I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Sales and Marketing Executives Club of the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) on organising the Distinguished Salesperson Award Programme for the 49th year and to the award recipients.
First introduced in 1968, the programme has established itself as a signature annual event for the business sector in Hong Kong to give public recognition to outstanding sales professionals and further promote the standard of excellence in sales and marketing. Over the past decades, many distinguished salespeople have been recognised by the programme. Their dedication, innovation and brilliant salesmanship have allowed the marketing industry in Hong Kong to go from strength to strength. I am sure that they will continue to inspire sales professionals in the years to come.
Once again, I would like to convey my heartfelt congratulations to the awardees and best wishes to the HKMA for a very successful year ahead.
Lai Tung-kwok
Secretary for Security
HKSAR Government
It is my great honour to be chairperson of the 49th Distinguished Salesperson Award (DSA) Programme Organising Committee. The DSA Programme, as an international project intended to bring public recognition to outstanding sales personnel, has, throughout the years, rewarded our salespeople for their marvellous performances.
It is encouraging to have 185 DSA nominations and 27 Outstanding Young Salesperson Award (OYSA) nominations this year; the 212 nominations from 64 companies covered a wide array of industries and sectors in Hong Kong and the region. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to all participating companies as well as two lead sponsors, Midland Holdings and Prudential Hong Kong; our main sponsors, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company and Convey Advertising; and our sponsor, China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation.
My heartfelt appreciation also goes to all the honourable judges who dedicated their valuable time and effort to assessing the participants. I am also happy to have Eric Wong, Chairman and CEO of Richburg Corporation, conduct the presentation skills seminar and share his invaluable insights with all nominees.
Last but not least, may I express my deepest thanks to all on the organising committee for their hard work, dedication and commitment in making the programme a great success.
Christy Tong
Chairperson
49th DSA Programme Organising Committee
The DSA Programme has witnessed the continuous growth of different industries in Hong Kong over the past 49 years. The sales industries have made Hong Kong a success; those outstanding salespeople are the foundation of Hong Kong’s economy. Over the years, the DSA Programme has been widely recognised as the “Oscars” of the sales sector. This platform has cultivated many great salesmen and women, and spurred them to new heights in their professions. There is no doubt that the award will continue to recognise the efforts of the sales elites and build a professional image of the sales industry.
I would like to express my sincere congratulation to all DSA awardees. They have shown they have the adaptability to keep pace with a dynamic market. I am confident that they can uphold the standard and aspire to achieve greater success in their chosen field.
In addition, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our guest of honour, Lai Tung-kwok, Secretary for Security, for officiating at the ceremony. My thanks also go to our 24 honourable judges for their efforts and commitment, and to Christy Tong, chairperson of the 49th DSA Organising Committee, and her able team for making this programme a remarkable one.
Allen Leung
Chairman
SME Club
To adapt to fast-moving market trends and increasingly demanding customers, salespeople have to be agile enough to stay ahead of the challenges. The advances of technology have expanded ways of communicating with customers and it is crucial that sales professionals should add value when connecting customers with their products and services.
Since its launch by the Sales and Marketing Executives Club of the HKMA in 1968, the DSA Programme has been recognising the outstanding efforts of sales elites from various industries, with a mission to raise and promote sales services excellence in Hong Kong and the region.
On this very special occasion, I take great pleasure in witnessing the extraordinary performances of this year’s award winners, who have demonstrated the vital quality that distinguished sales professionals should possess. I am confident that they will continue to thrive and achieve new heights in their future endeavours.
Dr Victor Lee
Executive Director
HKMA
E- commerce, being an ongoing mega-trend in the business community, has been playing a pivotal role in boosting economic growth. The challenges it imposes on today’s salespersons are very demanding. Today, consumers can obtain product information and make purchases simply with a click online wherever they might be in the world. With the widespread use of electronic gadgets such as smart phones and tablets, people can shop wherever they are with the products being delivered on time, making it unnecessary to even be served at retail outlets. However, there is still a great need for sales staff in all businesses.
In this competitive and fast-changing world, salespeople can distinguish themselves by being different and outstanding in providing customers with a unique shopping experience. Communicating with customers and offering them the best solution becomes the most important part of the interaction between salespeople and customers.
In the 49 years since its establishment, the DSA Programme has set a high standard for the sales profession and recognised sales elites across industries and borders. The award aims to recognise the best sales professionals in the region, applauding them for their tremendous achievements and the enormous contribution they have made to their profession, their companies, and society as a whole. My sincerest congratulations go to the winners of this year’s awards, for they have proven their uniqueness and strength to stand out among their peers and be the inspiration for our next generation.
James Thompson
Chairman
HKMA
On behalf of the board of directors of Sales and Marketing Executives International and all our members around the world, I extend sincere congratulations to the Sales and Marketing Executives Club of Hong Kong on a successful 49th DSA presentation ceremony.
Special congratulations go to each of the recipients of the DSA and OYSA. Through their professionalism, determination and commitment to excellence, each of the awardees has demonstrated the qualities of a winner.
Each of the awardees of this programme has learned “To be Different – To be Outstanding” by being guided by their professional training and inner conscience in sales and marketing in order to thrive as a professional. Each awardee has proven their mettle in the basic fundamentals of sales and marketing, such as relationship building, customer-centric service and high ethical standards.
SMEI is a professional association of thousands of members worldwide who make a positive impact on our global economy through their commitment to continuing education.
I encourage each of the award recipients to continue to focus on fundamentals, balancing their business decision-making with sound economic and ethical business practices.
Thank you to the Hong Kong Management Association KMA and the Sales and Marketing Executives Club of Hong Kong for contributing to SMEI’s goal for a better standard of living for all through better selling.
Willis Turner
President and CEO
SMEI
This article appeared in the Classified Post print edition as The 'Oscars' of the sales sector.
