- Joanne Ford is the Marketing Manager for Cambridge Professional Academy. Graduating with a degree in Business Studies, Joanne went on to successfully complete The Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma and Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing whilst working as a marketer for an international technology company in Cambridge.
Education, training and development
Professional Qualifications
Individual sales practitioners have found professional qualifications to be a successful route to career development. As you will be well aware, qualifications add considerable value to a CV when it comes to job hunting.
Companies recognise that a qualified candidate has specific skills and experiences, rather than just academic or theoretical knowledge and so the demand for qualifications, especially on the sales field has become more apparent on job descriptions.
The benefits to you
Sales qualifications are driving forward the professionalism and overall standards of the sales industry, with both individual sales practitioners and employers recognising the significant role qualifications can play.
Sales qualifications assist the experienced individual to validate their high levels of competence and to prove their industry-specific sales skills as well as demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and development. Others pursue qualifications for intrinsic reasons, finding achievement builds self-esteem and develops their intellectual confidence, which translates into their jobs.
The Institute of Sales and Marketing Management Qualifications
The ISMM is the sales sectors leading body and offers professional sales qualifications at six levels to recognise prior experience and academic achievement. The syllabi incorporate practical sales skills training and the underpinning theory. The higher level courses allow candidates to specialise in either sales management or account management.
All the qualifications are accredited by the government body the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA); are included on the Government’s National Qualifications Framework and have been matched to the UK National Occupational Standards for Sales. These quality badges prove the robustness, standards and relevance of the courses.
Why invest in ISMM qualifications
The benefits far outweigh any investment. Not only do qualifications offer a framework of standards for the sales team, but they help ensure delivery against those standards so continually maximising performance. An organisation known to invest in the individual aids the recruitment strategy acts as a massive motivator and dramatically reduces staff attrition as qualifications provide a very good reason to stay with an employer that wants to help staff member’s progress.
Why now?
The current economic environment is adding to the importance of keeping competitive. Assess the importance of standing out from crowd now more than ever. Developing your key skills will make certain you stand out from the competition, be it for a job application or a promotion.
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