I kind of hate going to work...

[Diocide]

For the first time in the last 7 years.

I've been at the same company for 7 years now. I can honestly say, that I really enjoy what I do. I've progressed through the company, and I've excelled at every position I've been in. I started in inventory, then went on to shipping/recieving, then onto sales. I really enjoy my job.

About a year ago, I was one of 12 people selected to attend on going trainings and meetings with a business advisor to the owners of our company. I really learned a lot about managing, dealing with co-workers etc. I was on the path to running a branch of my company.

In the beginning of this year, the head of sales informed me that they were moving some employees around, and that a manager spot was opening up at a small branch (4 employees+ manager). It's close to my house and both he, and the director of operations (basically the two VP's of our company) wanted me to take over that store. I was extremely excited at the chance, and was ready for both the extra responsibility and added benefits of a managerial position. I was essentially put on a "probation" period if you want to call it that, where my bosses and I sat down, and agreed that I would go down there for 3 months, at the end of which, we would decide if I am a good fit, or if I was performing better at my previous position (inside sales).

Fast forward a month a half. My co workers are great, everything is running smoothly, I'm enjoying my new responsibilities immensely, except for one HUGE thing. Before I started, we managed to hook a huge contractor in the area, quite literally one of the biggest contractors in the entire southeast region of the state. Does LOTS of business, and pays his bill on time every month. He had become very fond of the previous manager, and was pretty pissed that he was moving to another branch. We all met one day over lunch, and he said while he was disappointed, he was more than willing to give me a fair shake. This has not happened.

In the couple weeks, I spoke to him sporadically, and rarely directly to him (he usually has his workers call me, or one of our outside sales guys talk to him). I feel like it's a no win situation. Sometimes, if I ask too many questions about something he needs, he gets annoyed. If I make assumptions about what he needs, and it's incorrect, than he is upset because it's wrong. I really feel like I just cannot win with this guy. Just to expound a bit, I get along with pretty much everyone I've ever worked with, and I honestly cannot think of a customer who doesn't like dealing with me. After being down in the new store, I pretty much won all the contractors over, EXCEPT this guy. I feel like I haven't been given a shot, and when I am, I'm set up for failure.

Now normally, I wouldn't care too much, but this guy is literally bringing in about 1/4 to a 1/3 of all our sales a month, so he's a big fish. He's now calling less, ordering less and I can't help but feel impotent about it. I get mixed messages from my outside sales guy (who is good friends with the big fish) about not coming off like a know it all, and not assuming I understand what he is doing, but not to ask too many questions and "waste his time"? How does that make any sense.

Anyway, I have a meeting with my two bosses tomorrow, and I know this will come up, and I have to be honest with them. I feel like we are losing this customer, but I don't really think it has anything to do with me. I think it was doomed as soon as they decided to move the old manager. I know this will sound kind of shitty, and like I'm making excuses, but it's the truth.

Any of you guys ever run into a situation at work, where it seems like elements totally out of your control are HUGE deciding factors in your performance? What can I do about the contractor? How is it best to explain this to my bosses without sounding like a fucking baby? I'm just totally confused and frustrated...

TLDR version;
Large customer of my company hates me for reasons outside my control and may be a reason I do not get a promotion...WUT DO?

[clipless bumper]

Money talks.
Do you have any say over pricing to this guy?
If you don't, maybe you can run a proposal past your bosses.
If you can get something to offer - make sure this big fish knows YOU brokered it, but let him deal with his favorite sales guy.

Don't know if you offer delivery or other services but there may be other 'carrots' you get on the table.

[Diocide]

Yup, his pricing is all on point... That wasn't an issue, because it all got squared away before I started down there.

As for carrots, we do deliveries, and I go out of my way to get him whatever he needs, as quickly as possible. A couple weeks ago he called in around noon, and said he needed some stuff asap. The job was 45 minutes away, and I got there in about an hour and a half. He said it took too long. I literally jump through every hoop with this guy, and it doesn't seem to matter.

[clipless bumper]

Can you do any better on pricing?
Or maybe offer him a rebate after he passes a certain dollar threshold for the year/quarter?

Owners love that shit - cause it goes straight to the bottom line (or in his pocket).
Maybe somthing like 2% back after he passes xx thousands per quarter?

[ovid9]

Situations like that suck.

Pretty much all I got at the moment, but yeah, that sucks.

[Diocide]

Can you do any better on pricing?
Or maybe offer him a rebate after he passes a certain dollar threshold for the year/quarter?

Owners love that shit - cause it goes straight to the bottom line (or in his pocket).
Maybe somthing like 2% back after he passes xx thousands per quarter?

We do all kinds of shit like that. 2% back if you pay by the 10th of the month, all expenses paid trips if you reach goals etc He actually made the goal and got the free trip, but I guess he couldn't make it for some reason. My company really takes good care of our contractors, we excel at our service and how much we keep in stock. We have a huge target on our backs with our competition, because of our practices, and we have plenty of customers that have been with us for decades.

[Diocide]

Situations like that suck.

Pretty much all I got at the moment, but yeah, that sucks.

Yup I'm getting to the point about it. And not even just for the promotion aspect of it. I know it sounds weird, but I really don't like it when people don't like me for reasons unknown to me. If I know why someones dislikes me, then I can deal with it and move on, but when it's something I feel I can't help, then I get frustrated.

[Yarbicus]

Was the last guy blowing him or something?

[Diocide]

Was the last guy blowing him or something?

There is no question that the last manager and the outside sales guy he likes are/were kissing his ass immensely. The thing that's funny, is I feel even if I wanted to kiss his ass, I haven't been given an opportunity to

[ComOp]

Work the shaft, swallow the gravy.

[ovid9]

Yup I'm getting to the point about it. And not even just for the promotion aspect of it. I know it sounds weird, but I really don't like it when people don't like me for reasons unknown to me. If I know why someones dislikes me, then I can deal with it and move on, but when it's something I feel I can't help, then I get frustrated.

I'm the same way dude. Same way. Give me a reason why you dislike me and I can deal. Don't give me a reason....WTF?

Is there anything else your outside sales dude could be doing to help you? Sounds like he's not necessarily doing all he can to ingratiate the dude to you?

[Lloyd Blankfein]

What industry is this? Auto parts or something?

Have you tried calling the old manager? Maybe he knows the secrets to dealing with this clown. Maybe he can even call the guy and say, "Hey man, that new manager didnt do anything wrong. He's doing the best he can in a situation that was decided by people above us. He's a little upset over the fact he can't meet your demands, because he really wants to. Is there anything I can tell him to help you (the big fish) out?"

Sales are weird. Some guys just like to work with certain salesmen. They have a history and understanding. I would try to get the original manager involved on the side to kind of smooth this transition over.

If the big fish knows his old guy approves and trusts the new guy, it'll help a lot.

[VTM]

Work the shaft, swallow the gravy.

[racerevlon]

Sounds like the customer was getting some kind of kick back from the old manager that you don't know about and was "under the table." You haven't been given the same opportunity because they would have to admit to dirty dealing to put the old system back in place.

Just what it looks like from the outside...

[GuitarBilly]

Did you say the old manager moved to a different branch? Perhaps the guy is now ordering from the branch he moved to? I doubt he is doing less business or needing less supplies so it's obvious that he is taking a part of his business somewhere else. I would think he probably found out where the guy he likes moved to and started ordering from him again.

Frankly, I would be more concerned about finding new business to supplement the gap this customer is leaving than to catering to this guy, since it looks like a no-win situation with him.

[Marc G]

I agree with Billy, focus on new business. At the same time talk to the old manager and find out if he is buying from him, if he is no biggie since it's all going to the company's bank account anyhow, secondly ask him what he used to do to satisfy this guy, if there are any short cuts and or loop holes he would exploit to make sure the guy got what he wanted.

[Yarbicus]

Sounds like the customer was getting some kind of kick back from the old manager that you don't know about and was "under the table." You haven't been given the same opportunity because they would have to admit to dirty dealing to put the old system back in place.

Just what it looks like from the outside...

This is a more elegant way of saying what my previous post implied. I wouldn't be surprised if this was happening and the old manager was moved intentionally to stop it. Just be upfront with your bosses and focus on new business.

Having so much of your income come from a single source is always a pain. No matter how far backwards you bend, they eventually hit you with "what have you done for me lately?"

[Chris Z]

He wants his kickbacks and perks.