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Academic researchers and marketing practitioners are exploring methods to improve salesperson training. Recently, self-directed learning projects were proposed as a new paradigm for learning to take place in the sales domain (Artis & Harris, 2007). Current conceptual work provides a strong foundation for understanding salesperson self-directed learning; however, prior to quantitatively testing proposed models, scales must be created and modified to address salesperson specific learning endeavors. The purpose of this dissertation is: 1) to develop scales to measure salesperson willingness to use self-directed learning projects (SDLP's), 2) to develop a conceptual model of salesperson self-directed learning, 3) to modify current scales to specifically examine salesperson self-directed learning, and 4) to test this model empirically. To accomplish this, the relevant theories and literature were analyzed to create a theoretical model that would test the following research questions: 1.What factors contribute to salesperson willingness to use SDLP's? 2.What is the relationship between salesperson willingness to use SDLP's and salesperson use of SDLP's? 3.What is the relationship between salesperson use of SDLP's and salesperson performance? Two conceptual models were created to account for two categories of learning projects, induced and synergistic SDLP's. The following variables reflect the conceptual models: willingness to use induced/synergistic SDLP's, use of induced/ synergistic SDLP's, perceived supervisor/organizational support for induced/synergistic SDLP's, and self-regulation training and performance. Data from 392 salespeople within the financial services industry fit the measurement model and suggest that use of synergistic (non-mandatory) SDLP's positively impacts performance (.396) and use of induced (mandatory) SDLP's does not impact performance. Willingness to use synergistic SDLP's positively impacts use of synergistic SDLP's. Support from the organization and supervisor positively impact willingness to use induced and synergistic SDLP's. Surprisingly, training in self-regulation did not positively impact salesperson willingness to use induced or synergistic SDLP's. The new measures for all constructs exhibit Cronbach's alpha reliability statistics over .7 and acceptable confirmatory factor analysis results. The study provides reliable measurement scales and empirical support for the future study of self-directed learning in a sales context.

The success of any retail institution depends upon many factors including personal selling effectiveness. Traditional sales training has focused primarily on the selling process with emphasis on how to close a sale. The idea of using behavioral style awareness training with salespeople has emerged only recently when behavioral training began to be recognized in the literature as a tool for sales training as well as for management training. The Social Style of Behavior concept developed by Dr. David Merrill was selected for use in this research study. Utilizing this concept, a behavioral style awareness training program was developed involving twenty hours of classroom training. Training methods used were lecture, role play, and videotaped materials with emphasis on behavioral identification and using versatility with applications to personal selling in a retail situation.

Today many selling organizations are reexamining and revising their philosophy for managing salespeople because of increase costs of hiring and maintaining a sales force. More than everm management is looking for ways to assist salespeople in becoming more productive and effective faster. One avenue for enhancing salespersons' performance is through improved sales training practices. improved sales training practices should help salespeople view training, and how sales training transcends to the job environment. Considering the need for greater understanding concerning salespeople's perceptions of sales training and assuming the influence of those perceptions on job performance and other outcomes, this study develops and executes an analysis of several proposed relationships among personal characteristics, job related characteristics, perceived training needs, sales training variables, and related outcomes. The program of research identifies and evaluates salespeople's attitudes toward sales training and specifies influences of those training perceptions on salesperson' behaviors and general attitudes. As well, a relationship between salespeople's transfer of training materials, their use, and individual performance are evaluated.

<p>Sammanfattning</p><p>Denna uppsats syftar till att utvärdera företaget Securitas Aroundios säljutbildning och</p><p>coachning utifrån de berörda anställdas perspektiv i Linköping. Det är av vikt för företaget att</p><p>få en uppriktig återkoppling från de anställda rörande utbildningen och coachningen. Ingen</p><p>tidigare utvärdering har skett där utomstående parter varit delaktiga. Genom att utföra en</p><p>utvärdering kan ett företag se om något behöver åtgärdas eller förändras.</p><p>Denna uppsats bygger på en kvalitativ undersökning där de anställda på Securitas Aroundio i</p><p>Linköping intervjuades. Samtliga intervjuer skedde på Aroundios huvudkontor i Linköping</p><p>den 5 maj 2008. Samtliga av respondenterna gav sitt medgivande till att intervjuerna spelades</p><p>in och i samband med detta fördes även anteckningar. Intervjufrågorna utgick från en</p><p>semistrukturerad intervjuguide, vilken behandlade undersökningsområdena bestående av</p><p>säljutbildningen och coachningen hos Aroundio.</p><p>Resultatet som erhölls från intervjuerna indikerar att Aroundios säljutbildning och coachning</p><p>upplevs som adekvat. Detta grundas på att samtliga parter generellt sett är nöjda med</p><p>säljutbildningen och coachningen. Slutsatsen är att Securitas Aroundio uppfyller deras mål</p><p>med utbildningen och coachningen, då företaget ger säljarna de verktyg de behöver för att</p><p>kunna arbeta självständigt och det stöd de behöver i sitt arbete.</p> / <p>Summary</p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate Securitas Aroundio’s sales training and coaching</p><p>from the view of the firm’s employees. It is of great importance for Securitas Aroundio to</p><p>receive an honest opinion about their sales training and coaching. No previous evaluation has</p><p>been made by external researchers. By continuous evaluation of a firms sales training and</p><p>coaching, the firm can get an awareness of matters that need to be changed or fixed.</p><p>This thesis is based on a qualitative approach where the employees at Securitas Aroundio in</p><p>Linköping were interviewed. All interviews took place at Aroundio’s headquarters in</p><p>Linköping on the 5th of May 2008. All of the respondents gave consent for the recording of</p><p>the interviews. Also notes were taken during the interviews. The questions asked during the</p><p>interviews were based on a semi structured interview format, dealing with the two areas of the</p><p>investigation, Aroundio’s sales training and coaching.</p><p>The result indicates the sales training and coaching provided by Securitas Aroundio is</p><p>adequate. This statement is based on the overall satisfaction of the employees concerning the</p><p>sales training and coaching provided by the firm. The overall indication is that the salespeople</p><p>are provided with the tools and support they need to work autonomously. In conclusion,</p><p>Securitas Aroundio’s goals with the sales training and coaching are being met.</p>

Sammanfattning Denna uppsats syftar till att utvärdera företaget Securitas Aroundios säljutbildning och coachning utifrån de berörda anställdas perspektiv i Linköping. Det är av vikt för företaget att få en uppriktig återkoppling från de anställda rörande utbildningen och coachningen. Ingen tidigare utvärdering har skett där utomstående parter varit delaktiga. Genom att utföra en utvärdering kan ett företag se om något behöver åtgärdas eller förändras. Denna uppsats bygger på en kvalitativ undersökning där de anställda på Securitas Aroundio i Linköping intervjuades. Samtliga intervjuer skedde på Aroundios huvudkontor i Linköping den 5 maj 2008. Samtliga av respondenterna gav sitt medgivande till att intervjuerna spelades in och i samband med detta fördes även anteckningar. Intervjufrågorna utgick från en semistrukturerad intervjuguide, vilken behandlade undersökningsområdena bestående av säljutbildningen och coachningen hos Aroundio. Resultatet som erhölls från intervjuerna indikerar att Aroundios säljutbildning och coachning upplevs som adekvat. Detta grundas på att samtliga parter generellt sett är nöjda med säljutbildningen och coachningen. Slutsatsen är att Securitas Aroundio uppfyller deras mål med utbildningen och coachningen, då företaget ger säljarna de verktyg de behöver för att kunna arbeta självständigt och det stöd de behöver i sitt arbete. / Summary The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate Securitas Aroundio’s sales training and coaching from the view of the firm’s employees. It is of great importance for Securitas Aroundio to receive an honest opinion about their sales training and coaching. No previous evaluation has been made by external researchers. By continuous evaluation of a firms sales training and coaching, the firm can get an awareness of matters that need to be changed or fixed. This thesis is based on a qualitative approach where the employees at Securitas Aroundio in Linköping were interviewed. All interviews took place at Aroundio’s headquarters in Linköping on the 5th of May 2008. All of the respondents gave consent for the recording of the interviews. Also notes were taken during the interviews. The questions asked during the interviews were based on a semi structured interview format, dealing with the two areas of the investigation, Aroundio’s sales training and coaching. The result indicates the sales training and coaching provided by Securitas Aroundio is adequate. This statement is based on the overall satisfaction of the employees concerning the sales training and coaching provided by the firm. The overall indication is that the salespeople are provided with the tools and support they need to work autonomously. In conclusion, Securitas Aroundio’s goals with the sales training and coaching are being met.