Every company knows that sales manager hiring comes with its disadvantages and advantages. You will be scouting for the best talent in the sales industry to manage your team and- hopefully- guide them toward success.
Before you start the sales manager hiring process, listen to these possible pros and cons your organization might experience as a result.
4 Sales Manager Hiring Disadvantages
Keep in mind that this list of sales manager hiring disadvantages is neither extensive nor set in stone. We’re not saying you will run into each con during onboarding, but you might. Knowing the weaknesses will help you spot potential pitfalls in action and safeguard against them.
1. Extra Hierarchy Layer
Whenever you add someone new to your team that serves an authoritative position, you’re adding an extra hierarchy layer. For example, let’s say you have always directly led your salesforce and interacted with them each day.
Now, you’re taking away that point of connection and replacing it with an intermediary- your sales manager. This could cause a disconnect.
2. Potential to Skew Sales Direction
Is your sales direction already solidified and running smoothly? If the sales manager decides to step in and change the direction without input from the organization, this could be damaging to revenue generation and team morale. Put proper procedures in place to help avoid this disadvantage.
3. High Learning Curve
Arguably one of the biggest disadvantages of hiring a sales manager is the high learning curve. However, this might not be the case if you promote someone internally to the role.
Some studies do indicate that external sales manager hiring can take several months to reach its fruition. While your manager is learning the ropes, your existing team might lose its momentum.
So, that begs the question, to hire internally or externally? It’s entirely up to you and how much time and resources you want to allocate toward onboarding.
4. Unknown Team Impact
You won’t actually know how your new sales manager will impact the team until everything is said and done. There is a lot of uncertainty around performance and team cohesion, which can be a disadvantage.
If the team and manager don’t get along, your salesforce will be adrift without a captain they can trust. One way to solve this is to introduce the sales manager to the team and include them in the hiring process.
4 Sales Manager Hiring Advantages
While there are disadvantages to hiring a new sales lead, there are also plenty of advantages! The right addition to your sales team will allow you to delegate tasks confidently and stay on track. At their best, the sales manager will totally revamp and revitalize your sales operations.
1. Strong Sales Strategy
Just as the sales director has a chance to be skewed, it can also be set in the right direction. A five-star sales manager will be able to evaluate your company’s sales pipeline and create a strong strategy.
They might also develop campaigns that build client relationships, assign team members to cover certain territories and figure out sales projections. The advantage of a strong sales strategy can help achieve long-term financial goals.
2. Information Resource
During the sales manager hiring process, scout for talent who appear fully engaged in their work. Why? A sales manager who is fully present will eventually become a valuable information resource when it comes to the client’s mind. These types of people pay attention to what consumers want and need.
3. Exposure Into New Markets
Another advantage of a sales manager is extended reach into new markets. If they are good at reading the market they serve, then they are good at reading other markets too. A sales manager can evaluate, research, and strategize your company’s entry into a potentially profitable sector.
If your sales manager is well-established, they might even have contacts in their network who can lower the barrier of entry into the said market.
4. Fresh Ideas
Sales manager hiring brings a wealth of fresh ideas and innovative thinking. As any company grows, so does its capacity to think big and out-of-the-box. Hiring a fresh, external team member will bring a new perspective and skillset to the arena. This can also enhance your overall internal culture and break up any “groupthink” dynamics that are hindering creativity in the salesforce.
Sales Recruiters Chicago Works with Recruiters & Job Seekers
Are you looking for a job in the sales industry in Chicago? Our team can help you find the perfect sales position that aligns with your objective, future goals, and current skill set.
If you are trying to fill a sales-based role within your Chicago company, Sales Recruiters Chicago can also help you hire the perfect candidate. We also have a Dallas location if you live in Texas.
Learn more about us to hire talent or get hired sooner rather than later.
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