FMB Chamber changes staff alignment
The Fort Myers Beach Greater Area Chamber of Commerce is downsizing its management personnel in an effort to focus staff on commission sales. Long-time Membership and Marketing Director Georgia Reinmuth is leaving the company after seven and a half years of service.
“It’s literally a change of eliminating a salary and doing more of a commission structure in sales,” said FMB Chamber President John Albion. “There will be a restructuring and a shift in responsibilities. It was really a direct result of the economy.”
Albion said the restructure has nothing to do with Reinmuth personally.
“I do not want anyone to believe that she has done anything wrong or bad because that would be incorrect,” he said. “The main thing has been the economy. We are like every other business. We have to do what we can as far as dealing with the down side of the economy.
“Sales have been down, but we are in the same situation as other local chambers, so it is not like we are in trouble. We are able to cut back and maybe have some changes in productivity and restructure.”
Reinmuth was not only the local chamber’s membership and marketing director, she was the vice president.
“She had some office management responsibilities involving new members and sales,” Albion said. “We discussed for a few months the possibility of restructuring if necessary. At that point, we both decided to hang in there and see what happens.
“Let’s face it, in Georgia’s situation, a commission structure in this economy is something that is a real risk. So, as a result, I thought we had to go and make that change for the health of our organization. We’ll have someone doing sales on commission with a small salary, and they’ll be doing some other internal tasks.”
Albion said the chamber tried to make changes but noticed it wasn’t going to work at the current situation in the office.
“A year ago, we tried to do some changes in the pay structure, but this economy is just lingering,” he said. “We haven’t seen any improvements that would make the structure that we had to continue to be viable. That’s why it’s best to make some of these changes. This restructuring will give us an opportunity, I hope, to work with more of our members.”
Reinmuth apparently left on good terms.
“I feel, and judging by her reaction so does she, that we left on good terms,” said Albion. “I’ll be sending her a letter of recommendation, and we’ll try to help her find another job. Georgia is very good at the administrative responsibilities and I think that’s where she is most comfortable. In this economy, we have to find better ways to do sales. That’s where we are.”
The local chamber has begun its restructuring.
“A year and half ago, our book keeper from our accountant’s office was in two days a week,” said Albion. “Now, the person handling the books will be in 3 1/2 days a week and that person will be able to handle office management as well. I’m looking to hire a sales person.”