Fearghal
Galway,#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, November 04, 2009
I have read so many reports on Cobra just like this one and each always makes me laugh a little, I too used to drink the Cobra cool-aide and I like it!
Unlike most people who start working in Cobra, I had been an entrepreneur for almost 6 years before I started with them. I have run a number of successful enterprises and learned how to run business through the school of hard knocks. There was no wool pulled over my eyes when I joined Cobra in Galway, I knew why I was there, I knew the type of business Cobra was and I knew what I ultimate exit strategy was to be if I stayed in the business long enough to become an owner or organisational head. I also knew what I wanted out of Cobra if before I left that could happen.
Regardless of anyones experience, it has to be stated that Cobra provide the perfect atmosphere for sales to take place. They cocoon you in sales Psychology that makes you believe in the business and your ability sell and hit any goal if your willing to work hard for it. They provide you with hard earned Sales knowledge and give people a taste of a real Entreprenuers life is like and that's not a life everyone wants. Cobra genuinely want you to succeed and are willing to give you every piece of advise and help to get you there. You have to do the hard part and actually do it though, which is hard. It's not like running business is the same as winning the lottery, you have to work hard and sales is very hard if your not prepaired or in the right frame of mind.
Sure there is attrition, if you work in Cobra, you are working in Sales and news flash, sales staff turn over is usually very very high. Things do seem a little surreal at times, like part of your brain is telling you something is wrong with this picture but the cobra training is telling you to ignore it and this has been learned from years of selling and thousands of sales people have used these techniques because they work. This is to anyone who has worked for Cobra, select a number of guide books to selling. Pick a random topic and read it and you will find that it will talk about the topics you learned in Cobra. Why? Because cobra teach the best forms of sales techniques and if you can't see that then you must be blind.
To anyone who is considering taking a job with cobra. Take it, maybe you won't earn an earth shattering amount of money. However you will learn more than you can imagine about selling and it will be worth every minute.
PS. I no longer work for Cobra for personal reasons. But I took the training I recieved from cobra and went back and resurrected one of my old businesses and now I employ three people and am very happy I took the time to experience Cobra. They trully have the best sales training in the world.
Hop Along Kermit
Paris,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, November 06, 2008
I was moved by your stories. I am a frenchman, I came to London 7 years ago for a gap year during my studies, basically to improve my English skills and perhaps find a great opportunity in this amazing hectic city. After a fortnight, my financial resources I had spared to prepare my stay in London became scarce. That's when I found an eyecatching job offer to work for a direct marketing office called "Legacy Corp" in Osborn street, near famous Brick Lane in London's trendy east end. Just like you all described it, the first interview was very relaxed. Miguel, the manager, handsome and confident, introduced me to a team leader, Bert. Most of the best "sellers" really looked like entertainers, they all had a lot of charisma for sure. My french accent didn't help but I could talk and understand English properly so they accepted to give me a chance on the field. Some of the most charismatic guys were nice to me, helping me out in the field, giving me tips, such as helpful idiomatic expressions. On the first day, my training manager, Bert, made like 100 so easily I thought I could at least make half of this. But my first week was a disaster. I hardly made 1 sale : 12. less than the daily expenses for a one day travelcard + lunch ! After 3 weeks I could earn just enough to pay the rent and food and transport. I didn't spare 1 and lost my time and energy. I was so stressful, and it took all my time so I couldn't even search for other jobs. I was impressed by some of the guys who had both charm and confidence. I wished I could do as well as they did. Some of them really could make a fortune being tv presentators. But I had other skills and other plans, go back to studies more seriously than ever. I never want to feel desperate again like I did those days. I'll never knock doors again. What I regret is that I made no long term friends there, I left one day knowing everyone would think I was not made for this... which was true.. Hop along Kermit
Tinkerbell12345
West Midlands,#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, January 12, 2008
When i first started for Zenith Force Wolverhampton, I was told about this brilliant job, with brilliant money with brilliant prospects. What i found was totally different. When i first went for the interview at Zenith Force the first person i met was Kate the administrator, she seemed really nice and friendly. I then met Adam the owner who seemed just as nice. When Adam invited me back for a trial day the next day I was excited that i had finally found a company that was willing to give me a job with no experience and no qualifications. I went back the following day for my trial day where I was introduced to Gavid (who apparmtly was Adams eyes and ears of the office). Gavid seemed really friendly he explained that we were going to a local area to promote one of their major clients. He explained that he would explain everything and answer any questions i had when we reached a local pub. When we got to the pub Gavid explained how "easy" it was to make 100 a day. He then showed me all the clients that we would be representing. Then Gavid went through the wonderful prospects and how easy it was to move through to ownership. I thought brilliant a "career" where i don't need any experience or any qualifications. I went around with Gavid for the whole day watching him make over 60 for the day. We went back to the office where i had my final interview and was offered the position. When i finally got my badge i was sent out with Gavid and 2 other members on the team. I did fairly well for my first day making 4 sales and making over 100. Maybe this is what clouded my judgement of the company. Over the next few weeks my slaes went up and down and all Adam and Gavid said to me is that i was looking for sales and not having fun. This continued and i finally managed to get promoted to leadership. I started building my crew and lost them all which really damaged my confidence and whether this company was what it was made out to be but i stuck it out doing really well some weeks and really bad other weeks. In the end adam suggested i moved into the company house, so i did and my sales picked up a bit. Then i was really ill and couldnt work Adam was really funny with me and i saw a total different side to him. When i went back i had some famiy problems so once again i was unable to work. When i went back to work again i had adam call me in the office to discuss things that had gone on at the company house in other words people making up things backstabbing. Then i realised what sort of company this really was. I told adam i was moving back home as i felt that i couldnt trust the people i lived with, he then asked if this was wat i wanted to do and i ended up leaving. I was there over 8 months and not once in that time did i see anybody promoted to Owner, Assistant owner, Crew Leader or even premier club. Over christmas i spoke to my cousins boyfriend who also used to work for Zenith and he was spun the same tale i was. I've been left a while now and im still waiting for my bond money deep down i know ill never see that again. I just hope people who read this realise how cobra really work.
Sandy
Manchester,#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, July 25, 2005
Hi there, Sorry you had such a bad experience with the company. I myself worked as an administrator, and whilst I agree with you on the long hours, crappy job, no friends etc rules it was a pretty cool place to work for me (different for admins though). Just thought I would let you know that your bond is most definately returnable to you, you have the law on your side (I hope you still have the contract). I would ring Cobra head office and pester them to pester the office in question (always gets them in the bad books with Cobra - good start), also if you know them, get in contact with the Hub (they hate being contacted by anyone but the people in the office). Failing that, just turn up at the office when its busiest, or when interviews are waiting - that can't fail to work as they will just want to get rid of you. It only takes at the most 1 week to order the money back so you stand your ground and get your money. My office was actually quite good with this type of thing (mainly because I returned them and pestered the owner myself as I didn't want to be held responsible for anything that could get me into trouble). So - hope all goes well, and just PESTER PESTER PESTER. Good luck !
Antonio
D,#6UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, May 31, 2005
Hi Alex, Your report reminds me very much of my present situation right now. I left cobra, in this case tuscan marketing, 1 month ago, won an sales award, had 3 people on my cru, went on roadtrips, and was on the high rollers list several times. I was in the first office in germany, owner was michael scully, whom you might know, my leader was steven von trundle. I heard the same things everyone in the company did, and I will write my own, more accurate report when I find time, because i am currently working in a call center like you do. I just wanna point out that it is fun working there, while you work there and do sales, but read my report and you will find out why my opinion of the bizz an especialy steven von trundle is not a very good one, and why it isnt if you don't creep your owners a*s up. The Animal (A Name given to me in the company (make me feel special!),thanks steven!)
Alex
Liverpool,#7Author of original report
Mon, May 23, 2005
I should note that I was recently contacted by the company apologising for some of what they have done which I do appreciate. However it cannot change many of the things I feel. I have also received the previous bonus money (eventually) after repeatedly pestering them. I do not wish to hurt anyone with this report but instead to let them know how I feel. What is presented as an opinion is nothing more but it is my opinion and you can stay what you like but I stand by what I say.