Global Trade Base Harrassed by Owner while employed Internet

Well just after nearly a year of silence giving them the benefit of doubt... felt strongly compelled to add my personal experience.

As an employee for 6 months which is an extremely long tenure for anyone in the entry level "export facilitator" role. I witnessed all of the things everyone has already mentioned about Global Trade Base, Inc. and Patrick Donnell.

I would like to just add that I am divorced and ordered to pay child support and as anyone in Texas knows that is ordered to be taken out of one's check. WhenPatrick received the order from Texas on my behalf he went nuts and accused me of being a "dirtbag dad" and how it was now going to him a "transaction fee" w/ wells fargo bank that he uses for payroll. When I reminded him that as a W-2 employer in Texas that was a mandatory participation thing... he got enraged and stated I was lucky to still have a job.

I also sold a contract and my client told me via phone and email that the check was in the mail... I left it up to management whether to actually present their product line prior to payment. Management decided that they would procede "as if" it was paid. I invested alot of my time to collect and was never paid my $1062.50 commision. As a W-2 employee it is not my responsibility to collect... and yes it is unfortunate that the client wasn't paying however I signed nothing assuming such a risk and management made the decision for a chance for gain and still represents them and I have and will see nothing from it. At some point several months later Patrick decided to accept a shipment of product from them in lieu of payment and still represent them. I felt this a poor business decision and for all I know he has used, given away and/or sold the product fro which I have received no compensation.

Prior to leaving I personally invested $3600 in a new client by paying the fee myself and have not received updates upon request on at least 6 occasions since february of this year. These requests were made in person, via phone, and email.

It is unfortunate that there are employees being drug into this as I was... There are and will continue to be good people and good companies caught up in this. The intentions are there but the resources to pull it off are not(time, personnell, knowledge, overseas buyer contacts)

Patrick will and has stated that the first few years of operations will solely be funded by new client fees and not actual markups for product sales. This would be understandable for a starup but not for a company that claims to have a long history in exports. This is even well and good if it is communicated to potential clients honestly rather than "spun" into a "silvertounged" sales pitch 

I was employed there for 5 months and 2 weeks of which I was on vacation for 2 weeks.  In that time I saw at least 15 employees come and go and some go that were there when I started. In that time I was also one of the more successful sales people and earned only about $7k and was paid only $6k. 

During this time I can honestly say my only other complaint would be the combative way in which Patrick communicates with anyone not in aggreement with his views. You will be pommelled with questions until you give the "desired" answer.

I was once berrated for asking one of his VP's for help with a new spin being put on a sales cal script... "you are better than that figure it out" WOW I've never heard of anyone being beat-up for proactively seeking guidance on how to better make a company money. (obviously underlying bad mojo from the child support and accounts receivable issue)

Oh and by the way Patrick will almost brag about his Air Force service... he made fun of me for my combat veteran status and when I offered him a history lesson since he obviously was ignorant to the facts of Operation Urgent Fury...he said he didn't care.

I also was in a conversation with him when he mentioned in an inspirational moment about when "Jesse Owens" ran the first sub 4 minute mile. When I attempted to fill him on the facts again in private so he would not embarrass himself in front of potential employees, and clients... he again said it was unimportant and nobody actually knew the facts.

I would be one such nobody as are many that utilize or have heard the account of until 1954 when Roger Bannister broke 4min mile it was thought medically impossible then once he did it 17 times it was accomplished within the next 18 months.

I thought I'd focus on the facts as they related to me and I have never been the disgruntled employee type as a matter of fact I outwardly supported Patrick as he defended himself to employees in a meeting about his legal past.

As far as I am concerned Patrick is only guilty of one thing an enormous fear based ego that cannot and will not allow for personal and professional growth for himself or acknowledgement of that in others.

Companies out there buyer be ware... individuals out there do not waste your time something he does not respect and/or value.

Sorry to all current employees that may have a tougher time still selling trade missions because of the existence of this site and these blogs... however Patrick and GTB have had 15 months to make good on the $1000 commission owed me and 6 months to update me on the $3600 I invested with them. Fair is Fair