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Lessons Learned from Hiring My First Sales Person

two ladies at desk talking hiring

As ZoneofGenius.com grows I know I can’t handle all the sales alone. I recently hired someone to help bring in leads. The hiring process for sales positions and creating a successful sales role is not easy, it takes time and diligence. Here’s a few things I’ve learned and I’m learning.

Takes Time to Train Someone

When bringing a new sales team member on board, it’s important to remember that they won’t be an instant success. It takes time to train them, familiarize them with your products or services, and get them up to speed on your sales processes. It’s important to have realistic expectations and patience during the onboarding process.

Find Out Their Skills and Help Them Develop It

Before bringing a new sales team member on board, it’s important to identify the skills they currently have and how they can develop those skills further. As a small business owner, you likely have limited resources, so investing in the right training and development is critical for success.

Hire Someone Willing to Learn and Unleash Them to Learn More

When hiring for a sales position, it’s important to look for candidates who are willing to learn and grow with the company. This means hiring people who are curious, motivated, and excited about the company’s mission. Once you’ve found the right person, unleash them! Allow them to learn and absorb as much knowledge as possible to help them grow into the role and the company.

Give Them the Goal of What You’re Looking for

Setting clear expectations for the new sales team member is essential for success. Be clear about what you want them to achieve, and provide them with the resources, support, and guidance that they need in order to be successful. This ensures that both parties are on the same page and that everyone is working toward the same goals.

Give Examples of Past Success

One of the best ways to help a new sales team member acclimate to the position is to provide them with examples of past success. Share stories and anecdotes about successful sales interactions you’ve had with customers. This provides them with a model to follow and helps them understand what is expected of them.

Give Fair Compensation and Make a Way to Earn More Through Successful Results

For sales team members, it’s important to offer fair and competitive compensation. In addition, consider offering them the opportunity to earn more through successful results. This provides them with an incentive to work harder and create more sales for the company, which ultimately benefits everyone involved.

Give Them Time to Make Correctable and Non-Fatal Mistakes

Finally, remember that everyone makes mistakes, particularly when they are new to a position. Give your new sales team member the time and space to make correctable mistakes that they can learn from. Encourage them to try new approaches and learn from their experiences without fear of severe repercussions.

Hiring a new sales team member can be a challenging and time-consuming process. However, with the right approach and mindset, it can ultimately be one of the best investments you make in your company’s growth. Remember to focus on the person’s skills, give them opportunities to learn and grow, set clear expectations, and provide them with a competitive compensation package. With these strategies in place, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful sales team that can help take your small business to the next level.

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