Business Executives Brace for Sales Challenges in 2009

Easton, MD, February 15, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Proticon, a Career Services and Professional Recruiting organization, sent a survey to over 600 hiring managers and business executives across the Maryland/D.C./Virginia region to discuss 2008 performance and predictions for 2009.

Over 65% of the executives surveyed predict their biggest challenge in 2009 will be sales growth and business development. "Based on current economic conditions, with many businesses cutting back on spending, this is not a surprising statistic," stated John Ruffini, Managing Partner with Proticon. "One thing this tells us is that anyone in a sales-related role should be prepared to work twice as hard in 2009 if they want to reach the same numbers they achieved in 2008." A small percentage of executives (8.5%) are forecasting growth in their business while half predict their year-over-year business performance will remain flat in 2009.

Additional results from the survey found that 60% of executives do not plan on adding additional staff while 17% plan on growing head count. A sizeable percentage (60%) claim it is just as difficult to find and retain skilled talent as compared to a year ago. Finally, job stability and competitive compensation were rated as the biggest factors that influence employees to stay with an organization as opposed to seek other employment.

About Proticon
Proticon is a leading career management firm specializing in professional level recruitment, placement, career development consulting, coaching and training. For more information contact Proticon, you may call them at 410.822.0908 or email them at info@goproticon.com.

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