WFH: What Students Can Teach Us

Written by C. Blaine Trowell

Blaine Trowell is an alum of The Selling Factory. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. When not at the office, he enjoys sports, action movies, books on leadership, and living an active lifestyle.

 

Photo by Olia Danilevich

Culture and productivity of work-from-home sales jobs are top of mind as non-essential businesses lock their doors due to the global pandemic COVID-19.

Entire workforces from small businesses to big corporations are working from home. Entry-level sales jobs to top-level executives now find themselves adjusting to the new norm of doing business from the four walls of their own homes. No office. Just a laptop and a brain. Distraction knocks and motivation wains as everyday routines are flipped upside down.

Are you ready to roll out of bed and somehow manage to get the same amount of work done within a new setting?

Students stand as some of the best prepared for work-from-home sales jobs during these unprecedented times.

As we take a look at history, Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Steven Page (Google), and Steve Jobs (Apple) all started in a garage or college dorm room. Remote work culture is deeply intertwined with entrepreneurs and students alike.

It’s no question that building a remote work culture is hard to do. However, students are primed for this environment. They possess skills that allow them to succeed in the work from the home environment we’ve all been thrown into, especially for entry-level sales jobs.

How Tech Can Support Work from Home Employees

With work from home companies the standard, people have realized one of the most important elements of productivity and success: technology.

Most college students today are known as Generation Z. They are considered to have come out of the womb with smartphones in their hands and a laptop in sight. Most hybrid, online college course classes and in-person classes require a majority of the work, lectures, and exams to be completed online. This experience provides a lot of opportunities to practice effective digital communication with professors and students while adapting to varying software at the same time.

An Entrepreneur article states this about communication within a workplace:

“Effective communication strengthens the connections between a company and all of its stakeholders and benefits businesses in numerous ways: Stronger decision making and faster problem solving; earlier warning of potential problems; increased productivity and steadier workflow; stronger business relationships; clearer and more persuasive marketing messages; enhanced professional images for both employers and companies; lower employee turnover and higher employee satisfaction; and better financial results and higher return for investors.” (Wits Language School)

Students are the most prepared to use their skills in technology to enhance entry-level sales jobs communication and workflows through Slack, Zoom, Google Drive, and other software commonly used among businesses.

What Makes Recent College Graduates Best for Remote Work

No soundproof walls in a home office. No dual monitors. No comfy office chair. No sleep pods in the break room. No office bodega stacked to the rim.

With work-from-home sales jobs, many are finding themselves in the same position that a majority of college students are in throughout the year; themselves and their laptops.

Students are known to be oddly productive in a time of their life that is the most disorganized. Often, students don’t have a set study spot and have distractions ranging from pestering roommates to friends hitting their phone to hang outhang out.

Productive remote work culture is all about finding order in the chaos, making the most of the situation, and learning how to block out distractions.

Tips to Measure Effort When Working at Home

Students are given grades based on their efforts in every course. Professors often provide rubrics for each assignment that acts as the “measuring stick” for the work. Students don’t have professors watching over their shoulder, but instead turn in a completed assignment for review and grading.

Work from home sales jobs, like a student working on assignments, involves no direct supervision. The boss isn’t walking by every 20 minutes to check up on you and knock you out of your daydream. With that in mind, you can learn how to create your own “rubric.” Established goals and expectations are a great start to having an A+ finished product.

Students have this method of working practically built-in, which allows them to thrive from home and be ready to tackle entry-level sales jobs.

Final Thoughts

Although currently, enrolled students have more recent experience practicing and implementing these skills in an academic setting, every person has been a student at some level and can apply these very same skills to their work-from-home sales experience. You might have to go a little further back in your memory to reconnect with the student within!

As we embrace work from home and encourage one another, we can learn, grow, and thrive together in this ever-evolving remote work culture.

Sources:

“Effective Communication Means Business Success,” Wits Language School, August 1, 2017, https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/330960.

Victoria Zamitalo

Campaign Manager

Victoria received a BA in History and Economics from the University of Florida in May 2023. She is a driven sales professional with over 5 years combined experience in customer service, consumer relations and outbound sales, and is deeply passionate about fostering close relationships between consumers and sellers. She aims to train the next generation of sales professionals in not only the tricks of the trade, but also interpersonal skills that make sales the exciting and ever-changing industry that it is.

victoria@thesellingfactory.com

Mia Semel

Campaign Manager

Before graduating with a B.A. in Sustainability Studies, Mia took on multiple roles while interning at The Selling Factory, including sales development, recruiting, and leading campaigns. She is an active listener and effective communicator, specializing in fostering genuine connections and finding common ground among differing perspectives. She aims to find practical, creative solutions regarding sustainable development, biodiversity and the climate crisis.

mia.semel@thesellingfactory.com

Kira Grieve

Senior Campaign Manager

Kira graduated from the University of Florida and received her Master of Science in Entrepreneurship. She is passionate about helping businesses grow and connecting with new people. Some of her hobbies include traveling and hiking. She hopes to visit all of the National Parks one day!

kira@thesellingfactory.com

Jared Glosser

Vice President

After graduating from UF in 2014 with a B.A. in history, Jared started his professional career Fundraising for a non-partisan political lobby in South Florida. In 2016, Jared moved back to Gainesville to work for a non-profit, recruit students for international travel opportunities, and pursue his MBA at UF. Jared has been with The Selling Factory since 2019 focusing on operations, client onboarding, and client success.

jared@thesellingfactory.com

Ian Massenburg

Chief Operating Officer

A graduate of University of Florida (B.A. 2001), Ian Massenburg brings over 18 years of sales executive and sales management experience to The Selling Factory. Before coming on-board, Ian worked alongside Brad at Infinite Energy, and then spent his next 3 years as VP of Partnerships selling SaaS products B2B. Ian brings his vast knowledge and experience to the team and to our partner companies served.

ian@thesellingfactory.com

Damien Paulk

Campaign Manager

Damien is a University of Florida graduate that recently joined the team full time after working as a Sales Development Intern for one year. As a Campaign Manager, Damien looks forward to contributing to the growth and success of The Selling Factory. When Damien is not at work he enjoys exploring Gainesville with his girlfriend and dog or watching the Gators dominate college football.

damien@thesellingfactory.com

Brendan Viehman

Campaign Manager

Brendan graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Project Management. For the past 5 years, he has enjoyed working with blockchain technology and cryptocurrency development. In his free time, he surfs and makes personal finance videos for his YouTube channel.

brendan@thesellingfactory.com

Savannah Howard

Campaign Manager

A graduate from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, Savannah obtained her Bachelor of Science in public relations with a concentration in French. After almost two years as a sales development intern for The Selling Factory, she joined the leadership team in 2021 taking on the role of Campaign Manager. In her free time, Savannah enjoys going to concerts and festivals and cooking for her friends and family.

savannah@thesellingfactory.com

Zack Kampf

Campaign Manager

Zack is a creative technologist with experience in advertising, event planning, and game design. He started as an SDR in 2018 and has been with TSF ever since. Upon graduating UF in 2019 he became a campaign manager and is currently seeking a master's degree from NYU. In his spare time, you can find him at the intersection of Art & Technology!

zack@thesellingfactory.com

Josiah Blakemore

Growth Manager

Josiah has over 10 years of sales experience, worked with Brad and Ian at Infinite Energy, and also spent time selling SaaS as Director of Partnerships at SharpSpring. He’s always been very competitive and has a love for sports and games. He enjoys solving problems and coaching team members to do the same!

josiah@thesellingfactory.com

Sue-Ming Frauenhofer

Marketing Manager

Sue-Ming received both her B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Management from The University of Florida. As a student, she took on multiple roles while interning at The Selling Factory, including sales development, marketing, and recruiting, eventually leading to her current role as Marketing Manager. She enjoys refining her taste in music and visual art, engaging in mindfulness and meditative practices, and frolicking outside with her sidekick pup.

sueming@thesellingfactory.com

Adam Grossman

Chief Development Officer

Adam is an ordained rabbi, who has founded multiple ventures focused on workforce development. Hired as CEO by a failing non-profit, in over 5 years, his ingenuity saved the organization, which led Slingshotfund.org to recognize it as one of North America’s most innovative Jewish non-profits. His expertise to identify, cultivate, and on-board talent ensures our student teams meet our partners’ needs.

adam@thesellingfactory.com

Brad Gamble

Chief Executive Officer

After graduating from UF in 1999 with a B.S.B.A, Brad Gamble has dedicated himself to sales management, branding, coaching, and building companies. He served as the VP of Sales & Marketing for Infinite Energy until 2014, when he founded The Selling Factory. He has dedicated himself to teaching critical skills to tomorrow’s leaders, and helping companies achieve sales success and revenue growth.

brad@thesellingfactory.com