Post by sirkitmain on Jun 7, 2008 11:09:20 GMT
Following on from my post yesterday about the termination of Chorley this week I see today that agent Tallis with 15 years experience has been terminated and has posted his heartfelt feelings about Hillarys. I hope he doesn't mind me copying and posting his intelligent comments. I'm sure he will also be 'Neurotics Anonymous' on Monday morning. Fortunately his post will probably remain for this weekend on the Hillarys site as allegedly the highly paid IT department don't work weekends. I'm sure Chorley's and Tallis's comments will be quickly removed from the Hillarys forums as 'terminated advisors' like mine were. (Hillarys seem to have removed the print-out option of their forums.) I agree with Tallis, Chorley and I'm sure many others that Hillarys has totally lost the plot. They seem to have forgotten that they are only a manufacturer/supplier and thought that IT was a wonderful business innovation to expand the business. It's just too costly and complicated to run and I'm betting it will eventually send the PE backers running for a safer investment having eventually realised that Hillarys managemnt have been so incompetent and have 'terminated' their best advisors . In desperation to get income I note Hillarys is now asking £1,000 for signing up as an advisor... my advice is don't do it!
Anyway, good luck to Chorley and Tallis.
Here's Tallis's 'Goodbye'...
A few weeks ago, over the week-end, I inadvertently took an update on SAM I should not have, and subsequently my SAM device did not work. I contacted IT first thing Monday morning. They said they would send me an SD card that would correct the problem and I should receive this card the next day. Having no paper order pads, I phoned diary management to let them know the situation. They said I could get order pads from my Fsm. I felt that the time it would take for them to come, I would have SAM up and running. How wrong I was and with hindsight I should have ordered pads. During the week, no SD card arrived, and I spoke to diary management several times, each time they said they would take care of the appointments. They did not. On Saturday the new SD card arrived and I spent time over the week-end trying to get it loaded onto SAM. Spoke to It on Monday morning again, they said I would have to send the device back, and I would have it returned within 2 days. My SAM finally arrived on the Saturday!
Meanwhile, during that last week I had a meeting with my fsm, who I believe diary had informed of the situation, and I also explained the above. The meeting was pretty usual as far as fsm meetings go these days. I perhaps demonstrated a lack of enthusiasm for being able to always “toe the Hillarys line” as far as the practicalities of always being able to send quotes in via SAM, (according to latest memo from Craig we can send them in via other means now too). Also explaining how I would have to put “advisor not available” on appointments that I could not attend, due to poor postcode coordination by diary management. You can’t be in two places at once, nor has teleportation been invented yet! In my opinion, my fsm demonstrated the now typical shallow vision, and a lack of ability to comprehend the real issues we face on a daily basis, and to grasp the problems by the “scruff of the neck” and allow us to resolve them together. For a long time now it seems fsm’s are aware, that they have to make judgements on performance with largely inaccurate figures. Why is it that they show no interest or concern in an explanation for the accusations? When there is a problem a good manager will try to resolve the issues, looking into specifics, working out solutions, not using threats and showing no interest in what is relatively a solvable issue.
There seems to be a distinct lack of concern and a lethargic “I can’t do anything about that” approach. Issues have been raised that are pertinent to a successful business and have been dealt with by “shrug your shoulders management.” This is also evident in group meetings. There is a cyclical pattern of repeat here that surely someone with genuine concern for Hillarys is making note off.
On the Friday before I get my SAM back, I get a call from my fsm saying he wants to terminate me. (I suppose that’s one way to solve a problem). The words he used were, he would “struggle to work with me”. I’m sorry , but what I struggle to see is, what now, or in the last few months has actually been done by way of “working with me” that has played any significant effect, or had a positive (or any) impact on my business. Is not good management all about “struggling”, most issues can be resolved by good communication. I, like many others ask the question, what exactly can an fsm do for my business that wouldn’t happen anyway. For most capable advisors an fsm is largely insignificant, a point of contact when things can’t be resolved any other way. They seem to be nothing but “middle men”, conveying the latest missive from above, while focusing solely on their bonus, regardless of the long term negative effects on an area. Improving diary and service support would practically eliminate the need for them altogether. I think it’s about time the centre of focus shifted back to the capable advisers. Particularly as most fsm’s are gone in a few years and we are left to soldier on.
After my initial surprise and efforts to correct his misinterpretation of circumstances, he said he would think about it over the week-end and call on Monday. So next week comes, I have a SAM and appointments booked, but no idea if I am an advisor or not. This is the sort of indecisive and “hands tied” management that has done damage to relationships and ultimately mine and your business. I finally get a call on Wed and am terminated. I’m not sure why.
For my part, I know decisions that have been made by fsm’s and others in the past have directly and indirectly resulted in my business now turning over half of what it has done, could, and should be doing now. Here is someone with the motivation, capability, experience of over 15 years, and a track record of a very efficient and successful agency behind him, having his business strangled. Not least by poor interdepartmental communication and accountability, poor and largely deconstructive diary management, lowering quality standards, real truths being spun into unreal half truths which manipulate us and the customers, and managements unconcern and seeming incapability to resolve issues and stimulate growth. How is it that you can have someone who has in the past sold and fitted more roof blinds than any other advisor, now effectively being unable to sell or fit them. What other business would asset strip themselves like that?
Other such situations that are unacceptable are, having a small roman blind made 4 times before it comes with the crystal bead trim. Then that same customer getting a discount, which means less commission, without consultation with me and despite the fact she has had a working blind fitted, all be it without the decorative beads. A customer waiting a year (and still waiting) to have roof blinds made at the measurements I originally gave, despite several phone calls with service support and fsm, I still get a call every 2 months or so, asking what’s happening! Waiting and waiting for dor’s, not least of which are a wooden pelmet which was scratched and an easistop blind that is on its third dor, both of these are two months old now. The reluctance to pay out for dor’s and service calls, despite constant chasing. All of the above scenarios are commonplace, and if nothing else Hillarys over the years are consistent in their inability to show improvements in these areas, if anything things are getting worse and I think we all know why.
These situations and others, we all experience day after frustrating day, have led to a severe demoralization on my part. Magnified, by the so called importance of, “policy of the month” management, which to any long standing advisor, can become tiresome. Decision making that seems to be dictatorial and detached from the reality of the advisors world. An absolute wealth of experience and knowledge that is largely untapped and ignored. I know I am better than I am being allowed to be. I feel my business is being hindered and held back. On a daily basis I see lost opportunities that have financial implications, but no-one is listening.
I think it is quite sad that it has come to this. I will now look at the other offers and opportunities that are there, whereby my skills and experience will be valued, and appreciated, both by financial reward, and a genuine concern to make a business successful for mutual benefit. I suspect, well I know, I am not the only one who feels this way, the evidence is obvious, and screaming to be heard and dealt with instead of being glossed over, spun, and swept under the carpet. There does seem to be a pattern of repeat, whereby success is not rewarded and Hillarys become kingmakers of ex advisors that go on to rule in different kingdoms. That in my opinion is a shame. When most of the capable advisors are gone, Hillarys will be left with a load of “Ruperts” (ask Clive). It’s all well and good looking at the “big picture”, but we should never lose sight of the small parts that make the whole what it is.
I’ve been in the blind trade now for over 15 years, and guess what; it doesn’t take a genius to realise that’s where I’ll probably continue to be. Unfortunately, just not with Hillarys (or “Sillarys” as they seem to be called on other forums, perhaps, on occasion justifiably). It is with regret that I find myself in this situation, and I use the word “unfortunate” with genuine sincerity. There have been some really good times and great successes over the years, I have managed to make Hillarys work for me. My family and I have benefited greatly and I know the company has too. I recognise that this is just my view of events and things can look different from other perspectives, I have tried to see and understand that perspective, it’s been hard. I am not “terminating”, I have been “terminated”, but like Arnie I like to think “I’ll be back” selling blinds.
There are some genuinely good people working for Hillarys and I have had the pleasure of working with them. Despite the ups and downs over the years, I like to think I have made some friends and perhaps some enemies, I like to think the enemies are only so because of a lack of mutual understanding, and in different circumstances would be friends. I hold no grudges and wish all good luck in making it work for them.
Thank you.
Anyway, good luck to Chorley and Tallis.
Here's Tallis's 'Goodbye'...
A few weeks ago, over the week-end, I inadvertently took an update on SAM I should not have, and subsequently my SAM device did not work. I contacted IT first thing Monday morning. They said they would send me an SD card that would correct the problem and I should receive this card the next day. Having no paper order pads, I phoned diary management to let them know the situation. They said I could get order pads from my Fsm. I felt that the time it would take for them to come, I would have SAM up and running. How wrong I was and with hindsight I should have ordered pads. During the week, no SD card arrived, and I spoke to diary management several times, each time they said they would take care of the appointments. They did not. On Saturday the new SD card arrived and I spent time over the week-end trying to get it loaded onto SAM. Spoke to It on Monday morning again, they said I would have to send the device back, and I would have it returned within 2 days. My SAM finally arrived on the Saturday!
Meanwhile, during that last week I had a meeting with my fsm, who I believe diary had informed of the situation, and I also explained the above. The meeting was pretty usual as far as fsm meetings go these days. I perhaps demonstrated a lack of enthusiasm for being able to always “toe the Hillarys line” as far as the practicalities of always being able to send quotes in via SAM, (according to latest memo from Craig we can send them in via other means now too). Also explaining how I would have to put “advisor not available” on appointments that I could not attend, due to poor postcode coordination by diary management. You can’t be in two places at once, nor has teleportation been invented yet! In my opinion, my fsm demonstrated the now typical shallow vision, and a lack of ability to comprehend the real issues we face on a daily basis, and to grasp the problems by the “scruff of the neck” and allow us to resolve them together. For a long time now it seems fsm’s are aware, that they have to make judgements on performance with largely inaccurate figures. Why is it that they show no interest or concern in an explanation for the accusations? When there is a problem a good manager will try to resolve the issues, looking into specifics, working out solutions, not using threats and showing no interest in what is relatively a solvable issue.
There seems to be a distinct lack of concern and a lethargic “I can’t do anything about that” approach. Issues have been raised that are pertinent to a successful business and have been dealt with by “shrug your shoulders management.” This is also evident in group meetings. There is a cyclical pattern of repeat here that surely someone with genuine concern for Hillarys is making note off.
On the Friday before I get my SAM back, I get a call from my fsm saying he wants to terminate me. (I suppose that’s one way to solve a problem). The words he used were, he would “struggle to work with me”. I’m sorry , but what I struggle to see is, what now, or in the last few months has actually been done by way of “working with me” that has played any significant effect, or had a positive (or any) impact on my business. Is not good management all about “struggling”, most issues can be resolved by good communication. I, like many others ask the question, what exactly can an fsm do for my business that wouldn’t happen anyway. For most capable advisors an fsm is largely insignificant, a point of contact when things can’t be resolved any other way. They seem to be nothing but “middle men”, conveying the latest missive from above, while focusing solely on their bonus, regardless of the long term negative effects on an area. Improving diary and service support would practically eliminate the need for them altogether. I think it’s about time the centre of focus shifted back to the capable advisers. Particularly as most fsm’s are gone in a few years and we are left to soldier on.
After my initial surprise and efforts to correct his misinterpretation of circumstances, he said he would think about it over the week-end and call on Monday. So next week comes, I have a SAM and appointments booked, but no idea if I am an advisor or not. This is the sort of indecisive and “hands tied” management that has done damage to relationships and ultimately mine and your business. I finally get a call on Wed and am terminated. I’m not sure why.
For my part, I know decisions that have been made by fsm’s and others in the past have directly and indirectly resulted in my business now turning over half of what it has done, could, and should be doing now. Here is someone with the motivation, capability, experience of over 15 years, and a track record of a very efficient and successful agency behind him, having his business strangled. Not least by poor interdepartmental communication and accountability, poor and largely deconstructive diary management, lowering quality standards, real truths being spun into unreal half truths which manipulate us and the customers, and managements unconcern and seeming incapability to resolve issues and stimulate growth. How is it that you can have someone who has in the past sold and fitted more roof blinds than any other advisor, now effectively being unable to sell or fit them. What other business would asset strip themselves like that?
Other such situations that are unacceptable are, having a small roman blind made 4 times before it comes with the crystal bead trim. Then that same customer getting a discount, which means less commission, without consultation with me and despite the fact she has had a working blind fitted, all be it without the decorative beads. A customer waiting a year (and still waiting) to have roof blinds made at the measurements I originally gave, despite several phone calls with service support and fsm, I still get a call every 2 months or so, asking what’s happening! Waiting and waiting for dor’s, not least of which are a wooden pelmet which was scratched and an easistop blind that is on its third dor, both of these are two months old now. The reluctance to pay out for dor’s and service calls, despite constant chasing. All of the above scenarios are commonplace, and if nothing else Hillarys over the years are consistent in their inability to show improvements in these areas, if anything things are getting worse and I think we all know why.
These situations and others, we all experience day after frustrating day, have led to a severe demoralization on my part. Magnified, by the so called importance of, “policy of the month” management, which to any long standing advisor, can become tiresome. Decision making that seems to be dictatorial and detached from the reality of the advisors world. An absolute wealth of experience and knowledge that is largely untapped and ignored. I know I am better than I am being allowed to be. I feel my business is being hindered and held back. On a daily basis I see lost opportunities that have financial implications, but no-one is listening.
I think it is quite sad that it has come to this. I will now look at the other offers and opportunities that are there, whereby my skills and experience will be valued, and appreciated, both by financial reward, and a genuine concern to make a business successful for mutual benefit. I suspect, well I know, I am not the only one who feels this way, the evidence is obvious, and screaming to be heard and dealt with instead of being glossed over, spun, and swept under the carpet. There does seem to be a pattern of repeat, whereby success is not rewarded and Hillarys become kingmakers of ex advisors that go on to rule in different kingdoms. That in my opinion is a shame. When most of the capable advisors are gone, Hillarys will be left with a load of “Ruperts” (ask Clive). It’s all well and good looking at the “big picture”, but we should never lose sight of the small parts that make the whole what it is.
I’ve been in the blind trade now for over 15 years, and guess what; it doesn’t take a genius to realise that’s where I’ll probably continue to be. Unfortunately, just not with Hillarys (or “Sillarys” as they seem to be called on other forums, perhaps, on occasion justifiably). It is with regret that I find myself in this situation, and I use the word “unfortunate” with genuine sincerity. There have been some really good times and great successes over the years, I have managed to make Hillarys work for me. My family and I have benefited greatly and I know the company has too. I recognise that this is just my view of events and things can look different from other perspectives, I have tried to see and understand that perspective, it’s been hard. I am not “terminating”, I have been “terminated”, but like Arnie I like to think “I’ll be back” selling blinds.
There are some genuinely good people working for Hillarys and I have had the pleasure of working with them. Despite the ups and downs over the years, I like to think I have made some friends and perhaps some enemies, I like to think the enemies are only so because of a lack of mutual understanding, and in different circumstances would be friends. I hold no grudges and wish all good luck in making it work for them.
Thank you.
