- Report: #1143938
Complaint Review: Sharper Advertising - Sarasota Florida
Reported By:
I almost fell for these guys -
Sarasota, Florida,
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Sharper Advertising
1235 Sarasota Center Blvd. Sarasota, Florida, USA
Web:
www.sharperadvertisinginc.com
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Business Rating:
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Sharper Advertising Innovate Industries Deceptiver in their job postings. Multi-level marketing scheme Sarasota Florida
I too like user 'concerned for the little guy' also interviewd with Sharper Advertising, Innovate Industries, or whatever they may be calling themselves next week.
Upon entering the 'barely put together' office, I saw there were perhaps another 7 people all applying for various positions: Public Relations, Junior Marketers, and other job positions. However, they were really only hiring for door-to-door sales.
The gentleman I interviewed with: Nick Hooge, spent the majority of his time talking about himself and his outrageous rise to become president of his own company in UNDER A YEAR! He tried to reassure me that even though I was starting out in sales, I too could own my own business.
For those that don't know how this multi-level marketing scheme works, I'll explain it to you:
1.) The company advertises for positions for many spots: marketing, sales, manangement, public relations, human resources, etc....
2.) When you apply, you will get a phone call AND an email stating that they want to talk to you. Ususally this happens within 24 hours of applying.
3.) You will get a phone interview, and some lady will ask you some vague questions about your resume'. Don't worry, they are sooo desparate to get people to come in. The phone interview is just a step they take to try and legitimize themselves.
4.) You will be told that you have what they're looking for, and that the owner will want to speak with you.
5.) you will get an email tellilng you what time to be at the interview, and to 'dress professional'. -Like anyone that is going on an interview needs to be reminded how to dress. They just say this because they want you to ride along with one of their stooges, and perhaps get you into the field immediately.
6.) you will be asked to go door-to-door to sell Verizon FiOs services. What will happen is that you will make very little commission, as the bulk of your profits will go to the assistsant manager, and then a bulk of his profits will go to the 'owner'. This Jamoke more than likely then has to kick some money up to the affiliates...in this case I would bet it's smart circle, one of the biggest multi-level marketers around. the only way these guys make any moeny is to try and get more sales people, more asst. managers, and then promote them to office manager, so the owner an then go and open a new office somewhere else and repeat the process.
When you interview with these guys, ask them what their benefits are like, do they reimburse for mileage, and ask them flat out if they are a member of smart circle. They will try again to tell you how much money you can make, and that you 'shouldn't believe everyting you read on the internet.'
I hope this report saves some people from wasthing their time with these guys. Do a search on ripoff report for 'smart circle.' you will see this same process described over and over at different 'marketing and advertising' firms across the country.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
cait916
clearwater,Florida,
Great Company!
#2UPDATE Employee
Tue, June 10, 2014
I’ve been working here for a long time and I love it. I don’t know what that guy is talking about but that stuff is not true. My job is awesome and this company helps a lot of people with a satisfying career. The Owner of this Company is not lieng when he says that he became President of his own company within one year! In fact, I am the one who booked his interview for him in Feb of 2013. Once he hit certain qualifications, he was then promoted and Incoporated as his OWN company, and yes, all within his first year. Within this last year, he not only built our Clearwater office up, but another big Client launched with Nick based on his Success here and asked him to open up a second location in Sarasota in which we would run Verizon FiOS Promotions from. We also do not hire nor book interviews for every person that applies (I would know, I am the one who books the interviews). There are certain qualities we are looking for. We are marketers for big clients and they take care of us really well. I think it’s sad that people who need a job might not check it out because of things that one guy wrote that aren’t true. I’ve been here for over a year and love it. This is a great company.
Concerned for the little guy
Sarasota,Florida,
kool aide tastes good
#3Author of original report
Tue, June 10, 2014
Sorry buddy, but you're not dealing with some kid right out of high school or college with little business acumen. In reading info on your website, I don't see anywhere that lists which fortune 500 and 100 companies have contracted with you to advertise for them. Wouldn't you want to list them on your website so other potential clients could see who you're working with?
Here's a few direct excerpts from your website
'Our top producing campaign for this industry has been kitchen and bath related renovation products and services. We have developed a strong marketing blueprint for these promotions, successfully leveraging our breadth of knowledge and experience with direct selling and customer relationship building.'
Ok, what products are you selling? Which companies are you representing?
'When compared with other sales and marketing agencies, we’re a force to be reckoned with.'
How are you a force to be reckoned with? Has your company won any awards? What does your company do that sets you apart from other marketing and advertising firms?
Generally evrery company's website, under their 'about' section shows who the president is, the CFO, CIO, and other high-ranking positions as well as a brief bio on them. Where's yours? I would assume since you rose from the ranks to become the president of your company in under a year, that would be a story you would want to share on your website to let people know that 'the dream' is possible!
I could go on and on for days, but seriously man, anyone that starts digging, asking questions, and really investigating your website and business model can pretty easily determine that it's just window-dressing.If you were a real business, you would have no problem advertising for what you truly offer for positions, which is just one: door-to-door sales, with no mileage reimbursement, no benefits, and nothing to offer.
For all you College grads that are looking for a REAL marketing and advertising position, you should check out these REAL companies:
Grapevine Communications: http://www.grapeinc.com/
Cickbooth: http://www.clickbooth.com/
Integra Click: http://www.integraclick.com/
Those are just a few companies that have been in the Sarasota area for years, have a real office, real positions, real advancement, and I can promise you that they will not have you going door-to-door selling items that people can get online with the click of a button.
Everyone out there, do yourself a favor and go to an interview for Innovate Industries and Sharper Advertising. If for nothing more than to get a perspective on how these multi-level marketing companies work. You will find that it SEVERLY contrasts to how a real company operates.
Nick
Sarasota,Florida,
Great Positions Working With Big Clients
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, June 09, 2014
It’s amazing what some people will say when personal opinions are formed from less than sufficient information. The individual who wrote the above review got everything wrong. At Innovate we love our team and do what ever we can to see that all employees are successful. What one misinformed and opinionated person failed to realize is, our fortune 100 client’s would never jeopardize their reputation by doing business with a company that wasn’t 100% on point with ethical, legitimate, honest and professional practices. We are proud to represent our clients well and they are happy to have us on board. I can offer different pay structures and our clients compensate us incredibly well. There are no 1099's here. the above reviewer really doesn't get it.
I am an open book and I love speaking with people who are serious about exploring a real career. My personal cell phone number is 727-515-5679. I will answer anyone’s question at any time.
