Now The Job! Ok I took the bus in to Jerusalem Sun. morning and got there about 9AM there was a list of people whose membership either expired or were about to expire. I had notes written down how much it would cost to renew, and a basic idea of the special deal I can offer them for TODAY only, so I start making some calls. Apparently there was a salesman at the same desk who used the same list about a month or so earlier. He made some notes on the list by hand in Hebrew of course. One of the columns on the list was for the amount of times a person came during the year. So if someone came 75 times it would be easier to convince them to renew then someone coming 3 times. I started making some calls in Hebrew, and realized that the guy before me did a pretty decent job, he called the people who with the highest attendance and had notes next to most of them. Some of them renewed some said they would, some were not interested. So I was repeating a job mostly done. If I would be getting paid well to repeat someone’s work I wouldn’t really care, but over here the idea was that I make a commission of each renewal. I called people on the list who did not show up often and almost NON of them wanted to renew some even asked if they can have an extension since they paid for the year in full and did not use it, one guy never came ever.
I am used to giving someone a product or service and then getting paid for it. Over here there seemed to be lots of people who thought they would come, paid for it, but never took advantage. I understand this is how they make money but I don’t really like that concept. When I sell something I need to believe in it. When the boss finally showed up, I explained to her that this was an old list and pretty useless, she said she’ll print up a new one soon. But non of the hand written notes on my list were ever entered into their database. I wanted to work off a computer using their database so I can log calls and if someone is not interested it should be on the record. She didn’t seem to really care about this, her attitude was just keep calling (even if they don’t want us to) Despite all this I actually got 2 people who agreed to renew one (I think an Arab) wanted a better price since a friend of his was going to a different club. I asked her if I can lower it and she gave a certain price for 13 months. I called this guy back, he was leaving on vacation in 8 months and did not need a 13 moth deal and offered to pay for 12 months at the same price per month. Seemed completely fair to me I basically told him that should be fine, we have his credit card on file if there is a problem I’ll let him know.
In sales you want to make the deal and not go back and forth. A person can change his mind. I went back to her and she said now way! only a 13 month commitment. This makes no sense to me at all, they offer 1, 3, 6 and 12 moth plans, I can tell this guy was serious it was either 12 moths or he is going somewhere else. She is not budging and basically trying to squeeze the last shekel out of the guy. Even though he is an Arab he is still a paying customer and should be treated decently with good customer service. So basically this deal is gone and so is my commission on it. A bunch of other things were rubbing me the wrong way as well. 3PM came and I did not get any new list, my boss had no time to talk to me, I can’t make any deals this is not looking to good.
I get on the bus back to RBS and get my confirmation and reminder that I don’t like busses. What can I say I’ve been driving for 23 years and am not a good passenger. I came to the conclusion on the bus ride that I will not be making that bus ride on a daily basis to work under those circumstances. Well it lasted 1 day. We always tell the kids you don’t have to like something but have to try it once. I tried this with an open mind. I called the owner who is an Anglo I never met him, and explained my perspective on his business. He seems like a nice guy, but is not doing a lot of things that I think should be done. He did agree with me on a lot of topics, like getting every ones email address emailing updates and specials and have a system of tracking people referring other people so they can be rewarded. Plus they are right across from the Tachana Merkazit which has thousands of people there every day. I think they should have a few poster ads there directing people to the club across the street for a free 2 week trial. If they were to offer me a real salary and listen to me, I could probably double their membership in 6 months. Well it’s there loss. They are not thinking like successful Americans.
There is no question that Israel is behind America when it comes to customer service and free market thinking, although they are catching up. Bezek the phone company used to be a nightmare to deal with, as soon as they opened the phone lines up to competition lots of people left and all of a sudden Bezek changed their entire infrastructure and policies. Now they are much better getting to be more like Verizon. The two key components for change are COMPETITION and Anglos coming here with an understanding of how good customer service RULES! and will always bring in more customers. My good friend Lorin Spigleman always says the cure to Israel is Americans coming here. So keep that in mind when thinking of Aliya. Americans CAN and DO change this place for the better one person at at time. We need you, and we ALL need Israel.
Talk to you next year until then שנה טובה ומתוקה
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