Hiring Sales Management Applicants - A How To Guide

Remember, as an executive, just because you hire a sales manager, does not mean that you don't have to manage, mentor and coach yourself. Sales managers need to grow as well. Think of it as a process that must continue until you retire. Otherwise, the company blows up.

If you want to grow your business, you have to get someone very competent. You cannot use the word lightly, either. Though, the aforementioned statement is not cutting edge.

However, it is imperative that you get somebody who can grow with the company and fit in well within the culture. You have to like this person as an individual because you're going to be married for a long time. That, or you're going to be hiring again.

Moreover, as an executive, prior to hiring the individual, you must have a clear vision that looks 1 year into the future with this new person. Take a second and think.

Does the person have the capabilities to meet your needs and can they see your vision?

Here are some tips to help you first answer the question at hand as well as the strategies to implement to assure your sales management hire is a success.

Bite Your Tongue, But You're Going To Have To Do It

As an executive, you are going to have to forfeit power to this individual. Some hate to hear it and fear this as I would too as a business owner, but it must be done. Be comfortable with their decision making power, but don't put yourself completely out of the comfort zone while doing so.

If You Don't Set Firm Expectations, You're Done

Whether you're a CEO, a sales executive or other, you must set firm goals as to what you expect from this new employee from day one. This does not mean putting pressure on the individual (I am quite against that), but it does mean being candid.

After the expectations are set, you now allow a good relationship to start. It cannot be the other way around. The business model will fail.

Know That If They Don't Set Firm Expectations, They're Done

If it's a turn around hire, a sales manager must establish authority with his or her subordinates, demand hard work from them, respect them, gain their respect all while having complete transparency with their subordinates.

The concepts sound so easy, though only to the ones who have never lived it. Knowing what you know, ensure that the same expectations you have of your new sales manager are passed down to your sales team. Set the corporate culture.

Implement Quarterly Performance Reviews

When clients ask us for quarterly review sheets, they do so for a reason. Every company should begin to implement some form of grading process. Without it, as an executive or business owner, you risk losing control of any and all.

Give Them Some Marketing To Work With

No sales manager is going to make you, the company, themselves and their sales representatives any significant cash flow without incoming leads. Marketing has gotten tougher and tougher and it takes more work than ever. This person cannot do it all. Make the bed as cushy as possible for your new guest.

Ken Sundheim runs KAS Placement, a sales and marketing staffing agency specializing in helping both U.S. and International mid to large size firms form sales teams from hiring the executive level sales manager to helping recent college graduates transition to a business development role. On his free time, Ken is a public speaker and likes to read non-fiction.

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