Any Sales Managers In?

Any Sales Managers In?

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Plotloss

Original Poster:

67,280 posts

272 months

Wednesday 5th March 2008
quotequote all
I know there are a few hardcore sales types wandering these hallowed halls, so...

If you were presented with a new hire who had no sales experience whatsoever what would be the generally accepted course of action in bringing them up to speed with selling?

Would it be a chuck in at deep in cold calling exercise or would they be sent on courses to learn AIDA and the like?

How have you brought people on essentially?

All thoughts, experience and amusing anecdotes much appreciated.

Ta. smile

PhilLL

1,123 posts

202 months

Wednesday 5th March 2008
quotequote all
I would send them on a few sales courses; in our industry our suppliers run a few which are invaluable for new staff and won't cost the company much, if anything.

Chucking them in the deep end cold calling might just demotivate them and deter them from progressing. But bear in mind they WILL have to break through the pain barrier of rejection sooner rather than later biggrin

Egbert Nobacon

2,835 posts

245 months

Wednesday 5th March 2008
quotequote all
It all depends on what product/service you are selling and whether the sales process is a hard close, one shot system or a more business like service/conceptual sale.

If its the latter then I have often found that a lack of "sales" skills is often not a disadvantage especially if the individual is an experienced communicator. They also come without the baggage/ preconcieved ideas of many established sales people and have a refreshing enthusiasm for prospecting and a new challenge.


mogul

15,007 posts

252 months

Wednesday 5th March 2008
quotequote all
Why would you hire a sales executive with no experience, as the role clearly (or would appear) requires it?

Makes no sense to me and rather than asking what should you do with him/her, ask the person who hired, WTF are you doing?

Of course I may have misunderstood the situation...

jamoor

14,506 posts

217 months

Wednesday 5th March 2008
quotequote all
mogul said:
Why would you hire a sales executive with no experience, as the role clearly (or would appear) requires it?

Makes no sense to me and rather than asking what should you do with him/her, ask the person who hired, WTF are you doing?

Of course I may have misunderstood the situation...
They could be young? Everyone needs to start somewhere!

mogul

15,007 posts

252 months

Wednesday 5th March 2008
quotequote all
jamoor said:
mogul said:
Why would you hire a sales executive with no experience, as the role clearly (or would appear) requires it?

Makes no sense to me and rather than asking what should you do with him/her, ask the person who hired, WTF are you doing?

Of course I may have misunderstood the situation...
They could be young? Everyone needs to start somewhere!
I hear what you say, but if the company is employing 'new inexperienced' sales staff you would have thought they would already have a training plan in action and therefore wouldn't require advice from PH?

If that's not the case, perhaps a mistake has made?