No, I don't think so at all. I would not be comfortable cold calling at all. Perhaps you should come up with a proposal asking someone to be hired for this purpose only, you have your plate full already and 40 calls a day is A LOT.
Post by sapphireblue on Dec 19, 2014 14:16:51 GMT -5
I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. Your job sounds like a lot already. 40-50 cold calls a day is ridiculous. Plus when would you get the rest of your job duties accomplished?
Post by beefcheeks on Dec 19, 2014 14:16:58 GMT -5
Hmmm I wouldn't be happy about what he is asking for, but you are in sales and if they want more business....
Sorry! I do agree that it sucks and I would hate it. If they need more customers, could you come up with an alternate plan, like something marketing related or maybe a referral incentive or something like that?
Post by pantsparty on Dec 19, 2014 14:17:15 GMT -5
It actually sounds like you are more of an account manager, even though you say you are a sales manager. Are you selling anything to your accounts?
In any case, it certainly sounds like the scope of your responsibilities would be changing, and I would definitely take issue with that, especially since it could impede upon servicing existing accounts.
Hmmm I wouldn't be happy about what he is asking for, but you are in sales and if they want more business....
Sorry! I do agree that it sucks and I would hate it. If they need more customers, could you come up with an alternate plan, like something marketing related or maybe a referral incentive or something like that?
Actually, for each new client that places an order, we get $10. So yeah, he's giving incentive. I just don't want to do this! At all. I hate making phone calls already and love communicating via email. That's what I do.
I meant more like current customers who refer new customers or something (take this with a grain of salt, I know very little about sales). I guess my point was just some other plan to drum up business besides making cold calls.
Based on what others in here are saying 40-50 calls is completely unreasonable so I think he has some messed up expectations.
I think it is insane. I hate cold-calling. It sucks that this is new and I absolutely think this is a legit reason to quit. The boss sounds like he is in for a world of hurt if he pursues this.
I would be really uncomfortable with that - that's something an intern or an outside company could be doing. There's no way to have a meaningful conversation with that many per day, plus the rest of your responsibilities.
Hopefully this is one of those ideas that never actually come to fruition.
I work at a health insurance company, been here since '08. Last February, my job duties were combined with another area of the department - Mail duty. I've been here over 6 years and they have me opening and sorting mail every fucking day. When mail is done, then I go back and work on my original duties. Top it all off, I was given a $.04 per hour raise....FOUR CENTS!!!!
Post by lobstertail on Dec 19, 2014 14:53:28 GMT -5
Not unreasonable at all for you to be mad. If he wants telemarketers, he should hire some.
Plus, does he think you and your CW have so much time on your hands that, on top of your current duties, you have time to make 200 calls? It’s like he doesn’t value the skill set that you use for your job as it is today. No ma’am!!
I’d be curious to know if he doubles down after you meet with him, or if he can see some reason.
Can you upsell current clients? That would probably make more sense in a lot of companies anyway.
I already do this and make commissions on those. That's part of managing these accounts and I don't mind doing it because I have great relationships with these clients. Cold calls to random businesses generated by lead finder software? No.
If you are already doing that, are there any extra things you can do? New products to be offered? Perhaps if you offer your boss an alternative way to increase sales, he would be more agreeable?
Making that many cold calls sounds like an enormous waste of time.
So he's expecting you each to make 200-250 cold calls per week, or 800-1000 cold calls per month, or 9,600-12,000 cold calls per year. Insanity. And extra insulting given his "downtime" comment. I'd be livid.