The All-MSU Sales Competition: A launchpad for future sales leaders

Michigan State University’s sales leadership minor has long been a powerful pipeline for shaping the next generation of top-tier sales professionals. With its unique partnership between two nationally ranked colleges — the Eli Broad College of Business and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences — the program is carefully designed to prepare students for the complexities of a rapidly evolving business world. One of the key components of this preparation is the All-MSU Sales Competition, which challenges students to refine their sales acumen and gives them a vital connection to industry professionals and future employers.

Now in its 15th year, the All-MSU Sales Competition has become a milestone event for students enrolled in the sales leadership minor. This competition is more than just a showcase of student talent; it is a critical experiential learning opportunity that puts students’ skills to the test. Held on Feb. 21 this year, the competition involved 80 students from the minor, who competed in front of judges comprised of partner employers and alumni from the program.

Students were tasked with selling the services of a technological research and consulting firm to judges acting as clients. Each judge was assigned a persona, complete with specific budgets, motivations and goals. This allowed students to practice tailoring their pitches to different decision makers and navigating complex sales scenarios. Participants were evaluated on several critical skills, including their approach to understanding the client’s needs, how effectively they presented the product’s benefits, their ability to overcome objections and their overall communication and negotiation skills. Their ultimate goal was to close the deal in a manner that aligned with the client’s priorities. The Deloitte Interview Suite played a crucial role in this process, with individual sales pitches taking place in private interview rooms and up to three judges observing the interactions via high-tech video technology.

This year’s competition saw a remarkable performance from students, with three of the top four spots filled by Broad College students. The winners were finance senior Ava Bartasius, who took home first place; Brylee Allred, a kinesiology senior, in second; Gavin Jurkiewicz, a supply chain management senior, in third; and Sophie Mitchell, a marketing senior, who secured fourth place. These students will have the opportunity to represent Michigan State at the National Collegiate Sales Competition at Kennesaw State University in early March.

In addition to the competition, all students participated in a mini career fair, offering the chance to interact with potential employers from companies such as Altria, PepsiCo, BASF and Arthrex. All students enrolled in the minor are required to attend, ensuring that they have the opportunity to meet potential employer contacts and practice their networking skills.

The sales leadership minor is not only about preparing students to excel in competitions but also about equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in the real world. The program, which is supported solely through corporate donations, provides students with a comprehensive education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. In addition to the core sales courses, such as MKT 313: Consultative Selling, MKT 383: Sales Management, and MKT 430: Key Account and Customer Relationship Management — all taught by expert marketing faculty — students also take part in a capstone course titled Advanced Sales Communication, led by Jennifer Rumler-Rokita, the managing director of the program.

The integration of both business and communication expertise allows students to approach sales from a holistic perspective, focusing not only on technical skills but also on the essential interpersonal and communication abilities that are crucial for success in the field. With this partnership between the Broad College and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, students gain a distinct advantage, preparing them for the dynamic nature of modern sales environments.

In today’s competitive business landscape, the ability to effectively sell products, services and ideas is more important than ever. The sales leadership minor at Michigan State University offers a comprehensive, hands-on approach to learning that equips students with the technical knowledge, communication skills and real-world experience they need to succeed in the world of sales. By combining the expertise of two prestigious colleges and a network of industry-leading partners, MSU’s sales leadership minor is preparing students not just for a job after graduation, but for a long and successful career in sales.

To see more photos from the competition, visit the Broad College’s Flickr album.