Everest, one of the UK’s leading home improvement companies, is proud to announce its sales team has been honoured with the esteemed Investor in Sales award by the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP), in recognition of 100% of its salesforce passing the rigorous ISP ethical registration exam. The accreditation recognises Everest’s commitment to ethical selling and customer service.
Comprising over 200 individuals, every tier of Everest's sales team – from consultants to managers, trainers, and leaders – has undergone comprehensive training to acquire the qualification.
The ISP's ethical registration exam evaluates selling skills, knowledge, professional ethics, and decision-making prowess. To pass the exam, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 85%. Furthermore, salespeople are required to re-take the exam every two years, ensuring that their skills and knowledge remain current, thereby allowing them to stay on the ISP's professional register of competent and ethical salespeople.
Going forward, Everest has committed to ensure that every new salesperson joining the company will undergo the accreditation as part of its recruitment process.
Gary Pickering, Chief Growth Officer at Everest, said, "I am delighted our entire sales team has achieved this important milestone. This means there is no one managing or selling for Everest who has not passed this key assessment.
“We are fully committed to delivering exemplary customer service, which is why we are the only home improvement company in the UK with this accreditation. All our sales consultants visiting customers' homes will hold this qualification so our customers can be assured they will receive the best possible service in the market. Trust and ethical behaviour are crucial in selling, and every one of our sales team has made this their priority.”
With a rich background in working for business-to-business and business-to-consumer brands, Pickering emphasised that expert selling, where integrity and ethics come first, is not only the right thing to do but also beneficial for business. He noted, "If you act ethically in sales, it will not only excel the customer experience, but also have a positive impact on your commercial success.”
Comparing sales figures year-on-year, Everest has seen a remarkable increase and taken market share, demonstrating that ethical practices yield returns for everyone.
Patrick Joiner, managing director of the Institute of Sales Professionals, said: “Well done to the whole sales team at Everest. They have worked hard to achieve this award because they recognise that ethical, professional selling is all about good customer service.
“Sales standards and integrity are important in their own right, but Everest is showing that a focus on ethical selling is also achieving a boost in business.
“At the Institute, we know that salespeople who are encouraged to focus on their continuous professional development or CPD, feel supported and see their careers progressing with a range of skills and qualifications. Consequently, they become more committed and will go the extra mile for their customers and deliver better results for their employers as well.
“A good career in selling can pave the way for senior roles across different sectors and organisations because salespeople acquire vital business skills, from essential talents like emotional intelligence and people skills to a wider commercial understanding of their own and their customers’ businesses. CPD is the dividend that keeps giving.”
Everest looks forward to extending its collaboration with the Institute of Sales Professionals, whose corporate partners include Royal Mail, Royal Caribbean International, Toshiba Tec, and Westfield Health.