CERTIFIED SALES PROFESSIONAL
AT LAST…A LITTLE ROCKET SCIENCE…
The rush for certification of professional salespeople has taken us by surprise – so we are requesting applicants (email info@gosalesmarketing.com) understand it will take 3-4 weeks to process. BUT, please do proceed to apply and we will process as swiftly as possible.
The Australian Sales & Marketing Institute – representing 77% sales management and the balance in sales & marketing management roles – is predominantly about sales management.
However, our Institute management members have been very supportive of a national recognition for professional activity directed at effective and ethical quality work by salespeople…which has led to a CERTIFIED SALES PROFESSIONAL (CSP) recognition for their skill, expertise and integrity in sales.
Given that sales has very limited recognition in the commercial sphere, the Institute has been in discussions with universities to bring about a level of academic recognition to the direct benefit of the sales profession. In the meantime, it is regarded as most important that the practical experience and abilities of individuals working in sales be formally acknowledged by your Institute and your peers. There are formally almost three million salespeople – one of the largest occupational groups in Australia – and the difficulty for our broader community is to isolate and recognise those who have a professional, ethical and responsible approach to sales from those who pay little or no regard to professionalism.
The CSP may be nominated by their current or past sales manager (for example) or may nominate directly themselves. In general terms, the salesperson will have a minimum of five years of experience in sales or related areas. Upon being awarded a CSP certificate, each individual may use the ‘CSP” or ‘Certified Sales Professional’ on business cards and various correspondence. The Institute will also gladly support any enquiry of us regarding your status as a Certified Sales Professional
The CSP designation carries a three year validity (until 30/12/2017 and is the only formal recognition for sales professionals in Australia (see sample certificate)*
The cost of such recognition is $165-00 (just $55-00 per year) – and an invoice for payment direct to account, cheque in post or any credit card will be forwarded.
As well as nominating yourself – or a colleague – companies may nominate some or all of their sales team, be that in the form of an incentive or simply recognition that links their company to professional and ethical ‘relationships’ in sales.
The Institute has been privileged to arrange for in-house corporate sales training (sometime in support of existing training) for many significant companies in recent years, predominantly designed/shaped to build the corporate culture and team capabilities for the company. We have (sadly) noted some sales training forecasting significant increases in sales as a result of such training, but the Institute doesn’t get into ‘forecasting’. The big issues for any company is building an appropriate culture and tackling broadly the ENTIRE sweep of company activity. If your telephone, IT, accounts or delivery are not top notch – it barely matters how skilled your sales team is.
Acknowledging the skill and expertise of your salespeople is a first start. Nominate them today (or suggest they nominate themselves).
PS OK, OK. The Institute doesn’t have William Gates as a member (nice pick-up…) BUT we had heard of someone with a similar name who has ‘sold a lot of stuff’.