From mechanical selling to meaningful, human-centred sales excellence

Helping salespeople not just adapt — but thrive in a new world of work

Our Story

From a Microsoft contract to 40 countries

In January 2000, The Sales Institute was launched to deliver sales and licensing training for Microsoft and its resellers. By 2008, we had trained teams in over 40 countries.

But when the project ended, a hard truth emerged: the world of sales was changing, but most sales teams weren’t. The old ways no longer worked, and salespeople were being left behind. We listened closely to what professionals were telling us.

What professionals told us

The turning point

Two forces that changed everything

COVID-19

Reshaped how humans connect, communicate, and buy — overnight. The playbooks that survived a decade of digital disruption were rewritten in months.

Artificial Intelligence

Accelerated the pace of change further still. Demanding a new kind of salesperson: one who thinks critically, engages authentically, and adds value machines cannot replicate.

We recognised that salespeople weren’t keeping up — overwhelmed by pressure, under-developed in critical thinking, and disconnected from authentic human engagement. So we reinvented our business to help salespeople not only adapt, but thrive: from mechanical selling to meaningful, human-centred sales excellence.

Today we operate from Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Johannesburg, with a global digital footprint through our built-for-purpose learning management system. Our skilled facilitators and in-house instructional designers create tailored programmes that deliver real-world impact — not just theory.

What makes us different

We don’t believe in one size fits all. Every engagement is shaped around your people, your context, and your goals.

Expert Facilitators

Based in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, our team consists of highly skilled facilitators and coaches with real-world sales experience — not just classroom theory.

Custom Solutions

With an in-house team of instructional designers, we adapt every programme to meet your organisation's specific requirements — never a copy-paste from a generic template.

Global Digital Learning

Our built-for-purpose learning management system allows us to deliver high-quality training to teams anywhere in the world — without compromising on quality or human engagement.

Meet the team

Tim Keys

Tim Keys is an accomplished conference speaker and learning professional with over twenty-five years’ experience in adult learning and development.
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Tracey van der Merwe

Tracey is our Sales Productivity Specialist and Operations Manager. She puts effective systems and processes in place.  She plays a key role in creating a seamless customer experience by acting as the link between our trainers and clients.
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Jean Barnard

Jean is a seasoned expert in sales and account management, passionately dedicated to helping individuals and organisations unlock their full potential.
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Palesa Moeketsi

Palesa is a dynamic facilitator, communicator and former media professional with a passion for empowering people and entrepreneurs. With a background spanning radio, TV presenting, business development and sales, she brings a rare blend of creativity and commercial insight.
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Kim Vermaak

Kim Vermaak is a speaker, trainer and coach with over twenty years' experience helping entrepreneurs and leaders build their brands, sharpen their thinking, and perform
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Katleho Liphapang

Katleho Liphapang, is a Sales Executive who genuinely loves helping people sell better. He partners with ambitious professionals and teams to turn potential into real, revenue-scaling results.
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Gary Tintinger

Gary Tintinger is a multi-award winning public speaker and certified Executive Coach with extensive experience in leadership development and organisational transformation. His journey into coaching and speaking has been marked by a deep commitment to facilitating meaningful change in individuals and teams.
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Kerry Tintinger

Known for her insightful yet pragmatic style, Kerry creates learning experiences that resonate with participants long after the session ends. She has a natural ability to make complex interpersonal dynamics accessible and actionable, empowering people to immediately apply what they learn.
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Colin Vermaak​

Colin is an accomplished facilitator, consultant and learning partner with extensive experience across sales, training, team development and customer relationships. Colin brings a practical, engaging approach to skills development that helps professionals build genuine confidence and capability.
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Our clients

Trusted by organisations across every sector