Life at Factofrance

Discover the range of careers and positions available with Factofrance in its various offices across France.

Sales consultants

Angela and Anne are regional sales consultants with Factofrance, and report to the sales department of the Paris office. Angela operates in the Strasbourg area while Anne is based in Nantes. Two women who have followed very different paths to the same company give us their own version of work at Factofrance.

Anne C.

Anne, 45, comes from Nantes and has clocked up eleven years with Factofrance. Following a diploma in PA studies, she moved to the Champagne region for about ten years. She spent a while as reception manager at the Reims Cultural Centre. Having returned to the area where she grew up in 1986, she spent a couple of years temping. “First of all, I worked as a secretary in the chamber of commerce in Nantes before being taken on at Coface. I got to do a lot of export-oriented telephone sales, which meant I came into regular contact with the Cofacrédit staff. Then, in 1988, they told me that a job was coming up with Facto, and I was taken on as a marketing assistant.”

“There are 25 regional sales consultants altogether. Our job is to find companies based outside Paris with a potential interest in factoring services,” say Anne and Angela.“The majority of our time is spent on direct selling, or so-called 'sedentary sales',” explains Angela. “I have a list of target clients to contact by phone to try and win their business.” “It's rare that we do any fieldwork,” continues Anne. “The main part of our job is arranging meetings with potential clients.”

Factoring myths still linger

“90% of companies in the regions have heard of factoring, but few know of the benefits it may help them to generate. Managers often have negative perceptions of it, even if this is changing. Factoring is still closely linked to cashflow problems for them,” suggests Angela. “They forget that we are committed to provide financing for the development of their business and to boost their sales figures.”

“Our image has improved substantially over the last ten years, however, because companies get to hear about us via their suppliers or through advertising or third party recommendations. This has made the job of introducing the company over the phone a great deal easier,” adds Anne.

Multi-skilled and self-managed

So what's different about working here and working in Paris? “The difference lies in our proximity to the clients,” claims Anne. For Angela it is definitely a quality of life issue. “Our Strasbourg office is next to a river, surrounded by trees. It's a far cry from an office block in La Défense. The people are more relaxed, less stressed out, and this shows in their work. It is down to us to decide how we organise our time, which makes our job different every day. Despite this freedom our links with Paris are very strong, because once a client is signed up, the Paris office takes over the account, thus fulfilling everyone's objectives.”

An ever-evolving job description

Angela

“The main way that this job is developing is in the nature of the work itself. When I started out, I had a much more administrative role. The position of sales consultant has only existed for four years. Back then, we were little more than marketing assistants. Since the, we have become much more involved in the planning of marketing strategies. Our methods are much more advanced: we have high end IT equipment and comprehensive, up-to-date databases. Modern working methods are no longer a Parisian preserve,” concludes Angela, with a smile.

Down to a chance meeting?