Sales and Marketing Courses

Sales and Marketing: Overview

Marketing is the management process that identifies, anticipates and satisfies customer requirements profitably (CIM). Marketing is a creative industry which includes:

Sales, Advertising, Direct Marketing, Market Research, Marketing, Promotions and Public Relations. Marketing involves anticipating the customer needs and wants and the above mentioned areas are interrelated in the marketing and sales field.

Studying and Working in a Marketing field can be challenging and involve skills such as communication skills, working effectively under pressure, ability to work under pressure and take risk, problem solving and etc. These skills can be developed from training and experience.

Underoak lists training to help you learn while you work.  Experience and training on the job has proven to be the most effective way to advance you skills in the Marketing and Sales sector.

Essentially, marketing is the process of creating or directing an organization to be successful in selling a product or service that people not only desire, but also are willing to buy.

Expected Salary

As mentioned previously, the term marketing has various divisions and a wide employment bracket.  Starting Salaries are:

• Graduate starting salary £20,000 – £25,000
• Marketing and Web Content Executive £28,000 – £35,000
• Marketing Manager £30,000 – £40,000
• Brand Manger £50,000 – £60,000
• Marketing Executive £28,000 – £35,000
• Sales Director £60,000 – £70,000
• Sales Manager £30,000 – £35,000

Average Starting Salaries by Location:

£20,000 to £25,000 for jobs outside London

£22,000 to £35,000 in London

£35,000 to 60,000+ once further experience and training has been acquired.

Training

Training: Many employers offer induction training schemes to introduce new employees to the organisation. These schemes are designed according to the structure, culture, and practices of the organisation. As with many roles in marketing other training will be on the job.

Qualifications: A degree or an equivalent qualification is usually required. However, it is possible to become a marketer or a sales person with lower qualifications. You can start on a low position and work your way up with promotions. Promotions are deepened on the performance and training that is achieved.

There are a variety of short, external courses available, specifically designed for marketing professionals. For example, the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) runs a range of short courses, which many organisations actively encourage their employees attend, as part of their continuous professional development (CPD). The Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) also offers a range of professional development and training courses.

Further information on qualifications and training are listed on the Underoak Website.

Underoak lists many short courses to aid you in your career progression. These may be funded individually or through your company (please check the prices with the trainer, as sometimes they often offer a lower price for self funded training). To search these courses, simply type the relevant key words and click on 'request further information' to send your enquiry direct to the trainer.

Related Careers

Generally, the people who study and train for employment in sales and marketing, allow a large window of opportunity to advance in their career. Graduates of the Professional Sales & Marketing program are promoted quickly from entry level sales position to advanced sales positions and management. If you like working with people and you like being compensated for your efforts and talents, then the Professional Sales and Marketing option is for you.

More Related Careers

• Adverting account executive
• Market researcher (qualitative/quantitative)
• Press Officer
• Sales Promotion account executive
• Public relations account executive
• Advertising account manager
• Advertising account planner
• Market researcher (qualitative/quantitative)
• Media buyer

Useful Links

U Talk Marketing

Mintel

Marketing Week

Business Link

Core Skills

Specific skills which you may develop from doing Sales or Marketing courses include:

• Who demonstrate Passion, drive, interest of working in this industry
• Are inquisitive, ask questions regarding brands, marketing, advertising
• Are persuasive and able to influence others
• Are assertive, have 'presence'
• Have a sense of humour about self
• Acts with integrity, can adapt to new situations
• Have self motivation, action/results orientated
• Can work with people from all levels
• Have excellent communication skills
• Positive attitude, is friendly and approachable
• Analytical skills
• The ability to use initiative
• Creativity
• Drive
• Numeracy
• Teamwork
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Oral and written skills
• Business awareness
• IT skills

Job Sites

Marketing Week

Simply Marketing Jobs

Just Sales and Marketing

Average working hours per week

Job Description

Marketing executive

The Role
Marketing executives are involved in aspects of marketing, including: planning; advertising; promotion; public/media relations; product development; distribution; sponsorship; and research. The role is often challenging, varied and exciting.

The responsibilities of the role will vary, depending on the size of the organisation and sector, and whether the focus is on selling a product/service or raising awareness of an issue that affects the public.

As many organisations have marketing departments, marketing executives can be found in both the private and public sectors: from the banking, retailing and media industries to voluntary and not–for–profit organisations.

Marketing executives may also be known as marketing assistants or coordinators.

Tasks may include:

• Liaising and building relationships with a range of stakeholders, e.g. customers, suppliers and colleagues;
• Developing advertising opportunities, which can involve placing adverts in national, regional and specialist publications or on the radio (depending on the organisation and the campaign);
• Maintaining and building contacts with the media
• Writing and distributing press releases
• Preparing photo shoots
• Managing the production of marketing materials, including leaflets, posters and flyers – this can involve writing and proofreading copy and liaising with designers and printers
• Arranging for the effective distribution of marketing materials
• Maintaining and updating mailing databases
• Organising and attending events and exhibitions
• Securing sponsorship to assist with the publicity and funding of marketing projects
• Carrying out market research and customer surveys to assess demand, brand positioning and awareness
• Evaluating marketing campaigns
• Monitoring competitor activity
• Analysing pricing positions
• Contributing to and developing long–term marketing plans and strategies
• Assisting in the delivery of approved strategies
• Managing budgets
• Supporting the marketing manager and other colleagues

Salary:
£25,000 – £30,000 dependent upon sector and location

Experience:
You will be expected to be trained to degree level, however, this does not necessarily need to be a degree in a related field.

Usually office experience is essential for senior grades; a minimum of three years experience in an administrative capacity is required. A short course will add your skills and show dedication to the industry.

Career Development

There are many opportunities to develop your career. Once experienced as a marketer opportunities may rise to be self employed or work as a freelancer. There are wide opportunities within the marketing sector such as retail, lecturing, setting up a consulting firm.