Transitioning in Sales environment

[Sally49]

I am hoping to start transitioning soon, I have a concern over my job. I stumbled into selling, I have been a Sales Rep on the road for most of my working life and am now a Sales Manager with a team of 10 working for me.
The team is 70/30 men to women.
Does any body have a similar experience, normerly at work you would announce transition plans and get on with your job.
With me I will have to see my bosses,then my team who are scattered all over the country and most important my customers, who themselves are groups of people within large companies

[CharleneT]

I am sorry I do not have such experience, but if you do a search here in this forum on "Sally Harrison" ** you'll find a whole bunch of info about this. In general, start with your HR person and plan ahead. Try not to have it just "happen" by accident. Better to be ready and have a few folks that know and are supportive as your "backup" of a sort.

Unless you specifically want them to know early, there probably isn't a good reason to tell them before you start transitioning. Maybe not until there are physical effects that are visable.


** go back to the forum view, where you can see all the threads, you'll find the search function on the right side of the Title bar that says "Threads in forum", Welcome to CD.com !!

[Sally2005]

My limited experience with sales in the US is they are very ruthless with anyone who is outside of the mainstream. Probably your best bet is to do some anonymous research on the specific company to find out what support their HR dept will provide (and watch out as soon as you start asking they will start trying to figure out who is doing the asking). If I ever had plans to do this, I would also consult a lawyer first in case it goes bad on you.

[Dawn D.]

Sally49,

I work retail sales. I own the business I work in. I have employees. The nature of my business is primarily male oriented. Outdoor powersports (off-road vehicles). I began my RLE Apr.30th this year. What I've experienced to date with general customers is that all they are really concerned over is whether or not they are getting the best value for their money in products they buy and getting their work done with quality. If you ask my employees about customer reaction they would verify what I'm saying. They have discussed my situation with customers and I receive the feedback from them.

Have I lost customers due to my transitioning? I have to honestly answer, I believe I have. But only very, very few.

The main company I represent for product I sell is a major player in the outdoor powersports products market. I informed them of my transition and, my territory rep. has no problem with me at all and is quite supportive actually. He is only concerned that I keep my numbers up and not let them slip (nothing new there).

So, what should you do? I think I would review HR policy for the company you work for. See if they have a Gender Identity non-discrimination policy. Then talk with an HR rep about it. let them be your guide for time frame and notifications. Since your customers are large corporations, you might also review some of your customers HR guidelines if they're accessible. You might even look at the HRC web site and see if any of them are listed on their Corporate Equality Index located here: http://www.hrc.org/documents/HRC_Corporate_Equality_Index_2010.pdf
This can give you an idea of what their business philosophies are for diversity.

This is a daunting move for any of us to make. Being prepared on all fronts as best you can, is your most assured path to success. Good luck to you!


Dawn

[Jessinthesprings]

I personally think your biggest challange is not your fellow co-workers and superiors, but rather the customers that you interact with. Most compaines will be acomidating of your situation since they would unlikley want bad publicity associated with fireing or harrasing you. In some states it's even illegal.

However, your customers would not have such restrictions, and may allow their own personal bias to enter into the equasion.

While I have no idea of the end result, I agree with some of the other statements that you should start with your company's HR and with their help branch out and see how it develops.

I do suggest you devise a back up plan in case of any worst case senarios. Perhaps contacting other companies explaining your situation and letting them know of your specific skills you may find yourself a place where you can fit in.

[pattyv]

I believe that is Suzy Harrison and not Sally Harrison.

[Rogina B]

I agree with Sally..plan carefully and know your rights as an employee.However,there are so many ways to let you go,there are only so many you can guard against. I work for myself and definitely have transphobic customers in my world. Also,e mails can get circulated around so quickly when someone attempts to take you down. You may not have the best job to transition with. Best of luck,for sure.:2c:

[Hope]

I grew up with a salesman dressed up as a father, and my wife is able to sell almost ANYTHING to ANYONE. Personally, I couldn't sell water to a guy who was on fire. And that is after a life time of coaching and training in tricks and techniques in sales from my would-by-father and my wife. I can shop like no one's business, but that is a different skill set.

What I have found from this life is that salesmen are born, not made. Folks who rule at sales, tend to be a lot less excellent at other things. When you have a zen thing for sales, sales is what you should be doing.

At the same time, I have learned 2 things about sales departments at most companies. 1st, they are a pretty heartless meritocracy. Salesmen are only as good as the amount of sales they make. NOTHING ELSE matters. If you are a kick-ass salesman, if you consistently exceed your quotas, make lots of money for your manager and your company - then that is good for you - they are not likely to want to get rid of the goose who lays the golden eggs. On the other hand, the second thing I have learned is that sales departments seem to be made up of some of the smallest minded bigots I have ever met. I am sure there are exceptions to that. But it is not good for you - but remember point 1) - if you exceed your quotas - they will have to buck it up.

But here is where it is up to you. The first sales job you have, is you. It is your job to sell yourself, and your transition to your colleagues, bosses, reports, and perhaps most importantly customers. YOU make it a good thing for those around you, YOU make it no big deal, YOU sell you. It might not be fair - but it is a meritocracy. If you can't do it - sales is maybe not a permanent option for you.