Damage Control

When you have to publish the thrust of a network e mail message to all 3M dealers in an industry publication, I would say that so far there is a significant measure of dissent.

interesting....

that is jacked up. they are us all!

Sounds like hard working people could get a big bite on the buttt if they don't watch mmm

Actually, I have been getting a great reception from the 3M community to the program. It is also interesting that since the announcement that two other companies have announced similar plans. I have not heard as much from the community on those programs, but I would think that any issues that someone would have with the 3M/NGSG deal, they would have with those as well. This letter from 3M to the dealers was sent out weeks ago immediately in the wake of the press release to clarify some issues. Since that time, questions have been answered and issues discussed and now most dealers are onboard with the program. I know that we currently have about 100 individual jobs going on throughout the country and the dealers we are working with seem happy with the program. As Charlie stated in the article, if this proves to not be a good deal for the dealers, the program will be dissolved.

Come on Stan. You seem pretty level headed to me. If this is handled correctly it should be good for all parties involved. Wouldn't you agree?

There is a definate possibility (guarantee) of people being bit. This effects mmm dealers, but also the non-mmm dealers who dealt with their local glass co's. that are nor forced to use mmm dealers for their installations, should thyt be working with your company. One of my local glass co's that use me were none to pleased to find out that, should they be dealing with your company for work that they would not be allowed to refer installations to the company of THEIR choice, but the local mmm dealer (of whom they refused to work with since the mmm dealer was none too kind to them).

We do not work through glass companies. We work as a project manager directly for the retailer. The job goes directly from us to the 3M dealer.

Similar plans? WFM needs to go do some more research.

3M contracts NGSG to do sales and act as PM.

CPF has their own in house sales staff... and as you well know they will sell direct and contract out the install on large projects.

Huper gives their dealers the films sale and the install which is the way it should be. Plus HO offers other revenue opportunities. IME this is far different from 3M's and CPF's models.

I stand corrected vclimber. I was going by what WFM wrote. The CPFilms program is not really new from what I can gather. Seems like the national accounts program they have had all along. Just t clarify, the 3M dealers get the film sale under that program as well. All NGSG does is the PM and sales function. Once the job is sold, NGSG PM with the dealers. They order the film and do the install and invoice NGSG. NGSG invoices the corporation. I do not know that much about the HO program, but it does not sound that different on the surface.

VCLIMBER!
This all is CALITALISM.
CAPITALISM = SELL or DIE.
However HOW SELL.
I try to sell with boobZ and smile - other with other tricks
But I think You realize - there are no trustfull persons in capitalist world

for those who do flat glass, will get screwed. many of the tint businesses won't even know that someone else is installing film @ a building near them because the many of them were never involve. this has been happening since the early 90's and will continue. my close colleges(other tint shops owners) shared info from mmm,lulu,solar gard, madico and v-kool. we knew what building was a CLOSE BID from the manu. we'd just go in and see if could bid it with a equal or better film, you win some you lose some.
MANUS. CONTINUE TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY CAN.

befriend most of the facility engineer at the builds in you area, so if something was to happen they would also inform you on any situation its called networking.

My question is why air that internal story out publicly when supposedly most 3M dealers are fine with the program?

This story was based on an internal memo that Charlie sent to the 3M network right after the press release came out weeks ago. Obviously, that email was sent around and WFM decided to do a piece on it.

Notice in paragraph 3 "In an email message dated July 16 to the company’s dealers, Charles Calisto, 3M’s national sales manager, said...".

this entire story was based on what was in the email and then asking dealers to comment on it. There is no new information here and this was not a press release sent out by 3M to the industry. This was a WFM article based on an internal piece of communication at 3M. Since that email was sent, I have spoken with a great number of 3M accounts and have not had anyone tell me that they are unhappy with the program. In most cases, the response has been the exact opposite. I think that there was some initial concern over the details of the program, but once those were addressed it seems that most are fine with it. I do not believe that in all the pots regarding this topic that I remember anyone identifying themselves as a 3M dealer that was opposed. If I am wrong about this then by all means refresh my memory. I am actually surprised that there is still the amount of attention regarding this story nearly a month later.

When WFM publishes an article about it I think you can expect interest to continue. What is so strange is that the Commercial Direct programs that have always been around are never reported on by WFM. Then all of the sudden PR's start rolling out about the NGSG deal and then CPF's "new" program and then a PR about Huper's new office which then gets interpreted by WFM as a Nat Accounts program... These guys need to figure out if they are going to report all of the facts or just pick and choose what they want to report on. Articles on internal e mails are rather odd when you consider that they have skirted around Direct MFG sales programs all of these years. I'm just scratching my head... strange.

You'll have to write your own story with 3M PJF. The story will play itself out for all to see in due time... promises and good intentions are only that, we need to look back on some history to see the facts. Hopefully you are right and this will benefit a part of our industry that has been really backazzwards for years. I've been around a long time as have others so I am sure you can understand our interest in how this all plays out.

Most anyone that "reports" will pick and choose, and will generally lean to whatever side has their pocket's best interest...

After reading the W/F clips for both CP and B/R things are heating up. Since these marketing tactics are geared to the large com/chains clients ..I see more window film awareness overall....plus the most talented installers in this country are not equalled as top salesmans so subcontracting has it perks.May the best sales team win.

This guy gets it...

“I have sold 3M films for more than 20 years,” one dealer posted to the Window Film magazine website. “They, and all of the major players, have routinely gone around the local dealers to sell the product. Yes, the local dealer still ‘gets’ to install the film, usually at a ‘volume discount’ labor rate … The profit on the product goes in 3M’s coffers, and maybe it should. I have a problem, though, when these sales to the end-user involve pricing equal to or below that of a dealer; even those that have worked their entire careers promoting the 3M name.”

-WFM Volume 13, Issue 5 - September/October 2009