Jordan Hardy

Sales Position Possibilities

Posted on: May 24, 2009 by Jordan Hardy Comments Off

There are quite a few kinds of sales positions, each with different drawbacks and benefits for employees and employers. This post discusses my observations on various types of sales positions a sales professional can choose from.

1. Sales Manager – This position can be inside or outside sales. I’ve found this works best when I was a sales manager who was both out in the feld with clients, out in the field with staff, and at the company offices at times. This position is typically a base salary with flexible hours and location due to the range of client and company needs.
2. Inside Sales with Base Salary  and Commission – This is a good position for the employee as not only is there a base salary, but also commission. It is possible to build close internal business relationships, of course as well as client relationships. The drawbacks of this position for the employee are that it can be more about the hours than work done, and may include busywork at a desk.  The drawbacks of this position for the company include extra time, training, and money invested in an employee that may or may not end up being good at sales.
3. Outside Sales with Base Salary and Commission – This is an ideal sales position that can either be the one where a salesperson starts out, or a position the salesperson and company agree on after a trial period. My preference is that the employee start out commission only and then within weeks or months grow into base plus commission if things go well. The benefit here is that both sides can find out if the position is a good fit.
4. Inside Sales with no Base and Commissio Only - I have not seen this often and do not feel it is a good idea for anyone.
5. Outside Sales with Commission Only - This can be more ideal for a company than salesperson to start since only the salesperson is taking a risk. The company can hire a number of salespeople for similar positions and give each minimal training. For sure some salespeople will fail and others will do well. In my experience, it works best that after a couple of months, a new successful salesperson on commission only talk with the company they are working for. If they are doing well, it will be important to know future plans of the company in regards to territories and future hiring. It will be important over time that the salesperson and company have a strong trusting relationship so that everyone is appreciated.
6. Telemarketing from Home – These days there are many people posing as companies, as well as companies looking to take advantage of people. If a person decides to do telemarketing from home, it will be crucial they they get proof of what will happen for calls that convert to leads or sales. It will be important that time spent is rewarded.
7. Sales Assistant or Intern – Many companies or people these days may try to get someone for free or almost nothing as this may be first experience for the employee. If it is a good opportunity with a company of notable size or quality, this can be a good opportunity. If this is a small questionable business that is taking advantage of someone, then it may be time to think twice and ask more questions of the employer and what they do.

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