The University’s Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales, which offers the only dedicated bachelor of science degree in professional sales in the country, as well as training programs for sales professionals, will host two sales competitions for students designed to strengthen the students’ sales skills and offer them an opportunity to network with business executives from companies around the country who will be judging the events.

The RBI National Sales Challenge will be held from November 8 to 10. To date, students from 18 college and universities will be participating. Students will be given a score based on their sales effectiveness. Competitions include the in-basket sales competition, where they sort through, prioritize, and make key decisions about demands requiring attention; the speed selling competition, which requires them to sell themselves to an employer; and a sales-role play competition, which requires students to complete a 15-minute sales call with a business executive. Funds for this competition were provided by 19 corporate sponsors, including Hess, Inc., and the McKesson Corporation.

“There is a critical shortage of new, competent new sales talent in the country,” says Rob Peterson, chairperson of the RBI sales department. “The National Sales Challenge offers a platform for the best in the nation to gather, compete, and earn jobs with various sponsors. If you’re in sales, this is a ‘must attend’ event every fall.”

The RBI National Sales Triathlon was held from October 22 to 24 and featured mock interview sessions, a sales role-play competition, and a speed selling competition. Business executives from major corporations were again invited to participate and judged the students on their sales skills and provided scores for each. The event was designed to strengthen the students’ sales skills and offer an opportunity for participants to network.
           
“The purpose of the Triathlon is to challenge our students with sales experiences outside the classroom,” says David Reid, executive director of RBI.  “An important function of this event is the five-minute one-on-one meeting with the executive held directly after the mock interview and sales role play events. The students benefit from this critique, and use the information to be more effective salespeople.”

The sales competitions will take place in the Russ Berrie Professional Sales Lab, and the café, at 1600 Valley Road.