Looking at staffing-yikes!

paulwf

emsywoo123 wrote: »

TBH I wanted opinions, not to be cross referenced in various threads and have the P*** taken out of me and my ideas.

I've just re-read this thread and you got opinions, I can't see anyone taking the p*** out of you. Some opinions may not be what you want to hear but isn't that better if they are genuine than all having a big group hug whilst your business gets destroyed and HMRC take action against you?

Someone posted a link to another post - big deal. You cross posted on another forum too, get over it.

For your business to succeed you'll need to be able to take criticism and either shrug it off or learn from it. Sorry if that isn't what you want to hear.

emsywoo123

paulwf wrote: »

I've just re-read this thread and you got opinions, I can't see anyone taking the p*** out of you. Some opinions may not be what you want to hear but isn't that better if they are genuine than all having a big group hug whilst your business gets destroyed and HMRC take action against you?

Someone posted a link to another post - big deal. You cross posted on another forum too, get over it.

For your business to succeed you'll need to be able to take criticism and either shrug it off or learn from it. Sorry if that isn't what you want to hear.

It is not on this thread that the mick was taken, hence why you perhaps didn't see it.
I did not need to be criticised though did I? If I had said "I have done this, but this has happened......"than fair play, have some words.
I asked for advice.

BoxCleva

I'm in total agreement with the OP. I've spent many years in sales and really can't see any validity in the majority of the negative comments made here.

There are hundreds SE telemarketers out there working from a home office working for numerous different companies at the same time. I've been one and have employed the services of several in the past to free up my time. Most of them will work on commision only and work damned hard to earn themselves (and you) some business.

I do see a couple of issues however and they are control related.

Telling the TM to charge whatever he can get away with will do nothing for your credibility. Starting negotiations at £100 for a HB pencil, then eventually settling on 50p will just make you look unprofessional or a crook I think you would be better off setting a maximum mark up agreement, i.e trade + 15% for example. Or get the TM's to concentrate on what value you can add, i.e. repeat order discount /loyalty schemes / same day delivery etc etc.

Most TM's I have worked with will agree with you a bare bones script or list of bullet points that you want to convey to the potential client. I used to mystery shop my own TM's now and again just to make sure they were staying on message.

Databases. What will your TM's use for data ? Good, targeted and more importantly up to date DB's are not particularly cheap. You do then run the risk of the TM adding your DB to his to sell other products from other clients.


Personally I think self employed TM's are the way to go with some ground rules set in place and a clear understanding of what standards you expect them to maintain. After all they are representing your business.


Good luck

emsywoo123

BoxCleva wrote: »

I'm in total agreement with the OP. I've spent many years in sales and really can't see any validity in the majority of the negative comments made here.

There are hundreds SE telemarketers out there working from a home office working for numerous different companies at the same time. I've been one and have employed the services of several in the past to free up my time. Most of them will work on commision only and work damned hard to earn themselves (and you) some business.

I do see a couple of issues however and they are control related.

Telling the TM to charge whatever he can get away with will do nothing for your credibility. Starting negotiations at £100 for a HB pencil, then eventually settling on 50p will just make you look unprofessional or a crook I think you would be better off setting a maximum mark up agreement, i.e trade + 15% for example. Or get the TM's to concentrate on what value you can add, i.e. repeat order discount /loyalty schemes / same day delivery etc etc.

Most TM's I have worked with will agree with you a bare bones script or list of bullet points that you want to convey to the potential client. I used to mystery shop my own TM's now and again just to make sure they were staying on message.

Databases. What will your TM's use for data ? Good, targeted and more importantly up to date DB's are not particularly cheap. You do then run the risk of the TM adding your DB to his to sell other products from other clients.


Personally I think self employed TM's are the way to go with some ground rules set in place and a clear understanding of what standards you expect them to maintain. After all they are representing your business.


Good luck

Thank you for this other perspective!
May I ask a few questions?

• Where di you find your TMs from?
• Did you pay a wage+commission? Or commission only?
• Were they SE or did you employ?

Thanks

BoxCleva

1./ The TM's I used were TM's I had previously worked with or associates/friends of people I had worked with.

2+3/ They were SE , so obviously no wage was paid , just commission.

I must reiterate my previous point re databases. I wouldn't insult a professional TM by throwing a Yellow Pages at them and telling them to get on with it. Good data is paramount.


:EDIT: Other than the obvious Google, you might try sites such as linkedin to find yourself a TM

emsywoo123

BoxCleva wrote: »

1./ The TM's I used were TM's I had previously worked with or associates/friends of people I had worked with.

Mmm...which means I am going to have to google it.......bums, hoping for a personal recc!

2+3/ They were SE , so obviously no wage was paid , just commission.

I assume comm on profit? I was thinking 20%-30%, does that sound about right?

I must reiterate my previous point re databases. I wouldn't insult a professional TM by throwing a Yellow Pages at them and telling them to get on with it. Good data is paramount.


:EDIT: Other than the obvious Google, you might try sites such as linkedin to find yourself a TM

Yes, I know I need a good database........again, something I need to look into, any reccs appreciated.

BoxCleva

I assume comm on profit? I was thinking 20%-30%, does that sound about right?

The comm can be on anything you want it to be on. Number of new clients, turnover, gross or net profit. It's up to you. The percentages only you can answer. You know what profit you have in each line and this will dictate what you offer the TM. Whatever you decide try and keep it a simple formula if you can.

Mmm...which means I am going to have to google it.......bums, hoping for a personal recc

I'm still only in touch with one of them and he certainly isn't in a position to take on more clients at the moment. (Something you may wish to ask a potential TM. How many clients is he/she currently servicing?)

There are hundreds of database resellers out there, I have used Thomson before and found them to be very good.


http://directmarketing.thomsonlocal.com/Find/Business-Database-Licensing/Company-Database-Thomson/

paulwf

How's the business going OP? Did you get anyone to work for you on a self employed basis?