Finding good sales managers is a huge pain in the a$$.

What if you didn't have to hire as many of them?

Let me explain…

After 25 years in sales and eight years as a consultant and trainer, I've learned that overhauling a sales culture is not for the faint of heart.

If you're a CEO considering this type of endeavor, you need to understand one thing upfront: this is a commitment that requires nerves of steel, decisive leadership, and most importantly, the courage to face significant team turnover.

A salesperson recently came up to me after a training session and asked, “What does a perfect first sales meeting look like?”

While the word perfect is both subjective and elusive, this is the basic framework I gave her to ensure a great first meeting.

Your salespeople hate roleplaying.

You know this. I know this.

But here's the thing: your team still needs practice. They just don't need fake practice.

During my time as a stand-up comedian, I learned something crucial about getting better at anything that requires real-world performance.

Let's be honest - hiring great salespeople is one of the toughest challenges founders and sales leaders face. The difficulty isn't just in spotting raw talent; it's in the fact that salespeople are, well, really good at selling themselves. This makes it incredibly tricky to distinguish between a potential sales superstar and someone who's just really good at telling you what you want to hear.

So, how can you increase your chances of hiring top-performing salespeople and avoid these costly missteps? Don't worry, Pitch Lab has got you covered.