HappyGilmore

Account Executive - SMB

About to be fired

Post says it all. I had a conversation with my manager today and she said that unless something drastic changes, my time at my current organization will come to a close at the end of the month.

Tbh I've seen the writing on the wall for a bit. New leadership comes in to shake things up and things just have not been falling my way the last few months. I've worked with my manager on figuring out where things have been going awry, but even she isn't able to pinpoint where the issue is. I've been applying and interviewing actively over the last few weeks and feel close to getting a new role.

Couple of questions for the WR:

-Because there hasn't been an official performance conversation led by my manager in my role, is it worth reaching out someone like Dan Goodman for their thoughts on this potential termination?

-And is it odd for me to feel some form of relief, knowing that it's been a frustrating few months and I haven't felt that this role was the right fit recently?

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33 comments

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Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

12

Director of Revenue

This is what I hate about our industry. Management doesn't know why deals aren't falling into place, so their solution is to just fire you. They'll disregard the amount of time it's going to take to hire/train/onboard a new rep to take over the same territory just to have the same issue. Rinse and repeat until significant changes are made.

jefe

Arsonist

5

🍁

What a sad fucking truth. Sometimes I hate the game we play...

@HappyGilmore In terms of Dan G, I'd wait until you have a real reason to do it. No commissions at risk, but they might try and screw you on severance.

It also sounds like this won't be well documented, as there's nothing official, so that could give you legs to stand on.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

3

War Room Community Manager

This is just sad and so true!! Even if reps pull in all that they have, they can still miss. Very few look into efforts, mostly it's just about the numbers. Not saying it's wrong and this is not how it should be, but deep diving into the "why" when things don't work out is equally important.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

2

Account Executive - SMB

Totally agree with you on this. Absolutely an opportunity for management that falls in this department to grow.

Space_Ghost20

Executive

2

Account Executive

I remember during my 1:1's with my last manager. He would keep telling me "you're doing everything right" but then the next second tell me my numbers sucked and I needed to improve (anyone who could see the dashboard knew this). But offer no advice or ideas on how to do so. I'd send him calls to review and he wouldn't review them. They ended up sacking him 6 months after they fired me when they axed the entire US organization (sales, support, marketing, everybody) and I can't say I felt bad for him. Everybody else, yeah. Just not him.

The other thing too, is those of us who take risks in working at startups, we often don't get those 3-6 month severance packages the big companies get. Seems backwards. It is what it is I suppose.

ChumpChange

Politicker

0

Channel Manager

You're missing the part where they have to pay a higher rate for a new resource cause typically that's where the biggest wage increases occur. Totally ass backwards.

Pachacuti

Politicker

7

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Dan is only good for when the company is screwing you over. It doesn't appear that way in this case.

Closure is a good thing, regardless of the outcome.

Its a tough job market out there right now. If you can line something else up now, go for it!

HappyGilmore

Politicker

2

Account Executive - SMB

Good to know, figured I'd ask about using Dan as its my first time in this specific situation.
Have been interviewing and fingers crossed one of these opps falls sooner rather than later!

Pachacuti

Politicker

3

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

good luck!

braintank

Politicker

5

Enterprise Account Executive

Do they owe you money?

HappyGilmore

Politicker

3

Account Executive - SMB

As of this moment they do not. Based on what others have said it may be worth using Dan for his opinion but not much beyond that.

braintank

Politicker

5

Enterprise Account Executive

I wouldn't get a lawyer involved unless there's fuckery about.
Sorry you have to deal with this BS though.
Onward and upward!

HappyGilmore

Politicker

1

Account Executive - SMB

Appreciate the advice here.Onward and upward!

MRK47

Personal Narrative

5

Head of Growth

The fact you've felt concerned for some time and have unsuccessfully sought guidance from your manager, then its clear the situation will not improve, likely only worsen....better to have closure now and move on / remove the constant dark cloud of uncertainty. The fact your manager cannot offer any tangible support or remedy to help course correct, speaks volumes about the culture / leadership. With no issues on unpaid comms etc, then agree with others that it may not appear to justify legal input (and associated cost)..just chalk it down to experience and focus efforts on landing next gig....take comfort in the fact you're progressing to interviews which proves your candidate appeal to potential employers.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

1

Account Executive - SMB

I appreciate the perspective here and to your point, it's been a big sign of what the culture/leadership is like in my current role, which is more of a revolving door and never settled tbh. Glad to have closure on this chapter and excited for what's next.

TennisandSales

Politicker

4

Head Of Sales

only reach to Goodman if you get screwed with commissions when you leave

and the fact that you feel relief is a sign that this is a good thing. Hopefully you will get some solid severance pay.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

3

Account Executive - SMB

Good to know I appreciate the insight on using Goodman. Fingers crossed on the severance

Justatitle

Big Shot

3

Account Executive

It’s worth it to ask Goodman his opinion but performance on an at will employment agreement is a tough battle. Also do you know if they’re offering anything as part of the separation?

HappyGilmore

Politicker

1

Account Executive - SMB

Unclear at this point.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

It's not odd to feel a sense of relief when you're looking at the end of a bad situation. I don't know details, so it's hard to say what changed or where things went wrong for you with the shakeup, but I'm glad you're feeling positively about landing somewhere else.
Whether or not to engage Dan Goodman depends on if there's any compensation on the line that they're not paying you, as you do end up paying for his time.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

2

Account Executive - SMB

Think overall it just wasn't the right fit, something that I've realized pretty recently and think there's a better team/product/market I'd be suited for.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

May you find it!

Gasty

Notable Contributor

2

War Room Community Manager

Best of luck for the next role :)

A quick question; What exactly is happening? Is nobody able to hit their numbers or just you? Anything specific happening for not being able to achieve the numbers?

Managers can sit with you and try to figure out what is going wrong but ultimately, you'll only be accountable.

If you're relieved then that's nice!!

HappyGilmore

Politicker

0

Account Executive - SMB

There's a few things that I'd say are contributing:-Constant leadership changes-Unclear of what our ICP is along with what could fit within our TAM-No one across the org last year hit their number, and it's likely that maybe 2-3 reps in the org hit this year-Lack of feedback/coaching/practice-Reliance on continuing what worked in 2020 without adapting to current challenges now starting from the top of leadership
Ultimately I'm going to take what I did not do as well in this role and apply it to my next to smash wherever I land.

rharris415

Contributor

0

Founder

If they are changing the ICP, and it’s wiping out your pipeline and forcing you to start over from $0, that’s probably the issue. Still, if it’s an at-will state there’s not much you can do.

Also, what’s it worth to you emotionally to fight this.

cw95

Politicker

2

Head of SDR

That sucks, sorry man.

Point two - hindsight is a funny thing isn't it! I think everyone wishes when it happens that they listened to their gut initially when they thought something was a bit off skew!

I'm sure everything will work out after though!

HappyGilmore

Politicker

0

Account Executive - SMB

Totally, I agree with you everything will work out. Appreciate it!

Chep

WR Officer

2

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

Do they have a PiP in place or was this just an informal convo from your manager?

HappyGilmore

Politicker

1

Account Executive - SMB

No PIP in place, and the only reason my manager engaged in the conversation was because I brought the issue/topic up.

Diablo

Politicker

1

Sr. AE

You have great comments already. If you are not happy with the severance then talking to lawyer would make sense. All the very best with the next role.

Sales_Asskicker

0

Sales Leader (Looking for next oppty)

I've been on both sides of this discussion...a great manager will help you realize your career aspirations and potential, whether it's within that company or somewhere else. Sometimes when you're showed the door, it's a blessing in disguise. Keep looking for that next gig!Don't ever quit - make them fire you so you can collect unemployment; don't give them the option to screw you out of that! Don't ever be afraid to ask for a better severance, whether it's COBRA or anything else you feel you're owed. Do not sign anything until you're comfortable with what's being offered. If all else fails, then engage Dan Goodman.
Good luck!

0

Supplier Manager

If deals aren't falling into place given your efforts, then ring the alarm loudly as to why. Help out your manager (along with product management and senior leadership) to understand all of the short comings of the product, positioning, pricing, sentiment, all of the above. I have been with companies that could never get the pricing right or missing functionality that made us uncompetitive. If you can't see this clearly, then you probably are in the wrong position because you're not helping to solve the problem. Speak up and make it about the product and not you.

TheQueenofDiamonds

Big Shot

0

Account Executive

I am so sorry about what you are going through, the sheer "anticipation" of it - sans a clear path on what they want to change, is so cringe I love your attitude of using this time as a "paid" time for a new job search :) I would hold on contacting a lawyer, cause you don't know whether you will get fired yet, what are the terms... bla bla blaYour lawyer will tell you to reconnect when you do, IMO

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