Don't hire stupid people - go for the best

In these days where it is hard to find people it is tempting to lower your standards and hire people that does not live up to your normal criterion's.

The question is should you do this? My advice is no!

Many people will find them self in a position where the company is growing, and you need more account managers and presales to follow up on the customer opportunities and help grow the business.

These days it is very hard to find the right people, because it is the employees marked. That means that when you try to find new employees you will not end up with a long list of good candidates that you can choose from. More likely you might be looking at a list of merely ok or even not_too_good candidates.

To follow the opportunities in the marked, you might consider lowering your standard and hire one of these candidates. But there is a big risk and down side to that.

These account managers might do more damage than not having any. If they do not live up your high standards, a downward spiral can start that could hurt your business.

• You customer might start to notice that they do not get the quality attention and dialog with you. You might end up with dents in your image or even complaints.
  
• Colleagues in sales will notice and might get annoyed, because the new employee does not live up to their standards.
  
• Colleagues in delivery and production/development might have to clean up after the sales person
• You will need to use more of your own time with this employee to discuss, guide and coach, which you could and should have used better with some of the high performing account managers.
  

So my advice it don't lower your standards. You know how to sell so use your skills to sell yourself and your company to the best candidates.