Silent Edge CEO sets out to build the next generation of sales stars

Feb 9 Silent Edge CEO sets out to build the next generation of sales stars

Russell Ward, the founder and CEO of Silent Edge – the UK´s leading sales performance consultancy  based in Tunbridge Wells – is spearheading a campaign to encourage school-leavers to become the next generation of sales stars.  Russell kick-started the initiative last Friday 3rd February when he addressed over 300 sixth form students at Cranbrook School about the merits of the sales profession and a ground-breaking academic and employment option that he is introducing into UK schools.

Russell who is passionate about sales will be working closely with young people in schools across the country to help them evaluate their career choices and employment options.  He explained, ¨In my opinion university is no longer a natural choice for a school leaver unless he or she is going to end up in a profession. £40,000 in debt is no joke and no way to start off in life. At £250 a month, it could take at least 13 years  to pay off! To arrive at the end of a degree course aged 21 or 22 and still not know what you are going to do for a job and £40k down is no option at all in my book.”

Russell’s presentation received an enthusiastic response from the pupils of Cranbrook School with nearly 70 – an unprecedented number of students – signing up for the ground-breaking course which commences in September and runs for the academic year. Students will be trained how to sell by Silent Edge before being assessed commercially, leading to a formal qualification. Thereafter Russell has pledged to provide employment in UK blue chip organisations for all successful candidates.

Robbie Fergusson, Head of 6th form at Cranbrook School said, “Today was about giving students something they don’t normally get, and this is such a small community that so many don’t think outside the box. The presentation really gave the students something they’ve never really had before: to think about what life is like beyond school, about the reputations they create for themselves online and the digital footprint they leave themselves. By the silence in the auditorium I could tell instantly it was getting through to them. I’ve never had such a positive reaction from students before on a presentation. It was fantastic.¨

The sixth form students said:

¨I thought it was very informative. I found it really interesting and I will definitely be signing up for the course.¨

¨I’d never really thought of doing sales before, but because I’m not that interested in going to University because of the high fees now, this is really good. I learnt quite a lot about it actually.¨

¨I thought it would be a really good idea because it’s something different, it will be setting us ahead of everyone else.¨

¨He made it sound inspirational.¨

Russell’s visit to Cranbrook School is the first step in a national schools campaign that Silent Edge is rolling out over the year ahead. Following the sales workshops sixth form students at participating schools will undertake the Sales for a Successful Life course over an academic year which will provide a recognised qualification for students seeking a career in sales. The campaign aims to make sales part of the national curriculum and build the next generation of sales people while improving young people´s skills, confidence and motivation at a time when getting on the career ladder can be difficult without experience of working life.