Leading company in the local office automation industry, Minolco (Pty) Ltd, has recently completed its inaugural training programme aimed at fast-tracking previously disadvantaged individuals in the field of sales, with all eight students on the three-month `Sales Cadets` programme graduating in style.
That`s the word from HR coordinator at Minolco, the principal importer of Minolta`s range of award-winning digital faxes, copiers and laser printers, Zaheda Patel, who says one of the graduates, Muzi Mahlangu, has exceeded all expectations by going on to achieve his sales quota just months after graduating.
Zaheda, who had overall responsibility for sales trainee training at Minolco, helped conceptualise and pack the initial programme, which ran in June, July and August. It saw all the students gain experience across all facets of Minolco - from company and sales orientation to specific product knowledge - before graduating as sales executives.
"Being our inaugural course, we were not sure what to expect especially given that none of the students had any work, let alone IT, experience. However, at the end of the intensive programme, all product and sales managers who were called on to asses the students gave them glowing reports, as did our managing director, Alan Griffith," says Zaheda.
Five of the new graduates have been appointed sales executives in the company`s Johannesburg branch, with the remaining three taking up sales executive positions in the Pretoria branch.
Commenting on the rationale behind the programme and the successes achieved, MD Alan Griffith notes that one of Minolco`s goals is to be a part of the community in which it operates, and to reflect the community in its composition.
"As such, it is important that we continually explore empowerment opportunities such as the Sales Cadets programme. And given its wonderful success, we are confident that it will become an annual programme, delivering benefits to not only the previously disadvantaged and Minolco, but to our customers," he says.
Caption:
The Minolco Cadets Class of 2000:
Perfectionist Sibusisi Lupoqo
Pitso Madibo
Muzi Mahlangu
Nombulelo Mkhwanazi
Hugh Maropa
Jeffery Mkwanazi
Edgar Motha
Nathi Skosana
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