Top 10 Inside Sales Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an inside sales manager in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge, skill and expertise in the field. Certified inside sales managers have a competitive advantage over other candidates because employers can trust that they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to be successful in the role. Having certifications also shows potential employers that an individual is dedicated to their profession and has taken the time to invest in professional development. Certifications can help an individual stand out from other applicants, increase their earning potential and open up more career opportunities.

This article reviews the top certifications for Inside Sales Managers and explains how they can contribute to an inside sales manager's career by providing knowledge, skills, and credentials.

What are Inside Sales Manager Certifications?

Inside sales manager certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's understanding of the principles and practices of managing a successful inside sales team. This certification is beneficial for those looking to advance their career in the field of sales, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the skills and knowledge required to be an effective leader in this area. The program covers topics such as customer service, sales process management, metrics and analytics, coaching and development, recruiting and hiring, team building, motivation and communication.

The certification provides guidance on how to effectively use various tools such as CRM software and analytics to optimize performance. It also helps develop key skills such as strategic planning, negotiation techniques, problem solving and decision-making. These skills are essential for any successful inside sales manager who must be able to identify opportunities, create solutions to challenges, manage resources efficiently and make sound decisions quickly. Furthermore, having this certification can help demonstrate an individual's commitment to their profession by showing employers that they are dedicated to personal growth in their field.

Pro Tip: Before considering taking an inside sales manager certification, make sure to research the different certifications available and choose one that will best meet your career goals. Look for a certification program that offers up-to-date training materials and covers topics such as customer relationship management, sales process optimization, and use of analytics to drive results. Additionally, look for certifications that are accredited by reputable organizations in the industry.

Related: What does an Inside Sales Manager do?

Top 10 Inside Sales Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Inside Sales Managers today.

1. Certified Sales Manager (CSM)

Certified Sales Manager (CSM) is a professional certification offered by the American Management Association (AMA). It is designed to recognize sales professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in sales management and leadership. The CSM program focuses on developing the skills necessary to effectively manage a sales team, including strategic planning, customer service, and communication.

The Certified Sales Manager program consists of three courses: Fundamentals of Sales Management, Advanced Sales Management, and Executive Leadership for Sales Managers. Each course is eight weeks long and can be taken online or in-person at an AMA location. The program also includes access to an online community of fellow CSMs for support and networking opportunities.

To get the CSM certification, you must complete all three courses within two years and pass the final exam with a score of 70% or higher. You will also need to submit documentation verifying your work experience in sales management or leadership roles.

The cost of the Certified Sales Manager program varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or in-person. Online courses typically cost around $2,000 per course while in-person classes are usually more expensive at around $3,000 per course.

2. Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)

Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) is a certification program offered by the American Marketing Association (AMA). It is designed to recognize marketing professionals who have demonstrated mastery in the field of marketing.

The PCM program consists of three levels: Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), Senior Professional Certified Marketer (SPCM), and Master Professional Certified Marketer (MPCM). Each level requires completion of a series of courses, exams, and other requirements. The courses are offered online or in-person, depending on the level.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the PCM certification program, depending on how quickly you complete the coursework and exams.

To get certified as a Professional Certified Marketer, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have at least two years of professional marketing experience;
• Complete at least four AMA-approved courses;
• Pass all four exams with a score of 70% or higher; and
• Submit an application for certification.

The cost for the PCM certification program varies depending on which level you are pursuing and whether you take online or in-person classes. Generally speaking, it costs around $2,500 for the entire program.

3. Certified Professional in Inside Sales (CPIS)

Certified Professional in Inside Sales (CPIS) is a certification program that is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who work in inside sales. This certification program is administered by the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP).

The CPIS certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in inside sales or related roles. The certification exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that are divided into three sections: core competencies, sales process, and customer service. To pass the exam, applicants must score at least 70% on all three sections.

To apply for the CPIS certification, applicants must submit an application form along with their resume and proof of experience. Once approved, they must pay a fee of $495 to take the exam. The exam can be taken online or in person at one of AA-ISP's testing centers.

The CPIS certification is valid for three years from the date it was awarded and can be renewed by taking an additional 30-question recertification exam every three years.

4. Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP)

The Certified Sales Leadership Professional (CSLP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize sales leaders who demonstrate mastery of the core competencies required for success in leading sales teams. The CSLP is offered by the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP).

It takes approximately 6 months to complete the CSLP program. To get certified, candidates must first pass an online assessment that evaluates their knowledge and skills in four key areas: strategy and planning, team management, customer focus, and performance management. Once they pass this assessment, they must then complete a series of courses and workshops that cover topics such as sales process optimization, customer service excellence, coaching and motivation techniques, and team building strategies.

The cost of the CSLP program varies depending on the number of courses taken. The total cost typically ranges from $1,500 - $2,500 USD.

5. Certified Professional Selling Skills (CPSS)

Certified Professional Selling Skills (CPSS) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professional salespeople. It is administered by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). The certification is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years.

The CPSS program consists of five core courses that cover topics such as customer service, prospecting, presentation skills, negotiation techniques, closing techniques, and more. Each course requires approximately 20 hours of study time. Upon completion of all five courses, individuals are eligible to take the CPSS exam.

The cost to become certified depends on the individual's situation. For individuals who wish to take all five courses at once, the cost is $1,595 USD. For those who prefer to take one course at a time, each course costs $395 USD. Additionally, there is an exam fee of $195 USD required for taking the CPSS exam.

Overall, it takes approximately 100 hours of study time to complete all five courses and pass the CPSS exam in order to become certified in Professional Selling Skills.

6. Advanced Professional Selling Skills (APSS)

Advanced Professional Selling Skills (APSS) is an intensive program designed to help sales professionals take their skills to the next level. It is a comprehensive, three-day course that focuses on developing and mastering the essential techniques for successful selling.

The program covers topics such as customer needs analysis, communication strategies, persuasive presentation techniques, closing strategies, objection handling, and more. It also includes interactive exercises and real-world scenarios that allow participants to practice their newly acquired skills in a safe environment.

It typically takes three days to complete the APSS program. Participants can expect to spend approximately 8 hours each day learning and practicing new skills. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider; however, it generally ranges from $1,500-$2,500 USD per person.

To get started with APSS, you must first find a provider who offers the program in your area. You can search online for providers or contact local universities or professional organizations for more information. Once you’ve found a provider, you will need to register for the course and pay any applicable fees before attending.

Overall, Advanced Professional Selling Skills is an excellent way for sales professionals to sharpen their skills and gain valuable knowledge about effective selling techniques. With this knowledge in hand, participants can confidently approach potential customers and close deals faster than ever before!

7. Certified Inside Sales Representative (CISR)

Certified Inside Sales Representative (CISR) is a professional certification for sales representatives who work in an inside sales environment. It is designed to recognize and reward the knowledge, skills, and abilities of those who specialize in selling products or services over the phone, online, or through other remote methods.

The CISR certification is offered by The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, prospecting techniques, product knowledge, negotiation strategies, and closing techniques. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible to take the CISR exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience in an inside sales role. They must also have completed either a pre-licensing course or a continuing education course related to insurance or financial services within the past 12 months.

The cost of taking the CISR exam varies depending on where you take it. In general, it costs between $150 and $200 to take the exam at a testing center in the United States.

8. Certified Inside Sales Manager (CISM)

Certified Inside Sales Manager (CISM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of inside sales professionals. The CISM certification is offered by the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AAISP).

The CISM certification requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in an inside sales role. Applicants must also demonstrate expertise in areas such as customer service, sales process management, lead generation, and sales strategy.

To obtain the CISM certification, applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with required documentation such as proof of work experience and education. After submitting the application, applicants must pass a four-hour exam that covers topics related to inside sales management.

The cost of obtaining the CISM certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of AAISP. For non-members, the cost is $395 for the exam fee plus $95 for the application fee. For members, the cost is $295 for the exam fee plus $95 for the application fee.

9. Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement and Inside Sales Solutions Expert Certification

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement and Inside Sales Solutions Expert Certification is a certification that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in the use of Microsoft Dynamics 365 to manage customer engagement and inside sales. This certification requires the successful completion of an exam, which covers topics such as configuring Microsoft Dynamics 365, using customer service features, managing leads and opportunities, and creating reports.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and can be taken at any authorized testing center or online. The cost of the exam varies depending on the testing center, but is typically around $165 USD. To get certified, you must first pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000. After passing the exam, you will receive your certification from Microsoft.

10. Hubspot Inbound Sales Certification

Hubspot Inbound Sales Certification is a certification program designed to help sales professionals understand the fundamentals of inbound selling. The program covers topics such as creating buyer personas, building relationships with buyers, and leveraging content to close deals. It also provides an overview of HubSpot’s platform and how it can be used to support inbound sales efforts.

The certification program consists of four modules that take approximately 2-3 hours to complete. After completing the modules, participants must pass a final exam in order to receive their certification.

To get certified, you must first create a free HubSpot account and then enroll in the Inbound Sales Certification course. Once enrolled, you will have access to all four modules and the final exam. You can complete each module at your own pace and retake the exam if necessary.

The cost for Hubspot Inbound Sales Certification is $199 USD per person. This fee includes access to all four modules as well as the final exam.

Do You Really Need a Inside Sales Manager Certificate?

No, you do not need an Inside Sales Manager Certificate to become a successful inside sales manager. It can certainly help, however, as it provides a formal education in the areas of customer service and sales management. Additionally, having this type of certification can demonstrate to employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills required to be an effective inside sales manager.

In addition to having an Inside Sales Manager Certificate, there are other qualifications that employers may look for when hiring for this position. This could include prior experience in customer service or sales, excellent communication and organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks at once, and strong problem-solving skills. Having these qualifications will make you more attractive to potential employers and increase your chances of getting hired.

Finally, having an Inside Sales Manager Certificate can also open up opportunities for promotion or career advancement within the organization. The certificate can serve as evidence that you are knowledgeable about the industry and have the necessary skills to take on more responsibility in a leadership role. This could help you move up within the company or even lead to new job opportunities outside of your current company.

In conclusion, while having an Inside Sales Manager Certificate is not required for becoming a successful inside sales manager, it can provide valuable insights into customer service and sales management that could help you gain employment or advance your career.

Related: Inside Sales Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Inside Sales Manager Certifications

1. What is an Inside Sales Manager Certification?

Answer: An Inside Sales Manager Certification is a certification that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage inside sales teams. The certification helps individuals develop their skills in areas such as customer relationship management, lead generation, sales process optimization, and more.

2. How do I become certified as an Inside Sales Manager?

Answer: To become certified as an Inside Sales Manager, you must complete a program offered by an accredited institution or organization. These programs typically include coursework on topics such as customer service, sales process optimization, and leadership development.

3. What is the cost of getting certified as an Inside Sales Manager?

Answer: The cost of getting certified as an Inside Sales Manager depends on the program you choose to take. Some programs may charge a fee for enrollment while others may be free or have reduced tuition costs. It is important to research different programs to find one that fits your budget and needs.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming an Inside Sales Manager?

Answer: Generally speaking, you must have at least 2 years of experience working in inside sales before you can qualify for certification as an Inside Sales Manager. Additionally, some organizations may require that applicants have prior experience in managerial roles or related fields prior to applying for certification.

5. What are the benefits of becoming an Inside Sales Manager?

Answer: Becoming certified as an Inside Sales Manager can help individuals gain valuable skills and knowledge that will help them excel in their current role or advance their career into management positions within the industry. Additionally, having this certification can make individuals more attractive to employers when looking for new positions or promotions within their field.