Where oh where can the salespeople be ,oh where oh where could they be?

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Where are they,how can you attract ones that are committed, that will stick,that can be developed,trainable, passionate.Salespeople that can and will help your business grow.Let's discuss plans,the tail not wagging the dog.What resourses can we use?
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How Can We Make It Better?

by Craig Lockerd

Jul 23, 2012

  You’re 10, 11, 12 years old and you’re at a family get together. Aunt Mary walks over to you pinches your cheek and remarks on how big you’ve gotten, how’s school etc. and then asks the question “So [insert your name here] what do you want to be when you grow up?” Show of hands now and be honest, how many of you answered “Aunt Mary I want to be a Car Salesperson!”

  My father was in the car business my entire life and owned a small Plymouth store in the late 60’s and 70’s and selling cars was the very last career choice on my mind. I wanted to be the lead singer in a rock band, closer for the Cleveland Indians, or a teacher. Car salesman….no I don’t think so, thanks anyway Dad, 38 years later and well, here I am in our wonderful business and honored to be in it.

  My point here is that selling cars is very few peoples first career choice, usually it’s “If I can’t find anything else, I guess I could always give selling cars a try”

  What needs to change within our industry to make this a more appealing choice ?

   This picture shows the crazy amount of opportunity!

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  • up

    Ernie Kasprowicz

    How can we make it better is a very good question.  Perhaps as suggested by Craig a work environment where the salesperson earns and receives tangible recognition and appreciation for their personal excellence.  Excellence with respect to job related skills such as sales volume, customer satisfaction, product knowledge, client development and adherence to company procedures could be a few.  Tangible recognition and appreciation could be a significant income bonus, vacation bonus, special time off, dealer financial contribution to a charity of the salesperson's interest or even ongoing training and development.  Ask the salesperson what would be meaningful to them.  I agree with much of what others have written in response to this question and believe the industry can attract the best and brightest as a first choice career.

    Jul 26, 2012

    • up

      NANCY SIMMONS

      Many good points on this thread.... New Order....Synergy Honesty Integrity Transparency  (You can put the acronym together)

      2

      Jul 26, 2012

      • up

        Scott Klein

        All great stuff here, but let me interject my 2 cents. I think it all comes down to dollar and cents. When it comes to selling cars for the majority of the dealerships, it's 100% commission. Most people don't have the confidence, or aren't willing to chance a commission based pay plan.

        The masses seem to want a guarantee of some sort when it comes to compensation which makes the potential talent pool microscopic when it comes to finding career orientated automobile salespeople. If I posted jobs on Monster and Career Builder that read, "Auto Sales People Wanted. $50,000 Per Year Salary Plus Commissions." I'd have more resumes in that one post than I'd get in 3 months of traditional postings.

         

        2

        Jul 29, 2012