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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, March 26, 2015 | 14 Grilled cheese takes the cake for Sheridan student by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff It may have been a mere 60-second talk about the virtues of the grilled cheese sandwich, but it was enough to start an Oakville woman down the path to winning the Great Canadian Sales Competition. The national contest, organized by the professional sales recruitment company Sales Talent Agency, concluded March 12 with Sheridan College student Rachele Benjamin, 22, dubbed the winner. "It was a bit of a surprise. I wasn't really expecting to win anything," said Benjamin. "I'm really glad I did because more than anything else it was a really great networking opportunity. That is really important for me as a student." The Oakville Trafalgar High School (OTHS) graduate, who is currently enrolled in the Advertising Account Management postgraduate certificate program at Sheridan College, stumbled upon the competition about two months ago. Benjamin said Sales Talent Agency had a booth set up during a Sheridan networking event that provided Claude's vaCuum shop Includes Deluxe Air Package Sales · Service · Parts Free Estimates on Repairs Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday · 9am - 6pm Wednesday · 9am - 5pm Saturday · 9am - 4pm sale $39999 Supreme 100, 10 Years Warranty Sheridan College student Rachele Benjamin won a national sales contest when she rolled up her sleeves and worked hard to pitch the appetizing nuances of grilled cheese sandwiches. | photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) 128 Kerr St., Oakville, ON L6K 3A7 905.842.5658 | claude2@cogeco.net www.claudesvacuum.com information about the contest and how to enter. The competition challenged university and college students to pitch something they felt passionate about. Participants could choose anything they wanted, but the recorded sales pitch could only last 60 seconds. Sales Talent Agency co-founder Jamie Scarborough said the intent of the competition was to educate students on sales as a career. "At Sales Talent Agency, our CONCRETE Promotions are valid upon presentation of this card only. Order of promotions must be respected from 1 to 6. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. One coupon per client, per visit. Not valid on Early Bird, Lunch Express menus and holidays. Valid from Monday to Sunday at Ben & Florentine Oakville. Expiration date : March 31st, 2015 146 Lakeshore Rd.W. · 905.338.6333 Monday to Sunday · From 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Since 1967 You deserve to be comfortable Custom made new Sofas, Sof Chairs, Chairs Headboards & More. 1000's of Designs Fabrics, Styles & Colours to Choose Designer on staff. Call us or text us to book an appointment to visit our showroom. upholstery & design EXPOSED AGGREGATE (Pebble) · DRIVEWAYS · STEPS · FRENCH CURBS · WALKWAYS · PATIOS · GARAGE FLOORS uality At Its Best! Call Fernando 2345 Wyecroft Rd, #11 Oakville · 905.616.3156 · www.baiers.ca Sofas · Chairs · Headboards · Throw Pillows · Drapery & Hardware 905-844-5518 1-888-944-5518 www.concretetrimmings.com FREE ESTIMATES business to business clients are constantly demanding more talent, but most young people aren't considering sales as a career. They aren't giving themselves the best opportunities to be successful," said Scarborough. "In every measurable way, a career in corporate sales is a fantastic and under-tapped area for young graduates." On a whim, Benjamin decided to enter the fray. Her topic: grilled cheese sandwiches. "I talked about how I don't have that much experience in the kitchen, but you can be very creative with grilled cheese sandwiches and I have always been very comfortable making them, ever since I was young," she said. "I started to add stuff like goat cheese and arugula and a whole bunch of other elevated ingredients. I just made this pitch about how, as adults, we should all embrace the grilled cheese sandwich." Someone judging the contest apparently agreed as a few weeks later Benjamin received a phone call informing her that of the 200 entries, hers was among the few advancing to the semifinal round. For the next phase of the contest, Benjamin was tasked with creating another 60-second sales pitch, but this time it was for the uniform rental and facilities services company G & K, which is another of the competition's sponsors. The college student said she emphasized the company's quality customer service and how it tailors its programs to a client's needs. Her approach was wellreceived and she was allowed to advance to the final round. The task for the 10 finalists was to conduct a 10-minute sales call in front of judges at the Google office in downtown Toronto. Benjamin said representatives for G & K were crucial in helping her. "They got in touch with me and really coached me through how to better sell their business," she said. "I ended up going all the way to Cambridge to watch how one sales person conducted a whole bunch of sales calls. They did a really good job of coaching me through this. I don't think any of the other contestants had that much handson experience with the company." This training paid off as Benjamin won the competition, $5,000 and round-trip plane tickets to anywhere in North America. One of the competition's judges described what set Benjamin apart. "Rachele was knowledgeable, personable, had great energy and approached the situation with a self confidence that really stood out among her peers," said Michael Back, President and CEO of Honk Mobile. "Rachele would be a great asset in any organization." Benjamin, who is leaning towards a career in advertising, said her experience with the contest has been a great one and she encourages her fellow students to seize such opportunities when they present themselves.