Adam and the Auntie - Drama in the Bedroom Department

Adam works as a straight-commission salesperson in the electronics section of a home furnishing store. One day, he's visited by his Auntie who had just moved back to town. She's a looking to buy a new TV.

Now Adam he's a pretty good sales guy, and Auntie she's a trust him pretty good, so Auntie she ends up buying two TV's, a surround-sound audio system, and two full bedroom suites of furniture for her new place. Auntie's happy, Adam's happy.

But the manager, he's a not so happy.

It seems that Adam is only supposed to sell electronics, and as soon as beds and furniture are involved, somebody else should have made the sale. So the manager, he takes back the commission on the furniture to give to the salesman who works the bedroom department. Adam protests and argues and eventually they end up with a 60%/40% split, since he did all the work, the sale was largely because he was a relative, and the other sales person didn't do anything.

How counterproductive all this conflict and competition is. And how damaging to the team relationships. There are better ways to manage your sales staff.