In this episode, hosts Alex King and Alexander discuss the challenges of first-time sales managers. Alex shares his career journey, highlighting the distinct skills needed for sales versus management. They cover hiring, managing talent, and Jeremy Duggan's "three Rs" framework: Recruiting, Retention, and Revenue. Emphasizing growth and independence, they stress the importance of allowing team members to learn from mistakes and develop problem-solving skills. Alex also discusses the transition from player-coach to manager and the need to balance support with autonomy to foster a culture of trust and development.

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Questions?

Alexander Kohler:

alexander@sellabl.co

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Alex King:

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00:00 - 01:28 Introduction

Alexander and Alex King introduce the topic and share a light-hearted moment about Alex’s last name.

01:28 - 04:09 Alex King’s Career Journey

Alex King discusses his career path from media sales to running his own business, and eventually moving into SaaS and revenue leadership roles.

04:09 - 05:51 Challenges of First-Time Sales Managers**

Alex King reflects on the difficulties he faced as a first-time sales manager and CEO, emphasizing the lack of guidance and resources available at the start of his career.

05:51 - 08:36 Role of a Sales Manager

Alex King explains the critical responsibilities of a sales manager, including recruiting, retention, and revenue, and introduces the “Three Rs” framework by Jeremy Duggan.

08:36 - 10:33 Player-Coach Dynamics

Discussion on the dual role of player-coach in startups, its challenges, and the misalignment of incentives when a manager also has a sales quota.

10:33 - 11:54 Founders and Sales Leadership Transition

Exploration of the transition phase from founder-led sales to establishing a structured sales organization, and the importance of leaders being involved in the sales process.

11:54 - 14:40 Recruiting the Right Salespeople

The significance of hiring the right caliber of individuals at different stages of a company's growth and the impact of having a competent sales leader on securing investments.

14:40 - 17:58 Promoting Salespeople to Managers

Alex King discusses the common pitfalls of promoting top salespeople to management roles and the differing skill sets required for successful sales management.

17:58 - 20:40 Characteristics of Successful Sales Managers

The necessary attributes and mindset shifts needed for salespeople transitioning into management roles, emphasizing selflessness and team-focused leadership.

20:40 - 24:38 Real-Life Scenario: Promoting the Right Person

A deep dive into a scenario where a VP must decide between promoting a top-performing salesperson or another team member, weighing the impact on team dynamics and respect.

24:38 - 26:20 Supporting Without Selling for AEs

The importance of a VP supporting their team without taking over their sales efforts, ensuring account executives grow and succeed independently.

28:11 - 32:44: Encouraging independent thinking and fostering a culture where team members are allowed to fail in a controlled environment are crucial for team development and scalability.

32:44 - 37:19: Hiring people better than oneself is essential for growth and scalability in a sales team, as it fosters a culture of excellence and self-sufficiency among team members.

37:19 - 42:17: Adapting leadership styles based on individual team members' needs is crucial for effective management and team performance, facilitating the transition from forming to performing stages.

42:17 - 47:08: Managing by numbers involves creating transparency and accountability by outlining clear expectations and performance metrics for team members, supported by coaching and feedback tailored to individual needs.

47:08 - 50:22: Providing feedback effectively requires understanding individual preferences and delivering it with pure intent, while handling difficult situations like termination with transparency, compassion, and support for the individual's next steps.