Study: Most in sales have no time to sell
Are you in sales? Do you spend most of your time actually selling, or do you find that you're mostly doing administrative tasks?
Apparently, plenty of sales folks are spending only a fraction of their work time (10 percent) selling, according to an annual survey of sales force effectiveness. Most of their work days are consumed by paperwork, travel and problem solving, according to Proudfoot Consulting, a management consulting firm based in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
The study also examined how effective salespeople are in eight key selling skills. Barely more than a fifth, 22 percent, of study participants were considered competent in all eight. The rest were found to be poor or requiring improvement.
Bowflex machines recalled by company
The Nautilus Group is recalling 782,000 Bowflex fitness machines.
The recall includes 680,000 Power Pro units and 102,00 Bowflex Ultimate Fitness units.
The seat pin might break or become disengaged, allowing the seat to move suddenly. Also, the incline support bracket on the Power Pro might break, allowing the incline bench to move suddenly. Both hazards pose a fall risk to the user.
The recalled machines were built before Sept. 1, 2002.
The machines were sold through specialty fitness stores, infomercials and direct sales nationwide from January 1995 through April for between $1,200 and $1,600.
Consumers may call Bowflex at 800-820-8604 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.bowflex.com.
Company recalls pressure washers
RMM Corp. is recalling about 30,500 BLACK CAT electric pressure washers.
The electric motor in the washer might overheat and melt the housing, possibly igniting nearby flammable materials or exposing live electrical parts.
The recalled washers have a black plastic housing and a BLACK CAT logo on both sides of the unit.
Target and Menard's stores sold the recalled washers between March 2002 and September 2002 for about $145.
Consumers may call RMM Corp. at 800-304-1316 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
