Ep 38: How Role-Playing with AI Creates Super Sellers

 Timestamps:

04:00 Making Role-Playing Feel Like Real-World Experience

05:51 When Practice Becomes Second Nature, Confidence Follows

08:22 Tailoring Practice to Real-World Scenarios and Specific Clients

09:39 When Preparation Meets Performance: High-Stakes Calls Made Easy

09:06 Shorter Ramp Times Mean Reps Contribute Faster

12:13 When Change Happens, Be the First to Adapt

17:00 AI Won’t Replace Sales Reps—It’ll Empower Them

About Sriharsha Guduguntla:

Sai is the co-founder and CEO of Hyperbound.ai, which is a virtual sales gym and an AI based role playing model for GTM functions, sales, customer success, pre-sales and a lot more. It is absolutely mind blowing and sales leaders and sales experts around the tech world are absolutely raving about it. He has come out of the prestigious Y Combinator Summer Cohort in 2023 and this company is absolutely going places. 

Sales isn’t just about hitting targets—it’s about building confidence, connecting with clients, and having the skills to handle any situation. When my co-founder and I created Hyperbound, our virtual AI sales gym, I didn’t start with any sales experience. In fact, as an engineer, I barely knew how to talk sales. But through our journey with Hyperbound, I discovered how powerful the right training can be—and I saw how it could help sales reps reach their true potential. Here’s what I learned.

When Practice Becomes Second Nature, Confidence Follows

Initially, Hyperbound was an email automation tool. But we noticed that emails weren’t converting like they used to. Our clients weren’t struggling with email quality; they were struggling to connect when it mattered—on the phone, in meetings, and in high-stakes situations.

• Building Unshakable Confidence

When reps feel prepared for any scenario, confidence follows. Reps get the chance to practice real-life conversations with different types of customers.

They can dive into Hyperbound as many times as they need to feel comfortable, eliminating nerves when they’re finally face-to-face with a potential client.

• Less Guesswork, More Success

Rather than guessing how a call might go, reps get to experience realistic scenarios in advance. This preparation reduces the chances of slipping up, turning potentially awkward moments into seamless ones.

Making Role-Playing Feel Like Real-World Experience

Traditional role-playing in sales training can feel awkward and forced. Practicing a pitch with your manager doesn’t feel like talking to a real client. Hyperbound’s AI changes that, letting reps role-play real scenarios without the pressure of “performing” in front of their team.

• A Safe Space to Learn and Grow

The AI doesn’t judge, and there’s no fear of failing in front of colleagues. Reps can make mistakes, learn from them, and try again without worrying about how they look.

• Practice Until It Feels Natural

Reps can practice conversations as many times as needed until they feel ready. By the time they’re on a real call, they’re comfortable and familiar with the flow of the conversation.

When Preparation Meets Performance: High-Stakes Calls Made Easy

One of the biggest benefits our clients mention is how Hyperbound helps them feel ready for major calls. Instead of hoping for the best, they go in knowing they’re prepared.

• Turning Nerves into Excitement

High-stakes calls often come with high levels of stress, but reps tell us Hyperbound helps turn that stress into excitement. They know they’ve prepared and are ready for any question, any objection.

• Confidence in Real Conversations

Recently, an AE told us he had a call with Nike he was dreading. He used Hyperbound to prep beforehand, and it gave him the confidence to lead the conversation. Knowing you’re ready changes everything.

Tailoring Practice to Real-World Scenarios and Specific Clients

Sales is never one-size-fits-all. Every call, client, and scenario is unique, and we wanted Hyperbound to reflect that. Our users can customise practice scenarios to match specific buyer types, market segments, and even moods.

• Being Ready for Any Type of Customer

Whether it’s a CMO, CFO, or procurement officer, reps know they’re practicing for the exact person they’ll be talking to. This tailored approach takes the guesswork out of client interactions.

• Handling the Curveballs

With Hyperbound, reps practice for unexpected twists—whether it’s a skeptical buyer or a tough question about competitors. These “curveball” moments prepare reps for the real-world challenges they’ll face.

Shorter Ramp Times Mean Reps Contribute Faster

For new hires, feeling like they’re making a difference early is key. Hyperbound lets them dive into real conversations from the start, reducing the time it takes to get up to speed and feel effective.

• Early Wins Boost Morale

Practicing sales skills in a realistic way shortens ramp time, so new reps start hitting their targets sooner, boosting their confidence and morale.

• A Sense of Accomplishment from Day One

By practicing with Hyperbound, new reps don’t feel like they’re just “training.” They feel they’re contributing from day one, which makes them more motivated and engaged in their role.

When Change Happens, Be the First to Adapt

Sales teams are constantly facing new products, changing markets, and increased competition. With Hyperbound, reps can stay sharp and adapt quickly, which is crucial when the stakes are high.

• Staying Ahead of Competitors

Practicing for conversations about new products or competitive landscapes keeps reps sharp and ready to take on any challenge. Staying ahead of competitors means more confidence in every interaction.

• Rapid Adaptation in Real-Time

When the market shifts, Hyperbound lets teams practice for these new realities instantly, helping reps stay informed and ready to sell.

Building a Cohesive Team Beyond Just Sales

Sales doesn’t work in isolation. Customer success, solutions engineering, and support teams all contribute to a client’s experience. Hyperbound has proven helpful for all customer-facing roles, not just sales, creating a consistent experience across the company.

• Better Communication, Happier Clients

When every team member is on the same page, the client feels it. Consistent training means that everyone is prepared to handle questions, concerns, and build strong client relationships.

• From Support to Success

With Hyperbound, everyone from customer success to support feels more confident interacting with clients, strengthening relationships across the board.

Overcoming the “Training Budget” Mentality: The Wine Incident

Sometimes, sales leaders underestimate the impact of training. I once presented Hyperbound to a CRO who said, “Why can’t I just buy my reps a bottle of wine with this budget?” He meant it as a joke, but it pointed to a larger mindset gap in sales enablement.

• Investing in Lasting Skills

Training isn’t just a one-time cost; it’s a long-term investment. The reps who use Hyperbound see their skills grow, their confidence improve, and their success rates climb.

• The ROI of Enablement

With training, teams avoid high turnover, poor performance, and wasted time. Hyperbound isn’t a quick fix—it’s a way to develop reps’ skills, making them more valuable to the company over time.

AI Won’t Replace Sales Reps—It’ll Empower Them

I often hear, “Won’t AI replace sales reps?” The answer is no. AI is here to empower, not replace. The reps who leverage tools like Hyperbound won’t just survive—they’ll thrive.

• Reps Who Use AI Will Outperform the Competition

With AI-driven insights and training, reps are better prepared and more effective. They aren’t just doing their jobs; they’re excelling at them.

• AI and Human Expertise Go Hand-in-Hand

While AI can simulate conversations, nothing replaces the human touch in sales. Hyperbound enhances, rather than replaces, the skills of salespeople.

Continuous Improvement with Every Call

With Hyperbound, improvement isn’t just a one-time thing. Our feedback loop allows reps to get better with every call, creating a cycle of continuous improvement that drives performance.

• A Clear Path to Mastery

After every practice session, reps receive targeted feedback on where they can improve, giving them a clear path to mastering their craft.

• Steady, Ongoing Growth

The feedback loop isn’t about one-time success; it’s about steady, continuous growth. This cycle helps reps avoid plateaus and keeps them motivated to reach higher.

Summary

Building Hyperbound has been a transformative journey. What began as an email automation tool has evolved into an AI-powered virtual gym that gives reps the confidence, adaptability, and skills they need to thrive. Starting as an engineer with zero sales experience, I now help sales teams reach their full potential. Hyperbound isn’t just about training; it’s about creating empowered, ready-for-anything sales reps who can adapt, connect, and succeed in any situation. Sales training isn’t a luxury—it’s an essential part of building a team that’s ready for the future.

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