Lillian Hulbert '18 takes home the top prize in CBE's annual sales competition
Students were given a scenario that they were from a company selling customer relationship management (CRM) software to a construction company that needed to consolidate its two cumbersome systems.
By Megan Bradshaw on October 25, 2016
The College of Business and Economics (CBE) hosted its annual sales competition, sponsored by Erie Insurance, on Friday, Oct. 21.
Twenty-six student contestants presented in front of 30 sales practitioners and recruiters, who served as buyers or judges, from companies like TEKSystems, Stanley Black & Decker, Erie Insurance, McCormick, Merrill Edge, Southern Management, NewDayUSA, Nexterus, Panasonic, Atlas Insurance, Mercedes Benz of Hunt Valley, The Better Business Bureau, United Electric Supply, ADP, Clear Channel Communications, Neuberger and Co., Piper Companies, Long & Foster Real Estate, Mike Shelah Consulting, MindGrub, Centric Business Systems, and AspireWealth Planners.
Students were given a scenario that they were from a company selling customer relationship management (CRM) software to a construction company that needed to consolidate its two cumbersome systems. They gave 20-minute individual sales pitches to buyers in one room while a video stream of the conversation was fed to the judges in a separate room. Students were judged based on their approach, how well they identified the buyer’s needs, their presentation of the product, how well they overcame the buyer’s objections, the close and their overall communication skills, enthusiasm and professionalism.
Junior business administration/marketing major Lillian Hulbert won the $300 first prize. Senior Vladislav Shevchenko, a fellow business administration/marketing major, placed second, winning the $200 prize. Business administration/finance major junior Meredith Price finished third and won $100.
“The sales competition at Towson University was amazing and showcased their students. These students seized the opportunity, were well prepared and educated beyond measures. Each student brought something different to the table which made it hard for the judges in the room," said Erie Insurance District Sales Manager Britnyee Johnson. "This was my first time at this event and will not be the last. Erie Insurance felt honored to be a sponsor, and we look forward to continuously building our relationship with Towson University.”