Question: What traits should I look for in a prospective sales executive for my startup and why?
They Are Persistent
"A good salesperson will sell their way into the job. She will follow up. She will be persistent without feeling like a pest. She will win your heart and mind through logically constructed thank-you's and follow ups that you will feel compelled to respond to with niceties. A good sales executive won't give you another option to consider."
@roaminghunger
They Are Organized and Likable
"People often do business with people they like. This gets you in the door. From there, it takes someone who is persistent (this is different than aggressive or pushy) and who is organized with following up and sales information. This combination of qualities generally leads to a successful salesperson who can be taught about the specifics of your product or service."
@DarrahB
They Create Value
"A good salesman makes a sale. A great salesman creates value. A top salesman gets referrals. The most important thing to look for in a prospective sales executive is a history of positive feedback, seemingly endless referrals and a vast network. Look for an executive who helps every client achieve their goals and that knows how to turn the client's network into clients as well."
@jrdorkin
They Are People Focused
"Research has found that top-performing salespeople have a very specific combination of personality traits. They tend to be more people-focused, have a high tolerance for risk and, interestingly, a more pessimistic inward orientation. Assess your current top performer's personalities, and find candidates who match."
@vvanedwards
They Hustle
"You want your salesperson to be all-in and care about your brand and product just as much as you do. There is no such thing as a 9-to-5 salesperson. The right sales executive is prospecting 24/7, constantly helping you grow and build your brand."
@stanleymeytin
They Are Empathetic
"Sales executives have to be able to identify with the people they're speaking to, feel what they're feeling, and make them feel respected. This is just as true for customer relationships as it is for motivating sales staff. As an executive, they'll also need to be a role model of empathy to inspire the same quality in their team. Being able to listen and establish rapport with anyone is key."
@dnevogt
They Are Resourceful
"Resourcefulness is the trait that I look for in every single one of my employees. I look for people who come across a problem and figure out how to solve it on their own using the resources around them. I also look for my sales execs to be hungry for the sale. If the company makes it, then they make it. I want someone that will take responsibility in all aspects of the business aside from sales."
@jaynacooke
They Are Passionate
"An ideal sales executive is an experienced communicative extrovert with excellent written and presentation skills. But an ideal sales executive for a startup must also be passionate because they need to have the gumption to tackle the unique hurdles that come with working for a startup. Also, a sales executive who brings his or her own business contacts to your startup is definitely advantageous."
@MerchServGroup
They Don't Fear Rejection
"Anyone can learn sales with the proper training, but there are those individuals who have that 'secret sauce.' They have an inherent likability and charisma that allows them to speak with customers on a level that engenders respect and trust. Those traits, coupled with a fearlessness to pitch without worry of rejection, is a winning combination."
@eMerchantBroker
They Value Alignment
"A sales executive is going to have to lead, inspire and motivate finicky sales talent, and he will usually have to do so under pressure and in a quickly changing environment. You can teach, train and manage a lot of things, but values alignment is something that they need to show up with out of the gate."
@ThoughtsOnBiz
They Are Flexible
"During the early stages of your company, your process and goals change frequently. Bring on sales executives who are passionate about your startup, but nimble enough to adapt to change and continue to execute. "
@shr4dha
They Can Work Independently
"As your startup grows, you'll run into new scenarios that you didn't anticipate. Having a sales executive on the front lines who is competent to make independent, smart decisions and communicate these clearly to you will help you grow your business faster through efficiency."
@markdaoust
They Are Well-Rounded
"In a small, fast-growing organization, team members are often asked to wear multiple hats. Yes, your sales executive should be primarily concerned with sales. However, they shouldn't be shy about jumping in to work on product development or brainstorming marketing campaigns as needed."
@MESlayter
