A good rep these days is hard to find
Saturday, August 13th, 2005Actually, I think the standard of sales reps has improved in the 15 or so years I’ve been in this business. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to divert to the coffee room to avoid meeting a rep because I’ve smelt the aftershave lingering in the corridor.
It used to be really bad using a lift (‘elevator’) after a rep had been in it, and heaven help you if you had to share one. . . friends of mine have asphyxiated because of the fumes. I used to work for a biotech company and dreaded on-site visits: Actually it wasn’t so much the visits, as I got to meet interesting people, but the travelling to and from the site in the company of sales & marketing (there’s a reason it’s ‘S&M’. . .) personnel.
I don’t know whether these people had questionable personal hygiene (hence the need for masses of aftershave/perfume) or they never turned on the aircon in their cars, but it was a crime against humanity. As I say, things do seem to have improved – none of the reps I’ve met in more recent times pong particularly badly. Maybe the companies make them shower daily now.
(Yes, I’ve been on holiday. Back to work on Monday – I might have something ’substantive’ to say then).
