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Report: #1038356

Complaint Review: Florida Marketing - Altamonte Springs Florida

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  • Reported By: Alison — Orlando Florida
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  • Florida Marketing 237 Westmonte Dr. #215 Altamonte Springs, Florida United States of America

Florida Marketing Management Group "Assistant Management" Interview Misrepresentation Altamonte Springs, Florida

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I used Career Builders and found a job opportunity for an "Assistant Management" position with a company called Management Group in Altamonte Springs. The job was listed as salary - emphasis was given that training would be involved, but that is a normal process in any new job. I went through the entire process and will explain exactly what they do, how the interview process works, how they 'market,' and how they intend pay their 'employees.'

I applied and had an email to call them after the weekend had passed. I was nervous about it because the email domain was a GMAIL account and I could find no literature online about the company. I called anyway. I was told to wear business casual and to bring a hard copy of my resume and references. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED if this was a multi-level marketing ploy where you start at an entry level and work your way up. I was told no, that the job was for an assistant management position that paid between $30K-$35K in salary. The receptionist's name was Nikki. I later had a call the day before the interview to CONFIRM that I'd be there. 

I came in for my interview and saw a waiting room full of people obviously there for the same reason. I was called to a back office that was located off a back-room. The interviewer asked me about my job history, my career goals, etc. Emphasis was placed on being able to work full time. The interview also made clear that they were not actually Children's International but that they did advertising for the charity in order to raise funds for CI. (DUH) The interviewer then told me that the hiring was a 3-stage interview process. I was told to come back for a second interview the following morning. I received another confirmation call later the same evening and was told to wear flat shoes, business casual, and to bring a notebook since I would be shadowing a manager.

At interview number two, I was called out by my interviewer and introduced to a team leader. I was told to not ask any questions about salary requirements from this team leader, that this person was there purely for the purpose of showing me what the company was about and for this person to evaluate how good a fit I'd be with the company. Salary requirements would be discussed at the third interview, if I made it. 

The team leader and I introduced ourselves to one another and began talking about my job history. This person briefly explained to me that we'd be 'in the field' and that I was to drive and follow them to the location they'd be covering that day. I followed them over 20 miles out from the office location to an apartment complex where we went from door to door asking for donations for Children's International. 

As we went from door to door, I was asking questions and the donation process was explained to me. From what I understood, this is how they work:

Your average quota is 1.5 persons per week, assuming 1-3 donors per day. The average individual works 8 hours a day. The pitch starts from small conversation with the 'donor' before moving on to the short story and presentation. It often ends with lines telling the person that their neighbors have all been 'supportive' of Children's International's cause (even though not a single neighbor listened to the pitch to the end) and hard-balls the donor into feeling as though they have to donate with an affirmative line like, "... and I'm sure we can count on your donation too."

If a person does decide to donate, the 'marketer' (SOLICITOR) has an Apple tablet where they can enter this donor's credit card information at the door. The solicitor has various protective measures that he or she must perform before taking this information, including a call (they call it a TVP Call, or Tele-Verification Phone Call)

I forget what particular question I asked, but the team manager felt unable to answer it without explaining some of how the 'salary requirements' worked. I was told that they earn a $50 BONUS for every donor they sign. Basically, donors sign up to donate $25 a month to Children's International. The pitch is done so quickly, I'd be amazed if these people realized this is a recurring donation for twelve months. The trainer explained that they want these donor's to donate for at least 4 months because that means CI has a $200 donation that they will use to pay Florida Marketing/Management Group $90 per donor. So CI pays FM/MG $90, FM/MG shaves $40 off for the company and gives the other $50 to the person that signed the donor.

Also, I was told to look for 'qualifiers' for donors. Qualifier's were vague and included things like age, interest, income, etc. Also, I received contradictory information about the age that the donor had to be.  Initially, I was told to only process credit information for adults 21 years of age or old - a specification set by Children's International. Then I was told that so long as the donor had the means to donate, to accept it because it was money in my pocket; if the donor when online to do the donation, even at 18 years old, that was just a lost $50 for me.

I had to take many notes on different training mechanisms used by these trainers, which I'll include at the bottom of the report along with other attachments. The team leader also sat down with me to discuss my future goals and to further explain promotions within the company. They are as follows:

  • Entry Level (Distributor): Learning the business (est. 2-4 weeks)
  • Leader: Apply learned material, teach back to new recruits, perform 2nd round interviews, and office duties (phones, emails, etc.) (1-2 months)
  • Team Leader: Micromanaging 5-10 people (1-3 months)
  • Assistant Manager: Work from the backend (hiring), 80% office, 20% field
  • Management: Ownership
Anyway, I was cleared for the final interview and was told to DRIVE BACK to the office in order to speak with the last interviewer. When I returned, I had to fill out a form quizzing me on the techniques used by the team leader in the lobby which was only half-full with new interviewees. I was finally called to the back with a new interviewer.

I immediately questioned how payment worked in this company. The interviewer explained that the average solicitor solicits between 1-3 donors, so this person used 2 for the average. Assuming you get 2 donors over a five day period, you get 2 $50 bonuses ($100) per day or a total of $500 per week. The "salary' that they pay these people 'in the field' is a mere $35 per day, plus your 'bonuses.' 

I explained that I had applied to this position on the understanding of it being an assistant management position. I was told that bankers don't hire financial analysts without first training them and that Florida Marketing/Management Group hired their staff looking for the right candidates to train and groom into this assistant management position before letting this person grow to management.

From what I've gathered, management is it's own business. When you become a manager, you essentially have your own incorporated business. It's just relocated to a different area. The team leader I spoke with informed me that there are 9 of these 'businesses' currently in the US, those I never learned where exactly. They seem to operate under the parent umbrella of Smart Circle Group.

This conversation lasted only about 5 minutes. I was dismissed with a promise of a phone call once my resume was further reviewed and a discussion was held with the team leader I shadowed. I feel my hostility in that last interview resulted in a 'lost' job offer. What a shame.


__________________________
Attachments:
__________________________


1. This was the email I received to call about the initial interview. I feel that they do misrepresent themselves as Children's International. 
________________________________________________________

Management Group
Altamonte Springs, FL 

NAME,

We are looking forward to meeting you for your interview with Management Group. Your interview is scheduled for DATE TIME with Our Hiring Manager. We recommend business professional attire and ask that you bring a copy of your resume to the interview. If you did not provide references with your initial resume submission, please bring them with you also.

I have included the job descriptions of our current openings as well as directions to our office from the metro and various major highways. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the interview process further please contact me at 321-972-9852.
          
I look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely, 

Nikki
HR Manager
http://www.facebook.com/ManagementGrp 
Directions to Our Office: mapq.st/QSTGbf  

PURPOSE

To recruit, by appropriate means, long term monthly paying donors in support of registered charities.

Marketing and fundraising on behalf of a charity is humbling and rewarding work. It takes a committed attitude and fantastic conversational skills. We are looking for compassionate individuals who take great pride in representing our teams/charities in the public spot light. We are currently running programs throughout the Orlando area.What began as a modest effort to build and operate orphanages, has evolved into a global force working for children encompassing the globe.

Our area of excellence and great strength is our deep understanding of children's experiences of deprivation, exclusion and vulnerability, and our dedication to placing those experiences at the center of our policy and practice. Approximately 16 million, children and their family members, regardless of race, creed or gender are living in poverty. Our distinctive approach focuses on working with children throughout their journey from birth to young adulthood, as well as with families, local organizations and communities globally to create the environments children need to thrive.

 RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Raise awareness and funding on behalf of current charity clients in the public spotlight. Conduct lawful and honest face-to-face donor acquisitions within non-profit guidelines via private site, workplace and/or other event presentation activities. 

2. Enhance and improve the public perception of face-to-face fundraising activities, thereby guarding the reputations of the charities as well as Management Group and all affiliated companies; this involves but is not limited to: 

        Always acting with courtesy, integrity and honesty
        Stepping above and beyond to avoid any and all misrepresentation when presenting information to the general public on behalf of the charity
        Maintaining an enthusiastic and pleasant countenance while working
        Staying updated with helpful, current facts and statistics about the charity and Management Group's. current pledges available for said charity

3. Work as part of a team to delevop yourself into one of our managers.  

WE WILL PROVIDE:

Hands on Experience- Work closely with all departments: Accounting, Human Resources and Recruiting; Marketing; Media Relations; and Business Development.  

Great Atmosphere- We understands that the success of our company is not greater than the sum of all parts. We are first and foremost, a team and we work together everyday to achieve a group goal. We are fun, upbeat, and excited about our mission! 

Top-Notch Clientele- We work on behalf of the premier charitable organizations in the world! You will have a chance to work closely with clients. Networking- This is your chance to immerse yourself in an environment with a plethora of outside and inside contacts that could help pave the way to your perfect future. We are located in 11 different countries-and the best part is we just got to the USA! 
_____________________________________________________________________

2. Notes from "the field"

Solicitors decide on their own locations to 'work'

Introducing yourself to the donors
Use the 'See' Factors
  • Smile, to provide comfort to the donor
  • Eye-contact, to build trust in the donor
  • Enthusiasm, to generate curiosity in the donor
ALWAYS BE POSITIVE-AFFIRMATIVE

You must always have the THREE MUSTS
  • Great Attitude
  • Great Student Mentaility (a willingness to learn)
  • Missed this one, sorry guys!
Avoid using 'C' words, like 'contract' and 'cancel' (this is so you get more money for the company)

The 5 Steps in Pitching
  • Introduction (who you are, small talk)
  • Short Story (briefly why you're there)
  • Presentation (show laminates with Children's International facts)
  • Close (hit price points, that the donation breaks into small daily pmts of $0.83/day)
  • REHASH (Remember Everyone Has A Sponsor Hidden)
Law of Averages - Used to explain that the more people you talk to, the closer you get to those one or two donors

Breakdown of how you get to those 1-2 donors
  • 80-60 Doors to knock on
  • 50-40 Introductions
  • 30-20 Chances to finish pitch and say, 'And I'm sure we can count on your support too.'
  • 15-10 Chances to encounter decision-makers (the people with the money)
  • 3-1 People that actually donate
8 Steps to Success
  • Great Attitude
  • On time
  • Prepared Physically and Mentally (because you get so many no's)
  • Work a full 8 hours
  • Work the entire territory (every floor/door/store/person/nook/cranny)
  • Maintain positive attitude
  • Know why you're here and where you're going
  • Take control

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/26/2013 09:50 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/florida-marketing/altamonte-springs-florida-32714/florida-marketing-management-group-assistant-management-interview-misrepresentation-alta-1038356. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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