Final answer:
Role plays would work best for salespeople to practice identifying key decision-makers and their needs, as it provides hands-on experience and allows for interactive learning and immediate feedback.
Step-by-step explanation:
Salespeople have indicated their top training need is to be able to identify key decision-makers and their needs. The learning activity that would work best for this is D. Role plays. Role plays are an interactive method that allows participants to simulate real-life scenarios in a controlled environment. This technique is particularly effective in training salespeople because it prepares them for diverse situations they may encounter with clients. It helps them to practice identifying key decision-makers by recognizing verbal and non-verbal cues, to understand various customer personalities and needs, and to strategize on how to influence or negotiate with different types of decision-makers.
Other methods such as case studies, lectures, and demonstrations can also be useful but may not provide the same level of hands-on experience and immediate feedback that role plays offer. Role-playing facilitates active learning and development of communication skills essential in the business of sales.