I kind of hate going to work...
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:41 pm
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?
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?
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.
