First place recipient Abaynesh Girma, honorable mentions Maria Rojas and Jack Weber, and third place recipient Matt Freeland pose with event coordinator Plamen Peev, assistant professor of marketing.
Fourteen TU marketing students had the opportunity to put their classroom knowledge to the test last weekend – but this was no ordinary test. The students competed in the College of Business and Economics’ first Collegiate Sales Competition, where they presented a product to business professionals from companies including Stanley Black & Decker, Comcast, TEKsystems, NewDay USA, Panasonic, Neuberger & Co., Centric Business Systems and Atlas Insurance.
The competition included 20-minute meetings where the participants presented information from all stages of the sales process: need identification, product presentation, handling objections and closing the deal. To prepare, the students received their mock sales scenario, and product and buyer information one week prior to the competition, which took place Saturday, October 17.
Senior David Bronson receives the second place award from marketing department chair Judy Harris.
A panel of judges watched as the students presented to mock “buyers” via a stream that used the CBE’s newly camera-equipped Business Excellence Lab. Judges scored participants based on their performance as aspiring sales professionals.
Senior Abaynesh Girma won the event, receiving a $300 scholarship. Senior David Bronson came in second with a $200 scholarship and Matt Freeland was the second runner up with a $100 scholarship. Maria Rojas and Jack Weber received honorable mentions.
The judges and mock “buyers” expressed their excitement about the quality of student talent, which surpassed their expectations.
