Junior, senior represent Western at national selling competition

Senior Canyon Mueller and junior Jorge Zarate Aguirre represented Western at the 42-school competition. Other competitors hailed from institutions including Baylor University, Utah State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Central Florida and University of Texas Dallas.

At the competition, Mueller and Zarate Aguirre participated in two types of events:

• Case study sales, where all 85 competitors were given the same case study to learn. They then prepared to “sell” in 15-minute role play scenarios facilitated by industry professionals.
• A two minute “Speed Sell,” where competitors prepared a two-minute pitch describing why they should be hired for a sales career based on their experience.

“Canyon and Jorge prepared well for both competitions, competed well and, most importantly, represented Western very well,” said Tom Miller, a lecturer in Business Administration at Western.

Mueller excelled and was one of four finalists in the Speed Selling Competition. All four finalists competed live in front of about 125 other finalists, team coaches and sponsors. Mueller ultimately placed third.

Along with the experience gained in preparing and competing, Mueller and Zarate Aguirre met executives from sponsoring companies like UPS, ADP, Lennox International, Polymershapes, Laird Plastics and Mutual of Omaha.

Mueller is now being recruited by several of these companies. Zarate Aguirre is in communication with these companies regarding internships.

Mueller and Zarate Aguirre were selected as Western’s representatives during an in-class competition in Principals of Professional Selling, the first course created as part of an upcoming Professional Selling program within the School of Business.

In 2018-2019, classes in Advanced Professional Selling as well as Professional Sales Leadership will be added to complete a Professional Selling Program that will be available to students at Western.