Brief: Embedding Sales Training into Academic Learning
The University of East London’s School of Hospitality and Events Management identified a growing need to bridge academic theory with practical sales training. With career readiness a priority, the faculty wanted to ensure students graduated with the commercial skills hospitality employers are increasingly demanding – particularly in sales, events, and revenue management.
Although many graduates enter sales-related roles, traditional course structures often lack specific sales training. To address this, the university partnered with us to provide industry-led learning that complemented theoretical study and improved students’ employability.
Solution: Industry-Led Sales Training for Hospitality Students
Since 2018 we have delivered a series of sales training workshops and guest lectures for students at the University of East London. These sessions are tailored to support the curriculum while offering valuable real-world commercial skills and industry insights.
Core Focus Areas:
- Sales Training for Non-Sales Roles
Helping students understand that sales skills are vital in hospitality – even in operations, coordination, or planning. Content includes the buying cycle, value communication, and consultative sales approaches. - LinkedIn and Personal Branding
The LinkedIn training module helps students establish a professional presence, grow their network, and become visible to future employers, all while learning how personal branding impacts career progression. - Gamification and Real-World Application
We built sessions around collaborative activities, case studies, and role plays, making learning practical, interactive, and immediately useful. - Inspiring Industry Insights
Our team shared their own career paths, giving students a real understanding of what’s possible in hospitality – and the confidence to explore commercial careers.
Results: More Confident, Career-Focused Graduates
The introduction of practical sales training at the University of East London has helped these students approach their studies – and their future careers – with more focus and confidence.
Key Outcomes:
- Better Career Awareness
Students are now actively considering careers in sales and revenue management, areas they hadn’t previously explored.
- More Active LinkedIn Engagement
After the LinkedIn training, students are more confident in networking professionally and marketing themselves to employers. - Enhanced Course Appeal
Embedding sales training has made the programme more attractive to prospective students looking for a career-ready course.
- Stronger Industry Integration
We believe that our partnership has strengthened the university’s reputation as a forward-thinking institution, one that actively connects students to the real world of hospitality.
Feedback: A Longstanding, Valued Partnership
“We’ve worked with Selling Savvy for over six years now, which shows the value it brings – not just to the curriculum but to the students as individuals.”
Lynthon Musamadya, Senior Lecturer, University of East London
Conclusion: Equipping East London Graduates with Sales Confidence and Industry Insight
The sessions we delivered at The University of East London provided a real-world value of sales training for hospitality students. By combining theoretical study with practical industry insight, the university has created a more well-rounded, career-focused learning experience.
As the hospitality sector evolves, the need for commercially-aware, confident graduates is more important than ever and we’re very proud to play a role in shaping the next generation of event and hospitality professionals!
To explore how sales training can support your university’s curriculum and student success, visit www.sellingsavvy.co.uk.