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Adam - How to get a position in Pre-sales?

Former Member
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Hi my name is Adam i am 23 years old and i am from Lansdale, PA. I will be graduating from University in 1 year and 7 months. My background is sales and i have been very succesful from a young age while growing in a company from the bottom to the top. I want to pursue a career in SAP Pre-Sales, but i am unsure on what courses to take to gain the knowledge of getting this position in the future. I like this position as i feel i meet the skills necessary for selling the products, but i don't have the knowledge of the product and this is were i need help.

I need to know what modules or courses to take to gain the fundamentals of selling SAP? I would be greatly appreciated for any additional information on this position. Also what is the average salary in Pre-sales?

Thanks

Adam

4 REPLIES 4

harishtk1
Active Contributor
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Do you want to sell SAP software or do you want to sell SAP implementation services?

Your best bet would be to apply to a big VAR or Implementation Consultant who would commit to provide the necessary training. I am sure you will develop your selling skills on the job, but you would need technical information about the product - it is not a good idea to invest in SAP module training as each module costs a gazillion dollars, and in any case as a Pre-Sales consultant you should have more than average knowledge of almost all modules in SAP - so you would need some kind of customised overview training. I have no idea what kind of salaries they earnin the US, but in companies I have worked with, they used get almost as much as some SAP consultants, on top of that they get all the sales incentives if they bring in a large deal. Most SAP deals are usually large. A big part of Pre-Sales in implementation services is the ability to write these whacking big proposals, which somehow differentiate your company from all the others, even though everyone else is saying almost exactly the same thing that you are saying.

Former Member
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Thanks for the reply, I want to sell SAP Software.

Can i ask what is VAR? And would a VAR or Implementation consultant hire someone like me who has no knowledge of SAP? Also if i was hired in one of these positions would i gain the necessary knowledge to work in Pre-Sales?

Let me know thanks Adam

harishtk1
Active Contributor
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VAR = Value Added Reseller - A one stop shop for SAP licenses, Implementation, Hardware, networking etc.

Some large companies do have a practice of hiring people with little or no experience and let them grow in the job - some of then provide formal training as well. Obviously it depends on the market conditions, existence of vacancies etc, so all I can suggest is identify some such companies and apply to them with a properly prepared resume which highlights your sales skills, ability to learn etc.

I just realised you are still in University - I am not sure what you are doing now - but if you are able to choose some electives in Marketing and/or sales for Information technology - Perhaps do a final year project on some Market Analysis for SAP products probably may look good on your resume.

By the time you graduate, there could posssibly be lots of opportunities.

There is a "Career centre" in this site - perhaps you could browse it for entry level jobs to get a feel of the nature of jobs on offer.

All the best.

Edited by: Harish T K on Jan 11, 2011 9:00 AM

Edited by: Harish T K on Jan 11, 2011 9:07 AM

Former Member
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Thank you Harish for the helpful answers. I now understand what steps i have to take in-order to work towards getting a position in pre-sales. Your services are much appreciated. Thanks Adam