Why Aren't Salespeople Running Software Companies?

4. Build REAL RELATIONSHIPS within your market."

I think that you are talking more about starting a company rather than running a company.

And if anyone wants to start a software company and run it from a sales or marketing perspective, they're free to do so! Nothing special prevents it.

But from my perspective, the author begins to answer his own question with the 'soft skills' musing. When people without measurable skills are in charge of things, you run a much higher risk of incompetence derailing the business. And even one or two average-competence people in leadership positions can make any organization inefficient.

Also, I think his point about quality being a secondary consideration to customers should be explored more. That point is only true when there is a high cost (be it time, money, or fear) to switching products, and thats where you see the sales based companies succeed. Software is often easy to replace, in relative terms.

Let's start from the basic questions: 1. How do you know X is more difficult than Y technically. How do you trust somebody who says X or Y? Should they sell you the idea because, ya know, you are a sales person?

2. What makes a sales person? Ability to sell a product A? Is selling A different from B? Do you specialize in A? How are you different from somebody who too can sell A? Do they need a degree to do it? Can our average car sales man do it? Yes or no, please give me your reasons..

3. Can you give me good examples of sales people running any other businesses? Businesses that, ya know, don't suck.

4. Salespeople usually do well in business where the technology is mature. Ya know, not long ago, there was this "fruit" company that was brought to its knees by a "cola" sales guy. And there is a Seattle company that is getting off rails slowly.