Wednesday, July 30, 2003
at 3:46 PMMirandize
I went into the office at 8:30 this morning for field training. Whilst waiting for a certified trainer to arrive, I viewed two videos on how to get more references and on how to "drop down" to each of the sets in my little booklet. I chatted briefly with another sales representative who apparently had some trouble getting leads. Which reminds me now I forgot to ask my trainer (a fellow named "Nick") about that. Apparently, he could split some of the referrals he got with me. I was too timid to ask him.
Nick sold several items at the first appointment we went to (located in a lah-di-dah neighborhood). The lady already owned a set and purchased several individual items from Nick. The lady's nine year-old daughter Victoria and Victoria's little friend Danielle both thought Nick was hot stuff. Victoria sidled up shyly and commented that she liked Nick's shirt (a yellow button-down polo). Victoria and Danielle then proceeded to fight violently over who got which half of the penny Nick cut with the super shears. I had a good time observing all this.
Nick didn't sell anything his next two appointments, nor did he receive any referrals. I'll bet that was mildly embarassing. I did learn a bit. For one thing, he had everything memorized very well, but by the complete lack of inflection in his voice, it sounded as though he was reading from a script rather than speaking what he said. He wasn't peppy and confident. I just hope I didn't screw him up.
At 8:00 this evening the company is holding something it labels a "team meeting". The managers didn't say much about it, but I'm required to bring a bag of popcorn, a baseball hat, and a five dollar bill. Hilariously enough, I am currently in possession of none of these things. Apparently some wacky escapade ensues after the official meeting (well into the night). I don't want to make Pam or Chris pick me up at midnight, so I called to decline the meeting. But they're going to try to find someone to bum me a ride home. Damn. I'd like to be sociable, but I wouldn't like to be sociable. Many of the sales people I've met thus far seem more like members of an elaborate, clandestine cult rather than college kids trying to earn a few extra bucks. Oh, well.
Upon my arrival home at 2:00 this afternoon I discovered the first installment of my Reader's Digest subscription. I remembered the magazine to be a bit thicker than this one looks. Maybe everyone had writer's block.
