Sales Development Programme ‘sells’ itself by supporting 10 local businesses
Ten local companies have successfully completed Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s (LCCC) Sales Development Programme.
The Council is committed to supporting the growth aspirations of small to medium sized enterprises in the Lisburn Castlereagh area and the Sales Development programme is no different. New sales are the lifeblood of any business and this programme is all about providing participants with both the skills and confidence to target new sales opportunities during and after the programme.
The companies that took part were from a range of sectors including Professional Services, Renewable Energy, Retail and Tourism.
Alderman Leathem, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, speaking about the programme, said: “The council is committed to delivering a variety of programmes to offer valuable support to local companies of all sizes. This sales programme was designed to assist local businesses with selling more, generating sales quicker and making more profit.
“The success of the Programme is being demonstrated by the new contacts created and deals secured. Web development design agency Green17 has identified opportunities with high value Food Processing and Food Manufacturing organisations for labelling design services. The company has secured new contracts with Chest Heart Stroke and the council for its Aberdelghy Golf Course utilising the lead generation and sales pitching advice provided through the mentoring programme. I wish all 10 participating companies every success as they put their learning into practise and I look forward to hearing about the future growth of their businesses.”
Other reasons given by the participants for registering on the programme included: developing the company’s product portfolio, streamlining the business and growing their brand.
Adrian Wilson of Green 17, who participated in the programme, said: “Being part of this innovative program at LCCC was a really positive experience for Green17 as it helped us focus on our strengths as a small business. We have a plan in place to target a more refined list of companies, rather than relying on word of mouth or dealing with clients that contact us. We now have a better understanding of the tendering process, and have refined our sales techniques to appeal to prospective clients that are an excellent fit for both parties.”
Other successes for the participants of this programme include a rebranding exercise to focus on product strengths, creation of job opportunities, new markets identified that would be applicable to their business and predicted turnover growth.