Victaulic Sales Competition highlights university's Sales Week
Thursday, March 12, 2015
MANHATTAN — Three Kansas State University students earned cash prizes at the recent Victaulic Sales Competition, a part of the fourth annual K-State Sales Week hosted by the National Strategic Selling Institute in the College of Business Administration.
Forty-eight students took part in the competition, testing their selling skills in a role-playing scenario as a Victaulic Sales representative. Their objective was to convince a prospect contractor, played by an actual Victaulic Sales rep, to purchase one of the company's products.
Alex Augustyniewicz, senior in marketing, Wichita, won first place and a $500 cash prize; Armani Williams, junior in marketing, Lenexa, took second place and $250; and Ashley Ebeck, freshman in finance, Paola, took third place and $100. All three students are working toward their certificates in professional strategic selling through the National Strategic Selling Institute, which is open to all majors at the university. Both Williams and Ebeck also are part of the institute's Sales Cat Team, which competes in student sales contests around the country.
"This competition was a great way for students to think creatively and put their selling skills to the test, and I was very excited about the talent level of the participants this year," said Dawn Deeter, director of the National Strategic Selling Institute. "We are so grateful to have corporate partners like Victaulic that provide real-world sales experiences to our students."
In addition to the Victaulic Sales Competition, Sales Week also featured a keynote lecture, a corporate partner networking reception and a Sales Career Fair featuring 18 companies. Professional development workshops were also offered throughout the event from program sponsors Hormel, Edward Jones, Security Benefit, CED, Frito Lay/Pepsico, TEK Systems and Prudential.
"We were really excited about the turnout for this year's Sales Week," Deeter said. "Employers continue to be impressed with the level of preparedness and sales skills that students in the professional strategic selling certificate program bring to the table."
The certificate program is open to all majors at the university, and allows students to distinguish themselves by demonstrating professionalism and competency in selling skills.
