nightafterdark

Business Dev Rep

BDR to AE or BDR Manager?

I've recently been given the opportunity to move from my current BDR role to now manage the BDR's or become an AE. I'm working at a fast growing SaaS start-up and have the opportunity to pick my next route because of the success I've had as a BDR. I'm unsure which will be the best choice and would appreciate any advice/feedback!

What would you choose?

BDR Manager or AE

Attached poll

BDR Manager AE

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

🧢 Sales Management

🤷‍♂ Poll

13 comments

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Not so quick take: Not all successful reps make great coaches/managers.

You have to want to be a coach. You have to want to deal with other people's problems while juggling your own. You have to want to show up every day and make others better while you are getting your lumps from management and other peer managers. You want to have to improve your skillset as a manager because your new value is the value you bring to your team. It's not for everyone, but you need to decide if that's for you.

So, do you want to be a coach or do you want to close business and learn more about your skillset before making a leap?

paddy

WR Officer

Director of Business Development

Manager if you want a higher base

NoSuperhero

Politicker

BDR LEAD

defactos

Accidental_Sales_Guy

Politicker

Account Executive

Both closing and leadership experience is great to have. My current AE manager went BDR -> BDR Manager -> AE Manager, with no closing experience.

AEs typically have higher earning potential, but risk termination with bad results. Managers typically have more consistent pay, and will stay with the company longer. I've seen bad managers float by, and even promote, off the backs of stellar AEs.

ExtremeVibeChecker44

Arsonist

Inside Sales

Is it really possible to go BDR Manager --> AE Manager? I've never seen it done elsewhere. Feel like BDR Managers are glorified babysitters, whereas AE Managers have to know every step of the deal cycle intimately.

DadFather

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

I have seen successful AE's move to be a successful BDR manager after getting some closing experience and more knowledge of the full sales process. You could use that to become an even better BDR manager later on.

Not sure what your BDR role entails, but it seems like you have done a solid job if you are being considered for both.

Congrats either way!

Skip45

WR Officer

AE (Account Executive)

You might have more stories/experiences to draw on for teaching if you go AE first. Either is a good path, just something to consider. Good luck!

Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

As someone who was in this exact situation a while ago, be an AE. I became an SDR manager and regretted it. Long term, your compensation will be capped if you never have any closing experience. It's easier to move into a leadership position at a later point too

Avalanche54

Fire Starter

Wouldnt it be easier to get some management experience first?
Your more likely to get an AE management role if you’ve had some experience managing a BDR team if eventually you become a AE anyway?

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

Depends on long term path.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

What did you decide?

Huggyburr

Good Citizen

-1

Head of Business Development

Go AE. You can always be a BDR manager somewhere, but you’ll struggle to find an AE role post BDR management without closing experience

Avalanche54

Fire Starter

Aren’t all new AE’s lacking closing skills? You’d likely have a better chance of becoming a AE manager later in if you’ve been a BDR manager, with the same chance of becoming an AE straight from BDR or BDR manager.

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nightafterdark

BDR to AE or BDR Manager?

BDR Manager or AE

13 comments

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