Duquesne University and Steel Dynamics, Inc. partner to introduce regional sales competition for undergraduates
Many college graduates already pursue careers with sales responsibilities. Indeed, the Sales Education Foundation has recognized Duquesne’s sales program for several years, one of less than 100 in the nation. Hiring college graduates who have had some professional training in sales can save companies thousands of dollars by avoiding ill-fitting hires, improving performance and reducing turnover rates in sales positions by 30-40 percent.
Demand for sales professionals, particularly in the business-to-business space, is expected to grow dramatically and our sales program is taking steps to seize this opportunity. Specifically, Duquesne University’s Palumbo-Donahue School of Business has partnered with Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI), one of the largest domestic steel producers and metals recyclers in the United States, to develop and launch a regional sales competition.
“The Steel City Sales Challenge supports our growing focus on business-to-business professional selling and is in keeping with our goal of offering compelling programs to students seeking distinctive, transformative business education. And looking ahead, we will be building a new Center for Leadership in Professional Selling that will help make our program a national leader in this important area,” said Dr. Dean McFarlin. “By making this multi-year partnership commitment, SDI demonstrates its support of our sales program and the development of educated sales professionals.”
“Sales is an essential component to the success of any business. SDI supports the growth of Duquesne’s professional sales education program. We have made an investment by sponsoring this Sales Challenge that will provide an opportunity for the students to hone their sales techniques while enabling SDI to meet and recruit talented, sales educated students,” says Richard Teets, MBA’82, Retired Executive Vice President and Co-founder, Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Planned for October 21, 2017, the Steel City Challenge will be structured as a one-day, two-round sales role-play competition open to undergraduate students from Duquesne and other universities in the region. Students will play the role of sales professionals in this tournament-style competition, initially capped at 30 students.
“Duquesne continues to bring value to our students and the marketplace,” notes Dr. Dorene Ciletti, assistant professor of marketing in the School of Business. “This competition will provide students with the opportunity to showcase their sales skills with a business-to-business sales scenario co-developed by Duquesne and SDI.”
Registered student competitors will compete in a preliminary sales role-play competition round, with top scorers moving on to a final sales role-play round. Professionals with significant sales experience will serve as judges and evaluate student sales role-plays. There is an added incentive for the students to participate and perform. In addition to building their sales skills, up to $5,000 in scholarship prizes will be awarded.
For more information about the Steel City Sales Challenge, visit duq.edu/sales
