To:

MKTG 131 Students

From:

Patrick McNiff
Faculty

Date:

Winter, 2015

Ref:

Current Sales Topic Memo Assignment

(CST)

This memo outlines the requirements for the Current Sales Topic Memo assignment as mentioned in the
syllabus for the course. It includes a written memo and an Oral presentation which includes a
PowerPoint presentation.
The Current Sales Topic Memo will be a one-page memo (it must be limited to 1 page) summarizing an
new or current trend around Sales process, methods, customer trends, sales process enablement using
technology from a credible business, marketing or sales periodical. Your thought on the topic that the
article defines is critical. The idea of Current is critical, so something that is new in the past 2 years. The
report and presentation should summarize the article in 25-50% and then 50-75% of the time/report.
Discussing your personal perspective on the topic the article discusses is the key to this assignment.
The article must relate to class discussions, book content about customers trends, sales process and
methods. This can be a trend in sales or an aspect of personal selling you find interesting.
Some trends in the past few years include the use of technology such as mobile applications for buying
products/services, checking product delivery, researching needs and solutions. Other technologies
supporting the sales and customer process are evolving such as twitter, email, text, and social tools such
as LinkedIn, FB, My Space,. are playing roles in highly targeted and personalized sales and buying
processes. Customer Relationship in now a mission critical business process and system for the
enterprise and customer expectations.
A copy of the selected article must accompany the memo. Part of this assignment will be a short (5
minutes or less) presentation to the class with a brief PowerPoint presentation.
You should comment on the credibility of your source in your memo. You should use a memo format such
as this one
The topic for your memo should center on topics we have discussed in class or will discuss in class, or a
Sales topic or issue that is of interest to you. Here are the categories of the topics from out text
book:

Selling as a Profession
Preparation for Selling
Selling Process
Managing Yourself/Others/Career

I offer the following as an abbreviated list of possible sources for articles. Many other sources exist.
Many of these and other sources have online resources or are available online. There are a number
of resources available such as through ProQuest. I would suggest you take advantage of our library
resources at BC and the writing lab. The article you select must be at least 500 words.
Here are some of the public domain publications you can consider to find your article:
The Wall Street Journal
The Puget Sound Business Journal
Harvard Business Review
Consultants Research sites (Accenture/Deliott/PWC/..)
Selling Power
Sales News

USAToday
The Seattle Times
Articles - Linkedin Sales blogs
Google book chapter with trend word
(Prospecting trends 2015)
Sales Management
Sales Magazine

Your memo should briefly summarize the article. I would suggest that no more than 1/4 or the memo be
used for this purpose.
Critical in this assignment is your personal perspective about the topic only summarizing what the
author said is 25% of the assignment. I.e. specify your conclusions, opinions based on your analysis,
and how the knowledge you gained relates to your understanding of Sales and Customers, and how it
can be applied and changes the process of selling. This personal perspective should be approximately
3/4 of the page be used for this purpose.
Please insure you have cited the article correctly within your memo using APA format.
I have attached a copy of the evaluation sheet I will use for this assignment for your guidance.
As the second part of this assignment, you will develop a short (approximately 3-5 slides) PowerPoint
presentation suitable for a workgroup which communicates the ideas you discuss in your memo and
make a short presentation to the class. Your presentation should be approximately 3 minutes.
Please submit your work in the following format and order, stapled in the upper left hand corner:
1. Your memo
2. A copy of the article
3. A blank evaluation sheet for my use
I have created a sign-up sheet for the oral presentations which I will circulate throughout the class. Oral
presentations will be made in accordance with the voluntary sign up sheet that was/is being circulated in
class. The written memo is to be submitted to me on the due date below and your oral presentation
completed for your presentation date to be set in class I do not need a copy of your oral presentation.
Current Sales Topic Report Due: 1/20/15
Please contact me if you have further questions.

Current Sales Topic (CST) Evaluation

Name:
Date:

Evaluation Criteria

Points

Guideline Length

10

Article summarized, correct format, memo structured, stapled

40

50% CST Report

50% Your 3 minute presentation

20 points
20 points

Your personal observations about the Sales Class Sections

Report tone:
25% Article Summary
75% Your Perspective on the topic and article

50

Selling as a Profession
Preparation for Selling
Selling Process
Managing Yourself/Others/Career

Total:

Comments:

100

Grade