Sales and Distribution Management
Sales and Distribution Management
Course Objectives:
Globalisation, increased competition, rapid transformation in communication & information technology and need for higher level of customer orientation have
made sales and distribution management extremely important.
The purpose of this course is to acquaint the students with the concepts which are helpful in developing and managing sales force and marketing channels
so as to gain competitive advantage.
The course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts, techniques and the practical aspects of the key decision making variables in distribution
channel management.
Pre-requisites: The students opting for this course should have knowledge about Marketing Management.
Course Contents/Syllabus:
Weightage (%)
Module I: Introduction 20
Concept, Objectives and functions of Sales Management
Evolution of Sales Management
Nature and Role of Sales Managers Job
The Personal Selling Process
Emerging Trends in Sales Management- Vendor Management, ERP, Sales Automation System.
New Means of Selling
Module II: Sales Organisation and control 20
Purpose of Sales Organisation, setting sales organisation, Types of sales organization structures.
Coordinating selling function with other marketing activities,
Sales Territory: Concept and process of devising sales territories.
Sales forecasting and Sales Potential, Sales Forecasting Techniques
Sales Budget: Purpose and Procedure
Sales Quotas: Concept and types.
Module III: Managing Sales Force 20
Concepts of sales force management: Recruitment and Selection of sales personnel.
Sales Training: Areas of sales training: Company specific knowledge, product knowledge, industry and market
trend knowledge, and customer education.
Compensating and motivating sales force.
Routing and scheduling of sales force.
Sales audit
Module IV: Distribution Channel Strategy 20
Distribution Channels: Concept, Functions and Types.
Distribution channel strategy and features of effective channel design.
Channel Conflict: Concept and stages, conflict management
International distribution strategy.
Module V: Logistics and Supply Chain Management 20
Definition & scope of logistics, Components of logistics.
Inventory management decisions: Concept of EOQ, ROP, JIT, online inventory management
Out bound Logistics: Transportation decision, location and warehousing decisions
Concept and scope of Supply chain management.
Components of Supply Chain Management.
This course will consist of blend of lectures, case studies and role plays. Case studies and role plays will give an insight into challenges and dilemmas of Sales
executive and how to efficiently handle those situations. The emphasis will be on assimilating the learning through application of the theoretical inputs on real
life cases and situations.
Assessment/ Examination Scheme:
Theory L/T (%) Lab/Practical/Studio (%) End Term Examination
30% NA 70%
Theory Assessment (L&T):
Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment End Term
Examination
Components (Drop
down) Mid-Term Test Home Assignment Viva Attendance
Journals:
Harvard Business Review
International Journal of Sales
The Journal of Sales and Marketing
Journal of Marketing Channels
Suggested Readings:
Manage Consolidation in the Distribution Channel, Adam J. Fein and Sandy D. Jap, MIT Sloan Management Review, October 15, 1999
What the CUSTOMER wants you to KNOW; Ram Charan; Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd.
Organizing and Managing Channels of Distribution, Gary L. Frazier, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, SAGE Publications on January
4, 2008
Harvard Business Review on Strategic Sales Management Harvard Business Review Paperback Series) Paperback April 12, 2007