Magnus Marketing Blog

Two days ago, I called a major Heath & Beauty company and caught the VP of Talent Management. I started off jokingly apologizing for using his first name because I would have butchered his last name and began introducing the company. My client actually has done a lot of work for this company and we were recommended to call by the other region. The gentleman answers the phone and haughtily announces, "Who are you? I am in the middle of an interview!! I don't have time to take a call from a provider." He proceeds to hang up. Notice a few things:
1. He answered the phone during an interview. So much for respecting the candidate he was speaking with. If he didn't want to be interrupted, he should not have answered the phone.
2. He rudely hung up on me. Think of the impression he left with the candidate, I am sure he would not have considered that I might have been referred by a Division head (hiring manager) in another region.
3. All he had to do was say that this isn't a good time and could I call him or his Admin at XYZ time/day to discuss procedures.

I hope whomever he was interviewing doesn't work there, I sure wouldn't. I don't even want to do business with this company given the rude treatment. Today, you never know who you are talking to, where they end up, who says what where. I won't buy any French company hair care products from now on.

There are some companies that make it impossible for ANYONE to do business with them. One such firm, a noted healthcare provider in NJ that manufactures gloves for hands and for men, has a "policy" that you need to physically send information. As does a major airline with the Red, White, and Blue. Well, I don't live in the dark ages and have no paper anything to send - plus, their people actually have paper supplier vendor files! My, my, how behind the times. In both cases, I found the email addresses and phone to the right people - difficult, but not impossible. At least, these dinosaurs should set up some electronic vendor procedures. Sigh. I guess they are aware of every vendor with every offering.

The other thing I love is when Admin's or first-line gatekeepers decide who you should talk to, when they can't pronounce your company name or understand your service/product. I received a referral from a VP's office to talk to another VP - even his admin would have been fine. Even though I told the operator that I was referred, she still directed me to whom she thought was the right person. In fact, the person she directed me to WAS a good start. But, unless an admin or gatekeeper really knows the business, her bosses function, and understands what the company does he/she should not make decisions. A few notes on that: I have spoken to some super helpful and great people who knew their stuff and developed relationships. I myself was an admin and a super screener at one point, long ago. There are some wonderful people who have the best interest of their organization at heart and will help if it makes sense.

Granted, I am being "rude" by calling unsolicited into companies. But that is no excuse for hanging up or using dinosaur tactics to block me. Especially me - I will find a way in and through regardless anyway. And, your rudeness will be broadcast - can't tell you how many salesguys we share info with.