August 2010

What Are the Fundamental Needs to Rep New Lines?

If you are an independent sales rep, the most important thing to your ability to make money is having enough lines to buffer any economic or market shifts. No kidding, right? But you can’t just go and rep new lines overnight, you have to be ready. And possibly more importantly, you have to look like […]

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How to Become a Sales Rep: Is It Right for Me?

A question that inside sales rep employees ask themselves is, “How do I become an independent sales rep?” In constrained economic periods salaried sales jobs see bonuses disappear or commissions get cut. The thought that a sales person can make more money as an independent sales rep, rather than as an employee spurs the search […]

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Top Ten Ways Independent Sales Reps Fail

Dealing with independent sales reps has very profitable benefits. Independent reps can increase sales of your lines by giving them exposure to markets they might not see otherwise. Plus they can easily and quickly sell lines to customers with whom they have existing relationships. These are just a few of the benefits you, as a principal, […]

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Determining Commissions for Independent Sales Reps

The most common questions involved with hiring of independent reps relates to their compensation. Here are key elements to determining commissions for independent sales reps. There is no standard flat rate or easy answer. Fortunately, there is a very important guideline to keep in mind: Nothing motivates sales better than an attractive commission schedule. “How […]

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Top 6 Sales Support Items Manufacturers Representatives Should Expect

These top six sales support items manufacturers representatives should expect from the manufacturers, distributors or sales managers whose products or services are on their line cards. Missing any one of these critical elements can seriously impact either sales or the rep’s sales relationship with the company …or both. » Training – Principals must train the […]

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