Canon Solutions America Recognized by William Paterson University for Contributions to Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales

Long-term support for students and the school’s National Sales Challenge has led to an influx of young sales talent to the company

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Simulating an environment that can emulate the landscape for a sales representative can be a challenge, but William Paterson University’s Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales continues to prepare the next generation of professionals with the on-going support of Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc.

William Paterson University’s Cotsakos College of Business, located in Wayne, New Jersey, started a beta program in 2006 for its own students that has now evolved into The National Sales Challenge that attracts the top international and national sales students from more than 20 colleges and universities, with corporate partners participating in the program and in the judging process.

Education—and the enhancement of the next generation of business leaders—is a strong focus point for Canon Solutions America. To that end, the company has provided support for both William Paterson’s Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales and the annual competition, with high-ranking and experienced sales employees offering valuable instruction to students interested in the sales profession. Additionally, Canon Solutions America personnel have also served as judges for the contest, including Michael Mellusi, vice president, Sales, Workplace Technologies and Services. A long-time contributor to the National Sales Challenge, Mellusi was recently acknowledged for his role in growing the event into a premier showcase for aspiring professional sales representatives, being presented with a plaque at the Russ Berrie Institute’s 20th anniversary dinner. A former instructor at St. John’s University, Mellusi has been with Canon since 2000 and since 2015 has held VP responsibilities, in charge of sales in the Northeast.

The National Sales Challenge, a three-day event, includes a speed selling contest, wherein student-competitors meet with executives to deliver a two-minute “elevator pitch,” and a role-play contest, where they conduct a fifteen-minute sales call meeting. Contests take place in mock conference rooms and offices that are set up so judges can observe from a control room. The “real life” environments and situations help equip students for the modern workforce.