Kevin Harrison, sales rep for Allied Steel Distributors, had an appointment with his sales manager to discuss
Question:
Kevin Harrison, sales rep for Allied Steel Distributors, had an appointment with his sales manager to discuss his first-year sales performance. Kevin knew that the meeting would not go well. One of Allied’s major accounts had changed suppliers due to problems with Kevin. The purchasing agent claimed that “personality differences” were so serious that future business with Allied was not possible. Kevin knew that these so-called personality differences involved his unwillingness to entertain in the same style as the previous sales rep. The previous sales rep frequently took the purchasing agent and others to a local topless bar for lunch. The rep told Kevin that this was expected and that if he wanted to keep the business, it was necessary. Besides, tickets to the professional basketball games didn’t count anymore. What are the short- and long-range implications of this type of customer entertaining? What would you do in a similar situation? How should Kevin’s sales manager react?
Step by Step Answer:
Sales Force Management Leadership Innovation Technology
ISBN: 9781138951723
12th Edition
Authors: Mark W. Johnston, Greg W. Marshall