For the fifth year, students put their selling skills to the test at the College of Business and Economics Strategic Sales Competition in order to win scholarships and the chance to compete nationally.
47 students and 55 representatives from 22 companies participated in the daylong event on Oct. 25. The competition scenario, provided by platinum sponsor, McCormick & Co., put students in the role of a McCormick sales rep tasked with selling condiments to a fictional local restaurant chain. Volunteer business professionals played the role of the buyer, the restaurant chain’s vice president of operations, and were given specific issues and objections to raise. Students had 20 minutes to conduct their mock sales meetings. Judges scored students on their delivery, poise, how they overcame objections and more via a live streamed video of the interaction.
College of Business and Economics students Casey Crawford, Charlie Gilbert and Kristina McKeaver won first, second and third place respectively. The top five winners received scholarship awards and will have the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Ga, in April to represent Towson University at the 2020 National Collegiate Sales Competition.
But the competition is win-win for all participants who got the chance to network with potential employers for either internship or full-time jobs and showcase their skills and strengths in a realistic scenario.
“It’s difficult to quantify the opportunities this event creates,” said Marketing Department Chair Erin Steffes, Ph.D.