3:54pm Saturday 8th March 2008
By Citizen reporter
Mercedes-Benz van sales specialists Phil Markham and Tina Todd are looking forward to a fantastic safari holiday in Africa - as a reward from the manufacturer for their outstanding performances in 2007.
The dynamic duo work for north-west dealer Ciceley Commercials; Phil is a retail sales executive at the company's Preston dealership, while Tina, who lives in Preston, is based at Bolton.
As well as serving retail customers, both look after some of the country's biggest van fleet operators.
The pair are responsible for selling vehicles from the multi-award-winning Mercedes-Benz Vito, Sprinter and Vario van ranges.
Recognition for their achievements came from the Mercedes-Benz Van Sales Academy, an incentive and motivation programme that brings together some 160 sales executives and 25 sales managers employed by franchised dealerships nationwide.
Top prize this year was the eight-day safari holiday to Botswana and Zambia, during which winners and their partners will get the chance to view big game at close quarters and visit the magnificent Victoria Falls.
Only 15 places were up for grabs on the trip and the fact that Ciceley Commercials staff secured two of the coveted berths underlines the strength of the company's entire van sales team.
Tina and Phil earned their seats on the plane to Africa after winning their respective sales leagues.
They also collected Van Academy Gold awards, and with them clutches of store vouchers, as did Blackburn-based colleague Rob Claringbold.
Andy Armitage, who works at Bolton, landed a silver, while Ciceley's van sales manager, James Bell, won bronze, along with Keith Jones, from Blackburn, and Stan Lyons, who works at Carlisle.
Phil, who lives at Conder Green, near Glasson Dock, has worked in van sales for Ciceley for 20 years and is regularly in the running for the top awards from Mercedes-Benz.
"I'm pretty well known in the Preston area now, which means that I benefit from a lot of repeat business," he explains.
Tina, who moved recently to Cottam, Preston, joined Ciceley in 2006, having spent the previous 12 years working for another Mercedes dealer.
"I'm really enjoying life with Ciceley and my first full year with the company went very well," she said.
"Most of my sales were to small local fleets though I did pick up a cracking order for 40 Mercedes Vitos from Co-Operative Funeral Care. Now I can't wait for the holiday - it's like a dream come true."
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