Is copier sales a good industry?
In a previous article I told you all of the wonderful reasons why you should consider a career as an account executive in the copier industry. By now you might be thinking that there are no disadvantages to a career in copier sales. But, you would be wrong. Allow me to play devil’s advocate and provide you with the following caveats:
1. There is not much social status afforded to a copier sales rep. You are ranked somewhere between a used car salesman and a telecommunications rep. Your friends won’t think your job is cool. But, that’s O.K. When they are still eating Top Ramen for dinner you can roll up in your brand new BMW and offer to take them to dinner and pick up the tab since you have achieved the financial stability that probably still eludes your friends three years after college graduation.
2. The job is hard. Really, really hard. But, not for the reasons you think. The combination of an awful lot of freedom coupled with the absolute necessity of a disciplined mindset can be a dangerous combination for most people. I knew a manager that used to say, “we give you just enough rope to hang yourself around here”. This meant that no one is watching your every move, but, by the time it shows up in poor sales performance, you don’t have enough time to improve the situation before the company is showing you the door.
3. You must be able to survive on a meager base salary for at least six months to two years until your commissions start rolling in. Most base salaries in this industry are $20,000-$30,000 plus benefits.
4. It could seriously take you two years to build a territory that rewards you with a copier sales salary of $60,000-$80,000 annually. This salary range assumes that you are really good at what you do and are at least at 100% of your annual sales quota. This leads us to our last point:
5. The company might not give you two years to get it all together. Generally, after your first year in sales, if you are not at 100% of your annual sales quota your sales manager “will free you up to pursue other opportunities”. In other words, “you’re fired”! Make no mistake about it, your sales quota is not your goal, it is your minimal requirement. Actually, you are expected to exceed your annual sales quota.
So, is copier sales a good industry? All in all, the copy equipment industry offers more advantages than disadvantages. If you consider yourself ambitious, energetic and in possession of superior people skills and exceptional communication abilities, this just might be the career for you.
