Re:Ask HN: When do you give up?
by throwaway9004 on Thursday June 07, 2012 @12:34AM
(#4077635)
Tried getting external sales and Biz person, did not work out. I think it is pretty hard to do sales and Biz Dev for a company of my size unless you are the founder. You don't have a real brand and established processes that the sales/biz dev person can rely on. I was warned against this by someone that runs a company 100 times larger than mine and I ignored his advice and tried it anyway.
Agree. It would likely have to be someone you at least somewhat know already and perhaps known by your customer base (go to same conferences, etc.). In general the 100x company advice is right, but, at the same time I don't think you can pick a sales guy & conclude that because it didn't work out that it was the wrong decision. Tough spot.
As suggested - hire a biz person/salesy engineer. Obviously, not someone who is just a slick sales guy but one who will fit in with the culture and enjoys what drains you & understands you're still CEO.
If I were you, I'd feel the same way - kinda down (I was just putting together a proposal myself...ugh). But, you should be thrilled. You've lined yourself up so you have the resources (team) to create and the connections (customers/others in same industry) to get early feedback/customers on any product.
Solution: Vacation, find a problem to solve, don't do the stuff at your own company that you don't enjoy.