My subdivision is just outside of town and borders an industrial area that extends to the north and south from the west side. I have worked this area for almost two years developing relationships with the decision makers in charge of vending, waiting for the company they're with to screw up. Plus, I keep everyone in a database. I keep track of how many employees they have, who they're with, and how happy they are. I schedule my follow-ups in this system and make notes under each account. I've been in corporate sales for close to 20 years and have transferred that experience to vending. I'd love to spend all my time selling if I could. Patience, perseverence, keeping track of details and marketing myself, keeping my company in front of the accounts I want to get. I don't mean that to sound boastful in any way because it has been very difficult. I went from being big enough that I had to choose between my corporate job and my vending company... to doing this full time and still unable to pay myself... to being able to pay myself a very meager salary and needing to add 2 more decent accounts to finally get my personal finances out of the red, which is where I'm at now.

This is a very familiar situation to me, left a corporate finance sales job to operating a full service route. I have been very persistent with a spreadsheet to database all potential clients and keep lists of current or future prospects.

My question is how to really GET AT the decision makers, it seems that I have the ability to leave messages to the purchasing departments and even set up meetings.. Its the follow up with them after the meeting or messages that gets lost in translation..

thanks....

That's a good one!

Hello, I'm new to this forum and an owner in a full service company (albeit a small one). I look forward to discussing future vending ideas...thanks a