Being a nice sunny hot day I went out to do "Three Bridges" route easy, although I guess this could be called SIX Bridges because I went out on the path with the bridges and came back the same way via a turn-around at the Milwaukee Sports complex, thereby passing on any climbing on the way home. (my right foot is still swollen enough in the shoe that the front of my foot keeps going numb on a ride!)
For as a nice a day as it was there were very few people out and about on the route. It was kind of a dull, workhorse ride for the exercise.
Sunshine, 84 degrees
Light wind
Three Bridges, 36 miles
And now to my other news...
I've made a personal decision to end a 10-year relationship.
When I started riding after my hip replacement surgery ten years ago now, the first bike I bought was a Trek. I have purchased and enjoyed riding three more different Trek bikes in that time frame, including the Madone I am riding now. It's over.
I tried to be brand loyal because Trek is based here in Wisconsin and I was satisfied with the product as well.
That's why earlier this spring when I heard about a job opening at Trek I thought it would be a great opportunity for me. Many people in my profession have made the jump from being on the air to becoming involved in corporate communications, something I never used to have an interest in doing.
But when I saw an opening at Trek for a media relations assistant it sounded like the perfect chance for me to make that leap as well.
Cycling. Trek. Wisconsin. Media. Perfect fit.
I applied for the position, even taking a day trip to HQ in Waterford to check the place out. After not receiving anything back from them in weeks I even called and was personally transferred to the office of the man who was making the hire, where I left a message describing who I am and what I was looking for.
I never received a call back...not even a simple email back. Nothing.
What kind of way is that to do business, especially considering this is a MEDIA RELATIONS person? I'm a 30-year media veteran in this market with a known passion for a decade of cycling. It was like I didn't exist.
I believe it was rude and unprofessional of them to never at least let me know what happened with filling that position.
Then it dawned on me....Why, as frustrated as I am with how that company treated me, am I riding around advertising one of their models on the road? I guess I just got so used to all things Trek=positive that I never thought of it until now.
You've lost my loyalty with that kind of treatment Trek. I am sure there are many other makers of fine carbon fiber road bikes that will be interested in my business in the future. Meantime, I think I'll put some black tape over the big Trek decal on my bike.
Shame on you Trek. It could have been such a good match, and even if you didn't feel that way you should have at least informed me of that fact, not just ignored me. Great media relations guys. Bye-bye.
Season Miles: 1,371
That's jerkish of them. Awful!
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest getting an awesome blue/yellow custom paint job with no logos or talk to Der Jan's Jamis (ding!) rep biking buddy, Steve. He'll hook you up.
I've been riding Trek's for many years - Wisconsin! Of Course! After my last hip-breakin' crash in 2009 I bought another Trek - lighter, easier to carry upstairs, etc. Got it home, checked it out - MADE IN CHINA! Oh, funk-u!
ReplyDeleteToo-Hip Pete
I applaud you, Phil.
ReplyDeleteShame on TREK for its incompetence and laziness in both its hiring processes and its media relations/customer relations operations.
Being the persn who rode out with you to Waterloo that day, sharing your excitement for what seemed the PERFECT match and opportunity ... given your years of public advocacy for cycling, your huge investments in Wisconsin-made equipment and your incredible, inspiring rides whose length and diversity I still cannot fathom ... the you were treated has gnawed at me, too.
I'm happy to see you take a public stand on the shabby treatment you got.
WAKE UP COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS! In the last ten years, what I've seen in how employees and job applicants alike are treated, sickens me.
I have waaaaaay too many friends and family members who've been treated in an unbelievable ways, that whomever has trained THE HR professionals (I use the term loosely) and the managers of this era in America have NOTHING to be proud of.
American employers: Wake up! Stop taking your people for granted. Stop functioning like ignoramuses.
Stop being dismissive, abusive or presumptuous to those who have worked for you in the past, those who work for you now, those who seek to work for you, and those with whom you interact daily among your many internal and external audiences.
Stupidity, abusiveness and cluelessness. Any one of the three is bad enough -- put the three together and yes, it is disgusting and inexcusable.
- Andy Smith, Brookfield
It seems unbelievable to me that someone who would receive an application from a "SEASONED MEDIA VETERAN" with not only outstanding people skills, but WI born, knows the market, rides the product and has connections with so many, would have not even called and requested an interview. And ignoring a personal phone call seems incredible.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious there is a lack of personal follow up being done by companies in this age of hiring. There seems to be an inability to recognize a great opportunity that was missed by this company that needs to improve U.S/ Sales and expand people's desire to BUY A TREK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do we not want U.S. companies to stand above the rest??
SFJ
My husband and Phil Cast listener, Rick from Neenah had a similar experience with Trek this past May. He applied for an IT position and never heard back. He made contact with VP of IT and the VP replied back asking for resume and then nothing.
ReplyDeleteHe agrees with you Phil and sold his Trek in June.
We kept the Lemond because of the Trek Lemond divorce.