Module Details

Module Code: MRKT7011
Title: Professional Sales Practice
Long Title: Professional Sales Practice
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3420 - Marketing & Advertising
Module Delivered in: 7 programme(s)
Module Description: In this module, learners discover the role and functions of a salesperson, stages in the selling process, modern approaches to consultative selling, and business to business selling techniques. Students will also look at the management of the sales function and the selling personnel.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss the role and functions of a sales person.
LO2 Analyse how the sales persons job has evolved to consultative selling and building partnerships.
LO3 Explain and justify steps in the sales process.
LO4 Analyse the building blocks of a successful sales professional.
LO5 Conduct a sales interview or sales presentation.
LO6 Analyse the complexities of business to business selling.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).

Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.

No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Evolution of sales philosophy and practice
Traditional selling, consultative selling, relationships, value added selling. Variety of sales roles, selling for a manufacturer, a wholesaler, a retailer, and selling a service. B to B selling, Selling technical products, the sales engineer, ethical detailing.
The consultative selling model
A personal selling philosophy, relationship strategy, product strategy, customer strategy. Buyer motives, buyer behaviour, communication styles for managing personal relationships.
The sales Meeting
Approaching the customer, the consultative sales presentation, opening the call, questioning, probing for needs, supporting needs, overcoming objections, negotiating buyer concerns, closing the sale and confirming the partnership, servicing the sale.
Sales Productivity
Planning, territory management, sales call plan, stress and health management, relationship with sales manager, with shipping, customer service, manufacturing, accounting. CRM, sales forecasting.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,3,4,6
Assessment Description
Written assessment on theory of effective sales practice.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 60
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Assessment Description
Student groups to prepare and deliver a team sales presentation to a prospective B2B client's wider team, deploying a consultative selling approach. Students to propose the optimal product / service solution, negotiate pricing and trading terms, attempt to successfully close the sale and factor in sales follow up.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Class Based Instruction Every Week 2.00 2
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Workshop on selling tasks, interpersonal skills Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study course material, prepare for presentation and practice skills. Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Class Based Instruction Every Week 2.00 2
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Workshop on selling skills, interpersonal skills Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent reading and study, prepare for presentation and practice skills Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Gerald L. Manning, Barry L. Reece. (2014), Selling Today, 13th. Pearson Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 0133543384].
  • Mark W. Johnston, Greg W. Marshall. (2021), Contemporary Selling, Building Relationships, Creating Value, 6th. Routledge, [ISBN: 9780367435172].
  • David Jobber, Geoffrey Lancaster, Kenneth Le Meunier-FitzHugh. (2019), Selling and Sales Management, 11th. Pearson, [ISBN: 1292205024].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • David Jobber and Geoff Lancaster. (2014), Selling and Sales Management, 9th. Pearson, [ISBN: 0273762652].
  • Charles M. Futrell. Fundamentals of Selling, 13th. McGraw Hill Higher Education, [ISBN: 0077861018].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BBUSS_7 Bachelor of Business 5 Elective
CR_BBISY_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Information Systems 5 Elective
CR_BMKTG_7 Bachelor of Business in Marketing 5 Mandatory
CR_BAGRI_7 Bachelor of Science in Agriculture 5 Mandatory
CR_ECTWB_7 Bachelor of Science in Craft Technology (Wood) with Business 6 Elective
CR_BHORT_7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture 5 Mandatory
CR_BENBU_7 Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Business 2 Mandatory