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I'll give you all a short story that I heard about.

This is from a sales point of view and I'll list some parameters first so you can follow along.

  • Commissions are paid every two weeks (good thing).
  • End of the month and commission cycle ends on a friday, along with Ricoh year end.
  • Rebate promos, latest they can be done if the friday the end of the month, rebates expire March 31st and equipment needs to ship beforehand (thats what I was told).
  • There is no back up administrator for booking of deals.

    Here's how the story goes, a sales person working some MP6000's and W2400's finally has an order for one mp9000 signed on thrusday, deposit check comes in before paperwork on Wednesday for another MP9000, paperwork arrives friday AM, and then all paperwork for W2400 arrives before 3PM on friday!

    On Thursday afternoon an email is sent that the person who does booking and ordering of machines is taking a vacation day on Friday! Salesperon does not get the email until they arrive home on Thursday evening.

    Salesperson sends email to manager stating how can this happen at this time of year!

    Manager then emails other managers about this and the person who was on vaca for the day has to come in. Salesperons feels really bad, however salesperson still has bills to pay and the salesperson small salary can't hold forver.

    Salesperson then receives email from booking administrator stating how unfair the sales person is to that person, and then is told that the they could have and would have done the work from home. Salesperson is confused because the email stated the person was taking a vacation day. Sales person sends email to manager stating its a horrible thing that there is no one who can do this person work when they are out for sick, personal or vacation, by the way the booking person is not allowed to take a vacation like normal people, they must grab days extra days before or after weekends.

    Salesperson is treated the next day by booking admin like they have never worked there before and then recieves a call from someone (we'll just call that person Red) else in the office that the salesperson is wrong and everyone hates the salesperson for what was done! Theres a few vulgar comments on the voice mail message. Salesperson forwards message to manager and never hears from nmanager.

    Booking administrator then give two weeks notice, salesperson receives another off the wall voice mail from Red at 11:00PM at night, sounds like the person was drinking to much.

    Salesperson sees another call to his phone from Red at 9:30AM, and then another not so plesant voice mail is left at 10:00AM.

    Seems to me salesperson was only trying to get business done and did not mean any harm to any one, salesperson also sent email to management how it is unfair to everyone not to have a backup for this person when they take days office.

    Salesperson is now comtemplating quiting, because of crazy Red.

    Comments??????
  • Last edited {1}
    Original Post

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    First, if I was the salesperson I would send the sales admin a gift certificate for a nice dinner for two.
    Second, I'd come in Monday morning and start hitting it hard to have a great start to the new year.
    Third, I'd take Red and my sales manager out for a drink after work on Monday and ask them when writing and booking business is a bad thing.
    Fourth, I wouldn't think about it again.
    I agree with both Neal and Mike, if the administrator feels they're an integral part of the team they wouldn't have contemplated a "Friday end of month" vacation day. Here's where the rewards/prizes from sales contests and extra spiffs come into play. I once gave our order administrator a TV/VCR combo unit I had won. You can order in Friday lunches, bring in bagels and donuts - everyone wants to be appreciated for the job they do especially the lower paid ones. Don't make it a habit BUT rather make it something "special". In the end though, Management is at fault here, not the sales person nor the administrator - it should never have become an issue.
    I agree with all the responses about the fault lying with management for not standing up for the person that brings in the bacon. COMMUNICATION with all parties in a timely manner, not the day before, would have made the salesperson a happy camper. The damage was already done, but I assume the orders were processed, so if I was the salesperson, I would do like the others said and bring the donuts, lunch, drinks, whatever to try and difuse the situation from happening again.
    Everyone in our company needs a break from time to time, but the rule is to schedule the time-off several weeks in advance, with the exception of a family emergency, but even if an emergency pops up, or time-off is given, there is always a backup available to take care of business.
    so in conclusion to the story, management blamed sales person for cc'ing Red in an email to management. Salesperson thought it would be GOOD that they know also. Nothing is being done about the nasty vm's. Salesperson then stated they will just not acknowledge Red anymore. So, it is almost two weeks later nothing is delivered, backordered from Ricoh on accessories, and no delivery in site for at least 7 or eight more days. Salesperson is now looking for a NEW job!

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