DungeonsNDemos profile picture
DungeonsNDemos profile picture

DungeonsNDemos

Rolling 20's all day

Big Shot
Politicker
Acclaimed Answer
+10

If you could hire your manager…

I've recently learned that my manager is leaving our company for greener pastures. I wish the best for him but it puts us in a tight spot because having a manager here is like the only way I can get quick support or answers to approve things. 

Just another bump on this sales rollercoaster 🎢

The good news is I will get to be involved in hiring the new manager! 
Culture, methodologies, and experience are the three biggest things that we look to screen for. 

I'm thinking about what curveballs I can throw these candidates and would love your input. 

do I throw the grenade? "tell me about why you want to be my manny???"
🧠 Advice
👥 Hiring
🤝 Interviewing/Offer
14

18 comments

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BmajoR
Arsonist
10
Account Executive
I'm envisioning a Step Brothers style interview here.
Fenderbaum
Politicker
3
Retired Choirboy🪕
.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
1
Rolling 20's all day
Breakout the tux! I like it
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
Maybe ask them a FKM question
Pachacuti
Politicker
4
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Do you really want to start your relationship with your future SM by throwing curveballs and questions to stump him?

I would ask questions like - "what from your experience selling, not managing, can you bring to help the sales team?" The point being you want someone who has been where you are at and understands you. Not someone who came from some other area and landed in Sales Management but never carried a bag themselves.

"How did you handle deals which took longer than expected to close?"

And think about your current funnel Give him a real world example of one of your current deals - present the obstacle and ask him (1) what he'd do & (2) how he'd help you potentially close it.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
2
Rolling 20's all day
Lol fair point. I’m not really planning to go for the jugular, and I like your questions. Longer than expected timelines are always an issue
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Be the smart guy, the one your new manager won't have to worry about and will rely on.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
4
Bravado's Resident Asshole
If I could hire my current manager as my employee... I would micromanage the shit out of them so they knew how it felt. Then one day, I would just stop and let the paranoia sink in.

I know this isn't what you are asking, but It was the first thing that popped in my head when reading the title.
Now to answer your question, I'm with @BmajoR
CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
🦊
😆
HVACexpert
Politicker
2
sales engineer
Not going to throw your own hat in the ring to be manager? Could be a fun interview at least getting to ask yourself your own questions
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
Stop throwing curves and give them heat down the middle. What do you expect from a manger? Prod into that and see if they can deliver.
pirate
Big Shot
2
🦜☠️ Account Executive
Good Cop Bad Cop
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I'd ask: What questions should I be asking you?
Also: check their LI, etc. Do some due diligence on them as well to see what they're about, where they worked, etc. That can bring up some questions that are more specific.

Filth
Politicker
2
Live Filthy or Die Clean
I would use some real examples of where your leaving manager shined and helped you win deals and see how they would handle the situation. Compare them to a real person that you trusted and see how they line up. No need for hypothetical curve balls you've probably got enough real life situations to drum up and see how they play the game.
I would also talk to them about how they would actually help a player in a slump - feel out if they would come in with a plan or just the general pizza party or PIP BS.
Good luck and hopefully you find a new Rabbi, not just a manny.
oldcloser
Arsonist
1
💀
You could go right at him with "So, how do you handle underperforming salespeople?" That could cause some involuntary leaking.
Or go high, philosophical style: "Can you define the difference between management and leadership?"
DataCorrupter
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I've been in this position recently, getting to hire your manager. Here's a few I threw at them in the process. My biggest goal was to figure out how they were going to be a daily basis, helpful, watching metrics like a hawk, etc.

What sales culture impacted you the most in your career? (what type do you like, high pressure, low pressure, metrics driven, etc.)

Tell me about the best sales leader you’ve worked for? (who/what type of leader are you aspiring to be)

Tell me about you as a sales leader? (If they can't answer these, they either aren't cool or have zero self awareness, which is huge red flag)

What does your best rep like about working for you?

What does your worst rep hate about working for you?

What is one thing your reps would change about your leadership style?

How would you describe yourself as a seller? (and when you do you plan to get involved in my deals, and how will you act when you do)

Hope that helps.
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Play Fuck,Marry,Kill on the interview
FoodForSales
Politicker
0
AE
ask good questions. You don't want to come off as that guy who's easily dismissible.

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