Posts Tagged ‘sales’
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Work with me here. The Question of the Day is this:
Why do Real Estate Salespeople and Brokers refer to themselves as “Top Producers” when, in actuality, they don’t produce anything?
Producers “manufacture crude materials into articles of use.” Right?
“Main Entry: pro·duc·er Pronunciation: \prə-ˈdü-sər, prō-, -ˈdyü-\ Function: noun Date: 1513
One that produces; especially : one that grows agricultural products or manufactures crude materials into articles of use”
So, let’s compare former President Jimmy Carter with, I don’t know, some parasite that doesn’t produce anything, how about a tapeworm?
See? Jimmy Carter takes wood and nails ‘n stuff and makes useful habitats. Conversely, the tapeworm calls itself a “top producer” because it eats six percent of the food that passes it by and then issues press releases about how it’s a “top producer.”
To review, taking commish out of a real estate transaction doesn’t produce anything. If you sell a house to somebody and then help sell it to someone else a year later, you have not doubled your “production.” There’s still just the one house, and it was produced by somebody else.
Maybe you’re necessary for society and maybe you’re good at your job, but that doesn’t make you a “producer.” Try to find a different term.
Just saying…
Grubb & Ellis Company Announces Top Producers for 2009 at Annual Circle of Excellence Awards
SANTA ANA, Calif., April 21 — Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE:GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm, today announced that Bruce McNair, executive vice president, Office Group, of the company’s Washington, D.C., office was the company’s No. 1 producer and top Office Group professional for 2009.
McNair received both honors at Grubb & Ellis’ Circle of Excellence Awards. The annual event, which was held in Scottsdale, Ariz., April 13-15, recognized Grubb & Ellis’ top producers…
Tags: broker, habitat for Humanity, jimmy carter, parasite, producer, real estate agent, realtor, sales, salesperson, top producer
Posted in real estate | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
I’ll tell you, I’m not afraid to criticise Yelp for their difficulties concerning how their salespeople behave, but it looks like the changes they’ve announced today are going to go a long way towards helping Yelp in the long run. See the changes below.
CEO Jeremy Stoppelman didn’t come off whiny during today’s news conference so that might come as a bit of a surprise to those whose only exposure to him are his blog entries.
I question what the salespeople will have to sell now, but we’ll see how that goes. I’m sure some of them will still go rogue but it will be harder for them to do that now.
Happy days are here again:
via Yelp.com
Yesterday’s changes will allow us to see the reviews that aren’t worthy enough to make the main page of any particular entry, so Yelp can say that it’s transparent.
Check out Mermaid tours as an example. It’s not exactly clear why they’re suing Yelp, there’s something in there about an unstated cancellation policy* and a back and forth between the manager and/or and a former customer. (If this biz. is the lead plaintiff in somebody’s class action, well, the lawyers suing Yelp should look harder…)
Anyway, Yelp is trying to fix things, so
Hip hip hooray,
Hip hip hooray,
Hip hip hooray.
All the deets after the jump.
*This kind of excuse is called “frustration of purpose.”
(more…)
Tags: account executives, ads, advertising, ae, arizona, attorneys, blackmail, blog, business, ca, californis san francisco, call, Cats & Dogs Hospital, CEO, class action, cold call, court, extortion, inc, Jeremy, Jeremy Stoppelman, jerome, jerry, Judge, kevin, lawsuits, layers, long beach, Owners, post, reviews, sales, stars, Stoppelman, suit, veterinarian, yelp
Posted in media | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Looks like Yelp will be dealing with extortion lawsuits quite a bit this year.
Now, CEO Jeremy Stoppelman goes on and on about how he knows what his sales force says when it makes cold calls on business owners. The thing is that Jeremy Stoppelman doesn’t know what his sales force says when it makes cold calls on business owners.
Check out this recent interview in the BidnessWeek magazine:
“BW: The plaintiff in the class action suit (Long Beach, CA-based veterinarian Cats & Dogs Hospital Inc) says that a Yelp salesman named Kevin repeatedly promised to make negative reviews go away if he would advertise on Yelp. Have you disciplined Kevin for breaking the company’s sales policies, and how many times have you had to discipline or fire salespeople for such transgressions?
“Stoppelman: We’ve never had to discipline a salesperson* about the issue that was laid out in the lawsuit.”
Salespeople (or “Account Executives”) spin and lie all the time, they think its their job to do so. In fact, it IS their job to do so. That’s how they make their money, right?
An alcohol-fueled Yelp XXX-Mas party, from back in the day:
via Yelp.com
Now, Yelp has this post-solicitation survey for you, the business owner. It has several functions, but one purpose, certainly, is to make you, the business owner, look like an idiot when you later file your extortion lawsuit. Why? Because you answered all the relevant queries, check out the questions in #4, in Yelp’s favor. Is this kind of survey going to be enough to carry the day for Yelp’s lawyers? We’ll see.
Unless there are audio recordings of all the phone calls sitting around somewhere, Jerry has no way to prove what he’s alleging, right?
Here’s a modest proposal:
1. Fire all the salespeople(the so-called EA’s) and just do without the business sponsorships or what have you. Make money in a different way. (Make less money in a more honest way, is what I’m saying); or
2. Record all of the cold calls that your sales crew makes. So, hello, may I speak with the owner, do I have your persimmon (mmm… persimmon) to record this conversation, etc… This will cut into revenue, possibly. (You’ll make less money in a more honest way, is what I’m saying.)
All the talk of Yelp’s internal corporate structure and church/state separation betwixt sales and content don’t mean a thing if you don’t know what your sales crew says to make commish. Right, Jeremy?
*Looks like Jerry has access to a lawyer or two as well, huh? How many hours of expensive coaching did Jerome pay for? Perhaps salesman Kevin is just “one bad apple?” Stay tuned…
Tags: account executives, ads, advertising, ae, arizona, attorneys, blackmail, blog, business, ca, californis san francisco, call, Cats & Dogs Hospital, CEO, class action, cold call, court, extortion, inc, Jeremy, Jeremy Stoppelman, jerome, jerry, Judge, kevin, lawsuits, layers, long beach, Owners, post, reviews, sales, stars, Stoppelman, suit, veterinarian, yelp
Posted in advertising, law | No Comments »
Friday, February 26th, 2010
California Attorney General Jerry Brown can’t abide you fretting over your recalled Toyota or Lexus - so he just struck a deal with Toyota USA so that you’ll be taken care of when getting service.
It’s all going to be on a case-by-case basis, so if you’re totally freaked out and you just don’t want to drive your car no mo, then maybe your dealership can send somebody to come around your place to pick up your car, fix it and return it as good as new. Or you can get a loaner if your repairs go into extra innings.
Read the news, below.
Brown Forges Deal with Toyota to Help Consumers While Recalled Vehicles are Repaired
Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that his office has reached an agreement with Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. to provide California Toyota owners with at-home pickup and vehicle return and cost-free alternative transportation while their recalled vehicles are being repaired.
“This agreement goes a long way towards easing the burden caused by Toyota’s massive recall,” Brown said. “It will now be much easier for Toyota owners to get to work and take their kids to school while critical safety repairs are made on their cars.”
Under the terms of today’s agreement, Toyota will provide owners of recalled vehicles the following services:
- Pick-up and return of vehicles by the dealership;
- Transportation to the dealership and/or to the owner’s place of work;
- Alternative transportation, such as a rental car, loaner vehicle or taxi reimbursement for a reasonable period that the customer is unable or unwilling to use his or her car; and
- Expedited scheduling for repair services.
These services will be provided by Toyota through the dealers at no cost to either the owners or the dealer.
The following Toyota vehicle recalls are covered by today’s agreement:
- September 29, 2009 for floormat entrapment;
- January 21, 2010 for sticking accelerator pedals;
- February 8, 2010 for anti-lock brake system issues; and
- February 12, 2010 for drive-shaft failure.
The following vehicles are involved in the recent Toyota and Lexus vehicle recalls: 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2007-2010 ES 350, 2008-2010 Highlander, 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2004-2009 Prius, 2010 Prius, 2009-2010 RAV4, 2008-2010 Sequoia, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2009-2010 VENZA, and 2010 HS 250h.
More information on the specific vehicles affected by the recalls can be found at www.nhtsa.dot.gov and www.toyota.com/recall.
Californians are encouraged to contact their local Toyota and Lexus dealers if they believe they are eligible for these accommodations. Consumers can also contact Toyota’s customer service center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
This agreement will remain in place until all Toyota vehicles subject to the recall have been repaired. If additional safety recalls arise, an extension of this agreement or other appropriate provisions will be pursued.
Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. is based in Torrance, CA.
Tags: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, accelerator, anti-lock, attorney, attorney general, Avalon, brake, brown, ca, california, camry, christopher Reynolds, corolla, dealership, drive-shaft, driveshaft, drop off, edmund, entrapment, ES 350, fail, failure, floormat, General Counsel, group vice president, Highlander, HS 250h, inc, IS 250, IS350, jerry brown, Jr, lawyer, lexus, lexuses, lexuseses, loaner, matrix, motors, motos, pedals, pickup, prius, rav4, recall, recallm defective, repair, sacramento, sales, San Francisco, Sequoia, sticking, system, tacoma, Torrance, toyota, Toyota Motor Sales USA, toyotas, Tundra, usa, VENZA
Posted in cars | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Today’s announcement from San Francisco’s McRoskey Mattress Company, that place on Market near Gough, talks about their new ”BASIC” line. So, temporarily, during “introductory pricing,” a low-cost queen mattress set will run you just $3500(!). But that’s not the funny thing.
The funny thing is that McRoskey is worried that this new “recession special” line will cannibalize sales of their even more expensive beds.
“This McRoskey is ideal for anyone looking for a new mattress and box spring set and is especially suited for kids’ rooms and guest rooms, or vacation homes. It is also a wonderful idea for newlyweds or first-time home buyers.”
(IMO, a “wonderful idea for newlyweds” would be for them to spend their money on something else, or maybe even not at all.)
All right, enjoy your expensive recession-era beds, San Francisco. Oh, and pillows too – they run $500 per, or something.
NB: If you think you can get a good night’s sleep only on a McRoskey mattress, you’re delusional. Also, your salesperson thinks you have more money than brains. Sweet dreams!
San Francisco’s McRoskey Mattress Company Introduces the BASIC Mattress and Box Spring Set
The BASIC offers trademark McRoskey quality at a comfortable price
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 22 — San Francisco mattress maker McRoskey Mattress Company introduces the newest member of its mattress product family, the BASIC mattress and box spring. The set is available through March 14, 2010 at introductory pricing.
“We’re excited to introduce the new McRoskey BASIC. It’s made with our trademark attention to detail,” says McRoskey owner Robin McRoskey Azevedo. “This McRoskey is ideal for anyone looking for a new mattress and box spring set and is especially suited for kids’ rooms and guest rooms, or vacation homes. It is also a wonderful idea for newlyweds or first-time home buyers.”
The new McRoskey BASIC mattress is made with buoyant cotton and polyester fiber filling materials and is built to a medium firm comfort. It is a two-sided mattress that can be flipped for use on either side, extending the life of the mattress. The BASIC mattress is built with the signature McRoskey innerspring system providing supple yet strong support. The BASIC’s construction details include vented mattress and box spring sidewalls allowing for a cooler, cleaner sleep. The BASIC box spring is flexible, enhancing comfort and relieving pressure.
The new McRoskey BASIC comes in all standard sizes including California and Eastern king, queen, full and twin, and custom sizes are available. The BASIC set has a non pro-rated 8-year warranty. To learn more about the McRoskey BASIC mattress and box spring visit www.McRoskey.com/Basic.
About McRoskey Mattress Company
Family owned and operated, the McRoskey Mattress Company has been handcrafting mattresses and box springs in San Francisco, California since 1899. McRoskey mattresses are available in standard and custom sizes. McRoskey has showrooms in San Francisco and Palo Alto. In addition to mattress and box spring sets, McRoskey sells fine French blankets, luxurious down pillows and duvets, shipping worldwide
Tags: airflex, Azevedo, basic, bed, box spring, buy, californai, company, gough, local, Mattress, McRoskey, McRoskey Mattress Company, pillows, robin, Robin McRoskey Azevedo, sales, San Francisco, shopping
Posted in bay area, housing | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Well, here’s the news of the day – San Francisco-based Yelp, Inc., San Francisco’s social networking, user review, and local search web site, will be soon be hiring 200 plus folks at a huge, brand-new office in Scottsdale, AZ.
Interested Arizonians (or just anybody, I s’pose) should regularly monitor Yelp.com/jobs to get in on the action before the madding crowd. Read all the deets below, if you want to hear the Arizona Department of Commerce and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council crowing over their win.
Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane just drank our milkshake, all the way from the 480. Drank it up! Why? It must have something to do with the Bay Area lacking a “strong infrastructure and an educated talent pool of potential employees.” Read CEO Jeremy Stoppelman’s full quote below. And while you’re at it, feel free to read between the lines. Granted, Yelpers in San Francisco will soon have a little more elbow room, but it’s difficult to see today’s news as something other than a big dis to SF and the bay area.
Let’s remember the good times, back in aught-five when most Yelpers worked in town. Via Yelp.com:
Another from Yelp.com‘s infamous 2005 XXX-mas party:
Sic transit gloria Web 2.0 in the 415
Bono, what hath you wrought?
Yelp to Open Office in Scottsdale. San Francisco-Based Technology Company Plans To Hire More Than 200 Locally This Year
Yelp, the community-led local search site, today announced it is opening an office in Scottsdale, Arizona, as it increases hiring to support the company’s U.S. and international expansion.
The San Francisco-based technology company plans to hire more than 200 people this year for the office, which will be located in the Scottsdale Corporate Galleria, and is looking to fill positions across numerous departments, in particular sales and account management.
Yelp, which connects consumers with great local businesses through user-written reviews and ratings on its site, has seen rapid growth in recent years. More than 29 million people used the site last month and review content has doubled in the last year to more than 9 million. Started in San Francisco in 2004, Yelp is available throughout the U.S. and Canada, and expanded to the U.K. and Ireland last year.
“Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area have a vibrant and growing Yelp community,” said Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO and co-founder of Yelp. “The region is also a great place to locate a technology business, having a strong infrastructure and an educated talent pool of potential employees. We are excited to make Scottsdale home to our third Yelp office and the hundreds of future Yelp employees who will live, work and play in this great area.”
Don’t stop now, ever more, after the jump
(more…)
Tags: "Jim" Lane, $25, 2005, account, account management, Android, Application, arizona, Arizona Department of Commerce, arizonans, az, Barry Broome, bay area, blackberry, bono, california, canada, CEO, christmas, City, Department of Commerce, devices, director, Donald Cardon, Economic Council, elevation partners, enabled, greater, Greater Phoenix, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, hiring, iphone, ireland, Jeremy Stoppelman, jobs, local search, management, Mayor, Million, networking, outsourced, Palm, party, phoenix, president, review, sales, scottdale, Scottsdale Corporate Galleria, siner, site, social, U.K., u2, user, W.J. "Jim" Lane, WAP, web, XXX-mas, yelp, yelp.com
Posted in employment, internet | No Comments »
Friday, December 18th, 2009
Lots of shoes hanging on overhead wires are visible in Haight Ashbury these days.
Could it be the work of the sit/lie bullies, you know, the ones behind the purported “unpleasant transformation” in the area over the past year?
No one knows…
Tags: bullies, cole, dealers, department, dept., drugs, haight, haight asbhury, hanging, lie, police, sales, San Francisco, sellers, SFPD, shoes, sit, sit/lie, street, tennies, tennis, upper, wires
Posted in streets | No Comments »
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Cause it’s been done already.
Click to expand to see these shutdown stores, these brokedown palaces of obsolete technology. Your days are over, analog cameras and TVs. Try not to leech too many chemicals into Mother Earth when you get to the landfill.
As seen on otherwise somewhat-bustling Irving Street in the touchy, prideful Inner Sunset District. (Take the tour this Saturday!)
Cue tumbleweeds…
He picks up scraps of information
He’s adept at adaptation
Because for strangers and arrangers
Constant change is here to stay
He’s got a force field and a flexible plan
He’s got a date with fate in a black sedan
He plays fast forward for as long as he can
But he won’t need a camera or TV repair store
He’s a digital man
Tags: (415), 664-5678, analog, camera, closed, digital, district, inner sunset, irving, man, passport, photo, Photograph, photos, rush, sales, service, shut down, star, street, television, TV
Posted in real estate | Comments Off
Friday, June 12th, 2009
Get it? Bug! Real Estate people drive around in Volkswagen Bugs. Isn’t that precious? When I was a kid, all we had to ogle at were pink Mary Kay cars.
Click to expand:
And even while driving down the Interstate at 55 per, they still have time to show doggies a little love.
Think about that the next time you mock a real estate broker or salesperson.
Welcome to the 415, but stay out of the west side. You should do fine.
Tags: 101, beetle, broker, bug, bug! real estate, car, cookie, cooky, freeway, houses, kwan, ladybug, real estate, realtor, red, sales, salesman, salesperson, saleswoman, San Francisco, stay out of the west side, stay out of west side, top producer, vehicle, volkswagen, volkswagon, VW
Posted in real estate | 1 Comment »
Sunday, March 29th, 2009
Well look at this rare sight on the streets of San Francisco, or anywhere else for that matter – it’s a brand spanking new Maybach sedan from Mercedes Benz. Just five cars from this brand were sold in America for the whole month of February 2009. Ouch.
That means that Maybach dealerships in America are on a pace that will have them selling less than two cars each in calendar 2009. Ouch, again.
On Presidio Boulevard. Click to expand.
Of course that’s much worse than what Audi dealers faced during their bad time in the 1980′s after 60 Minutes embarrassed itself with the unintended acceleration fiasco. Back then each Audi store sold about one car per month. Ah memories…
“Apparently, the brakes were failing at exactly the same moment that the gas pedal decided it had a mind of its own. Perfectly plausible, at least to the 60 Minutes crew.”
It turned out that drivers were pressing the go pedal instead of the slow pedal. And there were reasons for that, and the cars had other issues as well, but 60 Minutes really pulled a boner on that one. Oh well. Anywho, Audi considered leaving the American market, things were so bad.
But what about Maybach? How much longer can it go on?
Chin up, Maybach. It can’t get worse than this.
Right?
Tags: 57s, 62, 62s, benz, landaulet, Maybach, Mercedes, sales, San Francisco
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
