The Southwestern Company Internship Difference Blog
Anniversaries can mark significant occasions or they can bring back memories of significant loss. Two 10-year anniversaries happen to coincide in March of 2009 – a personal milestone for me and a tragic memory for a great more than just me.
This month I celebrate with co-workers my tenth year with Southwestern Company, while in Wisconsin and other states, families and friends mourn the loss of seven young people and cope with the severe injuries and wrecked lives of five others in a horrific interstate accident in Janesville, WI.
It makes me think. Think hard.
What events ten years ago have intersected, bringing us full circle the same exact month?
Me? I’m the Director of Communications for the nation’s oldest direct selling company (est. 1855). I am directly involved in PR and communications initiatives amongst a host of other things including brand building and government relations. Within the past few years, and with particular timing to ongoing attempts to pass traveling sales crew legislation in Wisconsin, a few (mostly uninformed) critics and agenda-pushers publicly insisted our 141-year-old summer sales program was similar to that of a traveling sales crew. I know first-hand this is not anywhere near the truth. Here’s just a few reasons why from my personal perspective:
(1) Having not participated in the Southwestern program in college, I asked to do it in the summer of 2000 at the age of 26. I did this not because I had to, but to build a conviction in the program and products and gain credibility with the audiences I was commuicating with. I did it for me. I did it to make sure I believed in what I was selling.
(2) I know about traveling sales crews. My wife’s cousin was lured from home by one and eventually became a “crew leader.” I’ve seen how both an individual and a family can be affected – again, first-hand.
(3) In March of 2009, I attended an Assembly committee hearing in Wisconsin for Assembly Bill 14 (companion to Senate Bill 4). A video was played about life on the road with a traveling sales crew. As with everyone else in the room, I was appalled. I was also overcome with emotion at the stark differences between Southwestern and these rogue operators. The difference was day and night.
I have been aware of the necessity of regulation for traveling sales crews for some time. Both myself and Southwestern executives support the intent of this initiative. This blog is one of many examples of awareness and education.
Tying it together: Through the well-intentioned and strategically executed efforts of Wisconsin State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D) and Mr. Ellenbecker, father to Malinda Turvey, a youth slain in the Janesville van crew accident, the ten year dream to see a meaningful bill to regulate traveling sales crews has seen the light of day. It passed with majority votes this past week with a floor vote in the Senate and Assembly. Governor Doyle signed it into law and it will go into effect in April of 2010.
For Senator Erpenbach, Mr. Ellenbecker and all of the families involved, this was surely a victory to relish. As for the Senator, it was the culmination of years of sometimes abrasive passion on behalf of a constituent’s torment. For the father, it must be the sweetest of moments, a weight lifted. His tears told the story.
For an equal amount of years, myself and others including Wisconsin college students and their parents, concerned citizens and the Direct Selling Association have to no avail asked that the legislation simply be amended to not cover legitimate direct selling companies. Our requests always met with the same reactions: “change your business model”, “so what if it affects only one out of state company”, and “you’re one of them”.
I think about the parallel paths between my role in a 154-year-old direct selling company and the accident that happened one decade ago and where they have intersected over the years. Who knew those two particular occurences would in any way affect me the way it has? The danger traveling sales crews pose is all too real – no disagreement there. It has been an ongoing mission of mine to ensure the college students who run their businesses selling Southwestern products continue to have the freedom to do just that – choose to run their buinsess. And I will continue to work towards that goal where I must. It’s something I believe in. I have a passion just like those in Wisconsin who worked to protect youth and consumers in their state.
Passion can bring out the heroes amongst us. Passion can also lead to extremism. My heart goes out to those who were lost and to those who survived that crash. My heart also goes out to the young college men and women in Wisconsin and in other states who want to run a business in Wisconsin who may now be unfairly categorized as a traveling sales crews. They have lost the choice to be an independent contractors, and their integrity and honor have been put into question by lumping them in with the unethical operators of traveling sales crews. What’s heroic about that?
The last ten years have brought me to a place in my professional career where I am able to make a difference in young people’s lives. I have lots of memories over that period of time, most good and some I’d just assume let go, but none as haunting as losing a child. While I disagree with the unintended consequences this law may bring, I salute the unswerving tenacity of the good people of Wisconsin who rallied behind this bill. The truth in my eyes: your intent is heroic; your methods are extreme.
Trey,
You said it so well. The intent was heroic, but the methods were extreme. Sorry to hear about the WI legislature’s decision not to exclude SW from their new law. They are making a mistake that is going to prevent some deserving students from having the best summer of their lives.
I hope SW figures out a way to give WI students the opportunity to sell books. I can’t imagine where I would be without the experience I gained from SW.
Keep knocking.
JT
JT – we are on the same page. One sure byproduct of sales is persistence. You keep knocking, even after getting knocked down. Thanks for your support!