UP 3rd year marketing students get hands-on sales training at Italtile

Posted on June 19, 2018

In partnership with Italtile (leaders in the retail of premium quality porcelain & ceramic tiles, sanitary ware, taps, bathroom furniture and accessories), the BCom Marketing 3rd year students at the University of Pretoria had an opportunity to gain hands-on sales experience at Italtile’s showrooms for the 3rd year Personal Selling and Account Management module.
 
During the month of March 2018, the students had the opportunity to “shadow” Italtile sales representatives on a Saturday or Sunday at any one of Italtile’s six showrooms around Gauteng, namely Boksburg, The Glen, Midrand, Pretoria, Bryanston and Northriding. During a 4-hour shift students received hands-on training from sales representatives with regard to the sales process, such as welcoming and interacting with walk-in clients, assisting and recommending relevant products for clients’ needs, negotiating, as well as securing and processing sales. Exposure to a live sales experience allowed students to not only put their theory to practice, but also provided them with insights into the field of personal selling, and even sparked interest amongst many to want to pursue a career in sales. Feedback received from the students was testament to just how valuable they found this experience to be. A student who was initially sceptical about pursuing a career in sales stated, “Those four hours spent interacting with customers and seeing how the whole sales process comes to life in a practical sense, changed my mind about sales. I knew, after leaving that store that I wanted to go into sales.”

Whilst this experience was enlightening and impressive for our students, the sales representatives from Italtile too were very impressed with the students. On some of the feedback from the sales representatives, the students were commended for their genuine interest displayed towards the entire sales process, their positive attitudes, their professional dress code and conduct, as well as their curiosity and willingness to learn.

3rd year students all smiles whilst on the job at the Italtile showrooms
From top left clockwise: Karabo Manuga, Shivern Pillay, Christopher Turner, Lerato Thipe

The partnership with Italtile for the Personal Selling and Account Management module this year, allowed real-life/practical experiences to be brought into the learning process, which the students have been very appreciative of. Some have even indicated the extent to which their confidence to enter the world of working professionals, has increased because of not only the theoretical knowledge, but also the practical experience gained within the module.

- Author Marketing Management

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