WINNING, Incorporated, a professional services firm that specializes in Leadership and Sales Force Development, has just been named the winner of the David H. Sandler Award. Sandler Systems, Inc., of Stevenson, MD, bestows the Sandler award annually to its #1 firm in North America.

"Of over 160 firms in North America associated with Sandler Systems, WINNING, Incorporated has consistently set itself apart by its revenue and profitability growth and client successes, as well as its business ethics and willingness to give back to the community. It is our distinct pleasure to honor WINNING, Incorporated with our highest and most coveted award for their continued excellence", said Edna Sandler, President of Sandler Systems, Inc.

"It's a phenomenal honor and a challenge to continually raise the bar in the future", said Bill Murray, founder and CEO of WINNING, Inc. Our stated company mission has always been to abolish mediocrity and develop business champions. We will continue to push the envelope and help our clients develop, and, more importantly, execute creative business strategies and street-smart tactics to achieve uncommon results", said Murray.

WINNING, Incorporated, headquartered in Wellesley Hills, MA, specializes in Leadership and Sales Development, via new, "non-traditional" methods that breed success in today's business environment. Clients range from hundreds of individuals and entrepreneurs and small/mid-size businesses, in over 30 industries, to Fortune corporations including Oracle, Fleet Financial, Fidelity Investments and Xerox Global Services.

Bill Murray was an outstanding sales executive for 16 years, helping take high-tech companies public. Despite considerable career and financial success, Murray longed to be running his own show, building something for himself. "I sat down one night and made a list of the things I'm good at, which I really like to do. I came up with two: training and recruiting." Murray spent the next couple of months developing a curriculum for his own sales training business. He even started to write a book, which he called The Murray Method. Until he heard about the Sandler Sales Institute ®.

"I found them by accident on the Internet. 'You can actually buy a franchise like this?' I thought." This was late in 1995. "I went down to Baltimore to see what they had. I thought it couldn't possibly be as good as the stuff I already knew. But the curriculum amazed me. I had spent my entire career in sales and marketing; I have an MBA; I had been through a dozen other sales courses. I was familiar with maybe 60 to 70 percent of what Sandler had to offer, but there was a good 30 to 40 percent of what they teach-a lot of it is based on psychology-that was unfamiliar."

When Murray first joined the franchise, he knew the curriculum was a huge benefit. It still is, he says, but he's found other unexpected rewards. "You can call on the other Sandler franchisees and delve into their sales experience. Not to be corny, but it really is like a family where people help and support one another."

And, like he planned from the beginning, Murray is building a business. "Some Sandler franchise owners choose to be a sole proprietorship. I've taken a different tack; building the company so we have a business.

Murray also appreciates that Sandler is not a proponent of in-and-out, impact training. "Number one, it doesn't work, because it doesn't affect lasting change. Number two; it doesn't help the franchise owner build long-term relationships. I have a client I will see tomorrow, who I've been seeing every month for the last five years. They are committed to sales training as an ongoing growth and development event and a process."

"Buying a Sandler franchise is the best business decision I've ever made. I really do have a passion for the business. We've had the opportunity to bring on some very good people and build a successful company." He adds, "And this business still allows me to coach seven sports teams a year-which is my other passion."