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K-State Today

November 11, 2021

K-State Sales Team competes in Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition

Submitted by Haley Ahlers

K-State Sales Team

The Kansas State University Sales Team competed in the virtual Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition hosted by Bryant University on Nov. 4-5. The competition had 23 universities and 156 competitors. Students competed in both the role-play and speeding selling events as part of the competition.

The K-State Sales Team had five students compete in the competition: Kaley Coffman, junior in professional strategic selling, Bonner Springs; Kaitlin Hiestand, senior in finance and professional strategic selling, Topeka; Jack McGuire, a sophomore in finance, Shawnee; Lucas Oliver, junior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park; and Collin Thompson, senior in professional strategic selling and marketing, Olathe.

The leading sponsor for the event was Carousel and students focused on selling Cohesity for the role-play competition. The role-play competition was set up so students advanced through a series of three rounds of role-plays and were evaluated on their approach and rapport, needs identification, presentation, handling of objections, closing and communications skills. Thompson and Coffman advanced to the semifinals and placed in the top 40 out of 130 competitors in the role-play competition.

In addition to the role-plays, the students participated in the speed selling competition. Students had to prepare and practice a 60-second introductory elevator pitch about why a company should hire them. Coffman was a top 11 finalist out of 156 competitors in the speed selling competition. The K-State Sales Team was also recognized as a top 10 team overall in the competition based on the role-play and speed selling events.

"As our first virtual sales competition of the semester, I'm extremely proud of the efforts put forth by all five individuals," said Kellie Jackson, managing director of the National Strategic Selling Institute and sales team coach. "The commitment from all five students to show up both days and be fully engaged through Zoom is impressive. And then, to have representation in the finals for speed selling and be recognized as a top 10 team overall is a great accomplishment showing team members that their hard work and dedication paid off."

The K-State Sales Team is in the College of Business Administration's National Strategic Selling Institute, which has been named one of the top sales programs in the country for 10 straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. The team consists of students who are enrolled in the certificate or major in professional strategic selling. In fall 2018, Kansas State University became just the 19th university in the U.S. to offer a major in professional strategic selling. Students can also earn a certificate in professional strategic selling, which is open to all majors at the university. The professional strategic selling program introduces students to the fundamentals of sales and the innovative curriculum and sales labs allow students to develop the skills needed to be successful.

The K-State Sales Team will be competing in several competitions throughout the school year across the country. For more information on the National Strategic Selling Institute or the K-State Sales Team, please contact kstatesalesprogram@k-state.edu