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Post by thedarkone on Oct 27, 2006 18:46:50 GMT 1
my happy go lucky manager has just sent out a nice email to all of us under his power
Christmas / November planning
Having spoken to a number of you this week it seems that the November/Christmas plans have not fully been implemented as yet. As discussed, November will deliver very large lead volumes (around 14,500 per week), and we are already starting to see these filter through the call centre. Just over 11,500 leads have been booked into the diary this week (an increase of 10% on last week). This is great news and should give us all confidence in the potential for fantastic sales throughout the period. However, I am a little concerned that little will change from normal trading if we don't change our plans quickly. Just to recap, the agreed tactics are listed below:
* No fitting dates to be booked with customers from now on. (Fits should be booked into a day which you plan not to work ie Sunday EVE)
* Customers should be told 3 to 4 weeks fitting promise and the fits should be pushed into xmas.
* At least 75% of your time should be allocated to sales in November. I do not want to see any further fits booked into selling time in the diaries.
* December is very quiet on leads. This time should be utilised for fittings. You have 3 clear weeks to complete all fits in time for xmas. 75% of time in December can be used for fits.
* Extra availability should be added by talking to me as early as possible.
There is huge potential for sales in November / December but we must stick to this plan to make the most of the leads generated. If any of you are able to add extra availability I ask that you contact me asap. Such time would be much appreciated. If anyone is unclear about these plans please give me a call to discuss.
Quotes
We have seen the number of leads generated increasing rapidly through additional spend over recent weeks as mentioned above, yet at the same time the number of quotes being sent into the business has decreased (and conversion is flat). I will be analysing the figures for this over the weekend and early next week but am struggling to understand why this would be. To recap, every lead that is not converted should be sent to the quotes team (with a number of small exceptions). SAM utilisation objective currently stands at 90% overall (the 10% decrease allowing for specialist products). This alone should ensure that the quotes figures are acheived. If anyone has any ideas about this it would be great to hear them and report back to the business.
Those of you that have agreed with me they contact their own quotes can continue with the plan, however, if not every quote is contacted then those should be forwarded to HQ within 2 days.
oooh I can't wait .....
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Bear
Full Member
Posts: 230
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Post by Bear on Oct 27, 2006 18:53:55 GMT 1
my happy go lucky manager has just sent out a nice email to all of us under his power Christmas / November planning Having spoken to a number of you this week it seems that the November/Christmas plans have not fully been implemented as yet. As discussed, November will deliver very large lead volumes (around 14,500 per week), and we are already starting to see these filter through the call centre. Just over 11,500 leads have been booked into the diary this week (an increase of 10% on last week). This is great news and should give us all confidence in the potential for fantastic sales throughout the period. However, I am a little concerned that little will change from normal trading if we don't change our plans quickly. Just to recap, the agreed tactics are listed below: * No fitting dates to be booked with customers from now on. (Fits should be booked into a day which you plan not to work ie Sunday EVE) * Customers should be told 3 to 4 weeks fitting promise and the fits should be pushed into xmas. * At least 75% of your time should be allocated to sales in November. I do not want to see any further fits booked into selling time in the diaries. * December is very quiet on leads. This time should be utilised for fittings. You have 3 clear weeks to complete all fits in time for xmas. 75% of time in December can be used for fits. * Extra availability should be added by talking to me as early as possible. There is huge potential for sales in November / December but we must stick to this plan to make the most of the leads generated. If any of you are able to add extra availability I ask that you contact me asap. Such time would be much appreciated. If anyone is unclear about these plans please give me a call to discuss. Quotes We have seen the number of leads generated increasing rapidly through additional spend over recent weeks as mentioned above, yet at the same time the number of quotes being sent into the business has decreased (and conversion is flat). I will be analysing the figures for this over the weekend and early next week but am struggling to understand why this would be. To recap, every lead that is not converted should be sent to the quotes team (with a number of small exceptions). SAM utilisation objective currently stands at 90% overall (the 10% decrease allowing for specialist products). This alone should ensure that the quotes figures are acheived. If anyone has any ideas about this it would be great to hear them and report back to the business. Those of you that have agreed with me they contact their own quotes can continue with the plan, however, if not every quote is contacted then those should be forwarded to HQ within 2 days. oooh I can't wait ..... What gives this guy whoever he is the right to tell me when to fit, and when not to fit. He is in essence telling me I must earn little or no money in certain weeks to assist Hillarys sales figures. Sorry I am self employed, I sell in my selling time I fit in my fitting time, and he can go whistle. I hope you all tell him likewise... I shall.... Bear |
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Post by desmorse on Oct 27, 2006 19:13:55 GMT 1
Wasn't there something in a recent mailer, saying the most important thing for customers is to be given a fit date which is met? It was the one about having a sales only week to recoup the mistakes made during the year that lost us £m's of sales
Silly me, that was last months most important thing. This months is obviously different
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Post by phugly on Oct 27, 2006 20:04:07 GMT 1
Your FSM has said book fits into a time when you do not plan to work. Well, for me, time when I do not plan to work is exactly that. It's time when I dont sell, I dont fit, I just do sod all. These people must think that we have nothing better to do than work for Hillarys, well I've got news for them, there is life outside of Hillarys
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Post by dmm on Oct 27, 2006 20:54:56 GMT 1
Your FSM has said book fits into a time when you do not plan to work. Well, for me, time when I do not plan to work is exactly that. It's time when I dont sell, I dont fit, I just do sod all. These people must think that we have nothing better to do than work for Hillarys, well I've got news for them, there is life outside of Hillarys I think what he means is book fits in to SAM for non working time, and don't tell customer a fit date. When you get diary through one evening, and you don't have any leads the next day, franticaly ring round and arrange some fits - just like we did 4 years ago. I think it's known as negative progress - or going backwards |
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dolly
Full Member
Posts: 243
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Post by dolly on Oct 27, 2006 22:26:25 GMT 1
I too have been sent this email and although mine is a different FSM it is word for word exactly the same. So obviously the FSM's just put their name to it.
Well when he rings me this next week as my email states we will no doubt discuss 30% extra availability and fewer fits in November or less money for me coming in.
As for a busy November we havent forgotten your "SUPER SALES WEEK" fiasco Hillarys.
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Post by dmm on Oct 27, 2006 22:58:47 GMT 1
Just got the new wood samples and memo saying book 3 weeks, which takes us to ............... errrr ....... 3rd week in November, when we mustn't book fits  My experience for the last 2 years is the first 7-10 days of Dec being busier than nov. If this repeats this year, we'll have to turn all those leads down so we can fit. Dremmel's a bloody good idea, dead red. Quite rare I have to cut one down, and don't make any allowances. When I do, it's usually 36mm barrels. FAbric right width, barrel too long. Was once told tolerance on rollers is 3mm. Just think, 4 blinds side by side in a conservatory, could be 12mm out at the end |
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Post by golfsthegame on Oct 27, 2006 23:44:57 GMT 1
Just checked my inbox to see if I had had a nice email like some others have had, but my FSM hasn't sent one out yet. ;D ;D ;D ;D
One point that no one has mentioned is where(if we were to do as they request) are we supposed to put all these blinds that we sell but do not fit and who will pay for any that are damaged because we have to store them in our back gardens as there is no more room in our storage areas. At present blinds are coming through so quickly that I am running out of storage space for blinds booked for fitting 2-3weeks ahead never mind 5-6 weeks ahead.
I for one will continue to conduct MY BUSINESS in a manner which suits my way of life and will not be bullied into a situation which will produce long term detriment to it for short term gain.
Please Hillarys think about those who have to deal with the end result of your planning (the ones who actually sell and fit the products you produce).
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Post by gloryboy on Oct 28, 2006 11:47:54 GMT 1
will fsm's and everyone else from jr down be available for an extra 30% each day during this busy period???
my a*se!
i've known it was going to be xmas on 25th december since january and have been prepared to adjust my business/working practice to gain maximum £££££'s for me and my family for months. why do they talk to/treat us as though we are spotty teenagers who can't get out of bed without being told what day it is.
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Dean
New Member
Quotes
Posts: 19
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Post by Dean on Oct 31, 2006 9:12:22 GMT 1
Your FSM has said book fits into a time when you do not plan to work. Well, for me, time when I do not plan to work is exactly that. It's time when I dont sell, I dont fit, I just do sod all. These people must think that we have nothing better to do than work for Hillarys, well I've got news for them, there is life outside of Hillarys I think what he means is book fits in to SAM for non working time, and don't tell customer a fit date. When you get diary through one evening, and you don't have any leads the next day, franticaly ring round and arrange some fits - just like we did 4 years ago. I think it's known as negative progress - or going backwards You say it's going backwards but I know of plenty of advisors that work this way through choice. |
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Post by grumperbear on Oct 31, 2006 9:42:59 GMT 1
l have always worked this way, and always will.
l give Sillarys certain days for appointments, and then sort out my fits when l have got the blinds.
l do not do forced availability at all, lts up to them to use my available time slots.
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