NDSU’s Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology is again among the top sales programs on a list prepared by the Sales Education Foundation. The center was named to the foundation’s “Top Universities for Professional Sales Education” program for the second straight year.
“It’s a fantastic recognition for our sales program,” said Mike Krush, director of the Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology. “It really is a testament to the quality of students, corporate partners, and the entire faculty and staff at the College of Business. This is truly a collaborative, team effort.”
The NDSU Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology is the only academic center dedicated to developing the sales skills of North Dakota students within the 11 campuses of the North Dakota University System. To enhance opportunities for students, the center offers a certificate in professional selling that is available to all NDSU undergraduates.
It’s a program that is important for the majority of undergraduate students. Krush noted that sales skills are highly valued in the marketplace. Approximately 50 percent of all graduates with a business degree will enter the workforce in a sales-oriented role. Students with a sales education ramp up 50 percent faster and turnover 30 percent less than their non-sales educated peers.
The Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology is an associate member in the University Sales Center Alliance, a consortium of university sales centers dedicated to advancing the sales profession via teaching, research and outreach. The center is the only member within North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Other notable universities with associate member status include West Virginia University, Michigan State University and Virginia Tech.
Sally Stevens, executive director of the Sales Education Foundation, said companies should have an increased focus on partnering with university sales programs. “Top sales organizations should consider developing partnerships with these programs who are educating the next generation of professional sales people,” she said.
For information on partnerships with NDSU’s Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology, contact Krush, at 701-231-7844 or michael.krush@ndsu.edu or visit www.ndsu.edu/mgmt_mrkt/sales. To learn more about the Sales Education Foundation, visit www.salesfoundation.org.
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