BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Radical => Topic started by: newguy on August 24, 2013, 08:35:10 PM
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With Radical and the PBA announcing our participation in product registration I have been flooded with staff requests. I have often wondered what makes a bowler think they are qualified to simply send in a request to be put on staff.
Our staffers have to be able to increase company sales, not just throw balls and bowl in tournaments.
Our game has really changed, when a request comes in and the player says he a has 20 300's and 8 800's and averages 230. He feels that is good enough to get on staff. Am I missing something. There are 10 guys in my league with the same resume. What sets a player apart to be considered for staff?
We use the Brunswick Product specialists as our scouts. They are the best at picking talent. They are in constant communications with shop owners, they bowl regionals some are even Hall of Famers. Most requesters are just taking a shot, but really, we don't need to be just giving balls away especially in this market. Now don't get me wrong, Radical Bowling Technologies has hit the ground running and have really made an impact but our policy is still the same. We will find you if you are staff worthy. Not to sound crass but if you are that good we'd have known about you.
I'd love the opinions of the Forum.
Thanks
Phil
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What's wrong with thanking them for their interest in your company and telling them you will be in touch if you decide they fit what you are looking for. As I understand it, you are the owner of the company. If that is the case, maybe you should have someone else do your public relations work for you. The tone of This post shows poor judgement in my opinion.
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What's wrong with thanking them for their interest in your company and telling them you will be in touch if you decide they fit what you are looking for. As I understand it, you are the owner of the company. If that is the case, maybe you should have someone else do your public relations work for you. The tone of This post shows poor judgement in my opinion.
I do thank everyone and respond my self. As I do here. Just because I'm not a smiley face guy doesn't mean my tone shows poor judgment. I am just stating facts and asking for opinions on what makes a player feel they are qualified to be on a staff. So do you have an opinion on the question or just my manner of presenting it. ;)
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Just the way it comes across in your post. I completely understand where you are coming from. If that 230 isn't on TV at least once a year and has no other connection thats helps to move your product, then it would be a poor investment to have them on staff. But inferring potential customers wasted your time isn't going to move product either.
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Most contracts I've seen go to proshop employees so they can help push products in the shop. Other companies have said as much. It makes sense. They are referred to simply as proshop contracts in my neck of the woods.
The other typical contract is for guys who bowl regionals. Typically because of the number of events bowled along with success in these events gets them a deal. Many of the regional guys also work in proshops.
It makes sense. I think many bowlers think they are much better then the local proshop guy and deserve the contract. They miss the part about who will be able to have more sales impact.
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Just out of curiosity, why do you assume that your Brunswick product specialists are capable of giving you an unbiased opinion on who is, or is not capable of driving sales? Seems like a recipe for the good ole boy system to me. Creating a staff full of the buddies of those specialists. I for one, believe that there are many people in my area who would drastically increase sales with a staff position. To my knowledge, however, none of those capable bowlers have ever met a Brunswick sales specialist.
Like I said, just curious, I mean no offense. Just maybe touching on something you hadn't yet considered.
Matt
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Great question Matt. Our Product specialist are in contact with pro shops on a daily bases either by phone or in person. Nearly all of them bowl competitively and are in contact with competitive bowlers in their area. Most importantly I give them criteria for a staff member as well, so combining the info from the shop, the connection with the local competition and our company criteria we find the right guy. My dilemma is that since Thursday I received over 40 emails requesting info about staff positions. That in itself is not the only issue. One guy sent the same email to Radical, DV8 and Brunswick stating how he liked the way the balls look going down the lane and is certain they would work for him and how he could improve our sales. He had never even thrown any of them.
So I posed the same question " What makes a guy think that simply by sending in an email stating a few fact about his scores etc. would entitle him to a staff position costing the company thousands of dollars a year"?
Has the culture changed so much that this is simply the way it is. Have the new start ups used this method to get people to throw their product. I'm looking for opinions from you guys, we have always had open communications.
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Just the way it comes across in your post. I completely understand where you are coming from. If that 230 isn't on TV at least once a year and has no other connection thats helps to move your product, then it would be a poor investment to have them on staff. But inferring potential customers wasted your time isn't going to move product either.
You see that's the whole point, if they become staffers and are not really qualified are they really potential customers. For instance if you had emailed me and said you had been throwing Radical balls since we started the company and had great success, felt you were influential in your area to help promote the brand and were looking for an opportunity to help the company. This I could look into, you never said staff or free. Most are simply looking for free stuff, do you agree?
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That makes sense. Personally, I think you get that type if communication for a few reasons. One, I think a lot of people think they are better, and more well liked than they are. Of those emails you got, I'll bet there are a few players who would make great staff players, and would be worth the investment. Majority though, I assume are searching for a handout.
One suggestion that I have for you is select your staff once per year, stating clearly on the site that your application will not be considered if it isn't received in the pre-determined time frame for applications. On the standard application that you have staff hopefuls complete, you can make sure that whatever issue is most important to you is addressed. "How will you drive equipment sales in your area?" Stuff like that.
It seems that would put the control back into your hands, limiting the number of emails you receive, and also giving you the opportunity to have the hopefuls answer the questions that are most important to you.
I've yet to throw any Radical equipment personally, partly because I haven't seen any being thrown in my area, but seeing you ask questions and get feedback from us on here is definitely a plus. I appreciate open communication with the customers. For that, thank you.
Matt
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This is just my 2 cents worth. Brunswick has a poor share of the market in my area. To my knowledge. I am one of two people who throw Radical in my area. I go to tournaments all around but I never see Radical or Brunswick stocked in any of the proshops in my area. My thoughts of staffers have always been a bit different than most. While it makes a good business plan to put the products in the hands of people who can make it look good. My thoughts would be to put it in the hands of people who can open up a new marketing area. Bring it into a new area, and can show off a product that doesn't exist in a current market. The staffers in my area are all the local proshops which which limits the general public chances to see up and coming equipment companies and their products. Making proshops staff members is good business plan. This means they will push the product they are signed with and shy away from other companies. Thus keep the product line secure in their area. Now I will admit I am a Radical fan and have been a customer since Dynothane days. Would like to see them expand in my area but with the all proshops having contracts to carry certain equipment it isn't likely. I think this concept needs to be shaken up a bit and changed but that is just my two cents.
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I have to chime in on this. First off Phils comment about staffers is right on the mark. It might not be what people want to hear but it is the truth. Staffers are a companies biggest marketing tool and they have to be able to sell balls. There arent many guys that run ball companies that come on these forums to give their opinions and knowledge. I know we have busted our butts in our shop to get the word out on Radical balls. After showing a few people what these balls can do, they are selling like crazy. There really is no better line in bowling than Brunswick, DV8 and Radical IMO. From a proshop operators standpoint, you can stock all the Brunswick, DV8 and Radical balls and be around the same number of balls (if not less) than the number of balls in Storms line. No brainer for us.
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Just the way it comes across in your post. I completely understand where you are coming from. If that 230 isn't on TV at least once a year and has no other connection thats helps to move your product, then it would be a poor investment to have them on staff. But inferring potential customers wasted your time isn't going to move product either.
You see that's the whole point, if they become staffers and are not really qualified are they really potential customers. For instance if you had emailed me and said you had been throwing Radical balls since we started the company and had great success, felt you were influential in your area to help promote the brand and were looking for an opportunity to help the company. This I could look into, you never said staff or free. Most are simply looking for free stuff, do you agree?
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Amen
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Great question Matt. Our Product specialist are in contact with pro shops on a daily bases either by phone or in person.
I'm sure this is true, but suspect it is limited to the high traffic areas. I have been a pro shop operator in a 20 lane center located in a rural area for over 10 years. I have never had a call from any ball company's representative, or any other contact that was initiated by the company rep. I did have one call and visit from our supplier's (Classic) rep about 8 years ago. And several of the Brunswick staffers that participate here were very helpful in getting a ball replaced under warranty for one of my customers, but I initiated the contacts. I've followed Radical here and on bowlingchat since Mo became involved, and I've just ordered the first Radical ball, a Yeti, for a customer and hope to drill it next week. If it is as good as I hope it will be I'll probably sell several more.
Please understand, I have no interest in being a rep, I want to be able to recommend any ball I think will fit my customers' game. I just wanted to point out that there may be an area for improvement with the small shops around the country. -- JohnP
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Great point JP. Some of that falls on the distributors as well. If you have small sales, especially little or none of one brand they may never send someone to find out why and try and correct or boost those numbers.
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What's wrong with thanking them for their interest in your company and telling them you will be in touch if you decide they fit what you are looking for. As I understand it, you are the owner of the company. If that is the case, maybe you should have someone else do your public relations work for you. The tone of This post shows poor judgement in my opinion.
This is without question, one of the dumbest things Ive ever seen on this site. Believe me, ive seen lots over the years.
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I have to chime in on this. First off Phils comment about staffers is right on the mark. It might not be what people want to hear but it is the truth. Staffers are a companies biggest marketing tool and they have to be able to sell balls. There arent many guys that run ball companies that come on these forums to give their opinions and knowledge. I know we have busted our butts in our shop to get the word out on Radical balls. After showing a few people what these balls can do, they are selling like crazy. There really is no better line in bowling than Brunswick, DV8 and Radical IMO. From a proshop operators standpoint, you can stock all the Brunswick, DV8 and Radical balls and be around the same number of balls (if not less) than the number of balls in Storms line. No brainer for us.
LOL, "no better line that Brunswick, DV8, and Radical". Comical, Storm has/is/and will continue to be superior products than those 3 companies. Stop pandering, youre on staff. Your statement is pure conjecture, as is mine, I realize that.
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Phil,
My thoughts are you are going to see that. Especially, when it comes to would be pro's who may bowl one or two PBA Tournaments every so often and dominate their respective THS league. With that said, it never hurts to try. Lol
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I think certain companies have knocked the luster off of being on a staff by simply handing out contracts in droves to just about any decent league bowler. This may be the reason for the in flux of requests. Players think that because its good for one company it must be good for all.
I guess you could use the staff concept as your marketing tool. I'm not in favor of it. I feel to be on staff says something about your character.
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I think certain companies have knocked the luster off of being on a staff by simply handing out contracts in droves to just about any decent league bowler. This may be the reason for the in flux of requests. Players think that because its good for one company it must be good for all.
I guess you could use the staff concept as your marketing tool. I'm not in favor of it. I feel to be on staff says something about your character.
Your are one the right track here Phil. Some companies have more than one level of "staff" contract. My wife had a low level contract with Motiv that didn't have the same type of commitment requirements as high level contracts (much like the one you are describing). She had intentions of participating in all of the women events for the year including Queens and the US Open. Unfortunately, 3 weeks after signing, we found out we were pregnant with our son. After one year, Motiv wanted to continue their support, but my wife decided bowling didn't come first right now. Perhaps bowling will be more important one day, but right now our son is number 1. Motiv was generous and said they would be there if and when she was ready to continue. We have nothing bad to say about them and Brett.
These types of contracts are known to exist for some companies. Maybe the bowlers are looking for that type of support instead of the full support. I think there is a place for this type of contract, but it isn't with every company.
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I think certain companies have knocked the luster off of being on a staff by simply handing out contracts in droves to just about any decent league bowler. This may be the reason for the in flux of requests. Players think that because its good for one company it must be good for all.
I guess you could use the staff concept as your marketing tool. I'm not in favor of it. I feel to be on staff says something about your character.
I think the perception of staff positions is this :"it doesn't matter how good you are, more on who you know"
Is there anything wrong with that? Maybe, maybe not. I mean I get it, as a ball company you want someone to be involved in the industry and you want that person to talk the crap out of the product. But in my experience from talking to ball reps the criteria is pretty simple (see below)
Bowl in 2-3 leagues a week
Average 220+
Bowl 15-20 tournaments per year
Be involved in the business somehow (whether in a pro shop or bowling center)
Would you agree Phil? Now if you do, I happen to know of a staff guy (with Radical) Who barely has 2 thirds of a year in leagues last year, might bowl 5 tournaments, and has a cumulative book average of about 205 for the past few years. So i'm guessing that he is involved in a pro shop or he has an inside avenue in order to receive a contract.
Don't get me wrong, it's your company (and others work the same way) but in my opinion, the standards should be set the same for every person on staff.
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To say any ball company is the best is a stretch! They all are good and have their own unique characteristic! Not everybody likes or wants a skid/flip ball and not everybody wants or needs it to roll up early! The best ball is the one that gives you the most margin for error, or the most forgiveness at the time! How the lanes are playing they me which reaction gives me the most of whatever I need for that condition! That's why it tough to be on staff, cause you don't have the options of others that use a variety of equipment! I've used them all and they all have their niche in the market place! Just my $.02, Bruce