Foster skills across the EU: Recognising direct sellers’ abilities

For the 2024-2029 mandate of the EU Institutions, Seldia, the European Direct Selling Association, presents a set of recommendations to enhance the competitiveness of the Single Market.

One of our core priorities is the need to recognise and promote Direct Selling as an opportunity to grow skills.

Individuals involved in Direct Selling have the chance to develop a diverse set of valuable skills in:

  • Sales and Marketing: Promoting products, engaging customers, and creating marketing strategies.
  • Communication and Networking: Building relationships, trust with customers, and networking with other entrepreneurs.
  • Business Management: Gaining entrepreneurial experience in budgeting, inventory, and customer service.
  • Leadership and Team Building: Leading teams and fostering teamwork.
  • Digital Competence: Skills in online marketing, social media, and e-commerce.

These skills are not only essential within the Direct Selling sector but are also transferable to other business and employment ventures, contributing positively to both individuals and the broader economy. Recognising these competencies can therefore lead to several benefits including:

  • Enhance Career Opportunities: Acknowledging the skills gained through Direct Selling can open up career opportunities within and outside the Direct Selling sector.
  • Encourage Entrepreneurship: Recognising these abilities can encourage entrepreneurs and foster economy activity and innovation.

To support the development and recognition of direct sellers’ skills, Seldia recommends the following measures:

  1. Recognise In-company Programmes: Encourage the integration of skills acquired through Direct Selling in national and EU-level skills recognition frameworks.
  1. Support for Training and Development: Advocate for policies that promote training and development opportunities for direct sellers.
  2. Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between the Direct Selling sector in the EU, educational institutions, and other business industries to recognise entrepreneurship and soft skills.

For more detailed information on these recommendations, the full Seldia manifesto for the 2024-2029 mandate of the EU Institutions is available here.

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