FSU Student Named National Champion at Sales Competition

Maryellen White, a professional sales major at in the Florida State University College of Business, has come home a national champion from the Russ Berrie Institute (RBI) for Professional Sales at William Paterson University’s National Sales Challenge.

Held every fall, the National Sales Challenge involves three events: the “In Basket” challenge makes students decide on the priority of their response to simulated customer issues; “Speed Selling” gives students two minutes to present to a group of business leaders the reason they should be hired as a professional sales person; and “Role-Play” presents students with a challenging business situation in which they must understand the need of the buyer, present a solution and receive a commitment from the buyer to pursue a relationship.

Although the professional sales students have won national championships in the past, White is the first national champion Florida State University has had in the RBI Sales Competition.

“Winning national champion at the RBI Sales Competition was, by far, one of the best experiences I have had at Florida State,” White said. “It was really neat to achieve a goal that I set for myself two years ago. Although I took first place individually, I believe this was a team win for FSU. Not only did I have dedicated coaches to help me, but the sales team was also very supportive in offering advice and practicing with me. This is something that I will hold close to me forever.”

The competition, designed to build sales skills and connect future sales leaders with top business executives, is held in the Christos M. Cotsakos College of Business at William Paterson University. Each participant is judged in the three aspects of the competition on their approach, needs identification, object handling, communications and presentation, and their close for next appointment.

“We are incredibly proud of Maryellen and the entire sales team,” said Pat Pallentino, associate in marketing and director of the Professional Sales Program. “This recognition reaffirms that the FSU College of Business Sales Program is developing the best sales professionals of tomorrow.”