That’s right – crazily, I got back from honeymoon and decided that it’s time for a new challenge. What have I learned?
Well, 4.5 years working for Selecture is a long time to be anywhere, and when I joined it was as the number 3 employee. My remit was to build the business, and as I leave we are now at about 20.
We are?
Sorry: they are. Have to stop thinking like that!!
I put together a strong Training and Development programme, hired in a large number of trainees and some strong experienced recruiters, and went back to basics with everybody who worked for us to ensure that they all had a solid level of knowledge to grow from. I won and developed accounts for the team to work on, and helped others do this, and the company is on track to have another record year!!
The main thing I’ve learned is this: hire the people who have the drive and intelligence to do the job – don’t worry if they don’t fit a stereotype.
Back 5 or 6 years ago we would all look for young, hungry people with 12 months of telesales experience in a hard environment like Advertising who were cut-throat and mercenary and who would sell snow to Eskimos, sand to the Middle East, and over priced glassware to old ladies who couldn’t afford it. And people wonder at the state of the Recruitment market in the UK – it’s our fault!! We created it.
I have spent the past 2.5 years trying to make sure that I pay very little attention to background and experience, and look at whether I feel the prospective employee has the potential to do the job. Potential is a difficult thing to find in an interview though, and we / they have lost a few people along the way in the search for the current team. Remarkably, I have to say that rarely have I had to let someone go on their inability to do the role, it’s usually a disciplinary thing, and I’m glad to say that it is the still the least favourite part of my job. It really doesn’t get easier with time.
Working with and building the team at Selecture has been the most stressfully enjoyable, frustratingly fullfilling rollercoaster of a ride and I would recommend anyone to go to work there. It’s the people who make a company, and happy people make a happy workplace.
I’m glad to say that my guys were some of the best in London.
Obviously I’m biased, but they genuinely are great.
Big love guys. I’ll miss you.
August 23, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Nice sign off man – in fact – I read it a few times before I wrote mine..
http://whatleydude.vox.com/
Hope it’s going well.
August 27, 2007 at 5:52 pm
“don’t worry if they don’t fit a sterotype!” – Like that part, does it mean, even metamophadites can make it?!
It is however true – intelligence accompnied with a strong desire to do well are the key attributes you need to do well in this game.
It was a sad day in the life of Selecture when our Sales Manager (the one and only (thank god) Mr William Rowe)) resigned from the company. However, change is change and after 4.5 years, it was time for Will to seek a new, exciting and hopefully rewarding challenge that I have no doubt he will embrace fully.
To those of you who are seeking an excellent Training and Development or Sales Manager – hands off because I’m going to recruit him one day!
Coming from an HR background, it was never going to be easy to succeed in the Sales game – however under the guidance of Will through mentoring and development, I have more than exceeded what I planned to do in my first year of Sales. I thank you Will – now I have the experience and the expertise to make it to the top and a shed load of cash – let’s not forget – my house is looming….
Thanks Will, like me, your the best of them.