| recruiter, the best sales professionals whom I come | | | | get too complacent and this can ruin employee |
| across are not exclusively members of either a large | | | | motivation and moral. Additionally, as a sales |
| or small organizations. They come from all corners, all | | | | professional working at large size firms, typically you |
| walks of life, all races and backgrounds, all different | | | | only get to be involved in one facet of the company. |
| types of companies. However, the one thing they | | | | You are a salesman or saleswoman, period. Your |
| share is a hunter mentality, passion for their work, | | | | company has a marketing department, an accounting |
| intelligence and an entrepreneurial sales spirit. | | | | department, a HR department, etc. Everybody has |
| Regardless of personality, there is an astronomical | | | | their job and they tend to stick with it. |
| difference between selling at a large a firm and a | | | | Selling at a Small Firm (Our Perception 100 or Less |
| small organization. Here are some concrete reasons | | | | Employees) |
| why. | | | | Selling at a small firm can be both exciting and |
| Selling at a Large Firm (our perception 1,000 + | | | | challenging at the same time. The aspects which can |
| employees) | | | | be quite fun is that you get to be a part of a |
| While at a large company, as a sales professional, | | | | growing company and you typically have direct |
| you have access to an entire marketing organization | | | | access to the CEO. With this access, you can use |
| which solely exists to provide you and your team | | | | your creativity and if you stumble upon a few good |
| incoming leads. I don't have to go into full detail as to | | | | ideas, you may become a shining star in the |
| why this is immensely revenue driving. These leads | | | | organization. Also, unlike a large firm, you get to wear |
| are fish in barrel so to say. Additionally, you have a | | | | several hats such as being involved in the marketing |
| brand name product backing you. Again, with some | | | | and advertising. It is my belief that regardless of an |
| help from the marketing team, buyers will get to | | | | organization's size, sales representatives ought to |
| know your product and will relate it with terms such | | | | have influence on decisions such as this. |
| as reliable and, depending on the company, | | | | However, just like the larger companies, it is not all |
| prestigious. Regarding compensation, the base salary | | | | fun and games. Selling a product which is less known |
| tends to be higher at larger companies, though after | | | | and, therefore in the eyes of the buyer, less reliable |
| commission it is quite parallel to a small company. | | | | is a challenge. Additionally, you may have to mirror as |
| Eventually, you get stock options if the organization | | | | an account manager because your firm does not |
| is public, though nobody besides the very high-ups | | | | have dedicated support for the products or services |
| ever get rich from cashing in on the company's | | | | which you sell. Managing accounts can be quite time |
| equity. Part of this seems too good to be true, what | | | | consuming as it involves a lot of administrative work |
| are the downsides? Well, nothing is perfect in this | | | | and occasionally, dealing with clients who are overly |
| world (Haribo Gummi Bears can be debated though) | | | | demanding. The last and most important drawback |
| and the same principals go for selling at larger | | | | regarding working for a smaller organization is job |
| organizations. | | | | stability. I've seen great salespeople have to |
| First of all, getting ahead in these companies is often | | | | frequently switch companies because their current |
| very political and, very rarely do vice presidential | | | | firm was having financial trouble. This does not look |
| spots open up. Depending on the firm, people tend to | | | | favorably on a resume. |