The Southwestern Company Internship Difference Blog
So, about an hour ago, my phone rang. The young man on the other end politely asked a question: “Are the students independent contactors?”
To this I confirmed that, yes, the students who participate in Southwestern Company’s summer sales program are independent contractors who run their own independent businesses.
He then said, “So, your company does not share if there is a loss financially?”
I then answered by saying no, further explaining how the students purchase products at wholesale (not upfront, by the way…) and sell them at retail utilizing the direct selling business model where they make a profit over the original wholesale price.
The formerly polite young man then said: “Nice scam!”
Two things you need to know about me: (1) I love a challenge; and (2) I love to educate people about the benefits of direct selling and, specifically, the Southwestern Company summer sales program. It’s something I believe in because I’ve experienced it.
I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to enlighten a young person who was under a few misconceptions about our program, and from the sound of it, direct selling in general. Why did he have the opinion he did? He simply did not have the facts.
I attempted to explain the program in simple terms. If the student dealers apply the training they receive in the week-long “Sales School” and are actively demonstrating products to families – Southwestern Company recommends 30 demos/day – thus generating a customer base, there should be no financial loss, but a gain. (I actually went into a little more detail, but you get the picture…). I then continued to explain how it is a simple matter of math: you sell more then you spend.
I was wasting by breath. You see, it took me a while to realize he had hung up shortly after he yelled out, “Nice scam!”
I guess those not willing to learn, are harder to teach. This person was not the first and certainly will not be the last to characterize something they do not understand as a scam, pyramid scheme or even cult – especially in the direct selling arena. Those are often terms used by people who just do not know any better. More so, they are not willing to learn or be told any different.
I hope the young man got a laugh out of hanging up on me, but what’s sad is he won’t be laughing when he is close-minded to understanding something later in his life that may be much more important in business or even his personal life.
this is so applicable to all aspects of life. not just sw
the other day i was trying to explain the idea behind a book id read called, “Racism without Racists” by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva (great book btw; not motivational at all tho
and he refused to listen to the idea behind the book.
as a closed mind, he would not listen
and then when he later was quizzed on it in class well…id just assume he didnt do so well.
Thanks Daniel. Sometimes life lessons are learned the hard way, and sometimes, not at all. It’s a shame biases and personal experiences or lack of maturity hold people back.
Trey
That’s a real shame that someone would call up to speak to a person and say that to you. Sort of reminds me of when people come over to our information sessions on campus and sit there with their arms crossed staring at the floor. Who would waste their time sitting through an info session if they were so closed-minded?
I had two students this week who brought up the whole “scam” idea to me, and as I have gotten older, I don’t really have much tolerance for the word itself. Not that I don’t want to answer an objection or provide information to someone, just that I think in 2010 you can do your own research fairly easily to determine that we are a serious business. Thanks for all you do my friend!
Brandon
Yes sir, Brandon. It is frustrating, but a necessary part of the job. I hate it that it is that way, but the opportunity you offer to college students is invaluable. Keep it up my friend!
The longer I’m in this business, the more I’m perplexed at reactions like the ones portrayed by said person. I feel like a majority of people who hear about our job balk and are quick to cry “scam”, but I feel like the direct selling model is one of the most fair models there is since there’s no middle man (which pays off to the customer since it should lower cost of the good sold) and the person employed by doing business is in control of their results as opposed to working as a salesperson for a store, where they receive an arbitrarily set commission from the company.
Nici – I think it is just that a lot of people are under-educated when it comes to the direct selling business model. They may think they know what it is, but confuse it with things such as pyramid schemes or othre scams they have heard of. Then again, if it is something they would never do themselves, many people fear what challenges them. Thanks for the post and keep reading!
It would appear that this person’s sole intent was to put a Southwestern representative down (namely you, who just happened to be on the other end of the line) and to make himself feel better. It is sad that people make sweeping generalizations about companies, and other people for that matter, and then go on to act on those false pretenses.
It is surprising (or perhaps it isn’t) that a person suspecting a scam would not simply call for more detail or clarity, rather than to boost his own ego and perpetuate his misconceptions about a program that in fact serves to help young people grow. It is irony that he attempts to insult a program that encourages keeping an open mind.
Despite irrational acts such as this, it is a good thing that people like you, Trey, have the tolerance and the patience to try to explain the program so diligently!
Keep doing great things!
Garrek
Garrek – I often find people are a lot braver behind a phone or computer. They typically will not say the things they say to your face. Besides, it is just plain rude. Those who ask, find clarity. They may not like or agree with the answer, but at least they have the information they need to make educated decisions.
I may be weird, but I think it is cool how closed off some people are to our program. At some point if people want to be truly successful or get the most out of life, they have to be doing things differently then people around them, and at the same time doing things that other people just don’t understand. Our program offers an awesome opportunity for students to practice that at a young age. Therefore, I am thankful for people like the anonymous phone caller.
Bobby – that is a unique way to look at it. People who are successful have traits that set them apart from the crowd. I think it is better to experience some of the success principles and life skills to carry forward at a young age. Southwestern Company’s summer sale program does that, as do other experiences that make you stronger and more knowledgable. Not everyone may agree which is fine, but at least be willing to listen.
Trey,
With people like this caller, you have to firstly, just laugh because the truth of the matter is that he was not calling to be filled in on what the facts are about our business, but other direct selling companies, he wanted to feel as though he was making a statement by hanging up the phone. By doing that I don’t think he got anything accomplished because he is still unclear as to what happens with our interhship and now he has lost the chance to get to know what a great opportunity this is. We know that this internship is not for everyone, but it is really annoying when someone with the sole intent to hurt someone else. I feel sorry for this caller because he may have a tough time stepping outside his comfort zone and do what it takes to be successful in his career which means he will probably be just like the other 50% of the graduating class of last year; working in jobs that do not require their college degrees because they took jobs because they needed something; that something is usually security. I think people shouldn’t be scared of something that is different just spend the time to understand what it is so that you can at least be knowledgable and not purport non-facts.
Maurice – you bring up a good point. People cling to security. Security is usually in the form of something they are familiar with or comes easy to them. One thing that sets the participants of the Southwestern Company summer sales program apart is their willingness to do something most young people are NOT willing to do. They relocate to another place, work hard for the summer, meet new people and learn how to run a business among other things. Yeah, such a scam…
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
Similar to the rest of the comments, it is a shame that some can be so closed minded to an opportunity that has proven it’s success year after year. I believe a lot of the resistance we (SW) feel, comes straight from the fear of the individual’s unwillingness to put themselves out there. They are comfortable with staying “safe” or maintaining whatever routine has worked in the past. No doubt it’s a leap to participate, but I can’t imagine these people are taking many other risks in other areas of life.
The main reason I have stayed in this program and company for the last 5 years is because I am forming a habit of appreciating the challenge it presents me and those who I work with day after day. One thing I believe we can all appreciate about individuals like the “hanger upper” is that it just further pushes us to do our jobs the right way and defy the stereotype.
And kudos to all that work with us… Nothing is more rewarding then finding those students who love a challenging opportunity to prove what they’re made of. The other people are just motivation to keep working hard to find the right people to build our company with.
Amy – thanks for your comments and contagious attitude. Fear is a primary driver when it comes to failure. Those not willing to “fail forward” as John Maxwell puts it, are not going to accomplish many of the things they set out to do.
Not everyone has to be a fan of Southwestern Company and the summer sales program, but they should respect it as a stepping stone to achieving goals. it is just one way of many to reach your full potential through doing, not hearing about it.
Trey,
You and I both know of my wonderful run-in’s with people thinking that I was a “scam.” At first, I took it personally. But now, I use it to my benefit
I really can’t wrap my head around the fact that people constantly think what we do is a “scam.” After my second summer, I would get somewhat defensive when my friends/friends of friends would bring it up. But now, I appreciate the people that think what we do is a “scam.”
Agreeing with the other comments, people are just afraid. FEAR. It all goes back to fear.
I can’t thank you enough for what you do, Trey. You have helped so many people throughout the years and I know that we all appreciate the heck out of you!