Mission 1 obviously started late last year. To those already deep in this new program we are in, what has it been like? Has it gotten easier? Is there talk about the next phase and if so what are you hearing? Down here, we are only 2 weeks in and it's really more than I think some bargained for. I just wonder that when, not really if but when.. this fails yet again, what will they do? Old style sales reps again? Or maybe just keep pushing forward and see what happens? I know all the standard answers, the company doesn't care about you, you're just a number, get out while you can, and so on . . But I'd like to hear from people that are not just upset and bitter. I'd like to hear from those out there that are trying to make it work, those trying to survive this. .
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Basically the FTOW are untrained and have to much merchandising to do to do all that is asked of them. Most care but are over worked. Reps here are now back to merchandising. No one is happy
As a retired employee via Mission l, I faired well only because had 3 1/2 decades w/Kraft/Nabisco- aka now “Mondelez.” However, what you all are experiencing is “capitalism” for the 1% & the lower 99% being normalized to accept being over worked for lower wages & long hours, or having to have multiple jobs to just pay “rent.”
Today’s FTOW: no 401k, no pensions, cr-ppy hourly pay, no car, minimum H.C. benefits, bonuses diminishing. When started, had to have a Bachelor's degree to be an .S.R. which insured, got folks who could sell, problem solve and manage a territory & SSR’s were held accountable, which allowed SR’s to establish good relations with store personnel. Now days, lucky if had time to use restroom. They don’t want to pay you for whatever they can legally get away with, yet, the workload is unrealistic & have poor SSR/FTOW support. Nobody needs anything more then. H.S. diploma, of that, now days to be hired. Just saying, don’t expect to keep “SR” job. And the obvious, this industry a dying one….
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Well said..
Ftow aren’t paid enough to care, they don’t get a company car either. The majority will never “get it” until the sales reps are gone and they own the territory themselves. So you shouldn’t spend hours writing notes that they won’t read and stop caring and let Mission 1 unravel itself.
MO, some order writers understand the “science” and are good at what they do, Read emails, call/ text if they are unsure, actually speak to store managers when they’re there, let things breathe, rotate, plan, and so on. I’ve always been a pretty laid back person and the people enjoyed working for me. I had a good team. Now, I’m being advised to send daily instructions laying everything that I need them to do. Even if it’s to tell them they need to write an order since they can’t understand the difference between an M,O and a D. The company was on us about Salesforce and now I’m having to spend 1-2 hours a night breaking ever little thing down for them on top of the 8hours I did in the field. I’m sorry but I’m not going to spoon feed some of these people just to keep the wheels turning. I don’t think it’s part of my job. They need to learn it the hard way. I had a couple days to learn how to run a territory when I became a rep. I keep telling myself it will get better and I think MY team will get there but not as fast I’d like. For me I focus on one things at a time until my team gets the rhythm and then I add more to their plate. I’m trying not to burn them out or overload them. Just small steps. It’s painful some days but for your health it’s just cookies and cr--kers. Do what you can
Just show up and collect a paycheck. Praying for a buyout next year
They sure know how to de-motivate a whole sales force! Nice job GS!
This company changed everyone's role and nobody is happy.
It’s horrible and not manageable for the most part ! I really don’t know what the next step is ! It should be to revert back to the old way but if they are gearing for no sales reps or ware house then it will be full steam ahead with this mission 1 that has not worked from day 1
Ftow is replacing the sales rep. Writing on the wall.