Two students from the NDSU College of Business participated in the RBI National Sales Challenge hosted by the Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, Nov.14-17.

Brandon Doering, a senior marketing major from Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and senior marketing major Talia Lucken, from Bemidji, Minnesota, participated in the field of 68 students from 34 universities. 

Both NDSU students advanced to the second round of the sales role-play portion of the competition. Doering advanced to the finals and earned second place. This was the first time NDSU participated in the competition. 

During the three-day RBI National Sales Challenge, students demonstrate their skills and capabilities in a series of sales challenges, including a sales role-play and elevator pitch competition. Students also interact with representatives from major corporations in a series of professional development seminars.

The team was coached by Mike Krush, associate professor of marketing and director of the Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology.

The two-person team is one of the activities sponsored by one of NDSU’s Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology. It is the only academic center dedicated to developing the sales skills of North Dakota students within the 11 campuses of the North Dakota State University System. The center offers a certificate in professional selling that is available to all NDSU undergraduates.

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