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K-State Today

October 31, 2022

Johnson places fourth overall at the Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up

Submitted by Ruthie Gergeni

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K-State Sales Team members who participated in the Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up, from left, are Kaley Coffman, Blaine Kramer and Lydia Johnson.

The K-State Sales Team competed in the Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up on Oct. 13-15, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The competition was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with 69 students from 23 universities across the country competing in role-play events.

The K-State Sales Team had three students participate in the competition: Lydia Johnson, senior majoring in professional strategic selling and Spanish, Prior Lake, Minnesota; Kaley Coffman, senior in professional strategic selling and finance, Bonner Springs; and Blaine Kramer, junior in professional strategic selling, Atchison.

Hormel Foods was the main sponsor as students focused on selling Planters Sweet and Spicy Peanuts through two rounds of role-plays. In the first round, the students showcased their sales skills by selling the product to United Natural Foods International. The students showcased their sales skills for the second round by positioning the product to a university.

Johnson placed fourth overall in the competition and was recognized as the university champion from Kansas State University. In addition, Coffman placed 19th and Kramer placed 26th overall.

"I love this competition as it provides a unique experience for our students to sell either a retail or consumer goods food product," said Kellie Jackson, managing director of the National Strategic Selling Institute and sales team coach. "The experience they gain in sales competitions like this is invaluable and prepares them well for their careers after graduation. I would like to extend thanks to Hormel Foods for being a long-standing partner of this sales competition and providing this opportunity to students."

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 11 straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. The team consists of students who are enrolled in the certificate or major in professional strategic selling. K-State offers a major in professional strategic selling. Students can also earn a certificate in professional strategic selling, which is open to all majors. The professional strategic selling program introduces students to the fundamentals of sales and the innovative curriculum and sales labs help students 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

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