Poll: How long to you spend meeting with reps?

Archive of Older Topics Archive - Specifications Discussions #2
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My rep meetings are as long as necessary. If they are invited at my request for project specific information, they may last up to an hour or more. If I am full of questions, they may last longer. I do not accept cold calls. The rep is requested to please call back and make an appointment in the same way Curt Norton describes.
One variation on this “no cold call rule” is no cold calls Monday thru Thursday, but OK on Fridays.
With e-mail, web sites, and faxes I see fewer reps for face-to-face meetings unless to introduce a new product, a new and improved product.

FYI, we have a 10 point bullet list of information we request the product reps provide.

  1. Budget cost per sq. foot (material + labor);
  2. List of approved applicators;
  3. Warranty (mfr watertight system, joint/several, material, etc.);
  4. Contact information of technical department personnel and mfg reps that can answer or provide details of their specific products;
  5. A check off list for inspecting their specific wp membrane (intent is to use it as a tool for our field technicians);
  6. Procedures for addressing damaged membranes;
  7. Expected life cycle of wp membrane;
  8. Mfg catalogs/samples.
  9. Basewall flashing treatment (can the basewall flashing be applied first to allow for work on exterior walls; and field membrane applied at a later time). For the case of DecTec, can the basewall PVC membrane be applied at the basewall or do we need to install PVC coated metal basewall angles?
  10. Material incompatibility issues.

Lunch and learns seem to be favored by product reps at this point in time to take advantage of a larger captive audience.

I am curious as to the methodology used by others to broadcast useful product data information to the rank and file. Do you have a dediicated new products display area?

At my last office, I started a monthly internal newsletter originally called “Wayne’s World”. The name eventually evolved to the NEAT FILE for No Excuses After This. My subject matter involved more than specific product data. If I was asked a particularly intersting technical question, I assumed all staff should know the answer. I maintained a hardcopy in the library and assumed all would print out and place in their personal library. NOT. Sooner or later, I would get the same question from a different source. See Neat File, Issue 4, Volume 2.
If any are intereted in obtaining a sample copy e-mail me at wyancey@morrisonhershfield.com. I would love to share.

Thanks
Wayne