Business Studies student in sales final
Posted on 12. Jan, 2012 by admin in Business, Sales Management, Uncategorized
A University of Portsmouth student has reached the finals of an international sales competition.
Business Studies student, Amanda Nye, is one of only 20 students to progress successfully through three rounds of the World Collegiate Sales Open to reach the finals held in the USA in February. 
120 competitors from around the world registered for the competition, which is designed for undergraduate students studying courses with a sales option. Twenty-one year old Amanda was one of 60 to make it through to the second round and is now one of the final 20 who will travel to Chicago next month.
She said: “I wanted to do something different in my final year and really make the most of it.
My original interest lay in project management but then I had some sales experience in my placement year and it appeared to be one of my strengths. But I didn’t think I’d get so far in the competition so I’m very excited.”
The World Collegiate Sales Open is a world-wide competition designed to provide an educational opportunity for sales students regardless of their location in the world. Tasks mimic real activities that a sales representative would need to master and may not be part of many course curriculums.
The competition is based on communicating with a ‘prospect’ in different ways to achieve a sale. In round one Amanda had to leave two voicemail messages in a pitch to a prospective customer. As part of the second round she then faced a live telephone call with a receptionist acting as a robust ‘gatekeeper’ for the client.
The final challenge involves multiple activities including two 15 minute role play exercises. At all stages the contestants are judged on several criteria including creativity, articulation and creating a value proposition while demonstrating industry knowledge – all valued sales skills.
Amanda, who is in her final year of studying, said: “You have no idea what scenario you’ll be faced with or what the customer will say so it’s important to be prepared for everything. But the bottom line is that selling is all about understanding individual needs and being resourceful.
“My placement year transformed my understanding of the sales environment and allowed me to develop and build on the knowledge I learned from my Business Studies course. The blend of academic and practical knowledge has been the best possible combination.”
Amanda travels to Chicago in February where she will compete for the top prize of $2000.
Beth Rogers, Sales expert and Amanda’s tutor, said: “Our undergraduates have the opportunity to study professional selling and key account management, which Amanda has combined with her natural flair and creativity to make the crucial difference.
“Sales is also about perseverance and Amanda worked hard to get through against stiff competition from students from across the globe. It’s a fantastic experience and I wish her every success.”
