Managing Change
My dream job has turned into a nightmare! I got hired as an alarm installation and service technician about a year ago for a national alarm security company. The job was somewhat of a risky career change for me because I had never worked a job that required me to be out in the field all day but the hands on technical experience and office space freedom ended up being a surprisingly perfect fit to my workplace personality. This summer the company introduced some sales initiatives for the field techs. No real individual sales goals were assigned at the time just an opportunity to earn some extra cash with commissions and an opportunity to compete for a end of summer paid weekend getaway bonus to the top sales tech. I didn’t win the trip but I did manage to keep my sales consistently good over the summer. The sales initiative did so well for the company that they decided to implement team sales goals as a permanent field tech job duty. Being that I had the best sales results on my team over the summer I’ve been given the highest sales goals. The last few months have been a struggle trying to meet those sales goals. My entire focus has shifted from Technicals to Sales which I’m not at all happy about. Talked to my supervisor and he’s concerned about forcing higher sales goals on the other tenured techs with terrible sales results. My success shouldn’t be a burden. I don’t want to quit or get fired for insubordination but I desperately want out of this arrangement. Anyone have any experience with this or suggestions?
Talk to your boss and make an agreement to share your sales secret with the rest of the team in return for leveling off the team goal amount evenly as the other techs improve. Also another skill you can add onto your resume.
Andrew, Don’t complain and stay positive. No matter how well you do in sales all people will see and remember is your attitude.
That type of change is common and inevitable in the workplace today because companies are doing everything possible to stay competitive. Try to look at it as a benefit rather than a burden. You’re proficiency in sales is going to allow you to take home extra money and stand out from the rest of the team as a leader.
Man, I know how you feel. After being an entrepreneur and ran a successful business for 29 yes, I found myself looking for employment. The Government took my business to four lane a small highway for 10.8 miles. It seems I was in the way even though, there were 30 acres across the road from my business that was owned by a millionaire so, of coursed I was the one out. To get to the point, I thought I had a dream job after applying every where. It is a well known car manufacturer in Greenville SC. I went to work the with a great attitude just to have in slammed back in my face. Seemed I couldn't do anything right. I have never worked for anyone but my self. But I tried hard and busted my assignment. Can you believe I got a verbal for working through my break so I wouldn't get behind?. I talked w/ my supervisoname only to be told I was in the wrong. I really worked so hard my hair, underwear, and shirt was soaked w/ sweat. I look back and wish some of my employeyes would have worked 25% as I did there. Keep in mind, I had to test for weeks to get hired there and passed very well. The people there are very different, actually rude. That was my bad experience