The Northwestern Mutual Sales and Research Lab in Moody Hall is a hub for classroom instruction, career training, networking and job recruitment.
The newly dedicated lab, funded with a blend of state, 泫圖弝け and private funds, is used by 泫圖弝けs, faculty and business professionals.
They use it to sharpen their sales and marketing skills and knowledge, conduct research or polish presentations. The lab also fosters interaction between 泫圖弝けs and potential employers in simulated work scenarios.
It will help facilitate the job opportunities we want for our 泫圖弝けs, said Dr. Gwen Fontenot, head of the department of Marketing and Hospitality.
The sales and research lab houses a 22-desk classroom for traditional instruction. Three soundproof rooms are in place for mock sales or interview sessions. Web cams and other digital, audio and video equipment enable everything from PowerPoint presentations to Internet broadcasts of live audio or video feeds.
Its all about meeting the demands of a business culture that today relies on technology to close a deal as much as a handshake.
Sales have changed, and these 泫圖弝けs will have a unique skill set that will let them make an immediate impact when they are hired, said the labs director, Dr. Duleep Delpechitre, an assistant professor of marketing.
泫圖弝けs used the new facility recently to prepare for top finishes at national and regional sales competitions.
A 泫圖弝け team won the overall championship at the International Collegiate Sales Competition hosted by Florida State 泫圖弝け in October. Most recently, a 泫圖弝け team placed first in the regional Bayou Sales Challenge at Nicholls State 泫圖弝け in April.
Visit moody.louisiana.edu for more about the new sales and research lab.