Please be courteous and arrive early for registration and instructions PRIOR to your scheduled class start time. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.
It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Salesmanship Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.
The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.
If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.
Things to remember to bring for this merit badge class:
- Your BSA ID # (not your Scoutbook ID #)
- If you do not have your BSA ID # (or did not provide it with your online registration) you will need a Merit badge blue card properly filled out and signed off by your Scout Leader
- Salesmanship Merit Badge Pamphlet
- Scout uniform
- Supporting documentation or project work pertinent to the Salesmanship merit badge, which may also include a merit badge workbook for reference with notes
- A positive Scouting focus and attitude
If you are unfamiliar with the Blue Card Process, please read and understand the Scoutmaster Bucky Blue Card Process.
Scoutmaster Bucky Online Class links will be sent out 12 to 24 hours prior to the class start time. Notification will be sent to the email address provided in the registration, so please make sure your email is correctly entered.
Please be courteous and arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled class start time. Ensure that your internet connection, camera, microphone, and broadcasting environment are working and optimal for class participation. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.
It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Salesmanship Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.
The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.
If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.
Salesmanship Merit Badge
Current Scouts BSA Requirements
as of February 17, 2023
Please make sure you read the top portion of this page for general participation expectations in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge class.
Pay careful attention to the action verbs within the requirements. An example to note:
"Tell", "explain", "describe", and "discuss" are commonly used and will require the Scout to perform these actions during the class. When these action verbs are a part of any requirement, Scouts are expected to be prepared to share. Reading responses is not acceptable since it does not fulfill the requirement of showing the Scout's knowledge and understanding.
a.
Explain the responsibilities of a salesperson and how a salesperson serves customers and helps stimulate the economy.
Scouts should think about what a salesperson does, what they think their responsibilities are and how they serve customers, as well as how salesperson affects the economy. Scouts should consider formulating their thoughts and making notes as needed, in preparation for explanation during the class discussion for this requirement component.
b.
Explain the differences between a business-to-business salesperson and a consumer salesperson.
Scouts should review their merit badge pamphlet and come with an understanding for discussion in the class the differences asked for in this requirement component. It is highly recommended to utilize a Merit Badge Workbook to make notes of your findings. Scouts in attendance that have not reviewed their merit badge pamphlet for this topic and/or do not actively participate in the class discussion will find it difficult to complete this requirement.
2.
Explain why it is important for a salesperson to do the following:
a.
Research the market to be sure the product or service meets the needs of customers.
b.
Learn all about the product to be sold.
c.
If possible, visit the location where the product is built and learn how it is constructed. If a service is being sold, learn about the benefits of the service to the customer.
d.
Follow up with customers after their purchase to confirm their satisfaction and discuss their concerns about the product.
Scouts will find the use of the Scoutmaster Bucky Salesmanship Merit Badge pamphlet to be very helpful when preparing for this requirement and its components. Many of the concepts and ideas required for completion of these requirement components can be found in the merit badge pamphlet. It is highly recommended that Scouts consider utilizing a merit badge workbook or notebook to make notes for reference when sharing their research and findings during the class.
3.
Write and present a sales plan for a product and a sales territory assigned by your counselor.
If possible, Scouts should try and prepare ahead of time for this requirement. While time will be allotted during the class to do this, Scouts will find it easiest to have done some planning and preparation ahead of time. Scouts may want to consider their popcorn, wreath sales, camp card, or other fundraising efforts as an example of salesmanship to consider when working on this requirement. Note that this requirement REQUIRES Scouts to "WRITE a sales plan", so Scouts should use a notebook or the Scoutmaster Bucky Salesmanship Merit Badge workbook to complete their preparation prior to the class for this requirement item.
4.
Make a sales presentation of a product or service assigned by your counselor.
Scouts should arrive at the class prepared to make a sales presentation for a product or service. Again, Scouts may want to draw on past experience from popcorn, wreath sales, camp card, or other fundraising efforts to prepare for this requirement. All Scouts attending will have an opportunity to make their sales presentation for consideration of being signed off on this requirement. Only Scouts who do a sales presentation to the satisfaction of the counselor during the class will be signed off on this requirement.
5.
Do ONE of the following and keep a record (cost sheet). Use the sales techniques you have learned, and share your experience with your counselor:
a.
Help your unit raise funds through sales of merchandise or of tickets to a Scout event.
b.
Sell your services such as lawn raking or mowing, pet watching, dog walking, snow shoveling, and car washing to your neighbors. Follow up after the service has been completed and determine the customer’s satisfaction.
c.
Earn money through retail selling.
Scouts who have participated in a unit fundraising effort will find completion of this requirement quite easy. Come prepared to share your experience with the counselor during the class for sign off on this requirement. If you have not participated in a Scout unit fundraising effort, consider other opportunities you may have participated in to complete this requirement and be prepared to share your experience during the class. Remember to bring your documentations, as specified in this requirement, to the class for full consideration for completion of this requirement.
6.
Do ONE of the following:
a.
Interview a salesperson and learn the following:
1.
What made the person choose sales as a profession?
2.
What are the most important things to remember when talking to customers?
3.
How is the product sold?
4.
Include your own questions.
b.
Interview a retail store owner and learn the following:
1.
How often is the owner approached by a sales representative?
2.
What good traits should a sales representative have? What habits should the sales representative avoid?
3.
What does the owner consider when deciding whether to establish an account with a sales representative?
4.
Include at least two of your own questions.
Scouts will have an opportunity to complete this requirement during the class, however it is encouraged that Scouts consider doing this requirement ahead of time to share as a part of the class.
7.
Investigate and report on career opportunities in sales, then do the following:
a.
Prepare a written statement of your qualifications and experience. Include relevant classes you have taken in school and merit badges you have earned.
b.
Discuss with your counselor what education, experience, or training you should obtain so you are prepared to serve in a sales position.
Scouts should consider working on this requirement prior to the class. While the counselor will help facilitate further insight to the components of this requirement, some Scouts may find it easier to come to the class with their required written statement completed, or at least started. While time will be allotted during the class to work on this, only Scouts who actively participate in the class discussion on this requirement and its components AND have a completed wirtten statement, will be considered for sign off on this requirement.
