An Introduction SalesBytes is a support organisation for the South African sales industry, offering strategic sales consulting, sales recruitment services, sales coaching and in-company sales training programmes. The organisation is under the guidance of Suzanne Burgess. Since 1990, Suzanne has been the sole owner of the company, an organisation which provides a host of sales resources to the South African sales industry. With an 21-year successful business track record, Suzanne’s passion has always been for sales. Her vision is to promote sales professionalism in South Africa and to ensure that sales people are given the same status as other business professionals. She believes that to prosper in today’s competitive environment, sales professionalism is the key and that the days of companies employing “smooth talking product peddlers” are long gone. Suzanne’s definition of a true sales professional is someone who analyses, diagnoses and then prescribes solutions to fulfil the clients’ exact needs, much like a doctor. Suzanne is a trusted advisor to many sales managers and their teams and has hosted over 4000 people at various SalesBytes seminars, breakfasts and training events in the past 8 years. This experience has given Suzanne a “big picture” perspective on the many challenges that sales organisations face today. She has built up an extensive network of over 80 experts in the sales industry – both locally and internationally and draws on an inner core of this network to provide sales consulting and training solutions to organisations. Recent projects have included the sales process development and training of 13 campus sales teams for Damelin Education Group,  an academic programme feasibility study for Dimension Data and extensive sales process, CRM  and sales team development for a leading multi-national organisation as well as local companies. In 2005, Suzanne started up the United Professional Sales Association of Southern Africa – a Section 21 non-profit organisation, run by sales professionals, for sales professionals. At the time of UPSA-SA's launch, it was a local chapter of UPSA – a global non-profit organisation headquartered in Washington D.C. in the United States.  The international association has since been absorbed into ASTD, the American Society for Training and Development, which is a global training and development authority. She is a member of the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), an international network of business experts and has worked with USAID in South Africa on specific upliftment projects in the Western Cape. Suzanne has a Certificate in Direct Marketing, (DM Cert. Hons), having received the Top Student of 2000 award from what was then the South African Direct Marketing Association. This certificate programme is recognised by South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Her specific interest in completing the programme was to become a specialist in business-to-business lead generation and direct marketing, which is closely linked to the selling profession. She is an UPSA Certified and Registered Sales Professional Trainer – currently the only CRSP-T in South Africa and has helped nearly 50 people achieve their Certified and Registered Sales status. This study programme has since been absorbed into ASTD's worldwide offering. In May 2006, Suzanne was awarded the honour of UPSA International Chapter Leader of The Year. She has spoken at numerous sales events and chaired the 2007 Sales Force Excellence Conference held in Sandton, Gauteng. She was a founder member of the National Speakers Association of South Africa. In June 2007 Suzanne was selected as one of the 3 finalists in CEO Magazine’s “Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards” for her contribution in the sector SMME - Education and Training. Suzanne launched Sales Talent Recruitment in 2007, a specialised sales recruitment agency to compliment the SalesBytes offering. Our Vision To promote sales professionalism in South Africa and around the world by offering an expert sales consulting and recruitment service and associated sales development to candidates and employers. We believe that enterprising salespeople who differentiate themselves as a professional, stand for something. They set high standards. They enjoy forecasting and managing their personal sales strategy. They hold themselves accountable for results. They are assertive and have that slight edge which enables them not only to survive in a competitive world, but to lead, win and dominate a specific field. They are committed to ongoing learning and development. They offer true value to the companies they work for and the clients they work with.

Testimonials Just a short note to express my sincere appreciation for your inspirational and motivational weekly SalesBriefs. They are a refreshing interlude in our busy and hectic working lifestyles. Please keep up with this excellent service! NSM, Travel co I recently attended a SalesBytes seminar and found the info provided such an added value and great info. I recommend you all look at maybe attending and adding your name to this list and possibly the team heads as the info is invaluable. New Business Manager, Leading Financial Institution referring all divisional managers Just a thank you note. Our company does not spend a lot of money on sales training - so this information is very valuable to me as a Sales manager. I really appreciate it. SM, leading software company As a new, but avid reader or your SalesBrief, I would like to thank you for a fantastic issue. The competitive advantage article is a goldmine of focus. Thank you