west1134

So my Sales Manager just stopped by to "motivate me."

He give me a piece of paper and says this is a new contract that I need you to sign.

The nuts & bolts read "You must sell at least $1500/4wks of new Annual business in the next 30 days or your fired."

GREAT! Of course I'm gonna bust my ass to try and make this happen, but the bottom line is nobody is wanting to spend money or commit to a year long program right now with the economy the way it is.

So I'm probably gonna start looking for a new job unless any of you own your own business and want to commit to spending $1500/mo for the next year on some outdoor advertising??

This is a bummer because I really do like this job, and our product (I sell the advertisements on the Tri-met buses & MAX trains in Portland/Vancouver) is a pretty unique medium to reach people, but at the same time I understand they are cutting costs everywhere.

Well, wish me luck!! And let me know if anyone is hiring in Portland or Vancouver would be better since I live over there. I have Sales experience (although I'm shying away from that at the moment), forklift and warehouse experience, as well as a B.A. in Communication.

THANKS!

Dragon Rider

hummmm, don't sign the new contract ?
(that way they fire you for not signing a new contract, or you get layed off, should get unemployment)

under the new contract, they fire you for 'cause'
ie no unemployment.

Soil

Why is it as soon as things start to click, you start enjoying it, you actually find something you enjoy doing for 'the man'... he's not satisfied anymore?!?!?

they not only seem to want you slavin' a way... bustin' ass, but they WANT you to be unhappy doing it!

ugh.

MCPSV1K

Sorry to hear that man, but it seems cut backs is the norm right now. I say get into liquor sales, I think its good no matter what the economy is doing, its always a good time to drink.

Erich

I feel your pain completely, actually, I'm already not working (it's been a little over a month and a half), and it's getting really really hard.

BigDave

Times are hard everywhere right now! Hopefully it gets better after the election!

Weez

lol

TMMR

Man you are missing a huge market here --
maybe not each month because that is a lot to spend each month but maybe you can get differant groups to buy a month -- who knows they may sign up a year - unless you ask -- you never know.

-- BUT try hitting the state chapter of ABATE -
they were talking about a place to advertise Motorcycle safety and ads that warn people to look out for bikes

Contact Team Oregon -- maybe you can get month out of them.

MRF is another one that may do something.

As a rider -- you can talk to these guys and show them how it helps the riders out there and benfits them.


wish I could do that kind of advertising --but a little out of our budget at this point .

Best of luck.

Mic

I could seriously see a Motorcycle on the side of a bus with the "Watch Out For Us" dealeo...

You should hit up national orgs as well. With the increase in motorcyclists, it is a great time for them to get the word out, and get support. Hell, hit up the AMA. Sale the fact that Portland is a "Environmentally Aware" city. Give supporting evidence of the growth of motorcyclists over the next say, 5 years for the state of Oregon, etc.

They are right... You should be able to do this. Although consumer goods may be down, awareness programs are still as active as ever.

bicycle_ben

my job has me up for 8 hours next week down from 24 last week 40 the week before and 64 the week before that ... yeah im looking for a new one

west1134

hey thanks for the support guys...yeah its tough right now in sales, but I've got a couple things brewing and I can just keep my fingers crossed.

Also I wish I would've thought not to sign the document...didnt think it could effect my unemployment benefits, as they way they put it was, just "sign this to acknowedge you recieved it." I'm an idiot!!

In response to motorcycle related ads, we've done a couple already via ODOT, and another organization. (see below)




As far as a huge market to cover, yes that is very true, but we also have 11 reps that service the same market, and a lot of the "big fish" (the only ones that are still spending money) are under agencies, and in our company only Senior reps get to work with the agencies unless you find a new one that isnt being serviced. So it limited it a bit.

Dragon Rider

you should always file for benefits and see what happens.
(it is just your tax dollars coming back to you)

kuruptracing

how much is your cheapest advertising a mon?

west1134

It depends on what you want. You can get a bench or shelter display at one of our 1,000 locations city wide. Benches run $181/mo & Shelters run $464/mo. Although to answer your question, we sell what we call Michelangelo display which are poster size ads placed on the ceilings of the buses & max trains for $54/ea per month.

Buses range from $412/mo (smaller back of the bus) to $1500/mo (entire side of a bus).

Although the way we do business, is when we meet with people we find out what their needs are, and budget. Then I'll put together a package that will fit both. So although those are our prices, when we put packages together I can adjust accordingly and it varies from client to client. We also offer PSA rates of 1/2 off rate card.

Thats it in a nut shell.