Questions for managers

[cantdrv55]

Do you regret going into management? Is it something you've always wanted to do or were you promoted and couldn't decline the job? What's the worst part of your job, handling personnel issues, politics or something else completely? Do you feel you are properly compensated? Do you feel more secure in your position now?

I was contacted by a headhunter about a sales management position recently. The opportunity is intriguing but it's a huge step out of my comfort zone.

[Joeaksa]

It cost me a job at one company. Was kinda pushed into being a fleet manager, which entailed being over 400 pilots. Enjoyed doing it but never forgot that I was a line puke beforehand and supported the guys doing the work when they needed and deserved it.

New set of managers came in at the top level and first thing that they did was to require all managers to be a manager only, that is not flying half the time and in the office behind a desk the other half. It meant that you lost total contact and touch with what was going on out in the field. I declined and it took 4 months to find someone to volunteer to take my slot over. No one wanted it under the new rules. Finally a ex-cop who was a poor pilot accepted the position and I went back out in the field for good.

Problem was that the guy who took my slot was not liked by many and it got worse as time went on due to his attitude and lack of people skills. Otherwise known as he was a sucka$$ and took the companies side before anything else.

He kept hearing that he did not run things as the two managers before him. When he had the chance he simply eliminated that issue, and I was laid off 3 weeks after 9/11, along with 20% of the rest of the workforce. Went from that to being the manager over the entire flight department at a new startup company. Lots of work but learned a lot and very good experience.

Still, all in all would not change anything. The guys I worked with are still my friends and am in touch with most of them today. They know what happened and why. Also, the manager that took my slot has been applying for a new job outside of the old company on and off for 4 years now. Every place he tries then contacts someone who works or worked at our old company to find out what he is like (aviation is a very small world) and he is then blackballed. After what happened he will never hold a job at a descent place again so has decided to stay where he is. He is getting what he deserves, one day at a time.

Question for you is, how old are you and are you ready to take a chance? Does it require a move and if so are the family (if you have one) ready to move with you? If you are 45 or 50 and nearing retirement it might not be a good time to start something new. A bit younger and you can rebound if it does not go right. Lots of variables here and you need to look at all of them.

JoeA

[oldE]

I was promoted from a supervisory position into a management/sales position for a small (<500 people) company.
I enjoyed being in a position to make things happen, to bring along people with the right skills and attitude and to provide that communications channel between customers and the company.
The down side? Loss of time with my family. It was NOT 9-5. After it was all over, I realized I no longer hated to hear the phone ring on the weekends.
There were things I could not change about others (and myself), so sometimes ideas either had to wait, be abandoned or compromised in their execution.
Your experience will be determined by the management team and your relationships with others. Most of your success will hinge upon your ability to glean the important bits of information out of the mountain of crap which is generated by people who don't understand what they should really be doing and communicating those bits to the people who have to have it.
There are days when it is the best job in the world.
Les

[Dave L]

Sales management might be a different animal. For sales it would depend entirely on the team, if the team isnt selling, or if there is high turn over it could be a recipe for dissaster. The first question to ask the headhunter is "why is the position open" I think sales management could be a great job or an absolutly terrible one. In my expeince in sales I have never had a sales manager that lasted my entire time working for a company. (and sometimes thats been as little as 8 months)

[RANDY P]

To add on to what's been said, also there's heavy, heavy pressure to produce, you are defaulted problem solver for anything not written in policies and procedures. There are 1,000,000 ways to lose your job if someone wants it. Everyone above you is always up your a$$ about the #'s.

Biggest thing, is before you accept, check out the staff, and ask the questions like Dave says. If you have no prior sales experience and they're willing to give you this position, that's a big Red Flag. Same thing for a very green or recently built, or inexperienced staff. Being responsible for training can and will suck up a huge part of your day, and therefore resources available for everyone else.

If it's established, the players are mature, the company reputable, then it's worth a shot.

Just my $.02

Compensation

[JeremyD]

Been there done that - being a top producer does not make you a great canidate to manage people. Especially winey sales people.

Management used to mean something, now I think it's an outlet for blame, especially in sales.

In my career - I think one of the best jobs I had was when I was just responsible for my own territory. No drama, I knew my customers well, I had a large territory and a nice income. I've managed all the way from 2-3 sales people up to 9 - currently have a sales and operations staff of 45 and think I waste 1/2 my time with adult day care issues.

[JeremyD]

Wow - that sounds negative. Sorry - It can be rewarding or challenging. Sort of like raising kids. When you see one of the people you took a chance on develop, succeed and spread their wings, especially when it's with your company it can be a great and wonderful thing.

Conversly, when someone does something stupid, then hides it from you so you won't get mad (and pisses off one of your larger clients) that can be pretty frustrating too.

I will tell you that transitioning from "Peer" to "manager" can be one of the more difficult things you can do, then it will help if you have turnover.

One last thing - believe 1/2 of what a headhunter tells you - If I had a $1 for every sales job a headhunter tried to sell me on - I'd probably have a million dollars by now.