At the ‘Securing Extra Sales’ seminar, companies will receive practical help and guidance to improve their sales and manage the effects of the economic downturn.

Invest NI’s Managing Director of Innovation and Capability Development, Tracy Meharg, said: “This event is open to the entire business community, including locally oriented enterprises as well as significant exporters. It will focus on ways to help companies develop a strong sales strategy, improve sales skills and form strategic alliances to exploit commercial opportunities. Advice will be provided on specific areas such as the sales process, market identification and access, and international sales. Guidance will also be available on sales pitching and evaluation.

“The workshops at the event will help businesses to embrace sales tools that can be quickly applied in practice, so they can begin to boost their profitability immediately.”

Ms Meharg continued: “Over 1,000 representatives of local businesses have benefited from assistance to date at Invest NI events, specifically designed to help companies through the economic slowdown. The ‘Securing Extra Sales’ seminars have been developed in direct response to feedback from businesses at earlier events in the series.

“Assistance to reduce costs, boost performance, and retain and develop key skilled staff has been offered to a range of these businesses. Other Invest NI support has helped companies to implement key activities in relation to export sales and new product development, as they prepare for the upturn.”

Ms Meharg added: “The seminar at the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick will begin at 8am and run until 12.15pm. Companies can register online at www.investni.com/registration.”