Jason M. Lemkin says first-time VPs of sales need a mentor to spot blind spots. Offer equity or modest cash to get someone committed, not just helpful. A former boss or CEO who's moved further up works best.
I see so many first time VPs of sales make is they don't get a mentor. We all need mentors. I still need better mentors myself. A lot of the whole point of Saster is to help give you a mentor. But go find one. Ask can I have a budget? Can I have a few thousand shares for one mentor? Not 10, not 20. Maybe it could be your old boss. That's often a great one. If you're a first time VP of sales, you often worked at least for one great VP of sales in your career. It could be a great CEO you know who has been through the next stage of the journey. But get a mentor and unpaid mentors are nice but they're not the same. Someone with a few shares and maybe a few nickels if they want cash. They one person to go the extra yard to really coach you to see things you don't see. It's a gift.
