As entries closed for the eagerly awaited National Sales Congress (NASCO) 2017, the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), which organises the annual event, proudly announced that this year witnessed the highest number of entries in the history of NASCO. 

This year has recorded over 550 entries across categories of sales frontliners, executives, supervisors and territory managers from 22 industries. A total of 110 companies have come on board of which 12 are first-timers at NASCO, which reflects a steep rise over the previous year. 

The SLIM NASCO Committee is currently in the process of judging the record number of entries as participating companies in the fray await with bated breath for the winners to be announced at the NASCO 2017 Gala Award Ceremony to be held in October. 

Commenting on the judging process, SLIM NASCO Project Chair Manthika Ranasinghe said, “The eminent panel of judges consists of sales veterans who can identify a genuine performer with the potential to achieve success personally and for the company. Winning this award and the resultant national recognition lend self-esteem and motivation.

The opportunity to meet and be interviewed by such an eminent panel in itself is a lifetime experience. The suggestions given by the panel of judges would come in very handy for self-improvement. Throughout the years of this competition, we have seen the progress of certain award winners who have taken up greater challenges within their companies.

The judges follow a very strict but a fair and unbiased process to select the best of the best who will be crowned as the winner. I would like to wish all the contestants taking part in SLIM NASCO 2017, all the very best!” 

As the national body for marketing, SLIM has been in the forefront in fostering marketing knowledge and best practices in the country and SLIM NASCO is the only national event that recognises and rewards sales personnel covering a spectrum of business sectors. 

Organised for the 17th consecutive year, NASCO awards are being presented in 15 diverse business sectors under which categories territorial managers, sales executives/sales supervisors and frontliners are recognised. In addition to Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, best female sales personnel are also recognised under each category.

SLIM NASCO fights to instil importance and recognition in the sales profession. A national-level competition with participation from different industries has continuously improved the standard of the individuals. Hence, this competition has made a positive impact on the corporate sector. 

Advisor to Jury Nandana Wickramage said, “The judging process will take into account the individual’s input to the selling strategy and how differently the candidate had approached the challenges when compared to the others in a similar industry. Also, unique sales techniques and patterns used by individuals to connect with customers and convincing them for the buying decision will be considered. 
The candidate’s positive attitude, passion, confidence and the drive would also be assessed.

Thorough understanding of the current job role, the company’s expectation from the individual, market dynamics and the readiness to take up the next job on the career line would attract more attention of the judges.

Working on a long-term plan of investing time and energy into acquiring knowledge, skill and improve abilities in terms of performing the current job efficiently and to be prepared to accept the immediate next position in line would no doubt attract more points.”

The sectors for nominations 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.

Since its inception, the NASCO awards have helped enhance the sales professionalism in Sri Lanka.