Supporting sales
By Barbara Sutherland Chovanec
Alumnus Jeff Seeley has taken a personal interest in helping CMU students become better salespeople.
Seeley, ’82, is president and CEO of Carew International, a sales training and consulting company based in Cincinnati with a 35-year history in sales and sales-leadership development.
He has donated his company’s expertise to help develop the CMU Professional Sales Institute, which will offer a concentration in professional sales for students majoring in marketing and a minor in professional sales designed for students of any major. Courses begin in the fall.
Both programs feature an innovative curriculum based on Carew’s industry seminars and workshops, with classes focusing on personal sales, sales management, advanced selling, and negotiation and organizational selling.
Richard Divine, chairman of CMU’s marketing and hospitality services, says companies would pay thousands of dollars for the same training the students will receive.
“Carew’s involvement will give CMU students access to the same industry-quality sales training that top companies pay Carew to deliver to their own sales staff,” Divine says. “Our graduates will have a competitive advantage when they enter the market and compete for the many lucrative sales jobs available.”
Seeley says he sees a critical need for this type of program as college students graduate with strong intellectual skills and academic understanding, but they often lack real-world insight, human relations, and specific sales skills and processes necessary for a career in sales.
“Concepts and real-world practices taught in the sales institute will be proven skills and strategies that have been implemented in leading international businesses,” Seeley says. “Graduates of the program will be armed with experience and knowledge that will make them much better prepared to enter a career in sales, hit the ground running, and make a difference quickly for their employers.
“This really gives a leg up to the students seeking jobs,” he says. “Now not only will they have a great academic experience, but they also will have great usable business skills.”
Seeley says he’s thrilled to be able to help his alma mater in this way.
“It’s a great way to give back,” he says. “I’m a big believer in paying forward.
“I have great memories of Central. It was something that changed my life. I can’t say I’d have the success I have today without Central.”
Seeley says Carew’s 50 employees are excited about the partnership with CMU, which also provides training for CMU faculty.
“My entire company and staff have rallied around it,” he says.
“I’m just very humbled and proud of the fact that Central and Carew International are able to do this together. I’m thrilled that it will impact a lot of people.” •
