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Why good sales reps are SO hard to find (and how to find them)

When I started my business I went through lots of sales reps/recruiters before almost giving up on the sales rep idea. The more business owners I spoke to, the more I heard the same challenge, “There are just no good sales guys out there”. Thankfully, I learned some lessons along the way and discovered (eventually) how to solve one of the biggest problems most small owners face . i.e. How to find GREAT sales people. The two biggest reasons I feel business owners and myself were failing miserably when it came to finding great sales reps were: Expectations around what…

How to Hire a Sales Representative

Patrice

For many brands that sell wholesale, utilizing independent reps and rep firms is a key part of their sales strategy. For some, it’s not cost-effective to employ in-house reps, or they simply need to get feet on the ground quickly without having to put resources into establishing a salaried team. Others recognize the depth of the existing networks and relationships an independent rep may provide, which can open up new business opportunities in existing markets, and provide access to new territories. Whatever the reason, wholesalers often look to hiring independent sales representatives, also called manufacturer’s reps, as an alternative to way to…

Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruitment – perfect work from home opportunity for veterans!

Patrice

Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruitment - perfect work from home opportunity for veterans! More than 5,600 veterans have become franchisees in the past four years, according to the International Franchise Association. That’s thanks in no small part to the organization’s VetFran program, through which some 650 member companies offer discounts, mentorship and training to veterans seeking to become business owners. The initiative has been a boom to the sector: Franchisors find that vets, with their leadership and teamwork skills and propensity for following a system, make ideal franchisees. We trust our military to keep us safe, whether they are across…

June Jobs Report – Great New for Recruiting Industry

Patrice

Almost every month the Jobs Report is great news for recruiting. As the labor pool shrinks because unemployment is so low, the need to find top talent is often outsourced to Executive Search agencies. Additionally, the baby boomers are starting to retire and the millennial's are having fewer children and not replacing themselves. This is a contributing factor to the shrinking labor pool. THE US ECONOMY BOUNCED BACK FROM MAY'S LOW GROWTH NUMBERS. The U.S. economy added 224,000 jobs in June, surpassing economists’ estimates and rebounding from May’s disappointing growth numbers. Here are some of the highlights from the report.…

Can a Robot Interview Better than Humans?

Patrice

What is this world coming to! I have seen many changes since I started Patrice & Associates without an internet. Our big innovation was fax machines! You may have seen this video on the internet. Think about the last time you interviewed a candidate. What was your first initial reaction to them? Before they even opened their mouth? It was probably something like this: “They are decent looking enough” “Shorter than I thought, but skinny” “That hair could use a trim” “Smells good” “Dress choice was on point, very flattering” “Nice smile, probably could whiten those teeth a bit” “Love…

You’re never too old to get rich if you follow these seven tips for starting a business

Patrice

Franchise Ownership can change your life. I talk to lots of people over 50 that are looking at business ownership options because priorities in life change. They want more control, work/life balance, and to create wealth and a legacy for themselves. Of all the reasons to start at business after age 50, perhaps the best one is that the years are passing. Maybe it’s something you always wanted to do. For some, it’s a good strategy for getting more work years in before retirement. Sure, it’s a lot of work and a lot of hours. But there’s one thing that…

7 Tips for Finding a Job

Patrice

1. Make a plan – Time and time again you hear, “make a plan and stick to it.” It’s not just something motivational speakers and political candidates say, it’s actually really helpful in your job search process too. By setting aside time each day and having deadlines for yourself, you create accountability to find that job. 2. #Goals – Each day have a goal. You already blocked out the time to be productive, but how do you know you’re making progress? With actionable goals like updating your work history on your resume or finding and applying to 5 new job opportunities, it’s easier to…

New Fast Casual Seafood Concepts

Patrice

I find it interesting how restaurants are moving more into the seafood category on their menus. Living my life on the Chesapeake Bay I can't bring myself to order "Maryland Crab Cakes" in another state ... like the midwest. Not so long ago those who didn’t live near the water but who wanted to eat fresh seafood had to choose between expensive fine-dining restaurants or fry-it-all fast-food joints. Now, a wave of multi-unit, fast casual seafood concepts are stepping in to fill the gap. “We’ve seen the space grow significantly in the 12 years we’ve been around,” said Jonathan Weathington,…

Quick-Serve Restaurants need to be be prepared for “lifestyle dieters”

Patrice

"Lifestyle dieters" want choices in where they eat which often makes it difficult for restaurants to recruit managers that understand that concept. Just when gluten-free has begun to be manageable for most QSRs to safely serve for both customers who must refrain from gluten, along with those who simply opt to do so, along comes a slew of new ways the world wants to eat. From keto and paleo, to Whole30 and Clean Menu eating, QSR customers are eating from the "lifestyle" diet that best meets their needs and preferences. Typically, the popularity of any given diet will either build…

Recruiting Interviewing Stories – Gaffes to watch out for

Patrice

As a recruitment agency we see all kinds of situations. It has been amazing to watch what people do on interviews. I had a candidate that was interviewing with Panera Bread who walked into the interview with a Starbucks coffee! There was a candidate who was finishing up chewing his breakfast while introducing himself to the interviewer. What were these people thinking? Obviously they weren't! Interviews come in many guises, but the errors people make are common. Some are very obvious, but recruiters still get faced with them on a regular basis. Not enough research By far the most common…