bendandsnack

Account Exec

Anyone else in Channel Sales feel like a piñata

Hey guys,

Anyone else in Channel Sales feel like a human piñata?

I work at a professional services parter for 1 Big Tech company. Said Big Tech company has a name even my parents recognize, so reps from said Big Tech company tend to have Big Egos.

Pros:

"Prospecting" means entertaining Big Tech reps, a customer I can relate to
Once you build a relationship, they tell their friends, and the pipeline fills itself
Selling quality Big Tech products while not dealing with Big Red Tape or Big Legal

Cons:

Emotional abuse - I've had reps tell me I'm "slipping" one week only to follow up the next week with "you're my favorite partner I'm writing a note to your manager." Everyone be playin games
I don't think anyone on either side can actually sell - Big Tech reps sell fully funded professional services projects and partner reps sell free services funded through Big Tech profit margins
Too many cooks in the kitchen on every deal
If you piss one off and they tell their friends, you're f*cked - imagine having 10 customers and they all talk on a daily basis

Joking around a tiny bit but also serious, not sure if I can do this insane political tap dance much longer.

Can anyone relate?

🙏 Mental Wellness

☁️ Software Tech

😎 Sales Skills

10

10 comments

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HVACexpert

Politicker

5

sales engineer

Sales for the most part is bending over and saying ‘thank you sir may I have another’. The emotional stress is real. But it can all be worth it when you slay that dragon.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

1

Sales Director

The grittiness is real.

But I've found once you land those 3-5 partners who buy from you, without going into much negotiation, it's a beautiful thing.

punishedlad

Tycoon

1

Business Development Team Lead

Leaving a meeting with a smile after you've been told for the 3rd time in 3 years that "it's just not the right time for us to explore something like this" :)

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

1

Rolling 20's all day

I've become pretty flexible at this point. I think being a chameleon is a skill

Sunbunny31

Politicker

4

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Remind me: you’ve been in this role for just a few months, if I’m remembering correctly. Is everything else going well? And do you have any colleagues who can provide some tips on how to navigate these egos?

RandyLahey

Politicker

3

Account Executive

Yeah, it's brutal, emotionally degrading grind until you get that sweet, sweet paycheck.
How long have you been in the role?

ChumpChange

Politicker

2

Channel Manager

I hear you loud and clear. The best advice I can share is to set expectations for your channel partners IMMEDIATELY. Be transparent with them and let them know that there are other players who are also playing the game. Typically, when they feel slighted it's because something is happening without their direct knowledge. I always remind myself that the job is more about managing personalities than the actual sales motion. Find your market movers and their motivations. Prioritize their importance and share of wallet. Try your best to stay out of the political undercurrent.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

Damn. You just made me want a giant unicorn filled with candy.

Justatitle

Big Shot

0

Account Executive

There's a great meme where there is an executive level VP sitting at his desk and it asks him how he got there and he says "my butthole is this big" and has his hands in a giant circle... so yeah pinata it is

Maximas

Tycoon

-1

Senior Sales Executive

Cons>Pros 4 me tbh!

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