Posted 4:29 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2015
Eighteen UWL students put their sales skills to the test with local business members at a university sales competition.
Local business members judge, mentor UWL students
UWL Junior Kayla Peterson confidently knocked on the office door of her client. She’s ready to make her pitch for a Hormel product. [caption id="attachment_44047" align="alignright" width="300"]
UWL Junior Kayla Peterson interacts with people from local businesses. She won this year’s UWL Sales Competition.[/caption]
Peterson, along with 13 of her fellow students, was put into the role-play scenarios as part of the 2nd annual UWL Sales Competition. Several local business members staffed the office as ‘buyers.’
“This is such good practice for the real world,” says Peterson, who is double majoring in Marketing and Management. “I think this is a really unique opportunity for us students to get feedback straight from professionals in our community.”
The students were judged on their performance and later given feedback from the business people – along with a chance to network with them. Peterson took home the top honors from the daylong competition.
“I didn’t think I’d do that well,” said Peterson. “I went in and treated it like a conversation and it worked out.”
She will head up Eau Claire later this month with three of her peers to compete at the Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up. Students from 22 universities across the country will showcase their sales skills at the event.
“It’s not uncommon for our students to leave this next event with job interviews or even job offers,” says Gwen Achenreiner, chair of UWL’s Marketing Department. “Each of the students who participated last year found a great job with a salary significantly above their peers.”
Achenreiner is especially thankful for the contributions from sponsors and judges who make this event possible and help set the students up for success.
“My dad is in sales,” noted Peterson. “This is real way for me to find my own groove and comfort level.”