Gemma’s role is customer-facing and requires her to engage with new business leads as well as helping existing customers. Gemma unfortunately had health related problems at a key time in her schooling and therefore did not go straight to University and instead had worked her way up on the job.

It was decided that Sales training would benefit Gemma and it would be an ideal stepping-stone for her to build up to do a higher-level apprenticeship at the local University. This way Gemma could upskill and achieve qualifications linked to her profession as well as methodology to help her with her long-term career and educational goals.

As Skills Support for the Workforce is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency, Tailored Branding was able to enrol Gemma onto the training at no cost to the business.

The training was carried out by The Tess Group, one of Serco’s trusted providers. Gemma was enrolled onto a group of Sales Level 3 & 4 units which included:

• Buying and selling cycles
• Customer relationships
• Negotiation and objection handling

The training was delivered through both webinars and face to face training sessions. The sessions were conversational which built Gemma’s confidence in subject matter.

Gemma learned closing techniques, communication skills, sales methods, leadership traits, account management and negotiation skills. Gemma really enjoyed the training:

“The level of the training has - well been on another level. Really really good, I find that talking it through once you’ve had a little bit of knowledge you can develop it. I’m one of those people who talks it through and then completely understands it.”

The training improved Gemma’s confidence in her role, especially her ability to manage people. As a result of the training, Gemma has now enrolled onto a university course at Staffordshire University which was part of her long-term career goals.

Please note the training took place pre-COVID.