I have consistently seen that an absolute requirement for a startup CEO to be effective is to posess and deploy high-level sales skills. If the original entrepreneur is the CEO and does not have effective sales skills, then he or she must at a minimum perform the sales function of recruiting someone who does have these skills. Usually the entrepreneur will need to convince that person to come aboard for little or no salary.
Sales skills are required long before an entrepreneur is ready to sell his or her product. Primarily, I am referring to the application of those skills in the task of raising capital. Make no mistake about it: Raising capital is a sales function. And a highly complex one at that.
The personality traits required as the bedrock for effective sales skills are:
1) self-confidence
2) an outgoing personality
3) an energetic drive to accomplish goals
In seminars I have often told groups of aspiring entrepreneurs about the above requirements. Then I tell them this: "If you do not posess this personality then go out and get it." I mean this literally. Either change your personality or hire someone with this personality. Either option is feasible with enough willpower.
There are numerous books and courses on the topic of self-confidence, people skills, etc. and they really do work of one really wants them to. One well-known example is the Dale Carnegie books and courses. If necessary, this would be time and money well-spent. The answer to the question asked in the title of this post: "Hiring a CEO, Who to Look For?" may be YOU.
Sales skills are required long before an entrepreneur is ready to sell his or her product. Primarily, I am referring to the application of those skills in the task of raising capital. Make no mistake about it: Raising capital is a sales function. And a highly complex one at that.
The personality traits required as the bedrock for effective sales skills are:
1) self-confidence
2) an outgoing personality
3) an energetic drive to accomplish goals
In seminars I have often told groups of aspiring entrepreneurs about the above requirements. Then I tell them this: "If you do not posess this personality then go out and get it." I mean this literally. Either change your personality or hire someone with this personality. Either option is feasible with enough willpower.
There are numerous books and courses on the topic of self-confidence, people skills, etc. and they really do work of one really wants them to. One well-known example is the Dale Carnegie books and courses. If necessary, this would be time and money well-spent. The answer to the question asked in the title of this post: "Hiring a CEO, Who to Look For?" may be YOU.
