When too many sales are a bad thing?

[v2Media]

Surely too many sales can't be a bad thing? I'm finding as sure as taxes it can be!

The problem with a sudden boost in sales in the web industry is delivery; much the same in any other industry. "Simple - just hire more staff!", I hear you say. Good staff are bloody hard to find; I'd settle for competent, punctual staff right now. But even this seems too much to ask for. My inbox is full of applications from graduates, Indians, n00bies, and unqualified/inexperienced but want a shot at it

"Working on websites! Why not hire someone from interstate or internationally?". Remote professionals that can work to your deadlines are harder to find than good staff. If you can't be face to face at some stage, pushing and prodding to meet deadlines is a lot less effective.

Usually I advertise on SEEK, but the quality of applicants is low. What's your experience with temp agencies et al like? I'm hoping this will lead to better quality applicants, but don't want to pay through the teeth for their services.....

[Chris Bates]

I know your pain! We often have those influxes, where everything just seems to pile up and you need an extra set of hands to meet deadlines.

Unfortunately, I can't really offer you a solution... I look after the development side of things, and bugger me if I can find anyone reliable. I've tried a local freelancer, a guy in the US, a guy in Pakistan, even "chop shop" places - they all sucked. The biggest problem, as you identified, is you can't get the whip out on them when it comes to crunch time.

I'm half tempted to hire a junior-junior, and train him up myself. Clean slate and all that jazz. But that doesn't help alleviate any super busy times!

Have you thought about not taking on all of the sales and/or upping prices?

[Dardee]

I know your pain. I have gone through it all myself. It seems that no matter what industry you're in it is so hard to find competent, reliable and enthusiastic team members.

[Burgo]

Ever thought of teaming with someone local that you may refer to as an oposition.
This is what we have done in the cleaning industry through ICAN.
Members are encouraged to help other members out when a business become inundated with work you call another individual operstor and see how they are placed work wise, you may find that they appreciate the thought / work and when they become busy they call on you.
Saves employing staff full time or casuals.......subcontract it out.

[v2Media]

Prices are already maxed out, any higher and they'd be ludicrous! This happens every year late March and escalates till the end of June. Burgo, partnering up with the opposition isn't an option. Code IP is the issue. You don't want to give opposition access to your code and work processes as they're your primary asset. Subcontracting isn't a wise idea either because all IP remains the property of the subcontractor by default in Australia, this includes designers as well. The only way around that is to have the contractor work on your computers and leave no responsibility to the contractor to maintain the product delivered. Employing is the only way to protect your IP.

[Advanced Pet Sitting]

I am also finding it almost imposible to find another sitter. I put an ad on Seek and 80% of the reponse was from kids that have just finished school, or people who didn't even bother to upload a resume. I had replies from "I am a dancer and would be a great dog walker" to " I am a labourer but would like something softer". I don;t even know what people think when they apply for a job.

[v2Media]

The crux of the problem is that in Australia, when the unemployment rate gets so low, it's actually 0%. This is because the bottom dwelling unemployed evade work and are content to stay on social benefits. Motivation to apply for jobs from these people is to be able to fill in the compulsory 2 job app notes on their dole forms.

Unemployment is currently really low, so there's an abundance of useless job applications.

I have yet to receive a single decent application from SEEK, absolutely no joy. In the meantime, I'm forced to push potential customers away with ludicrous quotes. Simply can't service demand at the moment.

[Chris Bates]

Mark, in about a month we'll probably be at a stage where we can handle a larger workload - can discuss then taking work off you for a commission if you want, rather than just chasing them away with scary figures?

[infoesource]

Help! I fully understand. Even when two companies merge in aquisition and not everyone is excited for the change and leave, that leaves fewer to do the jobs of many.