ROADSHOW REPORT

[dolly]

Morning all how is this for dedication writing this before 7.30AM didnt get in till this morning from Notts.
I will try to keep this as brief as possible. Firstly got to Hotel starving to be told hotel couldnt supply food till 9.30! So anyway Mr Risman starts meeting saying end of year figures was £81M (so much for 100M target) and next year they are aiming for 87M. He admitted we have been let down badly with the amount of DOR'S especially with woodens and that they are looking into improved commission and incentives for us.Money is being thrown into all areas with the service centre answering times down to less than a minute. Advertising through XMAS is going to be at a high with adverts starting on CHANNEL 4 AND 5 and on the satellite channels.
Mark Lucas(Product Manager) was there he showed us a video about the new Romans, Woodens, Rollers and Honeycomb.
The honeycomb is NOT for conservatorys its purpose is insulation and with the rising fuel prices to cut down on the heating costs. Its like a double pleated and early tests have shown that in one hour the testing area was 3 DEGREES warmer with Honeycomb than without. POWERGEN say if you reduced your thermostat by 1 DEGREE you would save 10% on your fuel bill.
It was interesting to point out that price was not mentioned. Read into that what you will, and yes as somebody as said the components for operation wont last, even the working demo samples went faulty!
We also noticed that as neat as the wood venetians are and the easier, with thinner cords, they operate, if you pulled them up slow, the slats when at the top weren't in a neat stack they had spread across each other. Pull up quick and they are OK. Could be just these samples.
XMAS was mentioned at the end and they want 30% more availability from us as they expect November to be busy with the extra adverts. So await the call from your FSM!
Finally i admit i had questions to ask and as it was in Notts there were lots of Hillarys folks about. But with food required, journey time home and the largest amount of fellow advisors i have ever seen packed into one room i didnt get around to asking them SORRY. Of course that could of been their plan all along. ;D
Not too in depth but i hope a bit of insight to what the rest of you will have coming yourselves. zzzzzzzzzz!!

[phugly]

Thanks for that report Dolly, I know what to expect tonight now

[dolly]

phugly said:

Thanks for that report Dolly, I know what to expect tonight now

My pleasure. Just take a pack up in case. ;D

[keenasmustard]

the main feeling I got from the meeting was inexperiance from everyone apart from mark lucas.
nobody it seemed had more than 12 months service in,they were all new boys and girls trying to impress the boss,and I think he loved it if the false smile was anything to go on.
we were being told how busy we are going to be at xmas by people who had never experianced a hillarys xmas.

yes the room was full but the actual content apart from the dvd's telling us about the new bits was certainly lacking in substance.
It was in my veiw a cost cutting exercise 1 big room full was cheaper than 20 small rooms and there was no bar afterwards.

at one point I thought mat williams was going to drown with the amount of water he drunk(i'm sure I heard him slosh about when he passed me) still he probbably got hollow legs to match the content.

the question and answer section at the end was none existant it may change as the meetings go on,this was the first.

if anyone is expecting anything more from these meeting than what we get from smaller meetings then they are going to be disapointed.

my better half picked up on one thing as regards the honeycomb blinds they say that they are energy efficiant and will be pushing this point at sale or I should say it will be us that do this.yet they are still testing how good this is.

didnt like the cords on the wood too thin,
buffet was mediocre
no pint was dis apointing

this is all i can recall at the moment
just another hillarys anti climatic meeting as usual.
very patronising.

[RED]

gilly said:

the main feeling I got from the meeting was inexperiance from everyone apart from mark lucas.
nobody it seemed had more than 12 months service in,they were all new boys and girls trying to impress the boss,and I think he loved it if the false smile was anything to go on.
we were being told how busy we are going to be at xmas by people who had never experianced a hillarys xmas.

yes the room was full but the actual content apart from the dvd's telling us about the new bits was certainly lacking in substance.
It was in my veiw a cost cutting exercise 1 big room full was cheaper than 20 small rooms and there was no bar afterwards.

at one point I thought mat williams was going to drown with the amount of water he drunk(i'm sure I heard him slosh about when he passed me) still he probbably got hollow legs to match the content.

the question and answer section at the end was none existant it may change as the meetings go on,this was the first.

if anyone is expecting anything more from these meeting than what we get from smaller meetings then they are going to be disapointed.

my better half picked up on one thing as regards the honeycomb blinds they say that they are energy efficiant and will be pushing this point at sale or I should say it will be us that do this.yet they are still testing how good this is.

didnt like the cords on the wood too thin,
buffet was mediocre
no pint was dis apointing

this is all i can recall at the moment
just another hillarys anti climatic meeting as usual.
very patronising.

In my10 years of selling blinds I have never been asked specifically about heat retention except on conservatory roofs. Seen as these HoneyIshrankthekids blinds dont go into the conservatory I see them as being a very slow to move item. They look and feel like j cloth any way.

Red

[JoY]

gilly said:

the main feeling I got from the meeting was inexperiance from everyone apart from mark lucas.
nobody it seemed had more than 12 months service in,they were all new boys and girls trying to impress the boss,and I think he loved it if the false smile was anything to go on.
we were being told how busy we are going to be at xmas by people who had never experianced a hillarys xmas.

yes the room was full but the actual content apart from the dvd's telling us about the new bits was certainly lacking in substance.
It was in my veiw a cost cutting exercise 1 big room full was cheaper than 20 small rooms and there was no bar afterwards.

at one point I thought mat williams was going to drown with the amount of water he drunk(i'm sure I heard him slosh about when he passed me) still he probbably got hollow legs to match the content.

the question and answer section at the end was none existant it may change as the meetings go on,this was the first.

if anyone is expecting anything more from these meeting than what we get from smaller meetings then they are going to be disapointed.

my better half picked up on one thing as regards the honeycomb blinds they say that they are energy efficiant and will be pushing this point at sale or I should say it will be us that do this.yet they are still testing how good this is.

didnt like the cords on the wood too thin,
buffet was mediocre
no pint was dis apointing

this is all i can recall at the moment
just another hillarys anti climatic meeting as usual.
very patronising.

I'm glad I won't be missing anything by not going this evening. The 3 hours in the car put me off before this report of the meeting. If anyone is going to Walsall - please send my apologies!! ;D

PS Please have my share of the buffet....shame you won't get my free drink!

[Bear]

gilly said:

the main feeling I got from the meeting was inexperiance from everyone apart from mark lucas.
nobody it seemed had more than 12 months service in,they were all new boys and girls trying to impress the boss,and I think he loved it if the false smile was anything to go on.
we were being told how busy we are going to be at xmas by people who had never experianced a hillarys xmas.

yes the room was full but the actual content apart from the dvd's telling us about the new bits was certainly lacking in substance.
It was in my veiw a cost cutting exercise 1 big room full was cheaper than 20 small rooms and there was no bar afterwards.

at one point I thought mat williams was going to drown with the amount of water he drunk(i'm sure I heard him slosh about when he passed me) still he probbably got hollow legs to match the content.

the question and answer section at the end was none existant it may change as the meetings go on,this was the first.

if anyone is expecting anything more from these meeting than what we get from smaller meetings then they are going to be disapointed.

my better half picked up on one thing as regards the honeycomb blinds they say that they are energy efficiant and will be pushing this point at sale or I should say it will be us that do this.yet they are still testing how good this is.

didnt like the cords on the wood too thin,
buffet was mediocre
no pint was dis apointing

this is all i can recall at the moment
just another hillarys anti climatic meeting as usual.
very patronising.

That Roadshow was a prime example of Donkeys trying to lead Lions!

What a patronising load of bull and spin , and where was my traditional pint, gone with last years non-existant Christmas Card I suppose.
Frankly I kept a very low profile, and could not be arsed as the Q&A session was stage managed and any dissent would have produced a load of talking heads shouting one down.

This firm is for losers I have finally decided--last nights effort was mega-disheartening, and I am shortly now going to work full time for a company for whom I have been doing part-time work for, for the past 9 months..

The only "real" sounds I heard last night were the banging of the nails going into the coffinlid of what was once a great firm started by a good and genuine gent, Tony Hillary.

Bear

[blindsfitter]

phugly said:

Thanks for that report Dolly, I know what to expect tonight now

I posted last evening stating that Ross Kenney had looked at this Forum on-line last Friday and posed the question as to what he does and why no one ever sees him.

I suggested in a light hearted way that he was looking to find out what he might expect at the Roadshows and joking suggested that he might well expect to get an accurately flung chicken leg??
Never forget this Invisible Man has been instrumental in pursuing the STOLEN COMMISSION question and threatening us agents with the sack if we even bring the matter up.

Now it appears we have anonymous moderators who sanction his policies and protect him from the merest questioning jibe??

Just who is who on this site?? and who is a a Head Office Nark

Blindsfitter

[Augustus]

blindsfitter said:

Now it appears we have anonymous moderators who sanction his policies and protect him from the merest questioning jibe??

Just who is who on this site?? and who is a a Head Office Nark

Blindsfitter

Although members from HQ do visit the site, none have any powers to change or sanction anything that goes on here.

Yes, we have moderators who make judgement calls, but when the chips are doing this site is owned by me.

Frustration is ok, victimisation is not.

The site is here for us to help eachother.

P.

[phugly]

blindsfitter said:

phugly said:

Thanks for that report Dolly, I know what to expect tonight now

I posted last evening stating that Ross Kenney had looked at this Forum on-line last Friday and posed the question as to what he does and why no one ever sees him.

I suggested in a light hearted way that he was looking to find out what he might expect at the Roadshows and joking suggested that he might well expect to get an accurately flung chicken leg??
Never forget this Invisible Man has been instrumental in pursuing the STOLEN COMMISSION question and threatening us agents with the sack if we even bring the matter up.

Now it appears we have anonymous moderators who sanction his policies and protect him from the merest questioning jibe??

Just who is who on this site?? and who is a a Head Office Nark

Blindsfitter

I read BF's posting and could see nothing in it that warranted deletion. He is entitled to his opinion

[thelloydgang]

Good Morning All

Was great to meet many of you last night.........I can now put a face to Phugly and Mendip Magpie!

I must admit we both came away from Bristol last night feeling positive and I can't wait to get my hands on the new roller and roman samples.....hopefully tomorrow on my delivery. Was interesting to note that all the men hated the crystal beads but I'm afraid I loved them! Obviously must be a woman thing!! Just think of the number of times you've measured windows only to hit a load of crystals hanging down from them.............these are the people who will buy the crystal beads!

I met and chatted with many of the management team who took on board my concerns, even gave out mobile phone numbers. I particulary tied down Joe from Despatch (boss of Andy) and told him of my delivery experiences. He's concerned that blinds are going in this "black hole" and has promised to investigate indepth on his return to head office. He's also promised delivery of my roller and roman books this Thursday too.

It was great talking to David Lewis, IT Manager. They're looking at introducing a smaller SAM unit in the future..........I'll finally be able to put in my handbag when I go clubbing!!! ;D David also told me that the IT dept currently services head office and 800 Sam Advisors. Kevin Beardsley will be heading up a seperate team who will be just looking after SAM.

This was really funny, Alan met John Risman before the meeting started and was introduced to him just as John. He chatted to him for ages and didn't realise he was John Risman until he got up and started speaking!!! ;D Bless him! Mind you, it took me a few minutes to click that it was John Risman too!! ;D

On our arrival we were greeted with tea, coffee, mince pies and a Free Bar!! As per normal, Alan and I and Adie were the last ones to leave. We stayed in the bar drinking and chatting with John and his team and got home at 12.15am!! Made the most of the babysitter and Alan was driving too this time!!! ;D

Hope all of you enjoy the roadshow as much as we did and here's looking forward hopefully to a busy run up to Christmas.

I'm off to work now got 5 leads today so things are improving a little.

Karen ;D

[thelloydgang]

Sorry Robin and Mark...........forgot to mention you two!! Robin was fantastic at pushing the buttons! (He told me to say that!) ;D Mark just went on and on about colours - really boring! (Robin told me to say that too!!! ;D) !

Seriously guys.......you did a great presentation too! ;D

See you soon

Karen ;D

[phugly]

Bit hungover were you Karen? 5/10 for spelling my name wrong, lol ;D ;D ;D

[thelloydgang]

Sorry Phugly!! Was a bit worse for wear this morning. My spelling is as bad as my measuring!!! ;D

Karen ;D

[reginald]

Karen but seriously what did you think of the" new " woodenblinds and the honeycomb blinds

Reg