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Williams is the most productive driver for a company whose routes well exceed the national average, based on the National Automatic Merchandising Association’s Operating Ratio Report. She has never lost an account for service reasons.
BEGINNING IN THE TEXTILE TRADE
Resourceful and dedicated, Williams credits her first job in one of the local textile mills for teaching her how to be a productive worker. In the textile mill, she was paid based on her productivity. She taught herself how to make the best use of her time. “I’m a schedule person,” she explained. “I just like to have everything done.” That job was limiting in terms of financial growth, however. After seven years on the job, she was ready for a better opportunity.
Williams heard about a route job at Carolina Vendors in Biscoe, N.C. when a long-time driver was retiring. She didn’t know much about vending, but she reasoned that it had to be a pretty good job if the person retiring had stayed there close to 20 years. “I just knew it was such a better job than what I had in that hosiery mill,” she said.
Williams applied for the position at Central Carolina Vendors and was hired. The supervisor taught her the driver’s responsibilities and told her that she needed to spend as much time as necessary to get the job done.
DRIVER ROLE: MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITY
Williams realized there was a lot to remember about the machines and the products that went in them. There was also a lot of paper work; collection tickets, food stale forms, and menus. But she nevertheless liked the job immediately. “You’re pretty much on your own,” she said. “I never had a job like that.”
Williams realized the job had its challenges. Mainly being personable at all times when interacting with customers. But the challenge inspired her. “You’ve got to have that determination,” she said. “You’re the sales person.”
Since the pay was partially based on commission, Williams realized she had some control over her compensation, and she liked that. She was fortunate in that her supervisor was very thorough in teaching her how to fill and clean the machines.
LEARNING ON THE JOB
Williams realized she needed to learn what products would sell best. This was something she had to learn over time. She made it a point to talk with customers and ask them what they liked.
Williams learned the importance of trying as many new products as possible. She learned not to make assumptions about what people want or would pay.
