The NIU College of Business has launched an innovative initiative in business education through its Professional Sales Center. From January 7th to 12th, 2024, the “Sales on Wheels” program, part of the Marketing 412 course, will go beyond traditional academic frameworks and bring 23 aspiring sales professionals from DeKalb to Indiana. Police and Chicago's bustling corporate scene.
Jess Vandiver, a junior marketing major, began her journey with some trepidation about the sales industry. But this experience, which began with her insightful visit to her Enterprise Mobility in Indianapolis, broadened her horizons and revealed the multifaceted nature of her sales.
“At first, I thought that sales mainly meant making sales calls, but I wasn't sure if it was for me. However, after this experience, I realized that it was more than just that. “I've learned to be a persistent person who puts myself out there, asks questions, and sometimes keeps coming back until I get results,” Vandiver said.
The encounter included a financial planning session with Northwestern Mutual and the development of networking and pitching skills, embodying the transformative effects of hands-on learning that shapes students' adaptability in a dynamic business field.
The trip with Marketing 412 students was the brainchild of Chuck Howlett, former director of the NIU Professional Sales Program. Jenny Ledisi is currently the program's active director, bringing extensive experience in high-tech sales to the program. Her vision is to immerse students in a variety of industries, with the goal of building a solid foundation for a sales career.
“The purpose of this trip is to expose our students to many industries and help them develop a plan for a successful sales career and start their adult lives,” Ledisi said, adding that career preparation and experience He emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to learning. “Sales skills are essential because everyone needs to have influence in their work. This makes sales important to everyone, regardless of their major. It's important for anyone who deals with people. It’s a vitally important skill, and it’s essentially what we all are.”
Emma Walsh, a finance major with a strong interest in sales, agreed, finding the trip pivotal to her educational journey.
“We visited a lot of companies…it was a really great experience across so many different industries,” she said.
A series of company visits gave Walsh and his colleagues a comprehensive view of the sales landscape, covering areas such as sports sales for the Indianapolis Colts and pharmaceutical sales for Eli Lilly. We were able to integrate valuable learnings with real business insights.
Although the trip was cut short due to a snowstorm, the students' learning experience was still profound. The itinerary included insightful visits to companies such as Fastenal and Salesforce, where students gained practical knowledge of various business operations and sales tactics. The students also delivered their final presentation to Graeber executives virtually after a delay due to a snowstorm. These encounters extended beyond traditional academic learning and provided students with a deeper understanding of real-world business dynamics.
“The 'Sales on Wheels' program is more than just a field trip; it is a comprehensive educational experience,” Ledisi said, adding that through these field visits students understand the intricacies at the heart of most businesses. He added that he hopes he will be able to do so. “We haven't really thought about how we can solve customer problems by making changes to our distribution centers. But when we look at it, we realize that customers need their inventory delivered in this format, so It was really cool to get them to talk about why they did it this way.”
The program also focused on developing important life skills. This trip emphasized understanding personal finance and “adulting”, an important aspect that is often overlooked in traditional education. The curriculum also includes business etiquette, professional networking, and career planning, preparing students for both professional and personal growth.
At the end of the trip, students delved into reflection and project work to envision their future careers. This final step was crucial and allowed them to integrate their experience into a coherent career plan.
“It's important for students to reflect on their experiences and understand how they can apply what they've learned to their future careers,” Ledisi says.
For more information about the Professional Sales program, visit go.niu.edu/profsales.
