If considering a role with West Business Services, be forwarned!
'Inside Sales' ads from West Business Services (WBS) are deceptive. Applicant information
is misleading. Some info is purely fiction.
I was employed at West' Middleton, Wisconsin call center. Before departing
West, myself and several co-staff had been irritated by their managment practices.
Specifically, WBS uses 'bait & switch' practices when disclosing compensation.
West ads typically show a compensation range of $26K to $45K/yr. Few reps make over $28K.
Bonus compensation is based on subjective surveys provided by client-customers, who must
input a perfect score in every survey-catagory for the West rep to attain a bonus. So if that
customer is elated by your advice but gives scores you a '9', you lose.
In addition, Job Duty info is hyped. Most employment ad reads that West sales
reps show "how our products and services can help to improve their bottom line".in truth,
West doesn't produce a product. Nor do they offer their own services. West is a third-party agent,
acting in surrogate for other companies.
The title of "Inside Sales" is skewed also. While employed in West 'Inside Sales Retention' Dept, we were strictly told that our positions "ARE NOT technically sales, but consultative consultancy.". Yet for hiring practices, West mixes and matches both terms.
Ditto for West ads that read how its staff is trained for "having consultative, non-scripted conversations". This is false! West reps are forced to follow a structured set of questions and inquiries. All positions are quite survey-based.
Please be careful if applying & interviewing with WBS in Middleton or any of its Wisconsin offices. Their hiring Managers are loyal to the client - NOT staff. So take what they tell you with a grain of scepticism.
If offered a position, bare this in mind: Most WBS roles are repetitive and uninspiring. Staff meetings usually embrace quantity over quality. "Dial Now" is a mantra of West' largest client. If you're someone who loves repeating the same words several times/day, this might be your fit. Otherwise, look elsewhere.
Air quality in the Wisconsin Trade Center (West offices in Middleton) isn't good either. As with most large buildings, central air mixes fumes from other floor levels. Last summer the paint fumes from Floor-1 rose up into our Floor-7. And the AC is thrusting that aroma downward like a jet propulsed fan system. Very difficult to work within, especially in winter months. If one needs to warm up, allow several minutes to catch an elevator (the only option for building commute) to the Floor-1 cafe. Or you can take your chances in the tiny Fl-7 lounge with its lone microwave for 100 staff.
WBS & its clients won't pay enough to deal with the redundancy, bad air quality and culture. So step with caution before considering employment with this firm.
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