Staff at a Chinese Internet company are being sent out onto the streets of Changchun city to beg as part of their training, according to a report by the China News Service by way of Ananova.

Although the "begging course" is not compulsory, bosses claim this hard-hearted training technique toughens up sales staff teaching them to be "thick-skinned and less self-conscious".

Critics have called this approach "insulting", but the company boss insists it's just the job.

"Making the staff kneel on the busiest street is meant to rid them of their shyness so that they can be brave enough to face clients," he said.

One "Sales Supremo" at The Register, told us: "We tried it [begging] but found the sales team quickly disappearred from their posts, spent all the money gained on Special Brew and spent their afternoon on a park bench."

A TUC spokesman told us: "Dehumanising your staff is hardly the best way to motivate them to perform - or even bother turning up for work the next day." ®

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