Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have new company to make pickles and olives and I'm having a problem getting hold of the buyers at major retailers and distributors. I still have full time job so my time is limited, therefore I decided the best way is to look for a part time sales person to help me with calls, setting appointments, and follow ups. I ran out of the people that I personally know and asked for help but no one accepted yet.

What's the best way to find such a person that wants extra money on the side and might lead to future employment down the road if we can hit the sales targets which are not big at the start up stage.

I will provide all the leads from buyer, distibuters, brokers, and restaurant groups. The compensation will be based on how much work this person willing/can do.

Any ideas to help?

Naseer 

I would look at college students.  They don't have full time jobs, so they could make calls or do work during business hours.  They don't have to be paid much.  They will be looking for a future full time job that this may turn into.

Few sales people will do the work for long on a straight-commission basis.  Salespeople, like most folks, seek security, meaning a base wage plus commission.

Only when you get to the upper tier of salespeople (think yachts, lear jets) will you find pros who will do the work at their own expense and on their own time for a commission only.  These are people who sell to be affluent, which is a different class of people from those who want a J.O.B.

You may get some "takers" for your commission job, but believe me, most if not all will make a few feeble calls and quit - many without even telling you they've moved on.   You'll have to supervise if you want the calls made.

I would agree on having the College students for the part time jobs. You could start by posting in local papers, or posting at college bulletin boards.

I would have to be the disagreer on the college students with this one. Even though they are looking for employment they can be unreliable as well which could pose to be a problem. You want to find people that need the work and will do anything they can to earn larger amounts that they need.

Look through your local community and also online for employees. There are many people out there in desperate need of a job with the economy struggling so much the past year that you could really find some dedicated and reliable employees in no time.

I used to have a small telemarketing/media sales business in the UK. It can be a soul destroying job which most people are not good at, so staff turnover can be very high. You might strike lucky with a college student but unlikely. It will probably work out more cost effective to hire an experienced telemarketer who you can outsource to, rather than employ. Be aware that laws about cold calling can be quite strict in some countries. try getting quotes through Start-up Nation, I see there is a telemarketing category.

I would definitely start with the small mom and pop stores and even consider farmers markets as a starting point....focus in a smaller town area and look to build a brand locally....these locals will then demand that retailers carry your product.

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