05/26/2026
Not lazy. Lost in a spot you never diagnosed.
When your rep isn't hitting their number, most founders jump straight to a conclusion β wrong hire, wrong attitude, wrong fit. But the breakdown is almost always happening in one of four specific places.
Here's how to find it:
β’ Not enough conversations. This is an activity issue. Thin pipeline, not enough calls, not enough follow-up. It can come from poor discipline, low confidence, unclear targets, or a prospecting skill gap. Clarify expectations and coach prospecting before you conclude anything else.
β’ Conversations happening β but no qualification. The rep is busy but deals go nowhere. They're chasing anyone who will listen instead of the right buyers. This almost always traces back to a Sales Clarity gap you haven't filled yet.
β’ Qualifying β but deals are stalling. Qualified deals sitting in the pipeline going nowhere. Inspect follow-up, next steps, buyer urgency, and proposal quality. Many proposals die because no clear problem was agreed on before price was discussed. This is a process issue β not a people issue.
β’ Good process β still not closing. Activity is good. Qualification is good. Process is followed. Now you're closer to a true skill or fit issue. Look at confidence, value communication, and ability to handle pressure.
Four places. One breakdown. Each has a different fix. Treat them the same and you'll solve the wrong problem every time.
Read the full diagnostic: https://owenvansyckle.com/sales-rep-not-hitting-numbers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sales_process&utm_id=ovs_071&utm_content=sfv_promo