Now in its third year, the Mercedes-Benz programme awarded key account manager Frank Smith from Mercedes-Benz Corporate Sales in Manchester with the title of Corporate Sales Person of the Year while James O’Neil of Mercedes-Benz of Bristol was the sales manager crowned with the same accolade.

Frank and James, along with other corporate sales staff, took part in a rigorous three-phased assessment programme under DRIVE UP 09, the Mercedes-Benz Cars Corporate Sales Reward Programme.

During the first phase James and his fellow sales managers were ranked on areas such as performance vs. targets and growth in their market area for 2009 vs. 2008. While Frank and the other key account managers were assessed on total sales volume, the number of trading accounts and the number of new accounts they won.

Customer feedback also played a key role in the awards and candidates were scored on the management of their account as well as their understanding of their business, their fleet needs and demands, the service back-up and their ability to communicate and plan ahead.

In the final phase candidates attended an assessment day where they had chance to impress the judges first hand. Through a number of activities finalists were given the opportunity to demonstrate team work, deliver a presentation and be interviewed by a panel of judges including Colin Niklas, national corporate sales manager, Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Mr Niklas said: 'The Corporate Sales Person of the Year programme is a great way of raising standards across our network and we are delighted to have had so many high-calibre candidates this year.  Frank and James’ remarkable performances have raised the bar yet again this year and I am confident that this will motivate and inspire everyone in Corporate Sales to continue to further improve our levels of customer service.'