Gaining a new qualification is a great way to move your career forward. But how do you know you’ve found the right course for you?
If you’re working in the sales sector, it can be all too easy to assume that it’s only your experience that counts when moving forward. But there are a number of qualifications out there to help you take the next step in your sales career. You just need to know where to start looking.
To make sure you choose the right one for you, here’s a quick guide to sales management courses:
What sales qualifications are there?
There are a number of different qualifications you can take in the sales industry.
Aside from work-based qualifications such as NVQs, three of the main qualifications are:
ISM – The Institute of Sales Management (ISM) offer some of most respected and in-demand qualifications in the sales industry. In fact, they are the United Kingdom’s only professional sales awarding body recognised by the Government’s own regulatory body for education.
Their qualifications are available at six different levels, depending on your expertise/previous experience. Level one can be taken online, although all other levels will be assessed by assignment or work based evidence.
Benefits of ISMM include professional recognition of your credentials, membership to the ISMM and even designatory letters after your name.
CIM – Aside from being the world’s largest and most respected organisation for professional marketers, the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) also offer a number of sales specific qualifications.
The Certificate in Professional Sales Practice provides an intensive introduction to the world of sales, allowing learners to master all the essential skills necessary to sell with success.
Other sales specific CIM courses include the Advanced Certificate in Professional Sales Management Practice, and the Advanced Certificate in Account Management Practice.
MAMSA – MAMSA stands for the Managing and Marketing Sales Association, a professional organisation specialising in qualifications and membership in sales, marketing and management.
First conceived over 150 years ago, their philosophy and passion for the industry is still as strong today as it was then, and although not necessarily as well-known ISM or CIM, their qualifications are still respected throughout the world.
Their diverse range of qualifications include Retail Sales, Salesmanship, Sales Marketing and Sales Management Certifications.
Will I become certified with these courses?
All of the courses listed above will provide you with well-respected, industry specific certifications.
Not only will these allow you to help your CV stand out in a competitive industry, they’ll also give you the edge over your colleagues when the time comes to move into a sales management role.
What are the benefits of a sales management course?
There are many great benefits of gaining a sales management qualification, including:
- More job opportunities
- Increased market value
- More lucrative salaries
- Improved performance
- An up-to-date knowledge of sales best practices
- Industry-wide recognition and validation of your skills
Aside from these benefits, sales is a highly competitive industry to move into, and progression can be a difficult process.
Becoming certified in sales management will know only help your personal development, it will also help you get ahead when it comes to your own company.
Even if you’ve completed some form of internal training, it may not be enough to progress and add to your skills, as these will most likely be incredibly specific to one service or set of products. A sales management course is a much more rounded way of building on your current sales knowledge.
How do I know if a sales management course is right for me?
If you’re still not sure, a sales management course might be right for you if any of the following apply:
- You’re passionate about sales
- You’re looking to take your career to the next level
- You think you’ve got what it takes to work in management
- You want to become certified
- You want to sharpen your skills
Who should I study with?
With a variety of different course providers out there, weighing up the pros and cons and choosing the right one for you can be a difficult decision.
The aforementioned ISM and CIM are good places to start, and they both provide a range of study options to suit all levels and circumstances.
Other popular providers include the London School of Business and Research, Stanmore School of Business, and Oplex Careers – who specialise in supplying a vast array of sales training programs to anyone looking to learn and further their careers.
Looking to take your next step in sales management? Take a Sales Management course now.
