Golf Companys – Too busy to find reps

Lots of golf companies have returned from the PGA show following-up with customer leads and potential sales people they may have met at the show…and they’re REALLY BUSY.

Busy with customers, product returns, product info, phone calls, existing customers, existing reps, problems, planning…

They’re too busy to focus on hiring new golf reps and/or replacing the stinky ones.

We hear excuses like:

I placed an ad on a free job board…waiting and see how it goes

My brother’s sister in law’s sister knows someone who may be interested in working with us

Too much going on right now to add more reps

I have no extra time to talk with anyone right now

Waiting to hear back from a couple of good leads

Busy-ness is a form of avoidance.

We distract ourselves from doing what we KNOW will help us in the long term by doing the easy stuff…

whats convenient

the stuff in front of us…

If your goal is to increase sales in 2018

Ask yourself if you’re really too busy OR are you avoiding taking action.

If you want to be smart about recruiting by getting your ad exclusively in-front of over 4000 active golf reps and distributors, post it on GolfSurfin.com.

Click here to get started.

Club Recruiting – Beware of the sweeping balloon ladies

Always amazed at how reminders and reinforcements for good recruiting habits can pop up in everyday life…like when doing in a half marathon.

Walked in my first (and probably last) 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) last week at runDisney in Orlando with my daughter.

Everyone I talked to beforehand said “you’ll finish no problem…you’re walking for gosh sakes…no worries”.

Was clearly talking to the wrong people.

Problem with these marathons is keeping up at a 16 minute/mile pace.

In this particular race, walking pace is enforced by “Balloon Ladies” who start in the last corral, are the last to cross the start line and walk the race at a 16 min/mi pace. If you’re passed by these loud yet encouraging gals you’re in danger of getting “swept” meaning you’re too slow and will be removed from the course.

Bye bye medal!

Found myself either running to catch-up with OR constantly peering behind to gauge how close these little buggers were (no disrespect to my new nemesis that morning…the ladies very nice and encouraging).

Keeping up with the balloon ladies became an anxiety ridden problem that I was either trying catch-up to or fend-off.

Which kinda reminded me of panic hiring.

Clubs typically hire when the position becomes vacant then scramble to fill the position.

They fill it with the strongest candidate at the time just to get it filled, hope for the best and fend-off the least desirable applicants.

Best way for golf clubs to avoid getting “swept” by the cycle of panic hiring is to always be in the recruiting mode for talent.

Examples:

  • If someone offers you incredible service at a store, hotel, golf club, restaurant etc… give them a compliment, notice their name and hand them your card.
  • One of your long time suppliers has provided you stellar customer service and you girls/guys seem to “click” let them know you’re always open to talk when they’re ready for a career change.
  • Develop a people pipeline and have other staff members do the same. Have them along with you make a list of dream hires and set-up a call or meet for coffee periodically with these passive candidates.
  • Continuous intake – keep a general job posting on your website at all times letting candidates know if they’re interested in your club you’re interested in seeing their resume.

Remember there’s a difference between hiring and recruiting.

Hiring is filling an immediate need…its reactive.

Recruiting is a mindset and a great habit to practice to avoid the “panic” button.

Dawn Schlesinger
GolfSurfin.com

PS. I did reach the finish line…still recovering.

Golf Manufacturers – Too busy looking for freebies

We get inquiries, lots of them, regarding our service from golf companies desperately in need of finding golf reps… especially around this time of the year light of the upcoming PGA show.

Many of these companies are just “shopping” for free info and/or service with zero-point-zero intent of making a purchase.

The conversations include questions like:

  • how many reps are in your database?
  • can we get access to your database?
  • are there any guarantees?
  • explain the current the promotion?
  • how long is it?
  • can we try your service for free???

We understand and welcome inquiries and questions from serious buyers, appreciate negotiating a fair deal AND realize not every inquiry is going to convert to a customer.

However the type of shoppers we’re talking about have no real intention of buying.

They’re simply trying to get comped, free stuff. Always in search of something for nothing.

We all know the type.

They’ll do anything to avoid taking action unless they’re desperate or its free.

Typically the conversation ends with “let’s see how we make out at the show”.

Then 9 times out of 10, once the show ends (with zero success getting good rep leads on their own) they call back wanting the promotion at which time it’s too late…done, ended, kaput!

Steer clear of owners/managers with a”freebie mentality”. It’s usually indicative of how they run their business. They’re takers not givers.

Not the type of customers we want.

We want customers who see the value of getting the sales recruiting word out before during and after the show.

We want customers who use all their sources to recruit including word-of-mouth and reaching out to reps directly.

We want customers who provide a valuable service/product that sells along with great customer service and appreciate the value of paying for a quality service.

These type of golf companies find and keep sales reps through GolfSurfin.com.

If recruiting salespeople is a priority and you see the value of using all resources,including direct contact with over 4,200 active golf sales pros, then click here to register and get started.