Here was someone completely qualified, technologically adept, and a proven salesperson. The possibilities of her finding success with us seemed to be endless. Yet, at the same time, our company must now confront issues that simply didn't exist a year ago. First, we have a set group of people in place. It is no longer easy for newcomers to start off in management positions, not least because, when Jenny contacted us, there weren't any current openings.
Compensation is another issue.
In the last two years, the perceived value of stock options has plummeted, making salary and stability key issues for new hires. It was clear that Jenny was making two to three times the base salary of our field agents, so I had to wonder if she would be willing to take a short-term pay cut in order to join our team. Most people can't do that. Furthermore, I needed to get some idea how Jenny would handle the transition from being a boss to just another member of our team. After Jenny met with our recruiting chief and a sales manager, she and I sat down and talked.