Sales students claim second place at national competition

November 16, 2012 | News, UToday, Business and Innovation
By Bob Mackowiak



Students Matt Devenport, Chelsea Drouillard, Sam Otting and Michael Schaffer from the UT College of Business and Innovation Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales won second place in the “Can’t Beat the Experience” National Team Sales Competition held at Indiana University in October.

UT sales students smiled during dinner at the “Can’t Beat the Experience” National Team Sales Competition last month. Taking second place were, from left, Matt Devenport, Michael Schaffer, Coach Lora Cramer, Chelsea Drouillard, Sam Otting.

Twenty-one teams faced off during the annual competition in Bloomington and used their classroom knowledge, experience and personal skills in a selling situation designed to be realistic and relevant in today’s market. The University of Washington took first place.

“The Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales team did a fantastic job,” said Dr. Ellen Bolman Pullins, professor of marketing and director of the center. “We are very proud of the entire team.

“UT’s second-place finish placed us ahead of such programs as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Penn State University, Michigan State University, the University of Kansas, Bowling Green State University, Indiana University, Syracuse University, the University of Florida, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Arizona, as well as other top sales programs,” she said.

“Additionally, congratulations to Michael Schaffer on his recognition as an MVP for his ability to handle objections and bring in outside health-based research. And thanks and congratulations to the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales team coach Lora Cramer.”

The mission of the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales is to provide high-quality educational programs in sales and related areas, to enhance the world of business practice related to professional sales, and to become a recognized global leader in sales learning, discovery and engagement. The center provides a learning environment that promotes networking opportunities and the exchange of ideas about sales issues in an open and professional manner.

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