Here’s a nice broad topic, but I could really use your help.
I’m looking at numbers for next year (January 1 to December 31) as realistically as possible and I’m realizing that I need to bring on help to reach any of the finacial targets I believe I need to reach to support a family of seven just through my business. This past year there were at least 4 months where I was busy enough to be too busy to do everything required to run a business single handedly well. I’m thinking about hiring a sales person, but I could also hire a tech. I waffle back and forth about which way to go. My head seems to have settled on hiring a sales person first.
Maybe some background will help. I’ve been in business 18 months. Gross sales ytd are $33,000 and business hit the winter slow time this next week. Sales '07 to '08 comparison show every month but 1 better in 'o8 with Octover '08 being double October '07. I have the help I need in the summer -three of my own teens. I live in rural northern WI. Largest town within 30 miles is 8,000. Many small towns. Wausau greater area 120,000 people is ninety miles south. Fox valley, 500,000, 3 hours away. Mixed services; wcing, ccing, t&g restoration. Thinking about picking up carpet repair and/or power washing next spring. I eventually want to have one crew working locally and at least one crew traveling as needed or based in Wausau or the Fox River Valley.
What are your thoughts and experiences with hiring sales people. Any docs that might be helpful; application, compensation agreement, work flow tracker, etc. What would be your next step to take a business like this to high gear and long term sustainability?
Eric
