marketing companies [TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM]

Amazing Post! I read every single word of it with intrigue. What a detailed and accurate post - this pyramid scheme is legendary. Certainly brought back some mixed memories.

This organisation seems have to have spread its evil tentacles across the globe and survived the test of time. Yet still remains all smoke and mirrors to the world at large, disguised as numerous independent offices.

In all fairness, although it has left a lot of people bitter and perhaps destroyed some people's livelihoods, the creators of this brainwashing/pyramid scheme are pretty clever since they have presumably done very well for themselves (due to the misfortune of others). I'm not condoning what the scheme does but trying to offer a flip-side to this.

An alternative perspective:

I was a student on summer break from my first year at university. A friendly, smiley Aussie girl appeared out our doorstep selling "privilege cards" for a local restaurant. I don't recall buying one, though my sister and myself were recruited to work and earn some money over the summer holidays. Since I hadn't lined up any work experience or anything productive for the holiday I thought it might be worth a try for a bit. (An alternative to working as a waiter in the local Chinese restaurant)

From there the story pretty much follows the extremely accurate script above. Drove out to the office in Romford (a little room in a business park). Practiced pitches, lots of ringing the bell, juice, clapping, high-5's etc. Slowly the brainwashing began....

The difference for me, from what I understand, is that other people have applied to this job not realising that it was a door-2-door sales post or the commission only basis, or believing it was a about building "career" etc.

I knew what it was on the door and was open to the idea of doing it for a fun/laugh/life experience. It was certainly hard work, and I did a couple of "donut" 0-sales days. And there were days where I considered giving up, however persistence and attitude and pure stubbornness prevented me giving up. By the end of the holidays I had become one of the top sellers in the office. Absolutely confident and consistent, believing that I could tackle any scenario, any personality, all door scenarios were evaluated and worked to my advantage. There became an almost natural rhythm to dropping a piece and getting the close.

Too easy!?...

Then came the crunch, the Owner congratulated me and tried to pitch his world view to me, to convince me to leave university with the prospect of earning serious money very quickly and progressing up the ranks. That I had a great future, blah.blah.... In fact by this stage I had become so enraptured with the concept that I was almost brainwashed to the point where I was going to give up (as insane it now sounds to turn away from a place at one of the top Uni's in London/World in that field) Thankfully I had some very level headed parents who guided me back on the right track and made me see sense again.

Lessons learned

Strangely, I look back actually with *very* fond memories of my time working under the umbrella of Cobra/Granton - the name of the particular company I have since forgotten. There were some late nights out to bars, and crashing over at random people's flats. Meeting young people from different backgrounds, being out in the summer sunshine while working (MAJOR bonus now that I'm a 7am-7pm office worker in The City)

I learnt a huge number of important life-skills.

I learnt about dealing with difficult people, understanding people, empathy, gaining people's trust, speaking confidently (100 ppl a day) maintaining good attitude at the most dire moments, managing one's emotions and disassociating that from the job/task at hand, ultimately believing in oneself and that you are the master of your own success.

These are lessons I would not give back for the world. But in terms of a career, there are obviously fundamental flaws in the "system", and gladly my parents helped highlight these and allowed me to make an informed, rational decision of my own choosing, not to carry on working there.

I do wonder what happened to all the people I worked with, and whether or not they are still struggling with sales jobs or chasing their dreams. If Georgie & Jimmy Rainbow are out there, please say hello!

To the more vulnerable people in the world without supportive level-headed family/friends to pull you back on track, be very wary of selling your life to this company. It's all a numbers game, and for every success there are 100's of failures. If I were placing bets on the outcome, I know which side I would be on.

In summary, I think I learn many things from my (fond) experiences, and yet am equally relieved that I wasn't drawn into what I saw was akin to a religious corporate cult. Especially the massive Cobra cross-office "conference" at Earls Court or was it Wembley Arena?

I hope that this helps people make informed choices about their own future and ultimately take control of their own lives and success, not to become driftwood brainwashed and washed out to sea.

Wishing everyone success for the future.

Regards

Hiya, Well I couldnt believe it when my friend sent me thr link and i read it all, I have also been sucked in by the scam, I was working for the "Cobra Group" for the vantage office in wolverhampton, we had all the 5 steps and the 8 steps and I worked so hard in trying to be good at it but the law of averages really doesnt work and the pay was diabolical, I was paid 24 pounds for a weeks work and i still havent had the wages I am owed, They told us within a week of me bein there that we were going for "training" in nottingham for a week, this week turned into two and then three and as far as i know they are still there, If i applied for a job in wolverhampton I like to think i would be at least have my office based there not moved to nottingham, i know that lots have people left my office and i know that a few have been sacked because they refuse to go back to nottingham. I have walked out and am currently looking for a new job but these kind of people annoy me, the only good thing thats has come out of this is that I have found my confidence again and I am able to motivate my self more, maybe they should change trade and go in for motivation company rather than marketing.

Well thats my rant over, but i am so glad that i am not on my own in this

Emzie x