshow? 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