TritonGlenn
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- Feb 17, 2005
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I've seen quite a bit of bashing of Pro Staff, etc... lately on several sites, including a few recent digs on them here. I thought I'd clear the air (and get this off my chest) so that some others may understand a little better. If you don't agree with this, that's fine. I've been working within the fishing industry since 1994, when I first obtained entry level sponsorships.
Now, there is a bit of confusion, on both the part of the participant, and the part of the bystander, on what constitutes "Pro Staff", "Field Staff", "Field Tester", etc... There are no hard-fast rules regarding these positions, and some companies even blur the lines between them. However, for the most part, these are some definitions.
Pro Staff - Factory sponsored. Direct from the factory. No middle man. Whether the product is free, or that person gets a substantial discount (and "substantial" means different things to different companies too), that person is a direct factory sponsored person. Thus... Pro Staff. Some companies have different names for it, but basically, it's Pro Staff. Now, the obligations required by these companies differ from company to company, product to product, and person to person. A Professional Angler on tour may simply have to use the product and ensure that they are always displaying the logo, etc... Or they may have seminar / appearance obligations (x amount per year). It's not always about the win, although most every company wants their angler to win. It's also about how you carry yourself. If you're constantly cashing 1st place paychecks, but you have the personality of a pile of cow crap, you probably won't last long with sponsors. On the other hand, if you constantly try your hardest, fish as many tournaments as your schedule allows, always show up professionally dressed and on time for appearances / seminars, and are a crowd / customer favorite - the company more than likely won't be hounding you on your 56th place finish. Some bystanders see a mediocre tournament angler and dismiss them simply based on their current standings. Maybe it's not that they aren't good enough to win. Others simply know the lakes picked this year much better. Talk to them. Find out what they know. But don't come across trying to play "stump the chump". Nobody deserves to be talked down to like that, no matter what their profession.
Field staff - If you aren't factory sponsored, the position is usually considered Field Staff. Mostly, these people are sponsored through Rep groups. They may be called (and considered) "Pro Staff" by the Rep group. Don't dismiss them simply because they aren't factory direct. Many have tons of experience and are outstanding anglers, but simply don't have the money (or time) to compete in the larger Professional tournaments. Normally, a discount is offered to them in exchange for some type of contractual agreement - seminar or fishing show appearances, etc... Many times, the Rep group will try to get their "Pro Staff" (Field Staff) personnel to push all or most of the products represented by the Rep group. When I first started out in this business in 1994, this was my "in". I started with a Rep group called Rogers Southeast, and my first "sponsorship" was with Daiwa. I received a discount in exchange for doing a minimum amount of shows per year. The offers from other companies within the Rogers Southeast stable of products started rolling in - Rubbermaid (at the time, they made tackle boxes like Plano does), Luhr Jensen, VMC hooks, and several others that I can't recall at this time. It was at my very first fishing show that I met a very good friend / mentor - Mr. Ron Studer, and he gave me the best advice that I've received in this business. I've had to remind myself of that advice from time to time, but it's the best advice ever. "Don't be a tackle whore". He recommended that I not be overwhelmed with all the offers being thrown at me, and only take sponsorships from companies that I really used their products. I chose only those companies that I really wanted to represent, and to the others, I sent "Thank you" letters to, and returned their offered product. The letters explained that while I greatly appreciated their offer, I did not use their product. I explained why I did not use their product, trying to be as polite and respectful as possible. Most (not all, but most) of those companies actually replied back to me, thanking me for my honesty and input regarding their products. One company even went as far as to modify the item that I did not want to use, and asked if I would mind testing the new product. I agreed, and when it was to my satisfaction, I penned an agreement with them to promote their product.
Field Tester - It's just that. These anglers test product that the companies send to them. They usually are not Professional Anglers (most pro's don't have the time to test to the request of the companies), but some might dabble in it. Again - quite a few of these people really know what they are talking about, but aren't given the time of day because they aren't some big name. Have you ever been given the opportunity to talk to a dedicated Field Tester? There are some that take this job seriously. I field tested lures for Luhr Jensen, back before Rapala bought them out and let the entire staff go. I have been given the opportunity to test many lures that never hit the market, but caught plenty of fish for me. We tested, evaluated, and returned modified lures to the company. Sometimes, we would see "our" modification or color offered in the next years catalog. Do you know how satisfying it is to see "your" color being offered in a catalog? Do you know how it feels to hear someone in a store talking about how hot that new color is? Any idea where that idea came from? Probably not. Because, unfortunately, most "Field Testers" get dismissed by others. They are an important part of the industry that goes largely un-noticed.
Break.
Now, I'll stop here and concede to this - There are many Pro-Staffers, Field Staffers, and Field Testers that aren't worth the space they are taking up. They don't know the product they are selling, don't have a personality to deal with the customer, and don't really want to do anything in exchange for the free and/or low cost tackle they get.
HOWEVER - We aren't all the same. There are many of us still out there that take great pride in our products, and we try to represent them well. Yes, sometimes we get tired in the store too. Do you ever think how we feel when our sponsor puts out one reel or rod model that just doesn't match up to the rest of the lineup, and then we get to receive the blunt end of consumer anger? I cannot even begin to tell you how frustrating it is to have your sponsor change something that you KNOW is going to tick off consumers, and then you have to represent that sponsor at a show the week after the new product comes out. It's like knowing that you're going to get beat up, but still showing up anyway. I almost cringe the minute someone starts in with furled eyebrows and a loud voice. But I know it's coming. I've prepped for it. I work through it, and hopefully I can keep my sponsors customers as loyal consumers of our product with a little bit of coaxing (and some ideas of what to recommend).
Yes, I'm on Pro-Staff for a few companies. I've worked my (you know what) off for the sponsorships I have. I readily show up anytime I'm asked and don't have a work conflict. I have asked to do shows and seminars. Anyone who knows me and has worked with me will probably tell you that I know my product. I study specifications on everything I sell. I actually use the product. If it's new, and I haven't used it yet, I tell the customer that - I don't lie about it to make the sale. If the customer is interested in a competing brand, I steer them to the product, but let them know that it is not the product that I represent. I've seen some tell customers "That's not my brand", and then not help them at all. What does that accomplish besides making that staffer look like a jerk? Nothing. Give the customer what they want, and most of the time they will be appreciative enough of your help that they will ask "Well, tell me about your product". I've sold many items to people that came in looking for the competing brand, simply because I wasn't a jerk about it.
Yes, it's a very long post. But I want people to realize that all Pro-Staff, Field-Staff, and Field Testers aren't all the same. Treat people with the same amount of respect that you would like to receive in return, and many of them will surprise you with their knowledge and assistance. If they are a jerk after you start talking to them, then so be it - put them in the jerk category and move on. But don't think that just because one of them is a jerk that all of them are. I would also ask that you please realize that these people are not the engineers, designers, or officers that make the decisions in their respective companies. We simply provide input and customer assistance in an effort to make excellent products and happy customers. Once that input has been made, it's up to the company to make those decisions. Approach the staffer with your concerns, but do it in a way that they will take your concerns back to their represented company and gets something accomplished. Don't be rude to them and treat them like crap.
Respectfully submitted and requested.
All the best,
Glenn
Now, there is a bit of confusion, on both the part of the participant, and the part of the bystander, on what constitutes "Pro Staff", "Field Staff", "Field Tester", etc... There are no hard-fast rules regarding these positions, and some companies even blur the lines between them. However, for the most part, these are some definitions.
Pro Staff - Factory sponsored. Direct from the factory. No middle man. Whether the product is free, or that person gets a substantial discount (and "substantial" means different things to different companies too), that person is a direct factory sponsored person. Thus... Pro Staff. Some companies have different names for it, but basically, it's Pro Staff. Now, the obligations required by these companies differ from company to company, product to product, and person to person. A Professional Angler on tour may simply have to use the product and ensure that they are always displaying the logo, etc... Or they may have seminar / appearance obligations (x amount per year). It's not always about the win, although most every company wants their angler to win. It's also about how you carry yourself. If you're constantly cashing 1st place paychecks, but you have the personality of a pile of cow crap, you probably won't last long with sponsors. On the other hand, if you constantly try your hardest, fish as many tournaments as your schedule allows, always show up professionally dressed and on time for appearances / seminars, and are a crowd / customer favorite - the company more than likely won't be hounding you on your 56th place finish. Some bystanders see a mediocre tournament angler and dismiss them simply based on their current standings. Maybe it's not that they aren't good enough to win. Others simply know the lakes picked this year much better. Talk to them. Find out what they know. But don't come across trying to play "stump the chump". Nobody deserves to be talked down to like that, no matter what their profession.
Field staff - If you aren't factory sponsored, the position is usually considered Field Staff. Mostly, these people are sponsored through Rep groups. They may be called (and considered) "Pro Staff" by the Rep group. Don't dismiss them simply because they aren't factory direct. Many have tons of experience and are outstanding anglers, but simply don't have the money (or time) to compete in the larger Professional tournaments. Normally, a discount is offered to them in exchange for some type of contractual agreement - seminar or fishing show appearances, etc... Many times, the Rep group will try to get their "Pro Staff" (Field Staff) personnel to push all or most of the products represented by the Rep group. When I first started out in this business in 1994, this was my "in". I started with a Rep group called Rogers Southeast, and my first "sponsorship" was with Daiwa. I received a discount in exchange for doing a minimum amount of shows per year. The offers from other companies within the Rogers Southeast stable of products started rolling in - Rubbermaid (at the time, they made tackle boxes like Plano does), Luhr Jensen, VMC hooks, and several others that I can't recall at this time. It was at my very first fishing show that I met a very good friend / mentor - Mr. Ron Studer, and he gave me the best advice that I've received in this business. I've had to remind myself of that advice from time to time, but it's the best advice ever. "Don't be a tackle whore". He recommended that I not be overwhelmed with all the offers being thrown at me, and only take sponsorships from companies that I really used their products. I chose only those companies that I really wanted to represent, and to the others, I sent "Thank you" letters to, and returned their offered product. The letters explained that while I greatly appreciated their offer, I did not use their product. I explained why I did not use their product, trying to be as polite and respectful as possible. Most (not all, but most) of those companies actually replied back to me, thanking me for my honesty and input regarding their products. One company even went as far as to modify the item that I did not want to use, and asked if I would mind testing the new product. I agreed, and when it was to my satisfaction, I penned an agreement with them to promote their product.
Field Tester - It's just that. These anglers test product that the companies send to them. They usually are not Professional Anglers (most pro's don't have the time to test to the request of the companies), but some might dabble in it. Again - quite a few of these people really know what they are talking about, but aren't given the time of day because they aren't some big name. Have you ever been given the opportunity to talk to a dedicated Field Tester? There are some that take this job seriously. I field tested lures for Luhr Jensen, back before Rapala bought them out and let the entire staff go. I have been given the opportunity to test many lures that never hit the market, but caught plenty of fish for me. We tested, evaluated, and returned modified lures to the company. Sometimes, we would see "our" modification or color offered in the next years catalog. Do you know how satisfying it is to see "your" color being offered in a catalog? Do you know how it feels to hear someone in a store talking about how hot that new color is? Any idea where that idea came from? Probably not. Because, unfortunately, most "Field Testers" get dismissed by others. They are an important part of the industry that goes largely un-noticed.
Break.
Now, I'll stop here and concede to this - There are many Pro-Staffers, Field Staffers, and Field Testers that aren't worth the space they are taking up. They don't know the product they are selling, don't have a personality to deal with the customer, and don't really want to do anything in exchange for the free and/or low cost tackle they get.
HOWEVER - We aren't all the same. There are many of us still out there that take great pride in our products, and we try to represent them well. Yes, sometimes we get tired in the store too. Do you ever think how we feel when our sponsor puts out one reel or rod model that just doesn't match up to the rest of the lineup, and then we get to receive the blunt end of consumer anger? I cannot even begin to tell you how frustrating it is to have your sponsor change something that you KNOW is going to tick off consumers, and then you have to represent that sponsor at a show the week after the new product comes out. It's like knowing that you're going to get beat up, but still showing up anyway. I almost cringe the minute someone starts in with furled eyebrows and a loud voice. But I know it's coming. I've prepped for it. I work through it, and hopefully I can keep my sponsors customers as loyal consumers of our product with a little bit of coaxing (and some ideas of what to recommend).
Yes, I'm on Pro-Staff for a few companies. I've worked my (you know what) off for the sponsorships I have. I readily show up anytime I'm asked and don't have a work conflict. I have asked to do shows and seminars. Anyone who knows me and has worked with me will probably tell you that I know my product. I study specifications on everything I sell. I actually use the product. If it's new, and I haven't used it yet, I tell the customer that - I don't lie about it to make the sale. If the customer is interested in a competing brand, I steer them to the product, but let them know that it is not the product that I represent. I've seen some tell customers "That's not my brand", and then not help them at all. What does that accomplish besides making that staffer look like a jerk? Nothing. Give the customer what they want, and most of the time they will be appreciative enough of your help that they will ask "Well, tell me about your product". I've sold many items to people that came in looking for the competing brand, simply because I wasn't a jerk about it.
Yes, it's a very long post. But I want people to realize that all Pro-Staff, Field-Staff, and Field Testers aren't all the same. Treat people with the same amount of respect that you would like to receive in return, and many of them will surprise you with their knowledge and assistance. If they are a jerk after you start talking to them, then so be it - put them in the jerk category and move on. But don't think that just because one of them is a jerk that all of them are. I would also ask that you please realize that these people are not the engineers, designers, or officers that make the decisions in their respective companies. We simply provide input and customer assistance in an effort to make excellent products and happy customers. Once that input has been made, it's up to the company to make those decisions. Approach the staffer with your concerns, but do it in a way that they will take your concerns back to their represented company and gets something accomplished. Don't be rude to them and treat them like crap.
Respectfully submitted and requested.
All the best,
Glenn
