moneytrees profile picture
moneytrees profile picture

moneytrees

Sales Executive

Catalyst
Valued Contributor
Executive
+3

CEO wants me to split my commission with the business

What's up people...


I work in Sales at a Fintech startup in the payments space. Recently I, with some help from my CEO, closed a large retailer where both in-store and online integration was needed. My CEO assisted on some negotiations and because we're a small team I have coordinated a rollout into 16 retail stores with in-person training etc etc...


Now my CEO says that he was involved in the deal and so I shouldn't receive the full comm payout for the deal?


What are everyone's thoughts cos I think this is absurd

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61 comment

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Beans
Big Shot
18
Enterprise Account Executive
Absolutely not.
Companies need to team sell, especially as a smaller startup who need to build and earn clout, so your CEO or VP WOULD be involved, it's part of their job.
What does your comp plan say?
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
8
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
This is how it always is. Itโ€™s called the executive connection where you bring in leadership to meet the team you are trying to sell to.
Beans
Big Shot
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Yea thatโ€™s now news. Having your comp cut by involving senior leadership is what Iโ€™m replying to.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
2
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
Iโ€™m agreeing with you, always bring in leadership for bigger deals. It makes them feel better and increases the chance of close.
Beans
Big Shot
0
Enterprise Account Executive
My b I misread.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
No worries, it happens
moneytrees
Catalyst
5
Sales Executive
No stipulation for this type of thing in my comp plan. The murky waters of startup sales
Fenderbaum
Politicker
5
Retired Choirboy๐Ÿช•
Your comp plan has to have some meaning to it, otherwise what's the point? Stand your ground against his greediness. He's a douche.
Beans
Big Shot
3
Enterprise Account Executive
The flip side of this coin is you won't include other folks in deals going forward as it impacts your personal comp/target.. Why would they want to set that precedent.
moneytrees
Catalyst
4
Sales Executive
My thoughts exactly.
Revenue_Rambo
Politicker
15
Director, Revenue Enablement
CEO just realized youโ€™re going to make more than they will this year and got jealous. Tell that greedy MFer to kick rocks and remind them how your name is properly spelled for that commission check.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
11
Enterprise AE
Your CEO sucks.
Denali
1
Business Development Manager
Yes he/she does....run!
CuriousFox
WR Officer
10
๐ŸฆŠ
Get your money
jefe
Arsonist
9
๐Ÿ
This is patently absurd. He runs, and presumably owns (at least part) of the company and he's nickel and diming you like this?
Should a sales manager take a cut for discussing the deal and giving their input? What about legal? They need theirs after they review terms.
This is a MASSIVE red flag.
moneytrees
Catalyst
2
Sales Executive
Yeah, CEO/Founder - still owns majority stake of business
jefe
Arsonist
3
๐Ÿ
That's definitely a load of bullshit.
Doesn't bode well for the company.
DataCorrupter
Politicker
1
Account Executive
If they do this kind of stuff when the company is small, imagine how that'll grow as the company gets bigger.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
4
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Yeah, this is bullshit. An organizational leader is there to help and assist their team to win and close shit. Not take shit out of their pockets.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
C-level execs are supposed to help close deals. And they are adequately compensated to do so. Does he feel as though you didn't pull your weight or something to try and justify this?
And it's absurd. That's his job.
ChunkyButters
Tycoon
4
AE
No fucking way.
I've had this scenario happen once and the CEO decided that the company was going to pay the other exec out of their pocket, not mine.
Team selling is 100% required on 90% of deals. On any large deal I bring in, my execs get involved because it's good for the business. And, if they are adding ARR, they are likely going to see a large return through their equity valuation. They would NEVER ask me to give up part of my commission. If they felt a different team member should be rewarded, they would pay that as an induvial bonus.
Because I like my team, and they have definitely influenced deals, I take care of them. Wine, massages, etc. Giving them a gift worth a couple hundred is well worth keeping them happy for my 5 figure checks.
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
How much money we talking about?
moneytrees
Catalyst
0
Sales Executive
Not massive in US terms but big for me in South Africa. Total comm around R140 000.00 ($7000) so split I would get $3500
Revenue_Rambo
Politicker
3
Director, Revenue Enablement
Maybe they donโ€™t have any money. Perhaps ask to be paid in cash on this one.
YoureMuted
Executive
0
Regional Sales Director
Splitting a $7k commission is a pathetic ask. Company could be in trouble.
SaaSguy
Tycoon
3
Account Executive
I wouldn't tolerate that. Its clear you got a whale and they weren't expecting to you have to pay out so much - dude wants to not pay you. I've seen this many times.
Filth
Politicker
2
Live Filthy or Die Clean
He can take it out of his paycheck not yours.
ChumpChange
Politicker
2
Channel Manager
Negative. The CEO did the right thing by assisting in something that they directly benefit from. This is an entitled and short-sighted cash grab that does more harm than good.
Rallier
Politicker
2
SDR Manager and Consultant
This is absolutely ridiculous. Incentivizing sales reps to never ask for assistance when needed is moronic
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
Total bs. Support is a normal thing
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Thatโ€™s a lame CEO.
SalesMama
Executive
1
Senior Account Executive
Completely bogus. The CEO helped because itโ€™s his companyโ€ฆ.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
1
โ˜•๏ธ
We arenโ€™t pooling tips, boss.
SlanginHCSaaS
Executive
1
Enterprise Sales Executive
Complete bullshit, I agree with all other's who've weighed in. However, if he pushes and you think its worth it, say you'll take half in cash and half in equity.
ThatNewAE
Big Shot
1
Account Executive - Mid enterprise
This is absolutely ridiculous. Ask the CEO to grow the f up. And why again would he propose this. Miser.
farmtocity
Opinionated
1
SDR Manager
Tell your CEO to kiss Bravado's ass.
PineappleYa
Opinionated
1
AE
Leadershipโ€™s job is to help support deals. They are compensated far for than AEs. This sounds like a giant red flag and time to run
LambyCorn
Arsonist
0
A mfkn E
Wuuuut da frigg
BingoBangoBongo
Good Citizen
0
NA
Is he going to give you additional equity which vests on the next raise where presumably he can take some money off the table due to this deal?

One carveout begets another otherwise F off
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
Sounds like your CEO is a scumbag...
NoSuperhero
Politicker
0
BDR LEAD
Sounds like you work in a hellish environment... WTF...
NoSuperhero
Politicker
0
BDR LEAD
Also, find a new job???
AnchorPoint
Politicker
0
Business Coach
Absolutely absurd! The CEO's role is to support you! Simply poor leadership.
RelationshipMaker
Opinionated
0
Head of Sales
Your CEO is a wanker.
pitchandputt
Executive
0
Account Executive
Consider the incentives that are set up if the CEO being involved in a deal means that the salesperson's commission is reduced.
It would mean you should shield deals from your CEO, lest your commission be chipped away.
Executive involvement is often needed on the biggest, most complex deals - are those really the deals that your CEO wants you to hide from him?

He's not thinking clearly on this.
Fnord
Praised Answer
0
VP of Sales
This is nuts. You bring in leadership to help you close. Otherwise why would you bring them in the future?
0
Manager - Business Development
Heโ€™s a boss not a leader. Itโ€™s only gonna get worse.

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