SIG duo fly the flag for construction at sales awards
Two shining stars of SIG plc's sales force are celebrating success at the British Excellence in Sales and Marketing Awards (BESMA): the sales industry's leading awards ceremony, organised by the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM).
UK group sales training manager John Allison and area sales executive Neil Macdonald were the only two people from the construction sector to claim awards at the event. John won the Sales Trainer of the Year award, for his work in SIG plc's unique Sales Academy programme, while Neil claimed runner up in the Student of the Year category.
SIG plc put seven people forward for BESMA, with six being shortlisted - a record number of shortlists from any one company in the history of the awards.
SIG UK's sales performance and development manager Frank Rowe said: "The current challenges faced by our sector make business development more crucial to success than ever before.
"We established our Sales Academy - a group-wide training academy for all of our sales people - to bring greater skills and professionalism to this part of our business.
"To see John and Neil recognised in this way makes us extremely proud, and validates the hard work that has been going on behind the scenes to make the SIG Sales Academy a success."
The Sales Academy was set up in 2011 to create a formal structure through which SIG plc's 1,300-strong sales force can pursue professional development opportunities and improve how they work with and serve customers.
Run almost like a college or university, the Academy has a formal prospectus and offers nationally recognised qualifications. It was the first training programme of its kind in the construction industry to be accredited by the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management, the leading professional body for the sales industry.
Neil Macdonald is presented with his award
John Allison collects his award