bad hire

How A Single Bad Hire Cost Me a Luxury Penthouse

/49 Comments/in /by

bad hire

Here’s a quick story about the worst hiring decision I ever made.

I was working as a sales manager at a large software company at the time. We were looking to grow and had just done a headcount. Senior management said it was time to bring another sales rep on board.

We contacted headhunters, vetted the shortlist, and interviewed the candidates. All told, it took my colleagues and me six months before we finally found someone that seemed to fit.

Even at this point, some of my colleagues had misgivings about this guy. But we were already halfway through the year and a man short. I could see I was barely going to make quota as it was. And my boss was all over me to get someone on board – fast.

I was under too much pressure to listen to what my colleagues had to say. So I decided to pull the trigger and just go with this guy. He had good references and I couldn’t wait any longer.

From the moment he came on board, there were already clues that this wasn’t going to work out. At his product training, he’d interrupt the speakers and act like he knew more than they did. When visiting his clients, he’d talk non-stop and make one wrong assumption after another about their pain and needs.

Still, I gave him the standard 6-9 months to start generating a reasonable pipeline and closing deals. But by the end of the first year, it was clear this guy had to go. His forceful manner had already alienated a number of our clients, and back in the office I heard nothing but excuses about why our software wasn’t selling.

I was ready to kick him out on the spot. But unfortunately, company policy forced me to put him on a three-month performance review. After that, his contract gave him another three months before we could finally get rid of him.

(As if that wasn’t bad enough, when he finally did leave, he refused to give back the company iPad and iPhone he had been given.)

All told, from the moment the position opened up the moment he finally left, almost two whole years had passed.

The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. But I chalked it up as a learning experience and didn’t spend much time dwelling on it – until a sales trainer friend of mine brought it back up.

How much had that bad hire cost my company, he asked me one day. I guessed around $120K in salary and training. What a waste of money!

But how much revenue had we missed out on if we had brought on a standard-performing rep?

Well, average quota for us at the time was about $2 million, so that would be… almost $4 million worth of lost revenue!

In other words, that single bad hire cost us the equivalent of a luxury penthouse in Manhattan with a skyline view.

Now, maybe your quota is different, but this was still a number that really opened my eyes. It made me determined never to make the same mistake again.

With the clock ticking and my boss riding my back, I made a big compromise that led to an even bigger loss in revenue.

I didn’t take the time to make the right decision.

It’s a common scenario that a lot of sales managers have to face all the time. But through this one bad hire, I realized that no matter how high pressure was to bring on someone new, it wasn’t worth the cost of making the wrong decision.

Since then, I really spent a long time thinking about what I did wrong. Next week, I’ll be sharing the insights I’ve had as well as the concrete steps any sales manager can take to avoid hiring the wrong rep.

In the meantime, I want to know – what’s the worst hiring story you’ve got? I know some of you must have brought on some pretty rotten apples. Now’s the time to spill the details!

Let us know in the comments below.

Join hundreds of other salespeople who get our latest content first.

The latest in sales intelligence and productivity news – delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam, no sharing your information. Just high-quality, sales-relevant content.

 

You might also like
Grumpy_man_squared_small How to WIN Customer Rapport
Tips to Cultivate Right Sales Attitude To Close More Deals 5 Tips to Cultivate the Right Sales Attitude and Close More Deals
Success Story with iSEEit and Dynatrace Successfully Implementing MEDDPICC on Salesforce – A Success Story with Dynatrace
How to Overcome Every Sales Team’s Biggest Problem
CRM Hidden Costs The Hidden Cost of CRM (or What Happens When You Manage Your Sales Process on Word Docs and Spreadsheets)
common CRM problems The 5 Most Common Problems With CRM Systems
49 replies
  2. https://list.ly/lundgreenkahn470
    https://list.ly/lundgreenkahn470 says:

    شكر لك على هذا المقال المثير للاهتمام للاهتمام كان من المثير
    للاهتمام حقًا قراءة وجهة نظرك حول هذا الموضوع
    أود أن أدعوك إلى الانضمام إلى كازينو التشفير
    لمزيد من المناقشات و التعاون
    الناجحة هناك الكثير من الفرص للتواصل مع أفراد آخرين مهتمين
    بهذا الموضوع وتبادل الأفكار
    أتطلع إلى سماع تعليقاتك وآرائك الأخرى في المستقبل

  3. Patti
    Patti says:

    Relish Your Thoughts!

    I’m Overjoyed you Discovered the Piece Beneficial.

    If you’re Intrigued by Delving into more Prospects in the online Wagering Domain, I’d Recommend Experiencing CMD368.

    They Extend a Plethora of Stimulating Punting Possibilities, On-demand content, and a Hassle-free App.

    What I Truly Appreciate about cmd368 [Patti] is their Dedication to Responsible
    Betting. They have Comprehensive Precautions and Options to Empower Bettors
    Manage their actions.

    Irrespective you’re a Seasoned Enthusiast or Unfamiliar
    with the Betting, I Feel you’d Really Enjoy the Adventure.

    Feel free to Create an account By way of the Provided link and Communicate
    if you have Other Questions.

  7. JamieNoUla
    JamieNoUla says:

    актуальная ссылка на кракен

    Мобильная версия сайта адаптирована для всех устройств и имеет встроенный мессенджер, что упрощает взаимодействие между продавцами и покупателями. Ресурс постоянно совершенствует себя, добавляя новые системы защиты и создавая новые зеркала.
    Source:

    Source:

    актуальная ссылка на кракен

  10. หวยฮานอย ย้อนหลัง
    หวยฮานอย ย้อนหลัง says:

    การ ซื้อ “หวยฮานอย” เป็นอีก โอกาส หนึ่งที่ได้รับ ความหลงใหล จาก ผู้คนในประเทศไทย ในการ พนัน เมื่อ เปรียบเทียบ การ เสี่ยง หวยรัฐบาลหรือ”หวยลาว”
    ความ น่าตื่นเต้น ของ”หวยฮานอย”คือ การ จัดรางวัล ทุกวัน ส่งผลให้ผู้ ลุ้น สามารถ ชนะ
    ได้บ่อยครั้ง และ
    มีช่องทาง สร้าง รายได้อื่น ๆ จากการ ซื้อ หวย

    อย่างไรก็ตาม การ ลุ้น “หวยฮานอย”
    ก็ไม่ ข้อเสีย เนื่องจากผู้ เสี่ยง บางรายอาจ ใช้จ่าย มากเกินไปหรือ ชอบ การพนัน ซึ่งอาจ ก่อให้เกิดผลเสีย
    ต่อ สุขภาพ นอกจากนี้ ยังมี
    โอกาส เรื่อง การกระทำที่ผิดกฎหมาย จากผู้ที่ หาผลประโยชน์ โดยมิชอบ

    เพื่อให้การ ทำ “หวยฮานอย” เป็นเพียงการเสี่ยงโชค เพื่อความสนุกสนาน และ ไม่ส่งผลเสีย
    จึงควรมีการ คุ้มครอง และ ตรวจสอบ อย่างใกล้ชิด เช่น การ
    ปรับ ช่วงเวลา ในการ เสี่ยง ที่ ดี รวมถึงการตรวจสอบ
    ผู้ กระทำการที่ไม่ถูกต้อง ทั้งนี้เพื่อให้การ เสี่ยง
    “หวยฮานอย” เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของการ ดำเนินชีวิต
    อย่าง ระลึกถึงผู้อื่น และ ไม่ก่อให้เกิดผลเสีย ความเป็นอยู่ ของผู้
    ลุ้น

    My page … หวยฮานอย ย้อนหลัง

  13. Arthurnof
    Arthurnof says:

    Vodka Casino – Мерцающий неоновый свет проникал сквозь дымку сигарет, окутывая столы рулетки и покера. Аромат дорогих духов смешивался с запахом азарта, создавая опьяняющую атмосферу. В центре зала, словно маяк, возвышался бар, где ловкие бармены колдовали над коктейлями, главным ингредиентом которых была, конечно, водка.

  14. DanielTyday
    DanielTyday says:

    Vodka Casino – это не просто игорное заведение, это феерия азарта, воплощенная в атмосфере роскоши и интриги. Представьте себе зал, где хрустальные люстры отражают блеск лакированных столов, а шепот крупье смешивается с звоном бокалов. Здесь крутятся рулетки, карты тасуются с виртуозностью фокусника, и каждый уголок пропитан предвкушением крупного выигрыша.

  15. RandallSab
    RandallSab says:

    Узнать все о человеке по номеру телефона или данные по номеру телефона за 2 минуты.
    Проверка Граждан РФ по открытым базам данных: МВД, ФМС, ФНС, ФССП, ГИС ГМП, ФНП, ЕФРСБ, ГИБДД и других государственных органов.
    Сервис работает со всеми официальными государственными базами данных, открытыми источниками, реестрами и архивами, и предоставляет информацию в режиме «реального времени» и «как есть».
    Информация в отчете является актуальной на дату запроса.

  19. MMelvinwet
    MMelvinwet says:

    Справочник по С++ Примеры кода с пояснениями
    Литература по С++
    Android секреты Секреты и хаки Android для продвинутых пользователей
    Windows секреты Хаки и секреты Windows для продвинутых пользователей
    посмотреть!..

  28. 의정부 임플란트 교정
    의정부 임플란트 교정 says:

    의정부 교정치과 원장 한**씨는 ‘어금니 2개, 앞니 8개가 가장 최선으로 자라는 8~20세 시기에 영구치를 교정해야 추가로 자라는 영구치가 모자라지 않은 공간을 가지고 가지런하게 자랄 수 있다’며 ‘프로모션을 통해 자녀들의 치아 상태를 확인해보길 바란다’고 말했다.

    의정부 무수술 교정

  29. 핀페시아 온라인 구매
    핀페시아 온라인 구매 says:

    핀페시아 온라인 구매에 대한 미국탈모협회의 말을 빌리면 미국 남성의 87%가 50대까지 머리카락이 가늘어지고 수가 적어지는 것을 경험했다. 탈모가 일어나는 원인은 모낭줄기세포의 수가 줄어들어서다. 모낭줄기세포는 세포 분열을 통해 모낭에서 새로운 머리카락이 나오도록 돕는다. 줄기세포 수가 적어지는 것은 자연스러운 노화의 공정이지만 이런 반응이 발생하는 이유는 명확히 밝혀지지 않았다.

    피나스테리드 직구

  30. 바이비트
    바이비트 says:

    가상화폐 가격이 월간 기준으로 60년 만에 최대 낙폭을 기록하며 ‘잔인한 7월’로 마감할 것이라는 해석이 제기됐습니다. 현지시간 29일 비트겟 거래소 외신의 말을 인용하면 비트코인(Bitcoin) 가격은 이달 들어 그동안 35% 넘게 폭락해 2017년 12월 이후 월간 기준 최대 하락 폭을 기록했습니다.

    바이비트

  32. JamesDaf
    JamesDaf says:

    UTLH ???:?????????????? 24% ?????????????????,??????????????????????????????? DeFi,????????? UTLH ????????:??????????,?????? 24%(?? 2%)????????????????????????,????????,??????????????????1. ????? UTLH ?????1.1 ???,????? 2% ????????,???????????????????????????:???????(yield farming)?????????????? UTLH ????????,???????1.2 ?????????????(957,315 ???)????????????????:?????????,???????????(UFA)??,?????????2. UTLH ????????????????(DEX ??????????)???????????????,??? 12 ??????? 2% ???,???????(?????? UTLH)?????????,?????????????2.1 ??????? 1 ? UTLH ????????????????????????,???????????,?????“????”?“????”?3. UTLH ????????????3.1 ????????????(UTL Club)??????????:????? UTLH ?????,????????(UFA)??????????????????——?????????????,?????????????3.2 ???????????????,UTLH ???????????????,??:??????:???????????????????:??????,??????,???????????4. ????:?? + ????4.1 ????????????? UTLH ?????,????? 2% ????????????????????,????????????????4.2 ??????????? UFA ?????? UTL Club ???????,UTLH ????????,??????????,???????????5. ????????????? Binance Smart Chain ???(?? Trust Wallet ? MetaMask)???????(DEX/CEX ??????)?? UTLH??? UTLH ????,????,????“??”??????????——???????? 2% ????6. ??:??? UTLH ??????????????:BSC ???????????????“??”????:24% ???????????????????????????????:????????? UTL Club ??,?????????????,?? UTLH ????????????????????????,?????????,?? UTLH ????????????????????,?????????! 

  33. FelixSoype
    FelixSoype says:

    Здравствуйте

    Девушки, мы вас ждем! Массажный салон нуждается в новых сотрудницах. Опыт не важен — главное желание работать и развиваться в этой сфере!
    Подробно наИнформация на: работа девушкам

  34. Charlessmame
    Charlessmame says:

    ‘I’m very impulsive’: Why this American woman moved to France at the age of 70
    анальный секс первые
    She’d dreamed of living in France for years, but according to Janice Deerwester, originally from Texas, life always seemed to get in the way.

    In 2021, Janice, who has been a widow since 2012, found herself lying on her bed with the lyrics to “Is That All There Is?,” a song about dissatisfaction that was a hit for country singer Peggy Lee back in 1969, playing in her head.

    “I hated that song when it came out, but all of a sudden it came to my mind,” Janice, who was based in Georgia at the time, tells CNN Travel. “I thought, ‘Is this all there is?’ I work, come home tired. I get up. Is this it?”
    Realizing that she wanted more from life, Janice decided there and then that she would relocate to Fontainebleau — the French town she’d had her heart set on since a 2018 visit. Less than a year later, at the age of 70, she did just that.

    “I’m very impulsive so that kind of followed the rule,” she adds.

    Now happily settled in Fontainebleau, located southeast of Paris, Janice feels that she “made the best choice ever” and is incredibly grateful to be living out her fantasy.

    “I am the luckiest woman I feel that ever was,” she says. ”And why I have this, and why I was given this, I have no idea. But I’m just blessed every day that I get to live here.”

    Janice goes on to explain that she wasn’t necessarily unhappy back in Georgia, and enjoyed living on a horse ranch in the country, which she had been renting since selling her home, but was overcome with the feeling that “there’s got to be more” to life.

  37. CharlesPitly
    CharlesPitly says:

    The allure of vodka casino and the thrill of the casino – a combination as potent as a well-crafted cocktail. High-stakes gambling, the clatter of chips, and the spinning roulette wheel create an atmosphere of intense excitement. Add the smooth, clean taste of premium vodka, and you have a recipe for a night to remember.

  40. Curtiscob
    Curtiscob says:

    Производство и поставка – решетки сетки производства Северсталь метиз ОСПАЗ со склада в г.Орел.
    Продажа производители сетки оптом и в розницу по низким ценам.
    Полный каталог всей метизной продукции, описания, характеристики, ГОСТы и технические условия.
    Офоррление заказа и доставка в сжатые сроки. Возможна отгрузка железнодорожным транспортом. Цены производителя.

  41. Sarahlib
    Sarahlib says:

    Tough Cases: Elegant Floral Phone Case for Nature Lovers Matte
    Protect your phone in style with this durable phone case.
    Featuring a stunning floral design, this case blends elegance
    with practicality, perfect for those who want to express their
    individuality while keeping their device safe.
    Ideal for nature lovers and anyone who appreciates artful aesthetics,
    this phone case offers a touch of beauty to everyday life.
    It makes a great gift for birthdays, holidays, or just because!
    Elevate your phone’s look and ensure its protection with this chic accessory,
    designed for adults who appreciate both style and functionality.
    Product features – 3D Wrap for vibrant and full color coverage – UV protection
    for long-lasting wear – Durable, impact-resistant materials – TPU silicone liner for shock absorption –
    Customizable glossy or matte finishes Care instructions – Clean with a soft damp
    cotton or microfiber cloth (add a drop of dish soap if needed).
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F286C9PT?th=1

  44. BrianPoomi
    BrianPoomi says:

    Форум для мам: всё о материнстве
    Материнство – это одно из самых прекрасных и ответственных периодов в жизни женщины, наполненный радостью, тревогой и постоянными вопросами.
    читать далее
    В эпоху цифровых технологий, когда доступ к информации открыт как никогда ранее, многие будущие и состоявшиеся мамы ищут надёжное сообщество, где можно делиться опытом и получать поддержку. Именно здесь на сцену выходит форум для мам, который становится для женщин своего рода «островком» взаимопомощи, где можно обсудить любые аспекты родительства, начиная от планирования беременности и заканчивая воспитанием подростков.

  47. Lady106
    Lady106 says:

    Проверь, кто ждёт тебя в чате! Открывай и наслаждайся! >> patricia4.kiskasgirls.com

  49. nbaldWerma
    nbaldWerma says:

    Scheffler, Hovland and Conners Share the Lead at P.G.A. Championship
    Jordan Spieth, who needs a victory at Oak Hill to complete the career Grand Slam, and Justin Thomas, who won last year’s tournament, just made the cut at five over.

    Give this article

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *