Learning from the experts

Marketing students at Grand Valley got a lesson in direct marketing from the experts during Direct Selling Days, which ran Oct. 15-17. Executives from direct selling companies across the country came to Grand Rapids as guest lecturers to share their insight and experience with students.

The Direct Selling Education Foundation partnered with Grand Valley's Seidman School of Business to offer students the opportunity to better understand the direct selling industry. Discussion topics included marketing, sales management, market research and forecasting, personal selling, technology, and selling channels.

Alticor President Doug DeVos addressed a Seidman School of Business Alumni Association breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 17 in Loosemore Auditorium as part of the event.

'Education is a keystone of our business. As a company, we educate our distributors about the products and the business. Our distributors educate customers about the products and potential business opportunities. As an industry, we need to educate students, faculty and the general public about the business of personal selling and the professional management it requires,' said Alan Luce, president of Luce and Associates and one of the guest lecturers.

For students, this opportunity is also beneficial. 'Guest lecturers offer a fresh perspective and add variety to the concepts and theory in class,' said student Chris Johnson, vice president of the local chapter of the American Marketing Association.