Business Students Excel in Virtual Sales Competition

Students taking a marketing class at the University of New Haven have been gaining hands-on sales experience by taking part in the RNMKRS sales simulation program. They used an app to hone their skills, competing with other students. Several Chargers competing in the speed sell category have earned the “rising star” recognition.

The students are taking part in the competition as part of a class taught by Angeli Gianchandani, M.A., an experienced brand marketing and sales executive. Her student also excelled in the competition last semester.

Below, three Chargers reflect on the experience and share what they have learned.

Kyle Baker ’23

As someone who is working toward the event and facility operations sector of the sports industry, I wasn't sure what to expect when I began Professor Gianchandani's Sales Management course. I had little experience in sales, but I wanted to become more familiar with that aspect of the business and sports world.

Continuing to tweak my speed sell pitch through the first half of the semester has been very helpful, specifically for interviewing. It's helped me to hone the more important details of my pitch, and it has helped me better articulate those points.

I am very excited to see where the rest of the semester will take me!

Jamie Moore ’23

When picking the last class I needed for my marketing minor, it was sales marketing that caught my eye. I had heard Professor Gianchandani talk to one of my classes previously, but I’d never had her as a professor. I actually had no expectations coming into the course. But when she mentioned a competition, I was a little nervous.

I initially thought the competition would be about who could get the most sales. I later found out we were in fact selling something different: ourselves, our brand, and network.

In preparing for a competition, it is essential to be organized, focused, and committed. It involves a lot of hard work, practice, and dedication to achieve the desired result. One must set clear goals, develop a plan of action, and be disciplined in executing it. It is also necessary to overcome fear, self-doubt, and anxiety by adopting a positive mindset and seeking support from others.

Overall, the preparation process can be challenging, but it is also rewarding, as it helps to develop skills, build confidence, and push oneself to new heights.

I am very pleased to announce that I have been selected as a rising star at RNMRKS!

Daneiry King ’25

During the Spring 2023 semester, I had the opportunity to take part in the RNMKRS Spring 2023 Speed Sell Competition. This competition involved developing a 90-second elevator pitch about yourself and selling yourself using the RNMKRS app. Throughout this competition, I had the opportunity to think about my pitch, perfect it, and practice and record it.

Preparing for this competition has allowed me to sharpen my sales skills, practice my elevator pitch, improve my communication skills, and become confident in sharing who I am with others. As a marketing major, I found that this competition has reinforced my passion for sales and made me more interested in considering getting involved in this field in the future.

Aside from practicing my skills in the app and my elevator pitch, this competition opened doors for networking with professionals. I was recently recognized as one of the top 10 percent of all students in this entire competition. I was invited to join a call with other top students and executives from companies, and it gave me the opportunity to network with them.

Having the opportunity to be part of this experience has been an honor. I believe involvement in this competition has been a remarkable opportunity to improve my interpersonal skills, get to know myself better, network, and gain more insights and skills in the sales field.

All in all, I am thankful for being part of this competition, since it has contributed greatly to my personal and professional development.

Kyle Baker ’23 is a sport management major at the University of New Haven. Jamie Moore ’23 is a business management major. Daneiry King ’25 is a marketing major with a minor in graphic design.