Conference 7.286::digital

    There were some that got the catalog (green stamps?) but no explanation
    of what in the world it's purpose was. Curious thing is that the
    computer "prizes" include Apple and AT&T (PC). Maybe next year, a
    Sparcstation will be added.

The catalog is actually produced by a firm that specializes
in Sales Motivation.  Other then the fact that Digital contracted
with them for the catalog, they have nothing to do with us.
The catalog contains only the best merchandise.

No I am not a Sales Rep, but the program includes Sales 
Support types.  For once we are not the orphan child.

Larry

>The catalog contains only the best merchandise.

But .1 said it contains only non-DEC computers!  Whose side are you on, anyway?

    
    	Oh, I don't know. . .  I'd take an Apple over the DECstation
    	I've been issued any day.

    .5:
    
    Well, depending on what kind of DECstation it is, it's running either
    MS-DOS or Punix...
    
    Dick

    A gas grill's nice.  A fair gift for reward and recog. of outstanding
    performance (if it's open to everyone).  Much cheeper than a trip to 
    Hawaii.  Maybe someone in DEC DOES recognize that the company has
    fallen on lean times.
    
    (I do just wonder though, how many Post-It pads could you buy for the 
    cost of one gas grill?)

Actually I forgot to put quotes around the word Best.
If you look at the price of the AT&T and compare it
to a Tandy (remember that the catalog firm has no 
dealings with Digital other then providing the "Prizes")
someone who is not very knowledgeable would probably
pick the AT&T over the Tandy.  I would like to get the
Grand Piano that is in the catalog but my wife and I
will pass up on the Sable Coat.

Larry

    I think most of us are here for a salary (cash!) and not gas grills and
    PCs. Why don't they just give the salespeople cash rewards (commissions,
    perhaps?!)
    
    Mike

Where do I sign up for the Purple and Dark Pink Cadillac?

They do.  Its called SP2.  A certain percentage of the top
performers get a check based on how much they over-
acheived.  

Then there are us Sales Support types, who have no metrics,
No defined way to get SP2 or Hawaiian boon-doggles, but
we do work for Sales, except of course when it comes to 
company cars (there is a guy in the office whose car was 
totaled, he is currently renting a car because fleet won't
accept the Sales DM signature on the car order form and
the Software DM won't sign it because he doesn't work
for software, but that is another rat-hole).  

    re: .11
    
    No metrics?  Where do you work?
    
    This Sales Support puppy has a $24M number.  If he doesn't make it, he
    probably won't get a raise.  Results count, not effort.  If he blows it 
    out, he won't get SP2 either.
    
    Oh yes, I like this system...
    
    Al
    

    Interesting.....I may have the names/opinions wrong BUT.....

    I do believe one Sales support reader here was complaining in a 
previous note about not ever getting a turkey, but then he was getting 
points in this catalog reward system....If I'm wrong, feel free to note it 
here and I'll admit it. Dialed in from home is too slow to go back to check 
my impressions. It I'm right, it would seem like a strange contradiction. 

    One comment...these sales promotion companies offer a nice selection of 
intersting things, but the gifts do cost megabucks for DEC.....no discounts 
on anything offered in there. I wonder if DEC could do better with either 
cash rewards or a limited selection of items handled directly thru 
purchasing in a central location. I have a feeling purchasing handles just 
about everything you could imagine in the course of a year somewhere, with 
the exception of the sable coat mentioned!

    Vic

I thought (in fact I'm sure of it) I saw a memo a month or so ago that the 
Performance Plus incentive program was cancelled. Maybe it was just the Eastern 
States Region....

Here in Upstate New York, our performance metrics are based on 40% of the 
Sales budget for the sales people we support. The other 60% is typical 
employee attributes that are not so easily measured: technical expertise, 
leadership, training, customer satisfaction, interpersonal skills, etc.

Regards,

Jim
Sales Support
Rochester, NY

I think that the problem is that the district I am in has not
bothered to organize how Sales Support is measured. 
Everytime it come time to give out peirks, in this district, 
the SS people are chosen by nomination.  I have no 
measureable metrics to determine what my performance
level is (but the Sales Reps I support say I am great).

A lot rides on performance besides perks, like pay raises...

As for a reply a few back, $24.5M worht of what are you
measured on??  If I get a budget, I am leaving Sales Support
as I feel it will dillute my technical creativity and encourage
me to take the quick way out.

My opinion

Larry

    I find this so extremely objectionable. First of all instead of
    "perking" sales support resources (sales animals are a whole other
    beast), who by definition are just -"doing the job"- why not just
    can those that don't. I mean this way those of us less fortunate
    CONTRIBUTORS, can feel better about standing on the soup line
    when the company is in complete financial disarray.
    
    From the sound of the program you would get the impression that
    sales support is overworked (some may be but no way is that the
    majority). I guess that delivering solutions to their final end
    is reward enough for us.  This program is a complete joke and an
    insult to the majority of DEC employees who work for a living.
    
    	No need to argue the point because I will never waste the time to read
    it.          
    
    
    		TC