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December
2005:
Does your company plan to hire additional employees during the first
half of 2006?
The results of this survey would appear to indicate
that the first six months of 2006 should be a fairly good time to
explore new opportunities.
November 2005:
Have
you ever lied on your resume?
Nearly 1/3 of the respondents to this survey
have. During the past few years many employers have made it a priority
to improve information verification procedures for candidates and,
in a number of instances, current employees. Given this increased
attention to work history and background claims, it is essential for
individuals to carefully consider the ramifications of getting caught.
October 2005:
What amount of travel
is required by your current employer?
The inherent demands of many sales and marketing
positions often dictate that extensive travel will be involved. Although
there are a number of individuals who spend nearly all (if not 100%)
of their work hours on the road, the majority of respondents tend
to outlay between 10-50% of their time for employment-related journeys.
September 2005:
How long did it take to
find your current/most recent position?
Based on data we compiled over the past few
years, it does appear that the average time required to land a new
position has gone down since the 2001-2003 time frame. Most individuals
now take an average of 1-2 months to locate an appropriate role.
August 2005:
Have workplace attire requirements
changed over the past few years?
After the most recent large-scale market decline
there seemed to be a tangible shift by many companies to a more formal
workplace dress code. Although a number of factors such as geographic
location, corporate culture, and many others ensure an inherent lack
of uniformity, this survey does seem to confirm that required standards
have indeed become a bit more decorous.
July 2005:
Employee blogs?
The proliferation of this type of publication
in recent years has prompted highly diverse reactions from corporate
leaders. Many are encouraging this form of communication as a means
to enhance visibility and project an image of openness. Others feel
that the risks are not worth the potential benefits. The results of
this survey show that most individuals feel it is acceptable to post
stories related to the company as long as it is done on your own time
and there is a clear protocol in place.
June 2005: How
long is your typical commute?
According to Census numbers,
the average commute tends to be about 25 minutes. The results of this
survey show that this is fairly well in line for those working in
technology-related positions, although the curve most certainly is
skewed rather significantly toward the right. Undoubtedly this shift
may be attributed to a host of factors, but the most important conclusion
is the fact that many are willing to put in long hours on the road
to achieve their career goals.
May 2005: Have
you ever accepted a counteroffer?
Despite the fact that the
weight of evidence shows that the acceptance of a counteroffer rarely
works out well for employee and employer alike, many still may be
tempted due to proposals and promises that would often seem to address
current problems. However, the vast majority of individuals we have
spoken with who have accepted continued service under such circumstances
tell a story of strained relations, questioned loyalties, mysterious
cutbacks, and tenure that is ultimately quite short.
April 2005:
How many different companies
have you worked for over the past five years?
Due to a wide array of corporate and societal
changes in recent times, sales and marketing professionals are changing
jobs and employers with ever greater frequency.
March 2005: What
factor was most important in deciding to take your current/most recent
position?
In order to effectively
construct a sound recruitment and retention approach it is essential
to determine what factors prompt individuals to change jobs. As one
would expect, the opportunity for growth and the chance to make more
money top the list of this survey. However, it is imperative to take
into account the fact that a significant number of people clearly
have more than just a raise on their mind when they are considering
their next career move.
February 2005:
How many hours do you work per
week?
Various surveys have found that the mean
hours worked per week typically ranges from 46 to 51. Does this also
apply to sales and marketing professionals? The results show a curve
that, perhaps surprisingly to many, is fairly typical although perhaps
skewed slightly higher than the norm.
January 2005: Which
factors are most important for sales success?
We presented a group of
ten possible responses. Although the items are far from all-inclusive
and undoubtedly fairly subjective for this survey, they do represent
an applicable cross-section of fundamentals that are readily agreed
upon as highly tangible. Most certainly the results are far from scientific.
However, it seems clear that listening skills and setting goals are
viewed as two of the most important components to utilize as part
of a successful sales approach. |
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