This article was originally published three years ago tomorrow, but is no longer available where it was published. I hope you find it helpful. 

That’s right. It’s a question.

Have you ever thought, “Please, God, just send me a rainmaker who can pick up the ball and run with it!” Are you sick and tired of supposed hot shot salespeople with a track record and a following that talk you into more salary than you wanted to pay and never deliver? Why is that?

Let’s get personal. How good are you? Not are you or were you a rainmaker. Rather, when the rainmaker looks at you, does he see someone that he wants to work with or does he see a ‘mark’ that he can take advantage of? Are you good enough to attract a rainmaker? Are you strong enough to manage them if you could land one? An associate once said, “‘A’ players won’t work for ‘C’ managers.

All right, so you land one. Would you trust a rainmaker? Seriously! Think about it. You hire someone who actually brings in 2, 3, 5, 10 times what anyone else in your company has ever done. It isn’t long before 50%, 80%, 90% of the company’s revenues are coming from your rainmaker’s customers. Who’s in charge? You or your rainmaker? What if he left? Are you out of business?

I’m not telling you NOT to hire a rainmaker. What I am saying is, “Make sure that you have both eyes wide open, that you hire them right and that you manage them right.” Start with an expert. Get his help with the right profile. Let him find you the “ideal” candidate who will be the “perfect” rainmaker.