I have 26 years in educational sales and have never experienced anything like this - Sales Representative World Book Employee Review

1.0
18 July 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The only pro about this company was the great people I got to meet in the short time I was employed. They truly have some very talented people but sadly I don't think any one of them has confidence in this company or their job security which leads to very low morale and stress

Cons

I worked for this company 85 days when I was suddenly and without any indication from my manager that my performance was not meeting expectations terminated. Ironically, 2 days earlier I was congratulated for being over my monthly quota and 5 days before was in Chicago attending their sales meeting. It does not appear that they have any kind of formal process for reviews or PIP’s which is the norm for any sales position. I have since learned that they regularly fire sales reps, even those who have been with the company 20+ years, with no warning or formal process. I was promised 3 things when I was hired by both my manager and Jim O’Rourke, Pres. Not one promise was kept. In my short time with World Book I quickly learned from librarians that there really is not a need for either their print or digital products. The state I live in has a contract with a very similar product that is provided to libraries and school districts for free. And very few libraries even have a reference section anymore. Couple that with the fact that many librarians are not even aware that World Book is still in business due to no marketing department and it’s a very tough sale. Poor leadership and management leads to low morale, low motivation and a very stressful work environment. Salary is ½ of the industry average and they do not reimburse for any expenses, including mileage. I would not recommend this company to anyone.

Explore other reviews about World Book

5.0
7 Apr 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Wonderful collaborative atmosphere where everyone was extremely helpful to me when I was first at the company. My boss was so much like Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life" and utilized a laissez faire leadership style with was very effective.

Cons

I can find nothing negative to report on this company.

2.0
2 Apr 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-work from home and flexible hours -manager was great to work with but out of touch

Cons

-product is outdated -marketing is horrible. The only marketing startegy is email campaigns yet most customers have opted out of them -tried to attend conferences to get product out and was denied (even though all our competitors attend) -only expense reimbursement is for milelage. Cannot take customers out to lunch or bring them treats with coming out of your own pocket -they set unrealistic and unattainable goals (only 1-3 sales reps ever meet their goals) -sign on with the promise your territory will make x amount of dollars when that is completely unrealistic. Make sure you ask for past year actual sales NOT goals. -expect cold meetings at schools and libraries when many of these buisness do not allow this anymore for safety reasons -worked here for multiple years and never got to meet someone in person, you are really on your own without the support of any coworkers. -no option for growth

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