The frequency of layoffs has started to rise as the economy continues it’s slow progression (no, it hasn’t recessed). Up here in Minnesota we have experienced some large layoffs recently. But there is an interesting point in all of these layoffs when it comes to salespeople.
Many times the underperformers are released first as a method for upgrading the sales force.
One of the large corporations up here announced a sizeable layoff that reduced their employee count by 5%. Yet, the following week they had multiple employment ads on multiple sites looking for different levels of salespeople. This approach is not surprising as you will see it often during slow economic times. The major companies use the cover of a slow economy to jettison salespeople who have had targets on them for some time.
This fact means that all sales hiring today needs to be careful. There are strong salespeople who get cut loose, but you have to have a process to find them. The pretenders, the salespeople who can do enough to mostly hide on your payroll, are also out there. These salespeople are more difficult to identify and screen out of the candidate pool.
It is imperative that you have a process that goes far beyond resume, interview, gut-level decision. If you need assistance, we can help.