Jensen honored as top saleswoman

Human resources professionals don't necessarily think of themselves as salespeople, Karyn Jensen acknowledges, but they overcome daunting sales challenges.

Jensen, the founder of The Human Resource Connection Ltd., a Sparks consulting company, has been recognized as Saleswoman of the Year by the Professional Saleswomen of Nevada.

"I sell a service, not a product, and it's hard selling an intangible product," Jensen said.

She attributed her sales success to "passion and a lot of patience."

She developed the passion during a nearly 20-year career as a human resources professional that included work at International Game Technology and Fitzgerald's Casino/Hotel before she launched her consultancy.

"If the people are happy, that affects the bottom line," Jensen said. "I truly believe that."

The patience, she said, comes from a sales cycle that sometimes can run three years from the time she makes an initial call to the time a client makes a decision.

"Most people wait until things are painful," she said.

Along with sales performance, the Saleswoman of the Year award is based on community service and professional development.

Jensen serves as community relations chair for the Northern Nevada Human Resources Association, volunteers for Oncology Champions at Renown Health and is a founding member of e-Women Network.

She teaches courses in human resources through Extended Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, and has helped the school develop programs in human resources certification.

Other finalists for the award included Donna Clark of Dickson Realty, Mary-Ann Andrews of Sage International, Robin Brockelsby of Creative Coverings and Vicki Bischoff of Suncrest Builders.