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February 11, 2025 52 mins
 

Want to know how to attract and retain top sales talent? I've got the solution to help you build a killer sales team.

It's time to reveal the unexpected! What if I told you that the key to attracting top sales talent lies in creating a welcome box for their family? Imagine the impact of a virtual welcome receiving line or a 30-minute presentation where new hires get to teach you something they're passionate about. But here's the twist: the onboarding starts before they're even hired. Intrigued? Stay tuned to find out how these creative onboarding strategies can transform your hiring process and keep those top salespeople engaged.

Conquer Sales Challenges
To conquer sales challenges, leaders must adopt a disruptive mindset when hiring sales talent. Challenging candidates during the interview process and thinking critically can help in identifying top performers. Avoiding common hiring mistakes, such as not showcasing value or focusing solely on industry experience, is crucial in overcoming sales challenges and attracting the right talent.

This is Walter Crosby' story, this week's special guest:

Walter Crosby's journey into the world of sales began with a pivotal encounter in high school, where his guidance counselor doubted his ability to apply to the University of Michigan. This moment ignited a fierce determination within him, propelling him to defy expectations and pursue his aspirations. With over four decades of experience in sales, Walter's passion for elevating sales professionals stems from his own journey of resilience and growth. His unique perspective on hiring salespeople emphasizes the significance of assessing a candidate's selling prowess over their industry experience. Walter's story serves as a powerful reminder that motivation and tenacity are crucial in both sales and the hiring process, and that the art of selling transcends specific industries and markets.

"Hiring salespeople is similar to how we go out and sell, go sell to our customers. We need to qualify these people. We need to make sure they're the right people that we should be talking to." - Walter Crosby

Walter Crosby, the CEO of Helix Sales Development, boasts an extensive four-decade career in sales leadership and management. With a background deeply rooted in hands-on sales roles and leading sales teams, Walter's expertise is honed in elevating the performance of sales professionals, managers, and leaders. His significant decision to venture into entrepreneurship with Helix Sales Development underscores his strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit. Hosting the Sales and Cigars Podcast, Walter's insights and industry acumen make him a compelling guest, offering a fresh perspective on the essential strategies for sourcing top-tier sales talent.

In this episode, you will be able to:

  • Master the Art of Hiring Top Sales Talent: Learn Winning Strategies.

  • Revolutionize Your Sales Team Onboarding for Unprecedented Results.

  • Conquer Sales Challenges with Proven Tactics and Expert Guidance.

  • Cultivate a Phenomenal Sales Culture and Watch Your Team Flourish.

  • Ignite Your Sales Team's Motivation for Unparalleled Performance.

 

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - The Drive to Succeed

00:01:28 - Background and Passion

00:09:29 - Challenges in Sales Hiring

00:13:10 - The Trap of Industry Experience

00:13:49 - Hiring for Industry Experience

00:14:44 - Buyer Level Experience

00:16:54 - Industry Experience Trap

00:19:04 - Selling Skills Over Product Knowledge

00:22:27 - Mistakes in Hiring Salespeople

00:27:38 - Dealing with Employee Feedback

00:28:13 - The Hiring Process

00:30:44 - Social Media Presence

00:31:30 - Panel Interview Process

00:37:54 - Mindset Shift in Hiring

00:41:12 - Importance of Onboarding Process

00:43:17 - Pre-Onboarding and E

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