Managed Sales Agent Recruitment & Onboarding
We handle the entire process. From defining the role to helping your agents succeed in the field.
This service is designed for companies that want more than just introductions. It’s for those who want an experienced consultant to take ownership of the recruitment process and support the successful setup of their sales agent network.
Every project is tailored to your specific situation, goals, and level of internal resources. Some clients need full support from start to finish, while others only need help with selected parts of the process.
- Strategy, positioning, and preperation
- Managed recruitment process
- Shortlisting and introduction
- Onboarding and setup support
- Interim sales agent management
- Who this is for
- Who will be working with you
- How it works commercially
- Discuss your requirements
Strategy, positioning, and preparation
Before any recruitment begins, we work with you to get the foundations right.
- Review of your product, market, and competitive landscape
- Advice on commission structure and agent offering
- Refinement of your messaging and sales proposition
- Setting realistic expectations based on market conditions
This step ensures your opportunity is attractive to the right type of agents.
Managed recruitment process
We take full responsibility for finding and engaging suitable agents.
- Creation and optimisation of your advert
- Promotion across our database and targeted channels
- Direct outreach to relevant agents (headhunting)
- Handling all incoming enquiries
- Screening, filtering, and initial conversations with candidates
You avoid the time-consuming part and only engage with serious, relevant candidates.
Shortlisting and introduction
You are presented with qualified agents who match your requirements.
- Structured feedback on each candidate
- Clear recommendations based on experience and fit
- Support during final selection and agreement stage
Onboarding and setup support (optional)
This is where the service goes beyond traditional recruitment.
An experienced consultant works with you and your newly appointed agents during the critical early phase.
- Guidance on onboarding your agents effectively
- Support with setting targets, structure, and communication
- Helping agents understand your product and market
- Acting as a bridge between you and the agents where needed
This significantly increases the chances of early traction and long-term success.
Interim sales agent management (for companies that need it)
For companies entering a new market or lacking internal resources, we can provide ongoing support during the initial months.
- Hands-on support managing your agent network
- Regular check-ins with agents
- Performance monitoring and feedback
- Practical input on improving results
This can be delivered on a short-term retainer basis or structured around performance.
Who this is for
This service is particularly valuable if:
- You don’t have time to manage the recruitment process yourself
- You are new to working with sales agents
- You are entering a new market (e.g. UK or Europe)
- You want to reduce risk and avoid costly mistakes early on
- You want to get results faster with the right structure in place
Who will be working with you?
This service is led by John Plaster, who brings over a decade of hands-on experience managing sales agent recruitment and onboarding.
John previously ran the Managed Recruitment Service at AgentBase for 13 years, working with both SMEs and large international companies to build and support high-performing networks of self-employed sales agents.
During his time there, he helped companies:
- Recruit experienced, well-matched sales agents
- Interview and assess candidates
- Put the right agreements and structure in place
- Support onboarding and early-stage performance
- In some cases, manage entire teams of agents on behalf of clients
His experience covers everything from start-ups looking for their first sales resource, to established companies expanding into new markets or launching new products.
Earlier in his career, John worked his way up from commission-only sales agent to Managing Director at Computeach International Ltd., where he led a team of over 250 staff and a network of 150 self-employed sales agents, growing the business from £3m to £15m.
How it works commercially
The service is typically delivered on a pre-agreed block of hours, based on the scope of the project.
- Initial engagement usually starts with a defined number of hours
- Additional time can be added as the project develops
- Optional onboarding and management support can be structured separately
This approach keeps things flexible and aligned with your actual needs.
Discuss your requirements
Tell us a bit about your product, target market, and what kind of support you’re looking for. We’ll come back to you with a realistic assessment and suggested next steps.