In preparation for the opening of the Sales Institute in the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship on Oct. 13, the institute has partnered with the Division of Student Affairs to host a contest that promotes sales skills.
The contest is called uPitch for iPad. To enter the competition, students must film themselves stating why “they are NSU” in a one-minute video. Students must film between Oct. 25 and Oct. 27 using the Sales Institute’s video equipment and facilities.
Dennis Dannacher, director of recruitment and admissions for the Huizenga School, said this opportunity will benefit students who may find themselves working in sales.
“The first job students have when they get out of college, regardless of major, is usually in sales,” said Dannacher. “If they’re selling something, they need to have the skill set to do so, whether they’re selling themselves or their ideas.”
Dannacher said the college hopes to raise awareness of the institute while giving students a chance to do something fun.
“We also want to see who is good out there without any training,” he said. “It’s time for academic departments to have some fun.”
The first place prize will be a 16 GB iPad. Second place will be awarded a $250 American Express gift certificate and third place will receive a $100 American Express gift certificate.
Adam Quinney, second-year graduate student in the College of Osteopathic Medicine thinks the competition is a good opportunity for students, but he said he would not do it because he has a computer.
“I think if someone doesn’t have a computer, they would benefit from it, though,” said Quinney.
Shenika Webb, senior business administration and marketing major, said that students would benefit from the contest. Winning the iPad, she said, would be a bonus.
“Anything free is a good idea that I think everyone appreciates, but I think it means more to business students because it is an opportunity to do something that will help their future,” she said.
Student clubs and organizations may also benefit from the contest. If the winning student is a member of a club, athletic team, academic society or any other organization on campus, the organization will receive $1,000.
Faculty in the Sales Institute will judge entries and narrow the pool to five finalists by rating the contestants’ originality, creativity and ability to entertain the audience. Judges will also look at the reason students’ believe “they are NSU.”
The finalists’ videos will be uploaded to the college’s Web site and social networks where the community will vote for the winners. The winners will be announced on Nov. 30 at a lunch open to the NSU community in the grand room of the Sales Institute.
To register for the contest, log on to www.nova.edu/salespitch between Sept. 29 and Oct. 17. For more information visit the Web site or call (954) 262-4NSU.
