We are a start up, a manufacter rep for a sports equipment manufactuer in China, to market their products in US. We would like to invest more to boost our sales.

Right now I am the only one who is on team. And I would like to hire two sales person who have lots of experience and connection in the industry. Could anyone please give me some suggestions and insights on how to start this hiring process? I am totally new in hiring sales person. So any of the information will be greatly appreciated.

I am thinking about the drawer system when you pay in advance and get it back if no sales is generated. My attorney told me though ideal, it is very difficult to get the money back regardless. What do you all think of the drawer system?

Thank you and I look forward to learning from you.

Sean

They work great when you have good employees. Take the advice of your attorney. Whatever you pay up front, consider it an investement in the person. As with any investment, there's the risk that it may not provide any returns at all. Just be careful in your hiring process.

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Peter T Davis
Frixer, Inc.
Helping people make profitible businesses on the web.

A few quick rules for you:


Beofe you take on sales person can you afford to pay them?

As a rule of thumb it takes at least 6 months for a sales person to start breaking even so:

Basic salary x 1.5 (ruff cost when taxes , car, mobile etc have been added) / 12 (months) x 6 ( to make it half the year)

Next always check clients references. If they are good they will supply these.

Next find out what their previous OTE was and establish how close they hit this by checking pay slips.


Remember that 80% of all salespeople only sell 20% of all products and services!!!


Good luck

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Sales Focused Business Development Services
Tel: + 44 (0) 845 226 3370

Thats a bizzare use of the 80/20 rule. Although probably true just never heard it expressed that way.

Richard

Consider using a "Manufacturers' Representative". These are either individuals or organizations who sell products for many non-competing companies, usually within a specific market, such as sporting goods. They are usually paid 15 to 20% of sales, but this does vary with the market type.

A typical rep may sell for as many as 30 or 40 different companies. You can find out more about this method of taking your product to market by doing a google search on manufacturers representative or manufacturers agent.