B.J. Books was formed in 1989 by the current Managing Director, Gary Jones, and remains a private, independent company. As the name suggests the company’s business is books, split into three divisions; wholesale, retail, direct and online marketing. Steady growth has been maintained in each sector since the outset.
The company employs twenty five staff at head office in Wisbech and has in excess of one hundred and ten marketing agents throughout the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. An ambitious expansion programme is being undertaken this year with turnover expected to exceed £7 million.
A large plot of land was purchased recently and a new 25,000 sq. ft. office and warehouse complex constructed on the site at a cost of £1.25 million. A second phase of construction on the site has recently been completed, providing an additional 10,000 sq. ft. of space for warehousing and transportation, with a third scheduled to commence in the near future. The company has its own transport fleet, employing its own drivers.
The following details are intended as a guide for information purposes only and do not constitute a contract, in whole or in part, between the applicant and the company.
The direct marketing division that we are concerned with here is the major growth area. The concept is a marketing operation and works by creating exposure to the products, leaving people to make up their own mind whether to purchase. NO SELLING IS INVOLVED.
It works as follows:- an agent leaves a sample range of products (10-14 items) in a work place for perusal by the staff in their break times (coffee, lunch & tea). The agent then calls back 10 days later to retrieve the samples. At the same time he/she fulfils the orders that are required, from stock carried in their vehicle and collects payment. SIMPLE!! The agent then returns to the same customers six weeks later with a new range of products. The benefits to the customer are quality products at discounted prices with considerable savings on shopping time.
The products are mainly books, but the range has been extended to include stationery and gift related items. Many are products that are available in the High Street but at greatly reduced prices, discounted by as much as 50%, while others are exclusive to B.J. Books, but still at major savings on the equivalent retail price.
Almost all territories are firmly well established, but a very small number are new, as the result of reorganisation. All are totally EXCLUSIVE.
Depending on a person’s location, most territories are encompassed within a 25 mile radius of home.
Our agents come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but have in common a desire to change and improve their lifestyle. The work is very straightforward and not at all difficult. It does involve being out and about every day, meeting people, creating one’s own timetable and organising and managing that time effectively.
The company is looking for people who will ENJOY these aspects of the work, as experience shows that they will be more successful.
Are you self motivated – can you work on your own without supervision?
Do you have the commitment necessary to build your own business?
Are you energetic and in good health?
Have you a burning desire to be successful?
Are you numerate and literate?
Are you outgoing and enthusiastic?
Do you have good communication skills?
Are you the owner of a reliable vehicle, ideally a van, estate car or people carrier?
Have you a telephone at home?
Do you have a suitable GROUND FLOOR storage space for four pallets of stock?
A garage is ideal for this purpose. This need not be at your home address.
The company invests a great deal of time and money in every new agent and it is in its own interest to ensure that everyone is successful. The training provided is designed to take an inexperienced newcomer to the business (from whatever background) and make them a competent agent within a 3 month period and is a mix of both theoretical and practical.
Every new agent will have the benefit of ‘on the job’ field training with an experienced manager from the first day on the territory. Constant backup, support and advice are always available from head office.
Agents receive a generous percentage of the sales turnover (ex V.A.T) which is DEDUCTED AT SOURCE from the takings. PAYMENT IS INSTANT – no waiting the usual two or more weeks. There is an even higher percentage rate available to those agents able to demonstrate their competence in the running of the business. In addition there is an ongoing annual bonus payable on turnover. A dedicated agent, following proven guidelines, should generate first year income of between £20-£25k, with no upper limit thereafter.
The proven formula that B.J. Books operate is so successful that the company will guarantee the income of all new agents for the first three months of the agency. In the unlikely event that income falls below expectations during this period, then B.J. Books will guarantee a minimum payment of between £1200 to £1400 per month. This should be viewed as a ‘safety net’, as most agents earn far more than this.
Every territory is valuable to the company in terms of the revenue it generates. Each one represents an initial investment of £15k in stock, with the need to make regular ongoing deliveries to maintain this. The training programme is expensive.
But are only looking to appoint people who are seriously committed to making a success of the business and seeking a long term future with the company.
