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The Managing & Marketing Sales

Association
Examination Board


SYLLABUS



STANDARD DIPLOMA IN
SALESMANSHIP

INTRODUCTION


Effective negotiations are the result of putting into practice the skills of Selling which require
an ability to communicate and an understanding of human behaviour. Selling can take many
forms, whether it is searching out potential customers and meeting them face-to-face,
servicing a potential customer or contacting by telephone.

The MAMSA Standard Diploma in Salesmanship is the professional qualification which
ensures a complete study is made of all the essential elements for effective selling.

This Syllabus has been designed through advice from efficient business enterprises, from
educational centres and through the Consultancy Projects operated by MAMSA.

MAMSA believes in offering qualifications which will assist in furthering career opportunities
and in providing a quality of professionalism recognised by Companies and by Government
Departments, both in the UK and Overseas.

MAMSA is an international Association with members and training organisations working to
further, on a daily basis, its mission statement:

The creation of opportunity for the development of knowledge from which positive,
effective and practical application will strengthen the role of individuals and
business enterprises internationally.


The Executive Council





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DIPLOMA STRUCTURE


The Standard Diploma in Salesmanship is part of a sequence of qualifications consisting
of:


The Standard Diploma in Salesmanship
The Certificate in Sales Marketing
The Higher Diploma in Marketing
The Advanced Diploma in Sales Management


This Syllabus only covers the Standard Diploma in Salesmanship and comprises of two
Examinations, each of 2 hours duration .

Examination A Communications
Salesmanship

Examination B Organisation & Businesses
Market Distribution



EXAMINATION PROCESS


All candidates wishing to enter for the MAMSA Examinations require a Registration Number
and cannot take examinations until this has been issued. This Registration Number will
remain the same whilst the candidate is undertaking Examinations.

There are two Examinations - A and B. Each Examination will emphasise the importance
of the applicant being able to demonstrate a practical application to a problem, situation or
theoretical statement. Each Examination may be taken separately if required.

Centres for Examinations are international with the main dates being May and November of
each year. Applications must be made in February and September respectively. Special
sessions are arranged at the request of Tuition Centres and Company Training Units.

On successful completion of the two Examinations, entry is available to the two Examinations
covering the Certificate in Sales Marketing and the Higher Diploma in Marketing.

Claims for Exemption will be considered by the Examination Council provided the Claim Form
has been completed with the relevant documentary evidence and accompanying fee(s).


Entry Requirements:- All candidates must be a minimum of 18 years old at the time of the
Examination Session and be able to show a competence in literacy and numeracy.
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Examination Results:- Candidates results will be sent from MAMSA Head Office in August
and January. The Examination Council is forbidden to enter into communication concerning a
candidates results. The Councils decision is final.
Where candidates have passed both Examinations the Result and Diploma will be forwarded
together.

Non-attendance:-In the case of illness, the provision of a Doctors Certificate will be accepted
and the fees transferred to the next Examination Session. A special request for transfer will
incur an administration charge. Fees cannot be transferred if a candidate just does not attend
an Examination Session.




S ST TA AN ND DA AR RD D D DI IP PL LO OM MA A I IN N S SA AL LE ES SM MA AN NS SH HI IP P

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COMMUNICATIONS ~ Overview

Communications take many forms during the process of selling and require the study of the
purpose, the content, the timing and to whom a statement or message is being made or
sent: interferences which can take place before and during it being received and being
understood and acted upon by the receiver. The use of clear and precise words and phrases,
especially the written word and an appreciation of their use to create action leading to the
completion of a sale. An ability to analyse and prcis conversations and messages using the
technique of what, why, when, where and whose assistance can be sought. Preparing and
using statements which create interest and using open-ended questions to gain information.
Formal and informal formats applied to letters, memoranda, reports and facsimiles. The
effective use of the telephone. Understanding and acting on visible, facial and body language,
communication during face-to-face meetings.


SALESMANSHIP ~ Overview

The roles that selling takes in a business enterprise. An appreciation of the personal qualities
required to meet the needs when selling to a variety of outlets and to sell specialised
products/services. Understanding the buying process - the difference between wants and
needs. Analysing the motives which create a purchase. Rational and irrational motives. The
selling operation by creating a sales opportunity through prospecting, obtaining leads, visual
observation and by using records (company computer data). Identifying a potential customer.
Selling techniques - the various sequences which make up a technique and how they are
used to assist numerous and varied situations and types of customers. Planning a territory to
gain maximum coverage at minimum cost and use of time.
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COMMUNICATIONS

Communicating by the spoken and written word. Analysing the contents of the spoken and
written word. The message cycle - interference and misunderstandings. Words and phrases
to gain attention and for action to take place. Communicating to gain positive acceptance to
first approach. Format and layout of written communication to meet a desired objective and
gain the satisfaction of the receiver. The importance of using the correct address and ending
to a communication, letter, memoranda, facsimile. Reports, preparation - the content and
summary. Communicating by telephone to confirm appointments, give messages, clarify
situations, to gain information and to make first approach to a prospect. Unspoken
communication. Visual signs given by eyes, hands and body stances.


SALESMANSHIP

Selling as a key function of a business/organisation. Human attributes as part of the role of
selling. Prospecting and the potential customer. Using types of information to create a sales
situation. Buyers motives - rational and irrational. Impulse purchasing. Time, place and
opportunity - their importance in selling. The selling process and presentation. Sales
techniques - types and their use. Avoidance of objections - their causes. Methods of
converting to sellers advantage. The false objection. Adapting techniques for effective use to
meet situations and specialised products/services. The total market and competition. Planning
and organising territory. Effective use of time.




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ORGANISATIONS & BUSINESSES ~ Overview

An appreciation of the types of products/services produced and the types of customers they sell to;
as an example of a service industry - the tourist trade ~ what does it involve, why is it of benefit to
an economy and who buys? In the case of products, there can be an involvement in the
manufacturing process, transportation and warehousing. A knowledge is required of the forms of
transport and the systems of warehousing. Retailing takes many forms, from hypermarkets to
individual shops offering a wide range of wares and products plus services to the end consumers.
There are also middle-men between the producer and the end consumer. Service-providers cover
a wide range of activities including banking, insurance, factoring and consultancies; a knowledge
of the types of services they provide and their application in a selling situation. Mail Order,
telephone selling and direct response advertising are specialised industries. An understanding and
purposes of Societies, Charities and Government and Local Authorities.

MARKET DISTRIBUTION ~ Overview

To understand the market a knowledge is required of the laws governing supply and demand. The
meaning of the perfect and imperfect market related to competition and monopoly. How the
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functions of marketing are related to creating and satisfying demand. The differing influences of
home and international needs on marketing and sales strategy. To study the factors of social,
economic and technology and their effect on the market. The segmentation of the population which
has a bearing on the type and method of sales approach. The duties of agents and distributors,
their authorities and responsibilities. The sales and market approach at home and overseas,
related to customs, cultures, language and monetary systems. How the operations of marketing
utilise information supplied by sales. The recording and documentation of market information.



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ORGANISATIONS & BUSINESSES

Industries, types and purposes covering raw materials, manufacture, production. Service
industries - banking, insurance, factoring and consultancies. Government and local services -
legislation and controls. National and local education and training organisations. Specialised
organisations - building societies, charities, co-operatives and marketing boards. Retail
industries - hypermarkets, supermarkets, discount stores and independents. Direct selling -
catalogues and mail order. Wholesaler - middleman. The public and private company, the
partnership and sole trader.

MARKET DISTRIBUTION

Laws governing supply and demand. Perfect and imperfect markets. Competition - private
enterprise and monopoly. The role of the marketing functions and facets. The marketing mix
and the sales operation. Creating and satisfying demand. International sales - direct and
through agents/distributors. Cultures, language and monetary factors. Social and monetary
scales in market segmentation. Primary uses of technology for sales and marketing.
Recording and retrieving information (data). Role of agents and distributors -
authorities/responsibilities.











The Managing & Marketing Sales Association
P O Box 11
Sandbach
Cheshire
CW11 3GE
England

Tel/Fax +44 (0)1270 526 339
e-mail: [email protected]