In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner breaks down the five rules that make a selling sales manager work: time, money, mindset, proof, and systems adherence. He explains why owners need to specify how many hours the role spends producing versus leading, and why he does not consider it a real management role until there are at least three reps to manage.

Bradley then walks through the compensation problem that sinks most of these roles. When the comp plan stays the same, the manager drifts back toward personal production because that is where the money is. He also addresses the habit of promoting the best producer by default, the proof owners should look for before handing over the title, and why a manager who ignores the sales playbook can undo the training of the entire team.

This episode moves beyond the org chart and into role design. Have you told this person how their time should be split, or are they guessing? Does their compensation reward the results of the people they lead? And have they shown you, before the promotion, that they will pour into someone else? If you are considering putting a producer in charge of your sales team, this episode is for you.

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Coach P Consulting

Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:

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Autopilot Recruiting

Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.

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Direct Clicks

Direct Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads.

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Get a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.

About Above The Business

Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.