SLIM increases sectors for NASCO 2013

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) announces NASCO 2013, its premier event dedicated to recognise the efforts and performance of sales personnel. It is also the only national event to recognise and reward Sri Lanka’s sales force attached to numerous organisations. NASCO 2013 has undergone a major change in the current year. New sectors; modern retail, insurance, IT,  corporate selling and  best female award  have been added and an award for the best female salesperson has been introduced to encourage more female participants.

Referring to the increase of sectors for this year’s competition, head of the Panel of Judges, Nalin B. Karunaratne says that the new sectors were identified through a selection process by way of identifying sectors that make a high contribution to the GDP and needs recognition, emerging new business sectors. And those that need to be separated so that equal opportunities would be given to the participants to compete on equal grounds. “We envisage this will encourage a greater participation and high competitiveness,” he adds.

Pointing out that NASCO has triggered the dawn of a new era in salesmanship, SLIM President Gamika de Silva says that NASCO recognises the best of the best in sales professionals of the country, as it motivates and nurtures the sales fraternity enhancing the learning curve in salesmanship and management, as it creates knowledge enhancement in the latest trends available in the sales sphere. “It also facilitates cross industry sales learning, imparts greater exposure to our country’s sales professionals, builds confidence among the wide spectrum of participants, comprehensively develops the leadership and presentation skills of participants,” he says.

Describing SLIM NASCO as the only forum where a company could send their best performers and give them an opportunity to receive national level recognition, advisor to the panel of judges Nandana A. Wickramage says that leaving aside winning a main award at NASCO, the exposure one receives by facing various interviews with the eminent panel of judges who are veterans in the field of sales, itself would be well worth it for any young sales professional.

“Recognition from a reputed national body would be a dream of any front-liner who aspires to climb the career ladder”, he adds. “For the 13th consecutive year, SLIM will recognise achievers in sales by rewarding and motivating sales professionals in the ‘Battle of Supremacy’,” Project Chairman Prasad Hewagama said. “We are hosting this event to recognise sales excellence, rewarding and motivating sale professionals to achieve greater heights.”

Nomination kits are now available and can either be obtained from SLIM Home, No. 94 Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha Colombo 10, or download from the SLIM website www.nasco.lk. Nominations can be made by any organisation (Limited liability company, partnership or sole proprietorship) duly registered as a business in Sri Lanka and carrying on business in Sri Lanka. Territorial managers, sales executives/sales supervisors and front liners in 12 sectors can be nominated. The sectors are: fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), financial services and banking, industrial, media, consumer durables, telecommunication, fashion and clothing, healthcare, modern retail, travel and leisure, insurance, alcohol and tobacco, and corporate selling.

SLIM has arranged to brief the participants on 28 May, after which entries will be entertained until 27 June. The next two days are allocated for examinations after which interviews and presentations will be held on 5, 6 and 7 July 2013. NASCO presentations are scheduled to be held on 27 July at Hilton. Serving on the panel of judges are: Akzo Nobel paints Sales General Manager Nalin Karunaratne, Fonterra General Sales Manager Stephen Paulraj, Singer Sales Director Kumar Samarasinghe, Unilever Customer Development Director Surith Perera, John Keels Holdings VP Neil Samarasinghe, Hayleys Director Ruwan Waidyarathna, Peoples Merchant PLC Director G. Ramanan, Orit Apparels Chairman Channa Palansuriya, Etisalat Chief Sales Office Sanjeewa Samarasingha, ITN Marketing Deputy General Manager Upali Ranjith and Sanje (Pvt) Ltd., Sales Vice President  Amithe Gamage.