Frustrated

[zackarychapple]

I think everyone is missing the point. She did not say that the guy railed on her. He wanted to know what she did besides the sales. If he yelled at her and did not even mention the successes that is horrible and is not anywhere close to what I was trying to get across. Success is good but improvement is a whole lot better. Some times my mentor comes down on me pretty hard too, but do I get bitter? No! I realize that I have something that I have to work on. Maybe it is the fact that I don't have a victim mentality or a resentment for the man. I realize that he wants what is best for me and that is success. Does that mean that he is a total pain the whole time. He compliments me when I do something good but still wants to know if I could have done better. IE he asks how many dials I made, how many people I talked to, how many appointments I set. These stats are vital for agents if one of my agents can't handle being asked some simple questions about how they did on any given day besides their sales then we have a lot of mindset work to do.

 

[J.R.]

I think everyone is missing the point. She did not say that the guy railed on her. He wanted to know what she did besides the sales. If he yelled at her and did not even mention the successes that is horrible and is not anywhere close to what I was trying to get across. Success is good but improvement is a whole lot better. Some times my mentor comes down on me pretty hard too, but do I get bitter? No! I realize that I have something that I have to work on. Maybe it is the fact that I don't have a victim mentality or a resentment for the man. I realize that he wants what is best for me and that is success. Does that mean that he is a total pain the whole time. He compliments me when I do something good but still wants to know if I could have done better. IE he asks how many dials I made, how many people I talked to, how many appointments I set. These stats are vital for agents if one of my agents can't handle being asked some simple questions about how they did on any given day besides their sales then we have a lot of mindset work to do.

Well put, but there is a major difference in using one management style for everybody vs LEARNING and APPLYING various styles to match the specific individual.

Tell me that I'm a moron or a crappy salesmen because I didn't hit my numbers for 1 day and I will reply, "That is nice to know.......Your wife didn't think that was the case. In fact, she loved the fact that I am CREATIVE and can HIT what I shoot for. Are you done or would you like a microphone?" You have to put some people in the place.....

 

[happy]

I think everyone is missing the point. She did not say that the guy railed on her. He wanted to know what she did besides the sales. If he yelled at her and did not even mention the successes that is horrible and is not anywhere close to what I was trying to get across. Success is good but improvement is a whole lot better. Some times my mentor comes down on me pretty hard too, but do I get bitter? No! I realize that I have something that I have to work on. Maybe it is the fact that I don't have a victim mentality or a resentment for the man. I realize that he wants what is best for me and that is success. Does that mean that he is a total pain the whole time. He compliments me when I do something good but still wants to know if I could have done better. IE he asks how many dials I made, how many people I talked to, how many appointments I set. These stats are vital for agents if one of my agents can't handle being asked some simple questions about how they did on any given day besides their sales then we have a lot of mindset work to do.

Nobody wants to be treated like a kid. If she's producing $3,000 a week in commissions, she obviously knows how to sell and manage her leads. She's independent and she doesn't have to answer to her manager regarding her sales if she's doing a great job already.

 

[SME]

I give my managers a very detailed break down of my activities. How many leads I recieved, how many were DOA, how many other agents got to first, how many I have left messages for but have not heard back from, how many are uninsurable. With percentages down to how many I quoted, versus how many apps I sent out, and how many I got back, with an issue rate. The only thing not on my report was how many times I call someone. And no he did not compliment me on the $3,000 last week or the $1,500 I did yesterday. I can take constructive criticism, it's deconstructive criticism I don't like.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

I managed two sales teams before and never had the guts to do anything with my top producers except shower them with restaurant gift certificates. The top 20% of your sales force writes 80% of the business. Blow out that 20% and you're left holding s**t.

 

[Frank Stastny]

I give my managers a very detailed break down of my activities. How many leads I recieved, how many were DOA, how many other agents got to first, how many I have left messages for but have not heard back from, how many are uninsurable. With percentages down to how many I quoted, versus how many apps I sent out, and how many I got back, with an issue rate. The only thing not on my report was how many times I call someone. And no he did not compliment me on the $3,000 last week or the $1,500 I did yesterday. I can take constructive criticism, it's deconstructive criticism I don't like.

Zackary,

I do know what you are referring to, but that kind of behavior cannot be justified or excused under any circumstances.

She didn't have to say "railing" in her previous post. Anyone who has been in this business for several years know exactly what kind of person she was talking about. (At least in my experience.)

It is the rare exception to find someone like John said he was when he had agents working for him. I did much the same thing for my agents when I had several.

Happy said

"Nobody wants to be treated like a kid. If she's producing $3,000 a week in commissions, she obviously knows how to sell and manage her leads. She's independent and she doesn't have to answer to her manager regarding her sales if she's doing a great job already." You are so right!

I'm sure she is a "big girl" and doesn't need someone to hold her hand crossing the street, not when she is turning in numbers like those.

She should tell him to kiss her foot and three joints higher. What a sorry excuse for a person, let alone someone who is suppose to be a "manager".

Today I received a call from a member of the board who had a similar story to tell about a manager he just left, only worse.

 

[SME]

Zach,
I have to ask- How long have you been in the industry? Is this your first manager? I'm just wondering because I had a similar feeling when I started out. After a few years I came to the realization that I prefer to be left alone. I know what I need to do and how to get it done. I think that if my numbers are good and steady then leave me alone. It may not be the best approach but it works for me.
You stated that "he wanted to know what she did besides sales". What else is there? This is a sales industry, and results are all that matter.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

I think everyone is missing the point. She did not say that the guy railed on her. He wanted to know what she did besides the sales. If he yelled at her and did not even mention the successes that is horrible and is not anywhere close to what I was trying to get across. Success is good but improvement is a whole lot better. Some times my mentor comes down on me pretty hard too, but do I get bitter? No! I realize that I have something that I have to work on. Maybe it is the fact that I don't have a victim mentality or a resentment for the man. I realize that he wants what is best for me and that is success. Does that mean that he is a total pain the whole time. He compliments me when I do something good but still wants to know if I could have done better. IE he asks how many dials I made, how many people I talked to, how many appointments I set. These stats are vital for agents if one of my agents can't handle being asked some simple questions about how they did on any given day besides their sales then we have a lot of mindset work to do.

What you're going to find is you can't micro-manage successful producers. If you tried to pick apart my day and leads after I did 3K in commission I'd tell you to kiss my ass. And what would your reply be when I'd probably make up 90% of your overrides?

 

[zackarychapple]

Steph first to answer you question in the 3 different companies I have worked in regarding sales I have had 4 managers. From the ones who just gave me lit and said to work to those who really worked on me. Maybe it is just my personality that I respond well to the mixture of positive and negative feedback.

 

[Frank Stastny]

Steph first to answer you question in the 3 different companies I have worked in regarding sales I have had 4 managers. From the ones who just gave me lit and said to work to those who really worked on me. Maybe it is just my personality that I respond well to the mixture of positive and negative feedback.

As John is unique among managers you may also be unique among agents. I don't know many strong, independent, self disciplined people (the kind it usually takes to be successful in this business) who respond well to negative feedback. Constructive criticism, yes, helping one improve their techniques, definitely, but not being railed on, especially when that person is kicking ass and taking names.

This guy is a low life scum bag and has no business being in charge of anything. If one stands up to somebody like that and puts him in his place he would probably stick his tail between his legs and whimper as he crawls to the nearest corner and curls up in a fetal position.

Steph seems like a very nice lady and doesn't need this additional stress. There are days when trying to make a sale can be stressful enough without having to deal with an a-hole like that.

She needs encouragement, not platitudes.