SaveAround's Community Conversation

Teamwork is a critical key to being successful while recognizing that all of the members are important. There are several aspects of the team and it is important to remember that each cog in the wheel is vital. If you decide to play “solo” along the way you will most likely be beaten by a team. What are the important parts of our “team” here at SaveAround?

"The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work."

Vince Lombardi Jr.

1. IC Reps
The reps are the frontline of the sales efforts and the first opportunity to make a good first impression out in the field. Sales are generated through the salespeople and they are critical to making the wheels turn. Skilled and knowledgeable, the reps must not only know their products inside and out but also be able to build (and maintain) relationships with their customers. They must possess exceptional communication skills and be extremely flexible and willing to adapt.

"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful." ~ Mother Teresa

2. Customers and Groups
The second part of the team are the customers and groups that work with our company. While the IC reps get them set up and ready to go, the chairperson has a lot of responsibility, too. Hopefully, they are organized and up to the task while motivating other school staff, PTO, parents, students, while working a full time job. Many times, the fundraising is an “extra” piece of their workload and while it is rewarding to raise funds for the team or the club, or the school, it is usually a thankless position.

"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress,

and working together is success." – Henry Ford

3. SaveAround In House Teams
(Group Relations Team, Sales Team, Customer Service Team, Warehouse team)

The third part of the team are the internal members of our team. We have the salesforce and the customers, but now we need the in-house team to tie the bow on the package. The in house team will assist in setting up contracts, shipping books, answering questions, sending an invoice or shipping label. They will help the reps and the customers throughout the process and help achieve and accomplish the goals of the overall team.

The key to an effective team is remembering that EVERY SINGLE PART OF THE TEAM is VALUABLE. Without the salesforce, there are no orders or groups to work with. Without the customers, there are no uniforms or equipment to purchase or playgrounds to build. Without the in house team, there are no contracts entered, books shipped, or emails sent. It takes EVERY SINGLE ONE to make the project a “go” and in the same direction.

As we continue into the heat of the season and the stress of doing the daily tasks, try to stop along the way and say THANKS to a fellow teammate.

Remember, we are all in this thing together. Ask yourself - are you a productive helpful member of the team or not so much?

"Great things in business are never done by one person;

they're done by a team of people." ~ Steve Jobs

Who is the right person to contact? And how do I reach them?

First, check the website for the school. Usually, there is a faculty/staff section that provides a list of staff, administration, teachers along with phone numbers and email addresses. Next, go after specific areas or groups in the school. For example:

Sports teams and cheerleaders: contact the head coach or the athletic director.

Music: band director, choir director, orchestra director, or music department chair.

Spring activities: find the lead teacher or advisor for larger groups (i.e. student council, theater, band).

Field day: start with the principal or front office and find out who to contact. The school secretary can be your best friend or not. They are the gatekeepers (usually).

Clubs: usually there are teachers who might be an appropriate sponsor (science teacher for STEM club); (English teacher for Debate or Speech club). They generally stay in the same area of their expertise with relation to clubs.

If you want to call on multiple groups in the same school, ask your current sponsors who is who. They will most likely tell you.

Enterprise System - Book Closeout Form

As school begins to wrap up, so do the fundraising sales for Fall 2021. It is imperative that the closeout information is accurate and sent in ASAP so the team can process the numbers, send the invoice and return shipping labels if needed.

ICs can access the closeout form by going through the chairperson portal. Click on CLOSEOUT FORM and then the information can be filled in on the prize books, lost/damaged books, and sales via cash and check.

Any books sold via SAPAYNOW.com (credit cards) will automatically populate in those fields on the closeout form. From the page for the closeout form, the invoice can be requested, generated, and emailed to the chairperson and the rep. Likewise, the shipping labels can also be requested, generated and emailed, too.

Remember we want to try and have 2 shipments max per group. Initial shipment with the # of books for the # of sellers. This should be followed by a final order to fulfill all remaining orders and any out of town books needed.

The final step in this process is to send an EMAIL to GROUP RELATIONS to let them know that this group is closing out, here are the #’s in the closeout form, and any other instructions. This allows the Group Relations team to match up the closeout information to the system so when the payment comes in everything will match up. The team email is grouprelations@savearound.com.