Yellow Book News and Happenings.

What do you think -- is this company going to survive and thrive? Are they looking to expand their staff, or do you think layoffs are inevitable?

How does Yellow Book stack up against the competition?

DOWN THE DRAIN... PEOPLE DON'T SPEND MONEY ON USELESS ADS DURING A RECESSION

I worked as an S.A. for almost 2 years. I heard they're outsourcing now in India. An entire production department was laid off in San Diego and they are slowly getting rid of SAs. Rumor is, reps are all getting laptops.. which makes no sense since a lot of them don't even know how to check their email

Host said: What do you think -- is this company going to survive and thrive? Are they looking to expand their staff, or do you think layoffs are inevitable?

How does Yellow Book stack up against the competition?

They laid off 220 people yesterday company-wide and over the next two week are planning on "laying off" about 500 sales people.

someone who knows in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: They laid off 220 people yesterday company-wide and over the next two week are planning on "laying off" about 500 sales people.

I was one of the 220...and apparently they told the remaining people that sales is fine. I dont believe anything they say for a SECOND, but I think it is a sinking ship. King of Prussia laid off 60 and I think Cedar got hit the hardest.

I was one of 220, and believe me they're not done cutting. A desperate move like that is always perceived by a market as a huge weakness. Hope they tanks all the way.

karma25 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania said: I was one of the 220...and apparently they told the remaining people that sales is fine. I dont believe anything they say for a SECOND, but I think it is a sinking ship. King of Prussia laid off 60 and I think Cedar got hit the hardest.

First of all, I am so sorry that you lost your job. It's very scary in today's economy. But sales is NOT safe. And each sales office is apparently handling it differently. Some are being up-front about the layoffs & some aren't. The problem in our office is that we've known since last Thursday that several reps in our office are going to be laid off & and we all pretty much know who we are, but nothing is officially announced yet. So we're all on pins & needles. And those of us who "know" are all handling it differently. Some are still working & closing accounts, while others "on the list" are not working at all. The way it's being handled in our office has not been all that great for morale overall... But it is what it is & and at the end of the day, there are a lot of people who are losing their jobs in a horrible economy. And as sales, we have NO idea if we're going to get any kind of severance, extended benefits, etc. It's just going to be a huge relief, once all of us know that we're being laid off have some definitive answers.

They didn't just cut sales reps, corporate jobs too.

karma25 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania said: I was one of the 220...and apparently they told the remaining people that sales is fine. I dont believe anything they say for a SECOND, but I think it is a sinking ship. King of Prussia laid off 60 and I think Cedar got hit the hardest.

Sales is not fine.

DSM's were DEMOTED, and they are cutting down the sales staff too.

I too was one of the 220, and after FOUR years with the company (and no notice outside a bland company email sent out Thursday morning) they were very dry with the whole thing! Not a thank you, good luck, sorry about all of this, NOTHING! To answer above sales questions NO they do NOT give a severance to anyone in sales, a co-worker who was also one of the many worked an hourly position (non sales related) and they did receive a severance, however any sales are not offered anything outside of insurance until the end of the month and instead of holding commissions for six months (as they would when you get fired for performance) they allow you to get them. I too have heard the DSM's are being demoted and they are expected to announce more layoffs after the new year. Oddly enough they have four new hires starting Monday at a local office here, explain that? Obviously not a good career decision and they are now targeting people who are just there as a stepping stone (job), good luck keeping any revenue with a different rep every year!

I was fired (part of the company wide sales layoffs) over the phone last Thur. This is a dangerous company to work for at this time. No position is safe. Be smart and have something lined up for yourself. This is just the beginning of the end for this company. Same thing in our office they just hired 3 people. Poor suckers. Good luck to all that lost jobs so far. A better future awaits.

And yes they were right. It IS the LAST place I ever want to work!

From what I know, after the 220 in sales Liason were let go they let go 1400 sales reps and demoted some dsm's to a selling position. Apparently they are not done yet because a few more people were just let go from my friends office today, two weeks after the 1400 were canned...

I was laid off from the King of Prussia office, Corporate. I just received a promotion to HR and after 3 months of hard work this happened. Its upsetting and unfortunate hopefully the economy will improve.

I hear from people still "on the inside" that at the local level, DSM's are choosing different ways of handling things. Some are simply picking reps to terminate. Others are writing up reps for performance with goals that cannot be met so that the reps will quit because it saves on unemployment insurance. Then, if they don't quit, they will terminate anyway. One rep told me that the DSM set a goal, the rep met the goal, and then the rep was told to look for a job anyway, because they were going to be terminated regardless. Since that time, the rep has continued to make sales at or above the goal, so I suppose the take-away lesson there is (as it always has been) meeting your sales goals is no guarantee that you'll get to keep your job at YB.

This message is for all "losers". Look, the top managers and executives have big mortages to pay, expensive cars, vacations, etc; so they can't afford to take a pay cut. They are afraid "sh*tless" of losing their jobs, so they will do anything to save themselves. Something's gotta give... The party is over.

- Loser

p.s. hope you get my sarcasm, 'cause that's all I got left.

tyvette9 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I was laid off from the King of Prussia office, Corporate. I just received a promotion to HR and after 3 months of hard work this happened. Its upsetting and unfortunate hopefully the economy will improve.

If you were in Yellow Book HR I have no pity on you, in fact if you are like the rest of the talk out the side of your mouth crew in HR, I would have to say got what you had comming! Now go find a good job, with a company that cares about you, and put this looser behind you.....GOOD LUCK!

Axed in Philly, Pennsylvania said: This message is for all "losers". Look, the top managers and executives have big mortages to pay, expensive cars, vacations, etc; so they can't afford to take a pay cut. They are afraid "sh*tless" of losing their jobs, so they will do anything to save themselves. Something's gotta give... The party is over.

- Loser

p.s. hope you get my sarcasm, 'cause that's all I got left.

Let's here it!....I loving this!

This is one reason I didn't take a job with YB. That's corporate america for ya. Instead, I chose a privately owned Yellow page company who is hiring as we speak and has no intentions of laying anyone off. Contrary to what employee of the week said, business owners are still advertising. Maybe not as much as they were but they still need to advertise. Where can you get 365 days of advertising at the price yellow page directories charge? And even in our days of technology dominating the markets, internet has not caught up to print advertising. Go to your store/market/gas station and look at all the newspapers and magazines still available! It's much easier to go to your kitchen drawer and pull out a phone book to find your phone number than sit on the computer hoping you type in the right website, heading, or google the name of the business correctly. We do have an older adult population in this country that cannot manipulate a computer let alone surf the web!
I hate to hear anyone lose their job in this economy, but trust me....businesses are still spending money to survive. Those that advertise will prevail over those who don't. I will shop somewhere I continually hear the name and what they have to offer as compared to a business in the backwoods who tells me nothing of what they have to offer. Coke and McDonalds still make billions of dollars and why? They advertise...always will.
If you enjoyed yellow page advertising, find yourself a privately owned directory to work for. I'm selling ads everyday!

Dangerous in uniontown, Pennsylvania said: This is one reason I didn't take a job with YB. That's corporate america for ya. Instead, I chose a privately owned Yellow page company who is hiring as we speak and has no intentions of laying anyone off. Contrary to what employee of the week said, business owners are still advertising. Maybe not as much as they were but they still need to advertise. Where can you get 365 days of advertising at the price yellow page directories charge? And even in our days of technology dominating the markets, internet has not caught up to print advertising. Go to your store/market/gas station and look at all the newspapers and magazines still available! It's much easier to go to your kitchen drawer and pull out a phone book to find your phone number than sit on the computer hoping you type in the right website, heading, or google the name of the business correctly. We do have an older adult population in this country that cannot manipulate a computer let alone surf the web!
I hate to hear anyone lose their job in this economy, but trust me....businesses are still spending money to survive. Those that advertise will prevail over those who don't. I will shop somewhere I continually hear the name and what they have to offer as compared to a business in the backwoods who tells me nothing of what they have to offer. Coke and McDonalds still make billions of dollars and why? They advertise...always will.
If you enjoyed yellow page advertising, find yourself a privately owned directory to work for. I'm selling ads everyday!

You do realize in your own e-mail you speak about the downfalls of yellow page advertsing in general- don't you?

Axed in Philly, Pennsylvania said: This message is for all "losers". Look, the top managers and executives have big mortages to pay, expensive cars, vacations, etc; so they can't afford to take a pay cut. They are afraid "sh*tless" of losing their jobs, so they will do anything to save themselves. Something's gotta give... The party is over.
.
- Loser

p.s. hope you get my sarcasm, 'cause that's all I got left.

Forgot to mention that they deserve to go.. liars, cheaters, play favorites, and do nothing for that fancy paycheck. What comes around, goes around. In 2009, they will be gone. We'll all laugh like crazy.
I forgot to mention that the people that got layed off can finally open up their mouths.....so sorry boys club........

Guy in Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio said: You do realize in your own e-mail you speak about the downfalls of yellow page advertsing in general- don't you?

where do you read that I speak of the downfalls of yellow page advertising? If you read correctly, I stated that business owners are STILL advertising, maybe not as much as they were....I didn't say yellow page specific. IN GENERAL, or should I spell it out for those of you who read everything between the lines? this is why i typically don't post my opinions on these ridiculous boards where people do nothing but complain!
Business need to advertise, the question is do you have a product that you believe in and can sell based on that conviction or are you just collecting a paycheck until you get a pink slip? Do some research about the next company you're interviewing for. Do you see "we're hiring - again!" ads on monster repeatedly? hmm, that may be an issue with turnover? that's why I expressed my opinion about YB, not yellow pages.

Dangerous in uniontown, Pennsylvania said: where do you read that I speak of the downfalls of yellow page advertising? If you read correctly, I stated that business owners are STILL advertising, maybe not as much as they were....I didn't say yellow page specific. IN GENERAL, or should I spell it out for those of you who read everything between the lines? this is why i typically don't post my opinions on these ridiculous boards where people do nothing but complain!
Business need to advertise, the question is do you have a product that you believe in and can sell based on that conviction or are you just collecting a paycheck until you get a pink slip? Do some research about the next company you're interviewing for. Do you see "we're hiring - again!" ads on monster repeatedly? hmm, that may be an issue with turnover? that's why I expressed my opinion about YB, not yellow pages.

There is a reason why Yellow Page advertising is generally one of the cheapest forms of advertising around.

You mentioned you will buy where you constantly hear a name, or see an ad, and how many magazines are at the gas station.

I am in print advertising- so trust me I believe in it. But Yellow Page books spend 99.99 percent of their time CLOSED.

You are not extending your reach or frequency with yellow page ads.

For a minority of business types Yellow Pages still works, but for a majority, it is very bottom of the barrell advertising that can be the first cut in a down economy.

Guy in Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio said: There is a reason why Yellow Page advertising is generally one of the cheapest forms of advertising around.

You mentioned you will buy where you constantly hear a name, or see an ad, and how many magazines are at the gas station.

I am in print advertising- so trust me I believe in it. But Yellow Page books spend 99.99 percent of their time CLOSED.

You are not extending your reach or frequency with yellow page ads.

For a minority of business types Yellow Pages still works, but for a majority, it is very bottom of the barrell advertising that can be the first cut in a down economy.

Gee, funny you think that it's the first to be cut in a down economy......I seem to be able to get alot more new customers with this advertising than my previous "magazine" employer, and, our renewal loss is typically less than 5% per year. Maybe you aren't "extending" your reach with yellowpages but you maintain a presence. People look to those pages for a service. The majority of people need a service from physicians, auto repair, heating/cooling repair, installation, flowers, beauty salons/products, and the list goes on.
I'm done with this. I don't bash any competitor or try to create dissatisfaction to a potential customer. My advertising is an addition to their current program. If they need it, fine, if not I move on.

Dangerous in uniontown, Pennsylvania said: Gee, funny you think that it's the first to be cut in a down economy......I seem to be able to get alot more new customers with this advertising than my previous "magazine" employer, and, our renewal loss is typically less than 5% per year. Maybe you aren't "extending" your reach with yellowpages but you maintain a presence. People look to those pages for a service. The majority of people need a service from physicians, auto repair, heating/cooling repair, installation, flowers, beauty salons/products, and the list goes on.
I'm done with this. I don't bash any competitor or try to create dissatisfaction to a potential customer. My advertising is an addition to their current program. If they need it, fine, if not I move on.

Believe what you like. I have worked in a marketing department buying advertising, and I have sold a few forms of print, including Yellow Pages.

There is a reason why it's generally the cheapest form. Yes for some service industries its still a great form of adverising. I'd be leary to put physicians, beauty salons, flowers etc in that group.

Attorneys, plumbers, HVAC, home improvement- that's your bread and butter.

This blog is a bunch of Lawyers talking about their Yellow Book reps, and the management at Yellow Book how they are a bunch of loosers. I am so glad I do not have the stigma anymore of working for a company that people have more respect for dog shi_ in the yard.

www.chs-law.com/2008/06/business-tip-avoid-advertising-with.html

someone who knows in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: They laid off 220 people yesterday company-wide and over the next two week are planning on "laying off" about 500 sales people.

Please make a collaborating record of your Yellow Book sales calls. To keep the company reputation. Your job may depend on it!
Repeated spam is acceptable
Repeated calls are not.
RESPECT OTHERS

Axed in Philly, Pennsylvania said: They didn't just cut sales reps, corporate jobs too.

GOOD CUT THE FAT OFF THE TOP!!

I too was let go but just remember that everything happens for a reason. It's cliche yes, but something bigger and better awaits us all. Good luck to those of you who have been impacted by this unforseen event. I wish you all the best in finding a new and better career as soon as possible. BEST WISHES..... RICH SANCHEZ - ALBUQUERQUE NM

Host said: What do you think -- is this company going to survive and thrive? Are they looking to expand their staff, or do you think layoffs are inevitable?

How does Yellow Book stack up against the competition?

I just heard that there was a new training class in another state, and after people got out of training one or two weeks later, they let a couple go. The economy is tough out there and companies have to do what they have to do. All in all working with them was great fun but if you didn't make your numbers you are in the bottom you go - they cannot carry everyone for too long. I was unfortunately let go as well but you cannot blame the company for the lack of business.

handle it in Ormond Beach, Florida said: I just heard that there was a new training class in another state, and after people got out of training one or two weeks later, they let a couple go. The economy is tough out there and companies have to do what they have to do. All in all working with them was great fun but if you didn't make your numbers you are in the bottom you go - they cannot carry everyone for too long. I was unfortunately let go as well but you cannot blame the company for the lack of business.

Let me give you the best advice anyone has ever given you. Find a job making $10.00 and hour because after you add up the time spent with this moronic company it will be less than that. There is nothing left at Yellow Book but a bunch of crooked managers whos main goal in live is to scre_ you. YB is not a place for long-term employment, if you want to get screwe_ rob a bank and go to prison. It will be a much more pleasant experience.

employee of the week writen up the next in Chicago, Illinois said: DOWN THE DRAIN... PEOPLE DON'T SPEND MONEY ON USELESS ADS DURING A RECESSION

Not only do smart people still advertise in the book, they get an awesome ROI. I have actually had several customers thank me for increasing their business. Everyone from lawyers to massage therapist have told me not only does it work, but it works well. If your advertising doesn't work, it's more than likely not a well placed and well designed ad.

For all of you YB employees who were laid off. I am sorry. Don't bash the company. The economy is the problem. I really hate that folks are losing their jobs. I really believe that Mr. Walsh is doing everything he can to retain the top talent at the company. As for the sales people, we were warned last February by Mr. Walsh himself that downsizing was coming and that they wanted a smaller sales force. I still bleed yellow and I hate to hear that so many of you are so hurt and angry! It's the economy! Blame it on Bush

Don't Bash Yellow Book in Potomac, Ontario said: For all of you YB employees who were laid off. I am sorry. Don't bash the company. The economy is the problem. I really hate that folks are losing their jobs. I really believe that Mr. Walsh is doing everything he can to retain the top talent at the company. As for the sales people, we were warned last February by Mr. Walsh himself that downsizing was coming and that they wanted a smaller sales force. I still bleed yellow and I hate to hear that so many of you are so hurt and angry! It's the economy! Blame it on Bush

What is Mr. Walsh doing to retain the top talent in the company? Cutting salaries, cutting payouts on new and increase. If you ask me, he is driving the top sales talent in this company to find new jobs.

I feel bad for you . . . Really, but that's not the case nationally. We just got a significant increase in our comp plan. I am very happy with what I take home. I guess it depends on where your office is. I know Mr. Walsh and I believe he really does want to retain the best talent in the company, in our case he certainly has some happy reps in our office.

Don't Bash Yellow Book in Potomac, Ontario said: I feel bad for you . . . Really, but that's not the case nationally. We just got a significant increase in our comp plan. I am very happy with what I take home. I guess it depends on where your office is. I know Mr. Walsh and I believe he really does want to retain the best talent in the company, in our case he certainly has some happy reps in our office.

If the company wants to retain the top talent, it better step up very quickly. After the PC trip, it will be real interesting to see who is left.

The company will be around. Things are changing, but I doubt YB is closing its doors. I think panic is abundent everywhere. Tell me where you can go today and have job security and make a fat pay check? We are in a recession and things are bad everywhere!

Don't Bash Yellow Book in Potomac, Ontario said: The company will be around. Things are changing, but I doubt YB is closing its doors. I think panic is abundent everywhere. Tell me where you can go today and have job security and make a fat pay check? We are in a recession and things are bad everywhere!

I never said the company would not be around. I think you will see the company cutting more of its sales staff within the next month or two. There is no panic here. As a top sales rep I need incentives to produce. There are companies out there that are willing to pay for top talent. I agree, we are in a recession but if your top sales reps leave, who will close the sales for the company and maintain strong relationships with our current customers.

I agree that top talent is a needed asset to any company. I simply caution anyone who is consider leaving any company now to consider when you are going to a new company, who's to say that when they start cutting jobs you won't be the first one let go. Job security means so much more than compensation for me personally. It's not like my kids are going hungry, and yes, I miss the good ole days. I just recall Mr. Walsh saying this was coming, he specifically said they were going to downsize their sales force and retain only the cream of the crop! Good luck to you and hopefully you and I will meet at PC.

Don't Bash Yellow Book in Potomac, Ontario said: I agree that top talent is a needed asset to any company. I simply caution anyone who is consider leaving any company now to consider when you are going to a new company, who's to say that when they start cutting jobs you won't be the first one let go. Job security means so much more than compensation for me personally. It's not like my kids are going hungry, and yes, I miss the good ole days. I just recall Mr. Walsh saying this was coming, he specifically said they were going to downsize their sales force and retain only the cream of the crop! Good luck to you and hopefully you and I will meet at PC.

You are right, the grass is not always greener on the other side. At this point I am staying with the company and hoping for some changes in the future.
I like selling our products and I believe that our customers do get a good return on their investment. I guess the key is to stay positive, stay busy and be thankfull that we can still pay our bills. I hope that the company will come back with better pay plans and payouts.

Now that's an attitude that will carry you far! Stay positive and remember it could be a lot worse.

Dangerous in uniontown, Pennsylvania said: This is one reason I didn't take a job with YB. That's corporate america for ya. Instead, I chose a privately owned Yellow page company who is hiring as we speak and has no intentions of laying anyone off. Contrary to what employee of the week said, business owners are still advertising. Maybe not as much as they were but they still need to advertise. Where can you get 365 days of advertising at the price yellow page directories charge? And even in our days of technology dominating the markets, internet has not caught up to print advertising. Go to your store/market/gas station and look at all the newspapers and magazines still available! It's much easier to go to your kitchen drawer and pull out a phone book to find your phone number than sit on the computer hoping you type in the right website, heading, or google the name of the business correctly. We do have an older adult population in this country that cannot manipulate a computer let alone surf the web!
I hate to hear anyone lose their job in this economy, but trust me....businesses are still spending money to survive. Those that advertise will prevail over those who don't. I will shop somewhere I continually hear the name and what they have to offer as compared to a business in the backwoods who tells me nothing of what they have to offer. Coke and McDonalds still make billions of dollars and why? They advertise...always will.
If you enjoyed yellow page advertising, find yourself a privately owned directory to work for. I'm selling ads everyday!

Hi! I couldn't agree with you more. Out of curiousity I was wondering where you work now? I applied to YB the other day becasue I love selling ad space, but I want to work for a company that is going to be around, and not lay people off.

Ogden directories - Big Blue Book. And not ashamed of it. Good company, lots of $$ to be made if you do your job and do it well. Plus they own a local ski resort and employees get some perks there. The other company...not mentioning any names.. is deceiving and alot of my customers are upset over what's been done to them concerning their ads with that company. They say the reps just come take their money and leave so it's not about the needs or the customer, it's about hitting your quota and keeping your job. If you do what's right with your customers you WILL hit your quota and won't have to worry about losing your job.
Through this whole span of a failing economy they have not laid anyone off...not even in the coporate level or in management. In my opinion that speaks highly of them.