3/2011 I came across your profile and introduction after joining the TED discussion group. I imagine that you have plenty of clients and work to keep you busy, but I was wondering if you might have any advice for a new comer in the electrical distributor industry. I am almost a year into the CED management training program, and will begin managing my own branch in 2012. Although I have all intentions on long-term employment with CED, I wanted to know if you might be able to share any advice on the skills and core competencies that are in demand for senior level managers in our industry. I'm always looking to better myself, both personally and professionally, and I thought you would be a great resource in this matter. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response. Regards, Joe
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2/2011 Prudence:
I am currently employed as the Manager of a nationwide Electrical Wholesaler. It's a medium sized market, similar to Spokane. I've worked here since I graduated college in 2001 and became a manager in 2005. Our company offers a base + bonus for their Managers.
I don't like discussing pay with my peers (or anyone really for that matter), but since this is the only company I have ever worked for, I don't know if I am being paid on par with my position. Can you tell me what my salary expectation should be?
Thank you Answer
1/2011 I have over 20 years experience in the electrical distribution market. I have started companies from scratch and turned around organizations. My key titles have been General Manager, President, and I have also functioned as the sales application engineer for these entities.
Your article said we may be defined to a 25 mile radius for job possibilities. How do you break out of this limitation and find viable opportunities anywhere in the US?
Sincerely, Roger Answer
11/2010 Good afternoon, I have 16+ years in the electrical distribution industry. The last 12 with the same nationwide company. About 16 months ago, I started working with a recruiter. During that time, I have only had one phone interview. My question is should I start looking for another recruiter or is my industry just not hiring customer service/operations personnel?
Thank you Emily R Answer
10/2010 I’ve got a question for you…is straight commission still the prevailing compensation program for electrical wholesalers or is it just here in the Midwest? I’ve got two job offers, one is straight commission based on a % of GP and the other pays a fairly decent salary but very small commission and I’m torn.
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8/2010 We've discussed before about issues and the purchasing position you were looking to hire in Kentucky. I was wondering if I could ask your opinion on a position I've been offered.
I've been offered a position as inventory manager for a large plumbing/electrical wholesaler in Ohio that has sales of a couple billion. The salary they've offered me is $70,000. The position would oversee all of the purchasing, inventory and demand forecasting of their company.
The salary is the same as what I am making here in Chicago. Do you know what the going salary is for a inventory manager position in south east Ohio ? The cost of living is less there than Chicago. With so much more responsibilities with the new position and such a larger company I feel they low-balled me
on the salary offer. Answer
7/2010
How do you hire "good" sales
people? Answer
6/2010 What
do other professionals on LinkedIn do to get noticed, and/or increase
their exposure while looking for new jobs? Answer
5/2010 I
recently moved from Barrington to Durango, CO… quite a contrast! Anyway,
as I age I find that prospective employers are reluctant to hire me; might
it be the unwillingness to pay for senior management expertise or might it
be age discrimination? Difficult call, indeed. Companies want the best
talent but are they also open to bringing in the
“experienced/seasoned” manager? Might there be a fear of conflict
arising from inflexible attitudes, adaptability of new technology, and
antique perspectives?
Answer
4/2010 Hi
Pru,
You and I are first level contacts on LinkedIn and I think I've applied for 5 or so jobs you've posted recently that I feel well qualified for but am interested in why you've not put me into consideration. I know you're looking for a couple of gear people and outside contractor sales guys, those I feel I'm very qualified for, curious why you don't. If I need to rewrite my resume or approach this differently, please let me know and I'll make those changes but I'm not getting any traction with the jobs I'm applying for so figured I'd ask an expert.
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3/2010 I got a call from a long time competitor who wants me to come to work for them. I'm with a pretty big distributor now and have a nice territory that I've built over the last 6 years, I know this guy called me because I took one of their bigger accounts so there's no mystery there. I thought since they came to me and not the other way around, there would be a bigger bump in pay, but it's literally $1,000 more than I make now. Is that normal?
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2/2010 Dear Prudence, sorry I just
had to! I've received two offers and am waiting on a third.
One with CED the other with Graybar. I've been told by the third
company, a local independent, that they're going to make an offer but they
told me this a week ago and I'm running out of time. All told, they
all came in around the same so it's more about two questions; in your
opinion, who's the stronger distributor and do you have any ideas on how I
can speed up the third? Joe Answer
