T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
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2763.1 | Draw Extended 1 Month | ODIXIE::RYANKE | Kevin Ryan @MTO DTN 360-5115 | Thu Nov 04 1993 09:54 | 18 |
| <<< ILBBAK::SYSB$:[NOTES$LIBRARY]US_SALES_SERVICE.NOTE;1 >>>
-< US_SALES_SERVICE >-
================================================================================
Note 191.11 New $$$ Plan ??? 11 of 11
ODIXIE::RYANKE "Kevin Ryan @MTO DTN 360-5115" 11 lines 4-NOV-1993 09:51
-< Russ G. extends draw 1 month >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russ said in his DVN yesterday that the draw would be extended one
month. The reason for the extension is accuracy of the reports. He
was very high on the systems folks making their deadlines, but the data
was only 90% accurate so far.
He said that today-
35% of the sales force would make more money.
25% are even or 10% below
40% would receive 10-20% less
He encouraged everyone to work hard to achieve the making money level.
|
2763.2 | Other obsrevations | GRANPA::DMITCHELL | | Thu Nov 04 1993 10:57 | 22 |
| I missed the REHEARSED ANSWERS to the "Top Ten Questions". From
what I heard IT went well. However, the room in which the DVN
was broadcast emptied after the answer to the sales compensation
question. The REALLY interesting segment of the DVN occurred
AFTER the the Top Ten. Russ G. began taking questions
called in from around the country. I won't even try to describe
how angry and frustrated Russ appeared to be by the end of the call-in
portion of the DVN. When (IF?) this DVN is put on tape it is a must
see. I felt bad for Russ. Tactically, it was risky planning to have
him exposed to unscreened questions. He could not possibly answer
some of the questions or issues raised. At one point he was asked
a question to which he replied; "AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!". Even
the panel assembled to help with answers seemed overmatched by some
of the questions.
Prediction: Look for a new format if they try this type of DVN again.
I know there have been other Q&A DVN's. This one was very different
in that people asked the questions that THEY REALLY HAD and not the
fluff questions that are asked so often.
|
2763.3 | Big Ten? | LOCH::SOJDA | | Thu Nov 04 1993 11:39 | 5 |
| Were there actually 10 prepared questions that he answered? If so,
what were they (I missed the DVN)?
Larry
|
2763.4 | | GLDOA::ESLINGER | Never Say Never | Thu Nov 04 1993 11:53 | 5 |
| I enjoyed what seemed to be a frankness about some difficult subjects. For
example layoffs were referred to as layoffs, where in the past they have
been called "transitions" or "impacted employees". However, I was somewhat
turned off by the several references to how great morale seemed at COE!
What a surprise!!!
|
2763.5 | Russ does notesfiles | TEXAS1::SOBECKY | John Sobecky dtn 223-5557 | Thu Nov 04 1993 12:11 | 9 |
|
Russ talked about the feeling among employees that management was
not being impacted as much as the worker bees; he offered numbers
to show that this was not so. But one interesting thing he did say
was "Yes, we do read the notesfiles."
FWIW
John
|
2763.6 | The 10 Tough Questions | CSOA1::BROWNE | | Thu Nov 04 1993 18:44 | 74 |
|
Here are the ten questions as recorded in my rough notes from the
meeting. Following are "very brief" answers from my notes. Remember
that the answers are from my notes, abbreviated, and are NOT quotes.
The 10 Tough Questions
1. Wiil there be more layoffs?
Answered by Russ G.- { Yes, but not in sales, and not in numbers
like last year.}
2. Who is Scot Roeth?
Scot was present and gave a short personal background and
introduction.
3. What changes in the management ranks have been made?
Russ G. - { The numbers of the management ranks within Digital have been
thinned, layers of mgmt. have been removed ( maximum of 5 now), and
number of direct reports per manager has increased. The number of VP's
has been increased from 26 in 1992 to 33 in 1933 because our customers
want to work with high level management.}
4. What are the roles of the sales specialists?
Harry Finer, a branch manager, spoke about a successful business
opportunity.
5. What is the role of the RMC ( Regional Market Center)?
Russ G. - { The CBU approach could not be efficiently implemented
in all sizes of accounts. For reasons around cost of doing business,
the RMC's provide resources on a geographic basis. With time there may
be more resources deployed within the RMC's.}
6. How does marketing work?
Answered by Bob Schmidt , VP of Marketing { How does marketing
work? "Slowly"... He then laid
out marketings role and functions, and closed saying the next time this
question is asked, he hopes the answer will be "GREAT!" }
7. Why is sales support part of the Digital consulting organization?
A very brief presentation by Bill Horzempa, new US Sales Support
Manager.
8. How should we use channels?
Answered by Tom Colatosti, US VP of DMD and Ed Kamins, VP of
Channels
9. What's the status of the sales compensation plan?
Russ G. {The necessary admin. reports are coming on schedule but are
not accurate as of now, so we will extend the draw for one month.
Account mapping has slowed us down, it was much worse than expected.}
10. How can we improve collaboration in the office and the handling of
office issues?
Russ G. { To some extent we have fragmented operations at local
offices, so we have named 140 location
managers to improve this. These duties will be incremental to the
managers current assignments but are very important.}
|
2763.7 | | CSOA1::BROWNE | | Thu Nov 04 1993 19:03 | 9 |
| IMHO, the 10 Tough Questions were well chosen and candidly
answered. In addition, the "phone-in" questions that followed were
frank and to the point. If you can get a copy of the tape, it is
well worth watching.
Russ repeatedly asked for comments, and at one point mentioned that
he reads the notesfiles. That he sees the value in open communications
is not hard to see.
|
2763.8 | | POCUS::OHARA | Corporate dictum.....Yeah, they did | Fri Nov 05 1993 08:04 | 23 |
| >> AFTER the the Top Ten. Russ G. began taking questions
>> called in from around the country. I won't even try to describe
>> how angry and frustrated Russ appeared to be by the end of the call-in
>> portion of the DVN. When (IF?) this DVN is put on tape it is a must
>> see. I felt bad for Russ. Tactically, it was risky planning to have
>> him exposed to unscreened questions. He could not possibly answer
>> some of the questions or issues raised. At one point he was asked
>> a question to which he replied; "AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!". Even
>> the panel assembled to help with answers seemed overmatched by some
>> of the questions.
Russ runs the U.S for Digital, for crying out loud. If he CAN't answer these
questions, or at least handle them without being frustrated, he doesn't belong
in the job.
What frustrated Russ was not the question (Industry and Regional PSC's
fighting over revenue credit) but the fact that there still is this assinine
infighting that adds no value to our customer service. What bothers me here
is that Digital management established metrics for the different organizations
and apparantly have no clue how these organizations are behaving in response
to the new metrics.
|
2763.9 | well, heck, why not make us all VPs then? :-) | MR4DEC::SCHNEIDER | Perception is deception | Fri Nov 05 1993 08:20 | 9 |
| Um - are not some of Russ G.'s figures about the thinning of management
obviously false? Like, the number of VPs seems a little off, by a half
order of magnitude or so. At least he offered a not-easily-dismissable
reason for the swelling of the VP ranks.
I'd be flat astonished if the max layers of management was really 5,
too, though I'm not sure what the ISO standard for counting layers is.
Chuck
|
2763.10 | No morale problem in Hawaii! | TEXAS1::SOBECKY | John Sobecky dtn 223-5557 | Fri Nov 05 1993 11:33 | 28 |
|
Russ mentioned that from where he stands, there is no morale
problem. He went on to say that there was no morale problem
amount the people in Maui, Hawaii, where he recently attended
COE (groans from the audience at this point). Then he added
words about keeping COE to keep top performers happy, etc.
Now, I am not discounting the importance of the sales force. I
will say, however, that they are NOT more important than the rest
of us employees. They just happen to be in sales. I bring in money
to the corporation also; indeed, our particular org did very well
last quarter. But we have no recognition or awards programs. Why
then, is it considered important to keep the sales force happy but
too bad if the consultants and instructors leave in droves? It is
my opinion that many of the instructors and consultants that I know
would be able to sell as well as, if not better than, existing
sales people, especially given their technical and people skills
that they need to deliver technical courses successfully.
I don't mean to go down the well travelled COE rathole, but every
time I hear things like 'Hey, no problem-o here in Maui!', it makes
me wonder how much the front-line troops are being listened to, or
if anyone up there even cares.
John
|
2763.11 | Not just Sales | CSOA1::PROIE | | Fri Nov 05 1993 11:52 | 17 |
| re .10
The COE in Maui was not just for Sales - it was for Sales, Digital
Consulting, and (?) whatever what I call field service is now called
(sorry, I forget). Although I admit that the vast majority appeared to
be sales. I'm in Digital Consulting.
Interestingly, I recently received a memo stating that Digital
Consulting is opting out of the COE program next year and will do
something different.
Now, I was under the impression that most of the company was eligible
for COE, with the notable exception of the majority of administrative
personnel. What group are you in that is ineligible?
Wayne
|
2763.12 | Is this a fairer way to look at this? | NEMAIL::HANRON | | Fri Nov 05 1993 12:28 | 32 |
| re .10
The question of whether there is a "morale problem" in this company is
moot, whether you look for it in Maui or Maynard. We are all
presumably concerned about the welfare of the company and all of its
employees, whether we were in Maui or not. And for those of us in
Maui, we were hardly ignorant of the problems and struggles we are
attempting to address every day. But, realistically, do you think that
if you accept a trip like that with your spouse or friend you will
spend your time whining about Digital? Especially to a Vice President
in the company. Instead, you might have time to make a brief
constructive comment to such a person.
COE never has consistently rewarded the "best" salespeople or whatever.
We all have up years and down years in sales, regardless of how good we
are (unless you're lucky enough to be "set up" every year, and there
aren't TOO many of those people). But the opportunity to visit a
beautiful vacation spot in a beautiful resort is a welcome one.
There's no point in being jealous of those people who one thinks
shouldn't be there, or in being resentful of not being invited (or
rewarded). Life is inherently unfair, so is COE.
As far as sales people not being "different"... Well, I don't see who
anyone can deny that the person that the customer consistently sees as
representing "Digital" is indeed in a unique (and risky) position.
But non-salespeople have their own unique abilities and
responsibilities as well, without a 20% pay cut up front! I hope that
the best of these people are consistently rewarded with the best pay
raises and promotions!
|
2763.13 | Ineligible | DRUMS::FEHSKENS | len, Engineering Technical Office | Fri Nov 05 1993 12:38 | 3 |
|
re .11 - Can you say Engineering? And Manufacturing?
|
2763.14 | 5 Management levels? | CARROL::SCHMIDT | Music's written by living composers | Fri Nov 05 1993 12:53 | 17 |
|
On the levels of management: maybe that's 5 levels in his
organization, but it certainly isn't in the one I'm in.
A quick count says that it's 8 levels in the food chain from
head honcho (BP) to the trenches. Presumably that's 7 levels
of management, unless there are some functional definitions
of management that change the count.
On morale: Yup, definitely depends where you stand - wouldn't
expect any problem at the SLT level; but how many of us are
there? :-)
Peter
|
2763.15 | Load of BS | EMESOH::SCHULTZ | Displaced British Royalty !! | Fri Nov 05 1993 18:19 | 31 |
|
RE .12
Sounds a little one sided.
Yes, sales has a tough job getting the hardware and software in the
door in the first place. Services is the one who has to maintain and
answer all the lifetime questions for the customer. It is also the
performance of the services organization that makes or breaks the
ability of sales to come back in when more equipment is needed. We all
contribute on a equal basis, so don't start this "Sales is better than
the rest". I've heard this junk for 15 years and its NOT TRUE. You are
NOT better than me or more important...BZZZZZZZ.....Wrong Answer.....
The vast majority of computer sales in the industry has been on a
commission basis for years now. If you are in sales, you should have
seen the handwriting on the wall.
Average Field Service salary is probably somewhere around $43,000 a
year. I imagine that software services is equal or above this. From
what I know, average sales people make a significant amount more than
this 43,000 a year, so stop your griping please. Sales has made big
bucks for a lot of years, so we are not buying your sob story. Most
Customer Services awards have been stopped over the last few years. The
only awards type functions to exist seem to be in Sales only.
Nobody in this corporation is more important than anyone else. Someone
has to design, manufacture, sell, ship, install, and service the
product. Without one, the rest cannot survive.
MTS
|
2763.16 | | HAAG::HAAG | Rode hard. Put up wet. | Fri Nov 05 1993 19:37 | 7 |
| re -1
amen. while i don't much care about awards and the like, i am big on
fairness. the current awards and metric systems screw everyone. many a
sales person works hard to earn the money and awards. unfortunately,
many more simply slop into it. and i'm not just bitchin' or chain
jerking. i've got LOTS AND LOTS of first hand experience. painful
experience.
|
2763.17 | COE is also for Services, not just Sales | ZPOVC::HWCHOY | Simply Irresistible! | Sat Nov 06 1993 08:08 | 0 |
2763.18 | Gift credits? | TIMMY::FORSON | | Mon Nov 08 1993 12:24 | 42 |
|
re. .17
Burrrrrrr... try again. Customer services at the field
level, first line management, and regional support have been expressly
excluded for two years now. 2nd level management and up can still go. I
base this knowledge on the simple fact that I won, and then the
invitation was canceled. "Sorry, but Customer service at your level..."
I still believe that sales support, and some software groups can go. If
you consider them part of "Services", then you could be correct.
I tend to agree with the last couple of notes regarding equality. I
don't think any Sales team would benifit if the services and contracts
people made our customers unhappy enough to switch venders. I also
think the 43K estimate is a little high.
I have read several notes regarding "how rosy it is at other
companies". I have a simple question for some of the Sales folks that
look at these smaller budgets. I already know the part of the answer
becouse I still remain friends with several people the sell for some
other companys.
How much of your budget do you make becouse of Shadow-credits, or
whatever they're called now? The sales folks I refered to say that was
a purely Digital invention. The sales folks I spoke of earlyer say
there new budget is smaller, for sure. But there is no shadow-certs,
cross-certs, back-certs or what ever. They are expected to sell, real
honest to god product and bring in real, honest to god money. No
excuses.
I can still give examples of whole groups making budget from the
fruits of someone else's labor.
One person's opinion.
jim
|
2763.19 | | ZPOVC::HWCHOY | Simply Irresistible! | Mon Nov 08 1993 12:30 | 6 |
| re .18
Customer Services (they're called Multi-vendor Customer Services, this
week) here in Singapore are eligible. That is, real tool-carrying
engineers. However, none of them were awarded this year apparently. But
I knew two first-line managers went.
|
2763.20 | COE can be earned | OTOOA::EASTMAN | | Mon Nov 08 1993 21:46 | 17 |
| I have followed this line of: who qualifies for COE?
what are the metrics that got them there?
how much did they contribute to Digital's bottom line/
and can identify with most the arguments put forth.
However in my office two individuals attended COE in Hawaii this year,
and that's the entire sales force in our office..
It just happened to be the 5th year of 100% of budget, for both so they
qualified. They deserved it!
Maybe, everyone in our office deserved it, but that wasn't something we
were all striving for. Sales, particularly, is motivated, reviewed, and
paid on immediate results,... It may not be perfect but it has gotten
results for this company.
jim
|
2763.21 | No title | GLDOA::DBOSAK | The Street Peddler | Tue Nov 09 1993 11:17 | 62 |
|
Hmmmm -- Wasn't gonna say anything -- Then I thought - Awww -- What the
heck!
COE: In almost any company with a sales organization, in any industry,
a perk of the organization is recognition prizes which can include a
trip to some exotic la-la land.
It's the nature of the beast and it is a reward to the sales person
for the grief he/she has put up with in the process of
achieving/overachieving their assigned budget for a fiscal year.
Sales is treated differently because sales is different and we have
seen in this note string and others the base issue involved -- It's
called Job Security. Within the context of the compensation plan
discussions, you can net everything out to Job Security.
If you make your numbers in Sales, you have Job Security -- If U
don't, U don't have it! Sooo that means for a sales person to have
security, they have to make it themselves -- It isn't a right of the
Job Code.
I say this even with the cloud of TFSO -- IN normal times, non-bag
carriers in most companies have more job security than bag-carriers.
That means that for that lack of security that other members of the
corporation have with their position, sales is treated differently.
Prizes and compensation are a form of that difference. And again,
that's cross-industry.
If you have a hard time with that, come into Sales -- If U think it's
so easy -- C'mon over -- I B waitin' I keep sayin' that nothin'
happens until somebody sells something.
As a sales person, I believe prizes of any sort are appropriate to
incent and direct a sales organization to achieve corporate objectives.
Now, before U all drop your lunch on this note, I also have to say,
that COE's are unlike any other La-La Land trips I've won with other
companies -- I'm struck with all of the non-bag-carriers in attendance.
I don't want to get into that one -- I figure that if that's the way
Digtial wants to run COEs, then that's their business -- If I don't
like it, I can always work somewhere else.
Finally -- I agree with getting rid of all of that shadow booking bull
-- It used to gall me when a person would call me to ask what I sold in
my account so that they could claim credit --- And they didn't have a
clue as to what sales activity was there. Then again, they would also
ask for my account plan because their manager wanted them to do an
account plan and they either didn't have a clue about the company, or
they didn't have a clue about how to do an account plan -- So to me,
this is goodness -- If you don't work with the Rep on the deal, U
shouldn't try to claim credit.
My .02
Regards,
|
2763.22 | | GLDOA::ROGERS | I'm the NRA | Tue Nov 09 1993 18:01 | 10 |
| One other point in why sales is different. In what other role in life
do you hve another individual working very hard to make you fail? That
budget does not just get done because you worked hard. You had to take
it out of someone elses paycheck and they are fighting that very hard.
In most every other job you create something of value. In sales you
MUST destroy or curtail the value of the competitors product relative to
yours. Fun?........right.
|
2763.23 | Russ on metrics | SMAUG::GARROD | From VMS -> NT, Unix a future page from history | Sat Nov 13 1993 14:40 | 85 |
| I just watched the two hour videotape of Russ Gullotti's 10 TOUGH
QUESTIONS DVN. I found it very enlightening . He struck me as a man of
integrity who speaks straight and is willing to listen. But throughout
the DVN he seemed INCREDIBLY frustrated. He was trying to push the
message that people needed to focus outwards and not inwards. It
sounded like he feels he is personally doing all he can to improve
morale. He actually addressed this point, quite correctly saying that
morale can;t be addressed directly, it is all the things around it that
once addressed would fix morale.
After the top 10 questions had been answered (well and honestly in my
opinion) there were phone in questions. Here is where it was forced
home to Russ that there were still major problems to be worked. The
good thing is that he seemed REALLY motivated to work the issues.
I transcribed from the tape one of the questions's an Russ's answer.
THese are the exact words. I won't be able to express the style of
his answer but his facial expressions and tone conveyed GREAT
frustration. Not with the caller but with the fact this crap was still
going on. Here it is:
Questioner from Piscataway New Jersey:
Good afternoon. My question revolves around Territory PSCs and how they
interface with Intrustry PSCs. I am an individual contributor in a
territory PSC working on selling and delivering projects. That portion
that can be claimed by other industry PSCs or vertical solution teams.
Every time we interface with these organizations the first question my
management asks is "Will you be getting revenue or will you be getting
expense relief?" I really don't care. I want the revenue to go to
Digital. But I think we are spebding far too much time playing these
games internally and I'd like to understand what the metrics of a
territory PSC are. Are we to be a body shop or not?
Russ Gullotti's answer:
AARRGGG
I don't know the answer to that. I'll find out the answer to it. I
can't stand it. We'll get clarity for you. You need to send me your
name, you need to send me who you are. I'll promise you I'll get a
clear answer. But huhh... When there is an opportunity to sell
something to one of our customers and they want to buy, when the first
question out of management is "Who is going to get the credit?". Let me
just be real clear. I told you we were going to remove incompetence
from this company. That is exactly what we will do. The person on the
other end of the question should be saying, "Great, how do we deliver
it?". If the measurement systems are wrong the management should turn
back in, after we win that piece of business and say. "We've got a
measurement problem here that we've got to fix."
I'm at my wits end on this. I have ZERO patience for management who
says "Who is going to get the credit?". While we are having that debate
our competition is in there sucking that business away from us. And I
am NOT going to put up with it anymore. You STOP IT. Those of you who
are managers who ask that question. You STOP IT. In the meantime ma'am
you send me your question, your name, your specifics and I'll get you
an answer.
Questioner: Thank you.
I'd be really curious to know what came of this. Guess I wouldn't
relish being the manager that asked that metrics question. I wonder if
he/she is still employed by Digital. Russ sounded like he meant
business. It was certainly nice to hear some direct straight talk.
By the way the absolute WORST answer was the answer given to the
question on tuition remimbursement. Very sensibly Russ deferred to the
question to a woman from personnel who gave a really mealy mouthed
answer. The questioner asked for the reasonings behind stopping tuition
remimbursement given the focus on training. Russ then followed this up
by making the strong implication that he didn't agree with the policy.
As we all know the ill thought out policy was withdrawn a few days
later. It kind of shows how ill thought out it was when if it had been
well thought out Russ would have felt HAPPY to support the policy
change.
All in all I think the broadcast was positive. It showed to me that
Russ and his staff understand real peoples issues and they gave the
impression that had and were doing something about them. There was even
concrete data given out on how management levels had been cut. Numbers
of managers who had left Digital from the US Area etc. The only thing I
fault is that this information should have been published MONTHS ago.
Dave
|
2763.24 | | ZPOVC::HWCHOY | Simply Irresistible! | Sun Nov 14 1993 03:21 | 6 |
| re .23
Russ wants the questioner's name and organization? I'd personally like
to know what he will do to ensure that the questioner does not end up
being victimized. My admirations and respect for the questioner,
whoever she may be. Thanx for asking.
|
2763.25 | | METSYS::THOMPSON | | Sun Nov 14 1993 09:17 | 9 |
|
re: .23
The situation as described is a direct response to the way metrics are set
these days. As the old adage goes ... if you hold up hoops, don't be surprised
if people jump thru them ...
A more interesting question would be: who set the metrics this way?
|
2763.26 | No fix yet | POCUS::OHARA | Reverend Middleware | Sun Nov 14 1993 17:04 | 17 |
| <<< Note 2763.23 by SMAUG::GARROD "From VMS -> NT, Unix a future page from history" >>>
-< Russ on metrics >-
>> I'd be really curious to know what came of this. Guess I wouldn't
>> relish being the manager that asked that metrics question. I wonder if
>> he/she is still employed by Digital. Russ sounded like he meant
>> business. It was certainly nice to hear some direct straight talk.
Well, NOTHING has come of this (yet). The competition between the territorial
and industry PSC's for revenue is still at a fever pitch, and possible getting
worse. What gets me is that this situation is WELL KNOWN in the field, yet
Russ appeared suprised. As a member of the SLT, he must know how the field is
organized and measured. Yet senior Digital management seem isolated from the
realities of the organization they hath wrought.
Bob
|
2763.27 | the long and winding road... | CSC32::D_RODRIGUEZ | Midnight Falcon ... | Sun Nov 14 1993 23:32 | 29 |
| re: .23
Unfortunately for me, Russ' response to that question was the only item of his
presentation that disturbed me. How many instructors have told their students
"don't be afraid to ask any questions" or "there is no such thing as a dumb
question"? One flair-up and you begin to shutdown the channels of communication
your DVN's are trying to build. A previous reply wondered if the caller would
be 'victimized' for asking the question. What does this kind of response tell
you?
I think *ALL* Digital employees know we have to sell-sell-sell. Show me someone
who doesn't think this. I think anyone in Sales would make *any* sale their
number one priority, especially since their paychecks are riding on it.
The caller had a concern and made Russ aware of it. If you can get an answer
from a VP who is broadcasting to potentially 90,000 employees and the response
affects many others (i.e. tuition reimbursement), it's worth the 1-800 call.
I think a different perspective is needed. It's like setting up your sales
force at the starting line barefoot and having the road ahead full of broken
glass. They'll run through it for you, but take a broom and sweep some of the
glass away and they'll run faster.
> If the measurement systems are wrong the management should turn
> back in, after we win that piece of business and say. "We've got a
> measurement problem here that we've got to fix."
What about being proactive? It seems like we are always playing catch-up. This
is what separates the 'good' from the 'very good'.
|
2763.28 | | CSOA1::BROWNE | | Mon Nov 15 1993 00:14 | 13 |
| re: .25
Exactly!! The question of who gets credit for a sale is only a
sympton of the more serious problem, that being our metrics and
organization structures.
Having been in sales within the field for several years, I can tell
you that there are valid reasons for asking the "Who gets credit?"
question. This is not to say that we can be successful where this issue
persists for more that a minute or two, but the actions that Russ will
need to take are mighty undertakings and go way beyond the scope of the
particular case and the individuals referred to by the caller.
|
2763.29 | Follow up to revenue question | NYOS02::DILLARD | Happiness is a 1300 with one end to go. | Mon Nov 15 1993 14:48 | 6 |
| re .26
I believe there has been some action as a follow up to the comments from
NJ. There is not a solution yet howver.
Peter Dillard
|
2763.30 | | HAAG::HAAG | Rode hard. Put up wet. | Wed Nov 17 1993 16:16 | 58 |
| Note 2763.28 by CSOA1::BROWNE
> Having been in sales within the field for several years, I can tell
>you that there are valid reasons for asking the "Who gets credit?"
>question. This is not to say that we can be successful where this issue
>persists for more that a minute or two, but the actions that Russ will
>need to take are mighty undertakings and go way beyond the scope of the
>particular case and the individuals referred to by the caller.
having been in the field here in minneapolis (in sales and digital
consulting) for about 8 years, i'd say this problem is worse than ever.
by far. i've seen wholesale infighting and cheating over "who gets credit"
for what. consider:
1. i've seen us lose business to competitors while in the process of
backstabbing and working the system.
2. i've seen individuals alter numbers that make them look like
superstars to the company when in fact they accomplished very little.
(e.g. taking credit for a $200K order when in fact their portion of the
sale was <$20K).
3. i've seen (and continue to see) people who contribute NOTHING to
DEC's bottom line and spend their entire time "generating good
numbers".
4. i see us continually PENALIZE people for doing what's best for DEC.
i'm a network consultant and get virtually NO credit for selling the
VAST majority of DEC's networking products. it's a long story. trust me.
but it's more ridiculous now than ever.
5. i see, and am forced (under implied "OR ELSE" threats) to use, time
consuming abysmal accounting systems that are a joke and easily
manipulated to distort the reality of sales, certs, metrics, etc.
6. i see those that dare speak up about what's wrong being retaliated
against big time by many paranoid levels of management. i personally
was threatened with termination for the 1797.* string in this
conference. i only feel semi comfortable now because those that did the
threatening (Bob Hughes, Don Zereski.........down the chain to me) are
mostly gone now. look at 2782.* here! people are afraid to speak up.
they are afraid to associate their names with comments that could be
labeled as critical to management.
i was going to document the information i have that substaniates all
this and try to talk to Russ about it. but i'm just to tired. i can't
"fix" DEC. and those that can either don't know how or refuse to do so.
if Russ is listening i have just one message for him. the metrics are
killings us and are tearing this company apart.
and i don't think that statement is over blown.
gene haag, network consultant
mineapolis, minnesota
i don't mind signing my name anymore. i've nothing to lose.
|
2763.31 | re .30 | ZPOVC::HWCHOY | On a foul day, you can complain forever. | Thu Nov 18 1993 04:13 | 15 |
| �3. i've seen (and continue to see) people who contribute NOTHING to
�DEC's bottom line and spend their entire time "generating good
�numbers".
...and going to COEs... (as related to me by sales guys who just got
back from Maui).
�gene haag, network consultant
�mineapolis, minnesota
�
�i don't mind signing my name anymore. i've nothing to lose.
You HAD a CAREER (once)
You HAVE a JOB (now)
|
2763.32 | What happened? | SMAUG::GARROD | DCU Board of Director's Candidate | Sun Feb 13 1994 13:08 | 56 |
|
Does anybody know if Russ Gullotti ever resolved the PSC question from
his top 10 questions of last November? Specifically:
>Note 2763.23 DVN: Ten Tough Questions 23 of 31
>SMAUG::GARROD "From VMS -> NT, Unix a future page f" 85 lines 13-NOV-1993 14:40
> -< Russ on metrics >-
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...
> I transcribed from the tape one of the questions's an Russ's answer.
> THese are the exact words. I won't be able to express the style of
> his answer but his facial expressions and tone conveyed GREAT
> frustration. Not with the caller but with the fact this crap was still
> going on. Here it is:
>
> Questioner from Piscataway New Jersey:
>
> Good afternoon. My question revolves around Territory PSCs and how they
> interface with Intrustry PSCs. I am an individual contributor in a
> territory PSC working on selling and delivering projects. That portion
> that can be claimed by other industry PSCs or vertical solution teams.
> Every time we interface with these organizations the first question my
> management asks is "Will you be getting revenue or will you be getting
> expense relief?" I really don't care. I want the revenue to go to
> Digital. But I think we are spebding far too much time playing these
> games internally and I'd like to understand what the metrics of a
> territory PSC are. Are we to be a body shop or not?
>
> Russ Gullotti's answer:
>
> AARRGGG
>
> I don't know the answer to that. I'll find out the answer to it. I
> can't stand it. We'll get clarity for you. You need to send me your
> name, you need to send me who you are. I'll promise you I'll get a
> clear answer. But huhh... When there is an opportunity to sell
> something to one of our customers and they want to buy, when the first
> question out of management is "Who is going to get the credit?". Let me
> just be real clear. I told you we were going to remove incompetence
> from this company. That is exactly what we will do.
> [rest of answer deleted]
and:
>Note 2763.29 DVN: Ten Tough Questions 29 of 31
>NYOS02::DILLARD "Happiness is a 1300 with one end to" 6 lines 15-NOV-1993 14:48
> -< Follow up to revenue question >-
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> re .26
>
> I believe there has been some action as a follow up to the comments from
> NJ. There is not a solution yet howver.
>
> Peter Dillard
|