I think it depends in the industry. If it is a "good ol' boy network" (ie, banking), then hire from within the industry. Your new guy will already be "inside

I think it depends in the industry. If it is a "good ol' boy network" (ie, banking), then hire from within the industry. Your new guy will already be "inside the club," and will be able to get right down to selling. If you are in an industry that is more open (ie, educational software), then focus on traditional sales skills (make friends easy, take rejection, try and try again, etc...)