Move is part of a long-term goal to roll out the company’s ‘Your Sales Director’ solution nationally
Blackburn-based training company Sales Geek has launched its first two franchises in Preston and Lancaster & South Lakes.
Simon Damp will head up Sales Geek Preston, bringing with him experience including nearly 12 years at Gorilla Glue, where he progressed from European sales director to managing director, during which time sales grew from £250,000 to £40 million per year.
Tony Capper will lead Sales Geek Lancaster & South Lakes on the back of a sales career stretching back to 1997, including 13 years as business development director at BT, followed by a number of roles, primarily in the digital and technology sectors, including sales leadership at accessplanit, MSG Global Solutions and Bluefin Solutions.
Sales Geek provides sales training to a wide variety of businesses, with clients across the UK and internationally.
The franchise launches are part of a long-term goal to roll out the company’s ‘Your Sales Director’ solution nationally.
Richard Few, Sales Geek founder and CEO, says: “To say we’re excited to launch our first two franchises, headed up by two people of the calibre and experience of Simon and Tony, is probably the understatement of the year.
“We practice what we preach at Sales Geek and these guys are the real deal. Their track record is impeccable and they’re going to do great things for businesses across the region.
“Hiring a sales director is a big deal for any company. If you’re a small or medium-sized business, it’s critical you get it right. But a sales director’s salary can be prohibitive, particularly if you want the very best sales leaders with significant experience and a great track record in sales growth.
“Our Your Sales Director package, which will be the main focus of our franchised businesses, is aimed at providing top level sales leadership to transform sales operations and the people within and behind them.
“Through our flexible ‘consume what you need’ model, we provide access to a leading sales director and business leader, as well as all the Geeks in the background, available to provide support in disciplines from people training to ecommerce, marketing, strategy, process and development and beyond.”
A Sales Geek franchise costs £40,000. Franchisees are required to pay £20,000 on sign up, followed by £5,000 at each anniversary for four years.
For their investment they get full training on Sales Geek processes and business models, membership to a high quality networking fraternity within the trading territory, fully managed booking admin and diaries and mentoring on best-in-class business practices in line with MBA models.
Expected first year earnings for 10 days’ work per month is £75,000-plus, according to Sales Geek, rising to in excess of £90,000 from year two onwards working 10-14 days per month.
Franchisees should have a proven track record in sales.
Sales Geek director James Denny says: “Demonstrating you have walked the walk as well as being able to talk the talk is critical to what our customers expect from us.
“The types of business owners and leaders that come to Sales Geek for help want authentic leadership based on a foundation of years and experience of learning.
“They will be buying your time and effort, your IP and intelligence, so you need to know your onions from your shallots.”