Hiring sales winners a challenge

According to Suzanne Burgess, CEO of SalesBytes and founder of UPSA of Southern Africa - the recently launched Johannesburg-based chapter which has set a record for the fastest-growing UPSA international chapter - hiring the wrong salesperson can negatively impact a company's bottom-line for as long as two years after the individual has left.

"Top sales performers are few and far between," says Burgess, "hence my personal interest in bringing UPSA global standards to SA. In time, UPSA will play a leading role in providing school leavers who are interested in the sales profession with the necessary entry-level understanding of what sales is all about, thus raising the bar for newcomers to the industry."

Lambert will be the opening keynote speaker, along with 15 local and international sales management experts.

Just prior to his trip to SA, Lambert will be opening a major sales conference in Greece. While in SA, he will also be the guest speaker at a local UPSA chapter cocktail function on 24 May.

"We are delighted at the immense interest shown in our dedication to professionalising the sales industry," says Lambert. "I have no doubt that South Africa will be one of the most influential UPSA chapters in the global sales industry.

For more details about the 2006 National Sales Leadership Conference, UPSA SA and local meetings, visit www.upsa-sa.org or email .