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In my department, they have recently changed how our main objective functions. It used to be when we set people up on payment plans, for as long as they repaid their debt, the monthly payments would be in our rep code and count towards our monthly goal - $32,000.
Then it was decided that they needed more money in faster. So it is only the first payment made on a claim (with one exception that I'm waiting to see how well it plays out) that goes to our totals - which is now $25,000.
This has been a big, big problem and has created lots of stress - the manager of this department has stepped down and this is no small part of that reason. We went from nearly everyone making the numbers on a consistent basis (when I was first hired) to 1-3 per month making it (so far). My sup told me when I came in that she had never had an instance in her 3 years there of someone being on verbal warning (not making it two months in a row). We now have at least 2-3, people who used to be consistently getting "exceeds" ratings. And because there is a 5-month build-up/learning period where the numbers don't count (much) and only 1/2 of the department is not in that time, the 2-3 people on warning would be closer to 7-9 (out of a group of 14).
Yet upper management sees no problem with this. It's not that what they are expecting is too high and/or the economy blows right now - making it even harder to get higher $$ amounts out of people who don't even have $$ to begin with - it's that we aren't the right people for the job. Ok, when we were hired, a big deal was made how only 5-8% of applicants get hired, they have very select things they are looking for..... so that's all a bunch of
now?
Sorry, didn't mean to rant about it.
Point is, I've been stressing about making this month - my first "counting" month. Because I want to get out of there, I have another week or so before I can start applying for another position in the company - but there are few open jobs. And the more time that passes between now and me getting a new position, the more not making my numbers will hurt me. However, I have to hit my objectives to be transfered/promoted. And I've been $16,000 $17,000 and $22,000 - in a 5-week month where the goal is $33,000 or close to that - for the three months we've had this system. So not that close, IOW. I was trying. I was using all of the tips/ideas other people have figured out. Making the best use of my time on the phones. But it wasn't happening. So I was stressed and frustrated that I don't think this is reachable but yet we're being hurt by this goal (that has no history/proof that it is reasonable!).
Cue the counting month. I lined up a handful of moderate-size payments, more smaller lump sum payments, and lots of down payments for monthly arrangements. About two weeks ago, it became apparent that I could do it, but it would be close.
It was coming down to about $3,000 - $5,000.
This morning I had $20,000 and change to date this month. A check (that I had been expecting) was cashed today - $2400 or so. Another payment - $700.
Then I had someone call in whose account had been turned to a collection agency. I discovered that the claim was accidentally inflated by $1000, making the real amount $3,000. The only way for us to remove an account from the c/a is to do a payment in full right then on the phone.
It took some talking "getting this done with now" and "release letter can be mailed tomorrow" and two credit cards (he was checking the balances available while I was talking him into it) but I DID IT.
Hitting me at $26,000 - unofficially, but the money is here.
SUCH a relief. I was under so much stress and putting so much stress on myself. And my manager was happy too - he wants to see me promoted and out of this group (b/c my skills are best used other places) and making my numbers helps that tremendously.
**crossing fingers that I'll move into a new job soon enough that I won't be this stressed about December's numbers***
Thanks to anyone if you made it this far!
Then it was decided that they needed more money in faster. So it is only the first payment made on a claim (with one exception that I'm waiting to see how well it plays out) that goes to our totals - which is now $25,000.
This has been a big, big problem and has created lots of stress - the manager of this department has stepped down and this is no small part of that reason. We went from nearly everyone making the numbers on a consistent basis (when I was first hired) to 1-3 per month making it (so far). My sup told me when I came in that she had never had an instance in her 3 years there of someone being on verbal warning (not making it two months in a row). We now have at least 2-3, people who used to be consistently getting "exceeds" ratings. And because there is a 5-month build-up/learning period where the numbers don't count (much) and only 1/2 of the department is not in that time, the 2-3 people on warning would be closer to 7-9 (out of a group of 14).
Yet upper management sees no problem with this. It's not that what they are expecting is too high and/or the economy blows right now - making it even harder to get higher $$ amounts out of people who don't even have $$ to begin with - it's that we aren't the right people for the job. Ok, when we were hired, a big deal was made how only 5-8% of applicants get hired, they have very select things they are looking for..... so that's all a bunch of
now?Sorry, didn't mean to rant about it.
Point is, I've been stressing about making this month - my first "counting" month. Because I want to get out of there, I have another week or so before I can start applying for another position in the company - but there are few open jobs. And the more time that passes between now and me getting a new position, the more not making my numbers will hurt me. However, I have to hit my objectives to be transfered/promoted. And I've been $16,000 $17,000 and $22,000 - in a 5-week month where the goal is $33,000 or close to that - for the three months we've had this system. So not that close, IOW. I was trying. I was using all of the tips/ideas other people have figured out. Making the best use of my time on the phones. But it wasn't happening. So I was stressed and frustrated that I don't think this is reachable but yet we're being hurt by this goal (that has no history/proof that it is reasonable!).
Cue the counting month. I lined up a handful of moderate-size payments, more smaller lump sum payments, and lots of down payments for monthly arrangements. About two weeks ago, it became apparent that I could do it, but it would be close.
It was coming down to about $3,000 - $5,000.
This morning I had $20,000 and change to date this month. A check (that I had been expecting) was cashed today - $2400 or so. Another payment - $700.
Then I had someone call in whose account had been turned to a collection agency. I discovered that the claim was accidentally inflated by $1000, making the real amount $3,000. The only way for us to remove an account from the c/a is to do a payment in full right then on the phone.
It took some talking "getting this done with now" and "release letter can be mailed tomorrow" and two credit cards (he was checking the balances available while I was talking him into it) but I DID IT.
Hitting me at $26,000 - unofficially, but the money is here.
SUCH a relief. I was under so much stress and putting so much stress on myself. And my manager was happy too - he wants to see me promoted and out of this group (b/c my skills are best used other places) and making my numbers helps that tremendously.
**crossing fingers that I'll move into a new job soon enough that I won't be this stressed about December's numbers***
Thanks to anyone if you made it this far!