TennisandSales

Head Of Sales

Acclaimed Answer

Growing the team the right way?

My company takes a “lean team” approach when divisions are in start up mode like mine.

pretty much means, don't over hire so we don't have to lay ppl off.

so I know I'll have to have a really good explanation for when i want to hire ppl on the team. here is how I'm thinking about it:

1. calendar test: when my calendar is overloaded, it will be a clear sign that i need help. also explaining how the activity is keeping me from doing other important items.

2. focus: one our process is in place it will be important for me to have someone to keep running the process while i am able to keep looking ahead

3. growth: once i am able to produce a certain level of results, I'd like to show how adding someone can now increase that growth at a rate i wouldn't be able to do my self.

any other aspects i should consider or think through?

what are your thoughts on my three approaches here?

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

5

☕️

I look at hiring like this: Am I spending more than 40% of my time on tactical work.

I should be spending 60%+ of my time on strategic planning, execution, MVP building, etc. If that tike decreases based on my team not having the bandwidth to handle their full workload then I’m gonna hire. Or, I might need to reallocate time across the team to find the right resource mix.

TennisandSales

Politicker

0

Head Of Sales

solid perspective!!

GDO

Politicker

0

BDM

I know a lot of management in startups that do al lot more than 40% and still think they should not hire somebody. Mainly because they think others can not do it or they do not have time to train them.

starson

Good Citizen

4

Senior Sales Manager

Without additional context I am worried that 1) is an evaluation that can quickly lead to the wrong results.
How well have you delegated?
Are you doing enablement to a degree where it warrants an own department?
Might you be micro managing certain aspects too much?
3) i would go above and beyond here. You need a replicable approach which eliminates the need for you to be involved. That’s when it scales.

punishedlad

Tycoon

0

Business Development Team Lead

1) is definitely an easy pitfall. Before deciding to hire based off of that signal, I'd do a deep dive into each meeting on my calendar to decide if it's necessary. Once the calendar fat has been trimmed, I think it can be reentered into the consideration process.

starson

Good Citizen

0

Senior Sales Manager

Bingo! :-)

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

yeah i guess i should have been a bit more specific haha.

i am going to make the assumption that the quality of meeting on my calendar taking up my time are quality.

starson

Good Citizen

1

Senior Sales Manager

Given your nick I would always assume a natural desire to have a very effective calendar to ensure some playing time 😇

oldcloser

Arsonist

2

💀

I think these 3 are sane. If I were managing the manager here I wouldn’t lift the gate until I’d seen evidence of an onboard plan that was well more than half baked. Concern would be losing some of your external touch to training.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

My concern about waiting until the calendar is jammed is that you could then find yourself in a place where there's little time to run a good search, hiring, and onboarding process. You'll have to see a little bit into the future to get someone ready to go right before you get overloaded.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

2

🦊

🔮🎱

Maximas

Tycoon

1

Senior Sales Executive

The three points you made are good enough for me, but just to guarantee they are gonna be impactful enough though and getting you the results you expect, your company needs to maintain a high quality level when to comes to the Training and Coaching Teams,for the new hires and even for the existing reps!

detectivegibbles

Politicker

1

Sales Director

I think you're nailing it.

Is your boss previously in your position?

This would be something I'd lean into with others who have been in this position...

I can't remember if your new company is a start-up or more established.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

the company is established this division is new. my boss did not have my role before hand.
There really isnt anyone at the company that is doing my exact role at this time.

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