[Matt Kulp]

I have a opportunity to hire a talented designer/sales women. The candidate is just out of school about 2 years. I was wondering if you guys could give me some feedback on a fair compensation package. I don't have a clue what is the norm with the amount of salary vs. commission on projects. Do you pay salary for design time and commission on sales time? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[pineapple]

What school is she out of? AA? BA? MLA?

What is the degree - hort or landscape architecture?

[Lanelle]

I will assume that you are hiring a full-time person. I think the best package is a combination of salary and commission. All commission tends to discourage good follow-through with the client and project management. All salary is too comfortable and doesn't reward sales achievement. There are publications regarding green industry pay that you can consult.

To have a successful situation, you must be clear about the designer's responsibilities and authority within your company. If the designer is going to direct and oversee the project, the production people need to respect that. It's ok to hold the designer at least partially accountable for profitability of jobs.
It's still your company, so you have to make certain that quotes are going out with the right profit margin on them.

[JohnIV]

Matt:
What we have done with our designer/sales person is
1. Stipulate what their salary
2. what their bonus (commission) rate is going to be.
3. What is expected out of them (job duties).
4. I base their bonus on a certain profit from each job that they sell.
5. I make them agree to a written contract. That states everthing.