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Nick,

My first observation - and forgive me for being so direct - is that is sounds like you want to abdicate the sales process. To delegate the sales process is sensible once you have too many sales or you have such a large market that you cannot exploit it yourself. In fact, when some business are so wealthy that they can afford a loss-making sales person for several months then it might be OK then to abdicate the sales process.

However, you are talking about getting someone in because of the current climate. Many of my contacts with struggling business shed their salespeople when times get tough, they don't start looking to increase their fixed costs.

Also, you want to "share profits" with someone that will bring in sales. But, if you are admitting it is difficult getting business, what sales person would want to take on all the risk when the risk is clearly high? You might get someone desperate who will take up all your time in terms of getting to understand your product and market and might promise the world. But, if they are any good, they would steer well clear of any jobs or roles that offer such an apparently uncertain return.

So, in short, my belief is that you need to roll up your sleeves and do the bit of the business you dislike the most - selling. Have a look at our web site for some ideas www.a-and-p.com.

It is not as bad as you think and incredibly satisfying when your marketing and cold calling yields dividends. But it sounds like your business would not appeal to the better sales people and taking on bad sales people (even at arm's length) has high costs financially and in opportunity cost.