Groundbreaking Sales Project Hits The Road

A CRACK sales team is drumming up new business for South Tyneside firms after the launch of a ground-breaking project.

Under the innovative programme Access to Markets, qualifying businesses in the borough can enlist the help of a free sales person to operate on their behalf anywhere in the UK for up to three months.

The bold new business drive is part of the wider Access to Markets project, which was launched to help South Tyneside firms win more work from outside the region - in a bid to grow and create more jobs.

Access to Markets is one of the many enterprising projects being delivered by TEDCO (The Tyneside Economic Development Company Ltd) on behalf of the South Tyneside Means Business programme, which is backed with £16.2m of Government funding (LEGI) to help boost enterprise in the borough.

Already the Access to Markets team at TEDCO has helped hundreds of firms across South Tyneside win new business thanks to a free comprehensive sales and marketing package.  Now the team has taken the bold step of introducing the services of a team of free sales people to help businesses win even more job-boosting contracts.

The team at TEDCO has recently appointed Wayne Hayes as Sales Generation Manager who is now managing the growing sales force.

Wayne, who has managed projects on the Channel Tunnel and London Underground, said: “The project is open to any company in South Tyneside that has a tangible product or service, and that can demonstrate a potential for growth, or an opportunity to secure jobs.

“Each project is considered on its individual merits, but if they qualify they can receive the services of a sales person for an agreed number of hours for up to three months.  This gives people the opportunity to test the waters and if it works then it is up to the company to continue the services of the sales person on a freelance basis if they so wish.”

Cllr Eddie McAtominey, lead member for jobs, enterprise and regeneration, said on behalf of South Tyneside Means Business: “South Tyneside is full of enterprising people with great ideas and we want to help them fulfil their dreams and aspirations. This free service is a great opportunity for anyone wishing to test the waters with the sale of new products and services, without risk and I would urge them to get in touch with the team to find out more.”

Wayne concludes: “This is a fantastic opportunity for any company that is serious about growing in the borough.  Technically the sales support is available across the UK and if a company can prove there are major opportunities we would not stop at finding sales people anywhere in the world.”

Wayne is joined on the project by his son Kris, who is studying for a BA in Business Economics at Newcastle Business School and is spending a year with TEDCO on a placement.

For more information about the Access to Markets project please contact Wayne Hayes on: 07917202291 or email whayes@tedco.org

Photograph: Wayne and Kris Hayes, TEDCO