The Online Workshop on “Effective Sales and Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs/Startups” was successfully conducted with Mr. Santosh Singh Chanda, an industry expert with over 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical marketing, currently serving as Regional Manager at Nava Healthcare, Akola HQ. The session commenced with a warm welcome by Dr. Shailesh Kewatkar, Head of Department and Head of IIC, Rajarshi Shahu College of Pharmacy, Buldhana, who introduced the esteemed speaker and emphasized the importance of sales and marketing in the pharmaceutical and entrepreneurial sectors.
Mr. Santosh Singh Chanda provided valuable insights on the critical aspects of sales and marketing strategies, particularly for entrepreneurs and startups. He elaborated on the fundamental differences between sales and marketing, explaining that sales focus on converting leads into customers, while marketing involves creating awareness, generating demand, and positioning a brand in the market. He discussed the challenges faced in sales and marketing, such as market competition, customer acquisition, pricing strategies, and digital transformation, while also highlighting opportunities in emerging digital marketing trends, customer relationship management (CRM), and data-driven decision-making. The importance of sales and marketing for startups was also emphasized, where he explained that strong strategies are essential for establishing a brand, attracting investors, and ensuring long-term sustainability. He stressed the role of customer-centric marketing, networking, and value-based selling in driving business growth.
The speaker also shared insights on the qualities required for sales and marketing professionals, listing essential attributes like communication skills, negotiation ability, adaptability, confidence, persistence, and knowledge of market trends. Addressing freshers, Mr. Chanda provided practical tips on preparing for marketing interviews, which included gaining a strong understanding of product knowledge and market trends, developing confidence and communication skills, demonstrating problem-solving abilities in real-life scenarios, and learning about customer psychology and sales pitching techniques.
To make the session more engaging, he shared a real-life case study from his career, explaining how strategic marketing and effective sales techniques played a crucial role in boosting a product’s market reach and sales performance. Furthermore, he explained different types of sales and marketing approaches such as Business-to-Business (B2B) marketing and franchise marketing, elaborating on how these specialized techniques help businesses grow in a competitive market. He also encouraged participants to think innovatively and adopt modern marketing strategies to drive entrepreneurial success.
The session was highly informative and engaging, equipping students and aspiring entrepreneurs with practical knowledge about sales and marketing. Mr. Chanda’s insights, real-world experiences, and motivational approach inspired attendees to develop the necessary skills for excelling in marketing roles. The workshop concluded with an interactive Q&A session, followed by a vote of thanks, appreciating Mr. Santosh Singh Chanda for sharing his expertise and valuable time.
