Comments on: Who Would You Hire from “The Office”? Three Tips on How to Find the Best Salesperson

By: Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration

Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:38:44 +0000

Phyllis Lapin VANCE. She’s a lady and a closer. And I oughta know.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:31:16 +0000

As a sales manager, I would pick Dwight, but only if it would make one of his kind in your group. Two overzealous and overbearing overachievers would be a significant distraction. If you had more than one Stanley, they can poison a group. Jim, Andy, or Phyllis can work better with a variety of people. I guess it depends on what kind of people you currently have.

By: JR

JR — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:21:33 +0000

I would go with Jim. With appropriate sales coaching and expectations, Jim has the best chance of success.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:56:10 +0000

By: Jean Joe

Jean Joe — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:15:24 +0000

In today’s bad economy there’s no need to settle. I wouldn’t hire any of them. We need a combination of loyalty and good attitude and production. None of these people have it. If you are a top producer and have the right attitude send a resume my way. Visit VeriPic.com first to see if we are right for you.

By: Erik Blum

Erik Blum — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:56:54 +0000

I wouldn’t hire any of them. Real sales people are out of “the office”. Pun intended.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:45:26 +0000

I think if Jim were given direction and challenges (as noted Michael does not do this) by his manager, I think his focus would be on production and not on pranks.

By: Bill in Oregon

Bill in Oregon — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:19:22 +0000

Jim and Stan have the greatest potential. They are capable and smart, and have sufficient people skills. Their frustration shows only because they have a boss that is insecure and has a low emotional quotient (E.Q.). I was advised once that it is better to work for an incompetent boss, rather than for an insecure boss. An incompetent boss needs good workers around him. An insecure boss is threatened by any competent employees around him.

Jim and Stan would both succeed with a better boss. Jim is a bit bored in his current position and would probably have been promoted by another boss. (His current boss is too insecure to promote him…or to praise his good characteristics.) Stan too would perform better if he didn’t believe that his good works were somewhat futile in the current environment. Dwight while a performer, poisons the rest of the office by having his boss “reward” his poor behavior.

Missing from the list…Toby. Toby is responsible, and quietly does his job. Just needs a little more confidence

By: HR Guy

HR Guy — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:43:05 +0000

I disagree with Stanley as the “one”. His aversion to authority albeit Michael’s often misguided authority, would cause more problems than it’s worth. While Stanley does “lay-low” in the office and constantly produces, he seems to be at his limit. He would never slack, but he would also never go above and beyond. I think Jim, with a boss he respects, like the manager at the Stamford branch (I can’t recall his name)would go the extra mile, and become a superstar. If you take both Pam and Dwight out of the picture, which are obvious distractions, he could concentrate on his career. Finally, not only does Jim constantly produce, but he gets along with all types of people, which is extremely important in a sales environment.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:30:50 +0000

I would choose Jim and Stanley. Jim is a producer and Stanley is consistent, a maverick and thick skinned.