Tata Steel partners with ISMM to recognise its Sales Professionals

ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND, July 10, 2011 (Press-News.org) Global steel giant Tata Steel has announced it is now a Corporate Member of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM), aiming to recognise the professional contribution and quality of its sales teams through a qualification-based Academy.

Tata Steel already has well established and outstanding sales training and development processes embedded in its business. Under the new arrangements, the ISMM will work with Tata Steel to create a world-class Academy for Sales Professionals that will reinforce the company's position as a market leader for developing and investing in its salespeople.

Andrew Barker, Head of Sales and Marketing Learning and Development at Tata Steel said: "We're delighted to be partnering with the ISMM to develop and recognise the contribution that our talented salesforce already makes to the business. Looking forward, we believe the 'Academy' structure will help benchmark our business and prove its reputation of having truly excellent sales individuals."

Ben Turner, the ISMM's Head of Sales, commented: "The challenges that Tata Steel faces are not unique but the way in which the business is looking to address this area of learning and development is truly industry-leading.

"The company has already set up fantastic training and development facilities, so it will be our job to work within the existing structure and add value to the process. This new relationship recognises the contribution of the Tata Steel salesforce and we look forward to providing our educational support to help further their success."

Tata Steel is the first Corporate Member of the ISMM from the steel industry. This development represents a clear signal from the business about the importance it attaches to investing in its sales teams.

About Tata Steel in Europe
The European operations of Tata Steel (formerly known as Corus) comprise Europe's second largest steel producer. With main steelmaking operations in the UK and the Netherlands, it supplies steel and related services to the construction, automotive, packaging, lifting & excavating, energy & power, and other demanding markets worldwide. Tata Steel is one of the world's top ten steel producers. The combined group has an aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 28 million tonnes and employs some 80,000 people across four continents.

About The Institute of Sales & Marketing Management
The Institute of Sales & Marketing Management (ISMM) is the UK's largest association for sales professionals. Founded in 1911 to promote standards of excellence in sales and sales management and to enhance the status and profile of sales as a profession, the ISMM supports, represents and promotes the sales profession. It has been the authoritative voice of selling and the custodian of sales standards, ethics and best practice for many years.

The ISMM is also responsible for establishing benchmarks of professionalism in sales. It is the only membership body recognised by the UK Government regulatory body Ofqual as an awarding organisation to offer qualifications in sales, marketing and sales management.

The ISMM's annual British Excellence in Sales & Marketing Awards (BESMA) are the most prestigious awards for the sales profession.

Further information from:
Ben Turner, ISMM, +44 (0)1582 840001; bturner@ismm.co.uk

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405; bob.little@boblittlepr.com