Aaron
Bremerton,#2UPDATE Employee
Thu, June 01, 2006
First, let me say it's awfully convenient that you don't at least give us a legitimate location telling us where you're problems arise. I can understand someone not wanting to reveal their name, but a city or state would reveal little. More importantly, the training offered by PPL to their associates may be basic, but it is much more extensive and involved than any other civilian job I've worked for. Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Concessions have all focused on a brief explination on how to make sales with no product training at all. Information was made available, but you had to learn it on your own time. The weekly business briefing gives the basics about the program (much more useful than a retail orientation), combine this with the Fast Start Training and you have the makings of true sales people who at least have an understanding of their produce. Like all things though, a salesman will only learn as much as they are willing. There are good and bad employees with any company. Ultimately I don't expect a salesman to be a lawyer, I only expect them to know the basics of their products. I've never gone to Wal-Mart for technical information, they're sales people, not electricians, computer programers, professional artists, designers or anything other than sales representatives. As to people not reading their booklets, that's not the responsibility of the sales person. If a person buys a product and chooses to buy a product or service and doesn't read the paperwork that comes with it that is not the fault of the company. I know that self-responsibility is a foreign concept in today's societ but that's what this is about. People need to be responsible for reading their materials. I've always encouraged people to read the written information and made myself available to answer any questions they have. While nobody has infinate knowledge, if I can't answer a question I contact those who can. That's good sales. But I assume no responsibility for those that say "I don't need to read it." Are there ways PPL can improve, absolutely. Rather than writting a report here, perhaps you should contact PPL with your suggestions on improving their organizations. Most changes in any corporation come from within and often start with a good idea by a single individual out in the field. I thank you for avoiding the simple rambling and outright hatred shown by others who also choose to remain anonymous and give little details. Good Luck.