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This section includes InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

1.

How Would You Sell Software Packages?

Answer»

Software is a service and therefore not TANGIBLE. The customer would look at the service with a greater doubt than he does goods. I would therefore use aspects like my earlier products, the qualifications of my technical people ETC., as evidences of my abilities that would help the customer reduce his ambiguity. Thereafter I would provide details of my oiler on a CORPORATIVE platform to highlight the advantage of my offer. This would BRING the customer closer to my oiler and at this stage will clinch the deal.

Software is a service and therefore not tangible. The customer would look at the service with a greater doubt than he does goods. I would therefore use aspects like my earlier products, the qualifications of my technical people etc., as evidences of my abilities that would help the customer reduce his ambiguity. Thereafter I would provide details of my oiler on a corporative platform to highlight the advantage of my offer. This would bring the customer closer to my oiler and at this stage will clinch the deal.

2.

How Can A 'ready Made Shirt Manufacturer' Make Its Sales Promotion More Effective?

Answer»

It requires an analysis of the RELATION between individual INCENTIVES to the CONSUMERS and their impact on sales. The sales promotion can be in terms of a free BAG promoted through Point of Purchase.

It requires an analysis of the relation between individual incentives to the consumers and their impact on sales. The sales promotion can be in terms of a free bag promoted through Point of Purchase.

3.

What Do You Mean By Single Level System And Multilevel Marketing? Give One Example Of Single Level System And Multilevel Marketing?

Answer»

In single level system, only one level of the channel directly rnarkets the PRODUCT. In multilevel marketing different CHANNELS directly market PRODUCTS to customer.
The EXAMPLE of single level system is Tupperware and the example of multilevel marketing is AMWAY.

In single level system, only one level of the channel directly rnarkets the product. In multilevel marketing different channels directly market products to customer.
The example of single level system is Tupperware and the example of multilevel marketing is Amway.

4.

What Decisions Do Companies Make In Designing Sales Force? How Do You Go About Allocating Territories To Sales Force?

Answer»

Development of sales FORCE objective

  • STRATEGY - How much market, what growth rate, sales target
  • Structure- Multi-layered, direct marketing
  • Size -Geographic expanse of the market
  • Compensation - Rewards or returns

One way of allocating TERRITORY is to divide the market into zones and put people familiar with the zones. There are advantages/disadvantages with each was. One has to weigh the GAINS & losses and then decide.

Development of sales force objective

One way of allocating territory is to divide the market into zones and put people familiar with the zones. There are advantages/disadvantages with each was. One has to weigh the gains & losses and then decide.

5.

What Are The Various Sales Forecasting Methods?

Answer»

A range of METHODS may be used to forecast sales. However, the choice of the METHOD to be used will depend on a number of factors including, the demands on ACCURACY, the COSTS involved and the frequency with which the forecasts needs to be MADE. The methods that are usually used to forecast sales are time series techniques, causal techniques, and the judgmental methods.

A range of methods may be used to forecast sales. However, the choice of the method to be used will depend on a number of factors including, the demands on accuracy, the costs involved and the frequency with which the forecasts needs to be made. The methods that are usually used to forecast sales are time series techniques, causal techniques, and the judgmental methods.

6.

Differentiate Between A C&f Agent And A Distributor?

Answer»

C & F agent does not take title of the goods whereas a DISTRIBUTOR TAKES title of the goods while in TRANSIT.
Major differences are:

C & F agent does not take title of the goods whereas a distributor takes title of the goods while in transit.
Major differences are:

7.

What Are The Differences Between Product Management And Sales Management?

Answer»

Product MANAGEMENT as an ORGANIZATIONAL alternative to SALES management is a feature of the multi-product ORGANIZATION. Moreover, when markets are large such functioning is very essential. The product management takes the total RESPONSIBILITY of the product from the stage of idea generation to the stage of commercialization. Sales management as a functional choice takes care of sales and the allied issues.

Product management as an organizational alternative to sales management is a feature of the multi-product organization. Moreover, when markets are large such functioning is very essential. The product management takes the total responsibility of the product from the stage of idea generation to the stage of commercialization. Sales management as a functional choice takes care of sales and the allied issues.

8.

What Are The Roles Of Marketing Channel In The Overall Function Of Marketing? explain The Role Of The Channel In The Following Areas Of Marketing? A) Marketing Of A Real Estate Project B) Marketing Of Soaps And Detergent C) Marketing O A Major Event D) Marketing Of Software Products And Services E) Marketing Of Insurance Products

Answer»

The roles of MARKETING channel:

  1. Transfer of goods.
  2. Transfer of ownership.
  3. Placing of the PRODUCT.
  4. COLLECTION of information.
  5. Handling risk connected with carrying out the channel work.
  6. Placing order to manufacturing.
  7. Bulk breaking and repacking to SUIT other channel members/ customer.
  8. Storage and movement of physical product.

The roles of the channel in the following areas of marketing are
a) Marketing of a real estate project-Transfer of ownership .
b) Marketing of soaps and detergent- Transfer of goods .
C) Marketing of a major EVENT- Transfer of information. 
d) Marketing of software products and services- Transfer of ownership .
e) Marketing of insurance products-Collection and dissemination of information.




The roles of marketing channel:

The roles of the channel in the following areas of marketing are
a) Marketing of a real estate project-Transfer of ownership .
b) Marketing of soaps and detergent- Transfer of goods .
C) Marketing of a major event- Transfer of information. 
d) Marketing of software products and services- Transfer of ownership .
e) Marketing of insurance products-Collection and dissemination of information.




9.

What Are The Various Types Of Distribution Channels?

Answer»

We may CLASSIFY the channel types based on either ownership or number of levels or nature of activities. The manufacturing company may have its own outlets like RAYMONDS or Reliance. A single organization other than the manufacturing one might own a chain of retail outlets like the India coffee house. Alternatively each location might be taken tip by a DISTRIBUTOR who has nothing to do with another person in another AREA. The channel may be classified as a single TIER or multi tier depending on the number of levels of the intermediaries. We also have the types of wholesalers, retailers etc..

We may classify the channel types based on either ownership or number of levels or nature of activities. The manufacturing company may have its own outlets like Raymonds or Reliance. A single organization other than the manufacturing one might own a chain of retail outlets like the India coffee house. Alternatively each location might be taken tip by a distributor who has nothing to do with another person in another area. The channel may be classified as a single tier or multi tier depending on the number of levels of the intermediaries. We also have the types of wholesalers, retailers etc..

10.

What Is The Function Of A Stockist?

Answer»

The stockist is a KEY element in the value delivery system. The stockist stores the products of the COMPANY and ROTATES them through the retail network to the customer. Usually a stockist operates within a defined geographical domain. He ALSO functions as an information CONDUIT for the company.

The stockist is a key element in the value delivery system. The stockist stores the products of the company and rotates them through the retail network to the customer. Usually a stockist operates within a defined geographical domain. He also functions as an information conduit for the company.

11.

What Is Merchandising? What Are The Differences Between Distribution And Merchandising?

Answer»

MERCHANDISING is a term commonly used in the retailing industry. When we merchandise we refer to a category of items like textiles, toiletries detergents etc., Therefore a merchandise manager in retailing would be a n EQUIVALENT to the product manger of goods marketing organization. The distribution function predominantly concerns logistics or making the goods available for CONSUMPTION while merchandising includes creating availability as well as enabling sale of the merchandise. The decisions that are made by a merchandiser are the categories of items that need to be made available, what will be the DISPLAY pattern. what will be the discount structure and what types of reordering norms are requires. Therefore the merchandise manager will CONSIDER demand, availability requirements, margins, discounts etc.

Merchandising is a term commonly used in the retailing industry. When we merchandise we refer to a category of items like textiles, toiletries detergents etc., Therefore a merchandise manager in retailing would be a n equivalent to the product manger of goods marketing organization. The distribution function predominantly concerns logistics or making the goods available for consumption while merchandising includes creating availability as well as enabling sale of the merchandise. The decisions that are made by a merchandiser are the categories of items that need to be made available, what will be the display pattern. what will be the discount structure and what types of reordering norms are requires. Therefore the merchandise manager will consider demand, availability requirements, margins, discounts etc.

12.

What Are The Benefits Of Direct Marketing Vis-a-vis Channel Marketing?

Answer»

Advantages of Direct Marketing are:

  1. Get to know the customer pulse.
  2. Can CONTROL Quality.
  3. Can get customer FEEDBACK efficiently.
  4. Brand & Company ETHOS can be TRANSFERRED.

Advantages of Direct Marketing are:

13.

What Is Channel Conflict? How Does The Role Of A Channel Manager In Terms Of Resoling Channel Conflicts? Why Does It Arise In The First Place?

Answer»

Individual channel members are often more concerned with their short run goals, leading to channel conflict. HORIZONTAL conflict occurs among firms at the same level of the channel. Vertical conflict occurs between different levels of the same channel.
Channel conflicts are common when the market size is limited and all channel members TRY to CONCENTRATE on the same market and customers. Sometimes differential pricing policy of organization also results in conflict among channel members.

Individual channel members are often more concerned with their short run goals, leading to channel conflict. Horizontal conflict occurs among firms at the same level of the channel. Vertical conflict occurs between different levels of the same channel.
Channel conflicts are common when the market size is limited and all channel members try to concentrate on the same market and customers. Sometimes differential pricing policy of organization also results in conflict among channel members.

14.

What Is Value Delivery Network? How Is It Different From Supply Chain Management?

Answer»

Companies partner with specific suppliers and distributors to create a SUPERIOR valued delivery network. The VALUE delivery network is a CONCEPT broader than Supply Chain Management. It rests on the premise that consumers need value addition through consumption RATHER than just access to the products/services. Value connects CUSTOMER driven approach, rather than an efficiency-driven approach as in Supply Chain Management.

Companies partner with specific suppliers and distributors to create a superior valued delivery network. The value delivery network is a concept broader than Supply Chain Management. It rests on the premise that consumers need value addition through consumption rather than just access to the products/services. Value connects customer driven approach, rather than an efficiency-driven approach as in Supply Chain Management.

15.

What Are "sales" To You?

Answer»

Give a PICTURE of how you SEE the whole sales structure and procedure from the beginning to the CLOSING.

Give a picture of how you see the whole sales structure and procedure from the beginning to the closing.

16.

Do You Find Sales Interesting? Why?

Answer»

Do not GENERALIZE when GIVING and answer, on the OPPOSITE, give very specific and clear examples of the THINGS you find interesting when it comes to sales.

Do not generalize when giving and answer, on the opposite, give very specific and clear examples of the things you find interesting when it comes to sales.

17.

What Products Did You Use To Sell?

Answer»

This is a precise QUESTION and requires a precise answer. The INTERVIEWER WANTS to know what your background and technical EXPERIENCE is all about.

This is a precise question and requires a precise answer. The interviewer wants to know what your background and technical experience is all about.

18.

What Features, Skills Or Characteristics Would You Say Are The Most Important For Sales?

Answer»

You can MAKE a LIST of these required skills before going to the interview and talk about it. Some are: ACTIVE listening, flexibility, TOLERANCE to FRUSTRATION, communication skills, customer service skills, etc.

You can make a list of these required skills before going to the interview and talk about it. Some are: active listening, flexibility, tolerance to frustration, communication skills, customer service skills, etc.

19.

Can You By Giving Examples Illustrate Selling Concepts?

Answer»

Selling concept presumes innately the non-consuming disposition of the human being. Therefore, the individual will have to be communicated about the various aspects of the PRODUCT that would result in a purchase. While talking of the evolutionary ORDER of the concepts marketing concept is more advanced than the selling concept, the latter ONE is still relevant in developing economies like India. For example, in case we need to tell the customer the superiority of a toothbrush over a neem stick, then we need to demonstrate the EASE of use and SUPERIOR quality of the output, which is part of the selling process. We need to ensure that the stock of product is sufficient and therefore monitoring stock at the retailer or the wholesaler level is an important function of the sales person.

Selling concept presumes innately the non-consuming disposition of the human being. Therefore, the individual will have to be communicated about the various aspects of the product that would result in a purchase. While talking of the evolutionary order of the concepts marketing concept is more advanced than the selling concept, the latter one is still relevant in developing economies like India. For example, in case we need to tell the customer the superiority of a toothbrush over a neem stick, then we need to demonstrate the ease of use and superior quality of the output, which is part of the selling process. We need to ensure that the stock of product is sufficient and therefore monitoring stock at the retailer or the wholesaler level is an important function of the sales person.

20.

What Are The Five Most Crucial Skills Required By A Sales Manager?

Answer»

Enhancing effectiveness on all of the following:

Enhancing effectiveness on all of the following:

21.

What Do You Mean By The Sales Tax?

Answer»

The sales TAX is a type of EXCISE tax LEVIED on the goods and services by the national ORGANIZATION.

The sales tax is a type of excise tax levied on the goods and services by the national organization.

22.

What Do You Understand By The Word Podscorb In Management?

Answer»

The word PODSCORB in management means the following:

  • P stands for Planning.
  • O stands for ORGANIZING.
  • D stands for Directing.
  • S stands for Staffing.
  • COR stands for Coordinating, and
  • B stands for BUDGETING.

The word PODSCORB in management means the following:

23.

What Do You Mean By The Sales Planning?

Answer»

Sales Planning involves predicting demand for the product and demand on the sales assets such as machines, people, or a combination of both. It assures that when a CONSUMER wishes to purchase the product, the product is available but it also means opportunities for additional sales that are PRESENTED and the sales assets are available to exploit these opportunities. It should allow for meeting increasing customer demand for more products, services and CUSTOMIZATION as the business is growing but also react QUICKLY when demand decreases. It improves efficiency and decreases unfocused and uncoordinated activity within the sales PROCESS.

Sales Planning involves predicting demand for the product and demand on the sales assets such as machines, people, or a combination of both. It assures that when a consumer wishes to purchase the product, the product is available but it also means opportunities for additional sales that are presented and the sales assets are available to exploit these opportunities. It should allow for meeting increasing customer demand for more products, services and customization as the business is growing but also react quickly when demand decreases. It improves efficiency and decreases unfocused and uncoordinated activity within the sales process.

24.

What Is The Sales Reporting?

Answer»

The Sales Reporting is a KIND of key performance INDICATORS of the sales force. This indicates everything about the sales PROCESSING by INDICATING that either it is being operated effectively and achieves the results as set forth in sales planning or not. It should enable the sales managers to take timely corrective action deviate from PROJECTED values. It also allows senior management to evaluate the sales manager. It is basically made for the use of the top management.

The Sales Reporting is a kind of key performance indicators of the sales force. This indicates everything about the sales processing by indicating that either it is being operated effectively and achieves the results as set forth in sales planning or not. It should enable the sales managers to take timely corrective action deviate from projected values. It also allows senior management to evaluate the sales manager. It is basically made for the use of the top management.

25.

What Is The Meaning Of The National Sales?

Answer»

National SALES are the KIND of operating REVENUES which are earned by a NATION when it SELLS its products.

National sales are the kind of operating revenues which are earned by a nation when it sells its products.

26.

What Do You Mean By The Sales Management?

Answer»

Sales Management is ATTAINMENT of an organization’s sales goals in an effective & efficient manner through planning, staffing, training, LEADING & controlling ORGANIZATIONAL resources. The main FUNCTIONS are the collection of revenue, sales and sources of funds FUEL organizations and the management.

Sales Management is attainment of an organization’s sales goals in an effective & efficient manner through planning, staffing, training, leading & controlling organizational resources. The main functions are the collection of revenue, sales and sources of funds fuel organizations and the management.