Many of today’s sales organizations highlight training and development opportunities in their job descriptions and career fair communications to attract Gen Z professionals. While soon-to-be graduates seek employers who will trust them with early career opportunities, they’re also searching for employers who will invest in their career growth beyond day one.
So what are the top companies in Overland Park and beyond doing to encourage this ambitious group? How are sales leaders implementing comprehensive training programs that don’t just focus on the basics, but teach inexperienced yet passionate individuals how to use their unique skills to create impact?
At Shamrock Trading Corporation, our answer lies in the Freight Immersion Training (FIT) program.
What is the FIT Program?
As a certified Most Loved Workplace for Young Professionals and Career Advancement, we understand the importance of investing in the growth potential of each individual we hire. Specializing in placing new talent, the FIT program is designed to be an immersive onboarding experience for new sales employees who may be unfamiliar with our industries. The purpose of this program is to provide practical, hands-on learning to familiarize trainees with the transportation and logistics industries.
When a candidate lacking industry-specific experience is hired onto our fuel or factoring sales teams, they are quickly placed into the FIT program, where they explore the ins and outs of selling our innovative solutions to customers worldwide. During the four- to six-week training period, trainees are encouraged to dive in right away to gain valuable experience by focusing on three crucial areas.
Our Industry
Throughout their first week, FIT trainees become acquainted with the industry-specific and company-specific terminology they will use on a daily basis. As the trainees settle in, they are quickly shown how to set achievable goals that will mutually benefit themselves and our clients.
This initial training takes place within our brokerage division, providing trainees with an understanding of Shamrock’s original brand, Ryan Transportation, and how we serve shippers and carriers around the nation through our various offerings, including a fuel card program, factoring services, equipment financing and more.
Our Clients
After becoming familiar with how the transportation and logistics industries operate, trainees are ready to explore our CRM system, learn how to navigate our load board, research the trucking companies we partner with and learn how top-performing representatives negotiate rates using tailored solutions.
By exploring common pain points through supervised live calls with our customers and the different ways we help their businesses grow and succeed, trainees can look forward to building the same long-lasting client partnerships Shamrock has proudly built for decades.
Our Opportunities
Trainees will gradually scale in their responsibilities and performance. For example, while they may start out booking two to three carrier loads a day, trainees can expect to book up to ten loads each day by the end of the program. This natural progression helps trainees gain the confidence they need to finish the program well and transition seamlessly into their assigned role.
Before wrapping up the FIT program, trainees can refine their initial goals to align with their upcoming role. Equipped with skills ranging from rate negotiation to proven deal-closing strategies, they’ll be ready to step into their next opportunity fully prepared and confident.
Growth Beyond Day One
After completing the FIT program, trainees become business development representatives. Thanks to the excellent sales managers located across our ten locations who are committed to helping early professionals leverage their background and experience, the following steps are unique to each individual representative and the opportunities they want to take on.
After a few years on the job, it is common for many business development representatives to advance to the role of business development associate. This position opens the door to future training opportunities for potential management roles, allowing natural leaders to develop sales teams, implement strategies and more.
Wherever they go, we ensure that our salespeople are equipped with the skills they need to own their growth in a competitive and supportive environment. As we provide each new hire with the training they deserve, we continue to take pride in the professional development opportunities we offer here at Shamrock.
If you’ve been searching for sales jobs in Kansas City that support your growth goals, Shamrock is ready to invest in you — regardless of your career experience. Visit our Careers page to explore current openings across our family of brands today!