Supported and judged by Lawrence Dallaglio, the competition aims to raise awareness of the important role the sales industry has in driving recovery for the UK economy.  The top ten tips from the competition will be used to compile a sales guide and will be released when the winner is announced on June 12th.  Sales professionals can enter by visiting www.nationalsalesawards.com/your-top-sales-tip.

“As a previous participant and judge of this year’s Awards, I want to help raise the importance of the sales industry and its role in the UK economy. To launch the initiative, I’m calling on sales professionals to enter their top sales tips; and look forward to sharing best practice with everyone in the industry.” said Lawrence Dallaglio, former England rugby Captain and Sales Director for contact centre services in Serco’s new UK & Europe Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) business.

The competition launches as The National Sales Awards also invites sales teams and professionals throughout the UK to enter the 2012 awards.  Entering its 16th year, the National Sales Awards is the most prestigious accolade for the sales industry in the UK. An agenda setting programme, they reward individuals and teams who are demonstrating best practice and outstanding achievement in all aspects of sales.

Tony Hughes CEO of headline partner, Huthwaite International said: “Today’s sales professionals are at the frontline of UK business success and eventual recovery - without sales there is simply no business. These awards are key to encouraging sales and service excellence, setting new benchmarks and creating role models who inspire, not just the sales community itself, but every employee within an organisation that comes in contact with customers.”

Teams and individuals from organisations of all sizes and sectors are invited to register for award categories including Telephone Sales Executive of the Year, won in 2011 by Dexter Dyer of Virgin Media, right through to Sales Director of the Year which last year was awarded to Ian Dowds, then of Specific Media. With a range of categories, awards range from Newcomer of the Year through to Sales Campaign of the Year.

Caroline Jackson Levy, Chief Executive, UBM Awards said: “The National Sales  Awards showcase to the wider business community the qualities, characteristics and attitudes possessed by the country's top sales people and we are delighted to be rewarding the very best talent in sales for the 16th year running.”

The National Sales Awards has distinguished itself by its robust judging process and the quality of businesses and individuals taking part in the programme, with previous winners from companies including 02, RBS Insurance, and British Gas. Around 80 senior sales professionals and specialists participate in the judging for the awards, combining expertise around sales competencies with disciplines ranging from customer service and marketing to account management and leadership.

The Awards close for entry on 16th July and finalists will be announced in August. Winners will be honoured at The National Sales Awards gala dinner and awards ceremony in London at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday 6th November 2012.

To enter, nominate or to find out more information about this year’s Awards programme and entry criteria visit www.nationalsalesawards.com.