We did advertisements in the form of sampling and POP (Point of Purchase) displays. This boosted our sales tremendously. Most of the retailers did not charge us for POP displays. A few retailers charged for in-store advertisement as per their policy.
Our POP Display at a Retail Outlet
I also had an experience of managing large clients during my internship period such as Taj, Novotel, NSCI Sports Club etc. The nature of the transaction was different. These bulk purchases always stressed on creating long-term relationships and we tried to reciprocate in every way possible. The buying decision process was a complex one in this case which ran into several meetings. We had a hard time convincing buyers about our value proposition against local suppliers who maintained competitive rates. Finally, we were able to close our sales with some Five Star Hotels and a Cafe.
Apart from this, I handled deliveries to retail stores and large clients, received consignments, created bill management and stock management systems.
Key Takeaways:
i) A good mentor can make us try a variety of things. If we fail, he/she will always be there to provide guidance. In my case, I was very lucky to have Ms. Priyanka Mehra as my mentor.
ii) Sales is not about talking, it is more about listening patiently to our customers' needs. A calm and effective approach is more suited than an aggressive approach.
iii) A casual talk with a retailer can give great insights about the performance of the market, buying habits and emerging trends.
Now, as I reflect on my summer internship, I would say it was really an eventful and memorable experience.
#FOOD CRAFTERZ #IIM INDORE MUMBAI #SUMMER SAGA 2017 #INTERNSHIP DIARIES
Chat
Comments