Last Thursday I was asked to put together another “protected” list. This should not surprise me, considering how successful these lists have been in the past. Another list was required because Rep #2 has continued to be assigned new categories (I am not sure why, it is not like she is struggling), she needs to know which accounts are mine in these categories. I thought this was simple; all the accounts in MY TERRITORY are mine. This did not fly.
I then started pointing out all of the flaws in this “list” approach. That did not fly either.
Obviously I was being ignored, because the conclusion the Manger came to was (wait for it) a bigger list… “It sounds like we need a database…” HOLY SH*T, I think she came to the right conclusion, I have been saying that for years! Granted, it is still a list, and it will still not be respected, but at least we will have data all in one place, where it is usable. I was so super stoked!
But then the Manger finished her thought. “…you should build an Excel spread sheet and put it on the server.”
I do not have the stamina to list them all here, but below are a few reasons why this is not a solution:
-No one respects a list (as shown by past performance).
-It can be manipulated by anyone who can get onto the server.
-It is not easily searchable.
-Updating will be time consuming.
-Why would you need another list when you have territories?
-Etc
-Etc
-Etc
The benefits achieved by a list in Excel have a much simpler solution, tell Rep #2 “Stay in your own territory, or you will be fired.” I responded with “I will if you ask, but I do not think it will help, it will only waste my time.”
Why do I never learn? When they ask for my opinion I should have none. That way I will have a 50/50 shot at getting what I want, instead of them learning what I want, and then deliberately doing the opposite.
