NEVER SAY GOODBYE
Ken,
Although I have tendered my resignation, I wanted to drop you a quick note and express some feelings about what's been going on lately since this "segmentation" experiment has taken place. I'm going to point out some good things, and also let you about the current gripes within your own division you may or may not be aware of.
It's obvious you are trying hard to do a good job and I see you working. I know Ann and Brad have been on all the managers about the lack of success across the board. I admire you sticking it out and continuing to try and work with the salespeople. Unfortunately, I feel the situation will not get better anytime soon, nor do I see a change in the management style that would allow me to continue working as an inside sales person. I feel this reflects more on the present upper management than it does you. They are in essence trying to create a telemarketing group, not a successful inside sales department.
On page 34 of your annual report it clearly states print sales are declining. Why would a sales organization actually INCREASE quotas when they know the future of their sales organization is in a different channel? As an organization, West has know this for some time. No sales retention policies, increased, unattainable quotas, micro-management, segmentation, etc, etc. All of this things are counter productive to retaining and keeping good salespeople.
WHEN DO YOU SAY ITS TIME TO MOVE ON?
This week was wonderful. My son visited for his spring break. Lots of good times, lots of laughs, good quality time you just can't enjoy enough. Today (Easter Sunday) was great. Catholic service at my old church in Minneapolis, then brunch at the Marriot. Then a quick trip home and then we bounced out to the airport where my son got on the plane and went back to Georgia. It's tough seeing him go. Everytime he comes up he asks why it can't be easier, why can't his mom live here. I think the same thing, and maybe someday it will change - for now, it is what it is and I deal with the ups of seeing him arrive, and the depression of seeing him go again.
My job as of late has been miserable, I have a lot going on. Interviewing for several positions within Thomson, not to mention tow other jobs with companies I cand efinitely see working for. One aBt is a wireless company that is doing what I lvoe, what I've put 10 years into - wireless. The other is an account management position with DC Group in Minneapolis. The next two weeks id going to be I N S A N E. A lot going on, a lot coming and going. I'll keep ya'll up to date as to where the dice fall and when everything sorts itself out. As a premptive strike, here's the letter I intend to send out to my managers and several others if and when I have to quit.
See following post. . .
