RckChlkG33k

AE (Account Executive)

Valued Contributor

Checking for reality-Are things as bad as I think they are?

Hello, savages

I'm an AE for a manufacturing tech company based overseas. I started in January, 2021, coming as a BDR from a Fortune 500 manufacturing company.

Fast forward 15 months-No one has closed a sale. There's been 100% turnover including the sales manager that hired me on, and I'm finding out that some of what I was told wasn't exactly true regarding our previous success.

Turns out that no AE has sold a new logo here in nearly five years. There are rumors of the USA operation being a tax haven for loss harvesting because we've had little to no marketing support historically.

That said, I've got 3 deals set to close in the next 3 months and another 3 with realistic upside for this year. I would be one of the most successful AE's in company history, regardless of geography.

6 months ago, they put in a country lead that's essentially a managing director, who is an expat from the EU country where we're HQ'd, and the guy is absolutely clueless. I can't let him anywhere near my customers, and when I ask about any improvements to our marketing or inbound leads, I'm told that I just need to have a better attitude and do my job.

Is this as bad as I think it is? How long should I hang around after these deals close? How much self sourcing of deals are y'all AE's doing, and how much is inbound, referrals, or expansion from existing base?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

🎈 Mentorship

😢 SADNESSSLieutenant

7

16 comments

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

4

☕️

What have you done differently that others the not when trying to close new business? If you can take in 6 net news in the first half of 2023 then wouldn’t you get carte Blanche to ask for whatever you need?

RckChlkG33k

Big Shot

0

AE (Account Executive)

Honestly-

I’m not sure at this point. I know that there’s a theory that sales didn’t work, and I think there’s some credence to that idea.

Also-We had a bunch of old school high pressure sales people that scared a lot of clients off.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

0

☕️

Something doesn’t add up to me, but I’m obviously not in the business.

RckChlkG33k

Big Shot

2

AE (Account Executive)

There’s been a revolving door of management in the states, which led to chronic instability in the sales org.

It’s a weird situation, but outside of my well intentioned but generally clueless MD, we’ve got the right team to finally capitalize on market potential.

We just don’t have any lead gen to speak of, despite my best efforts.

GingerBarbarian

Opinionated

2

Lead Sales

If the ENTIRE sales team is not working, that is the fault of management, not individual salespeople.

RckChlkG33k

Big Shot

0

AE (Account Executive)

Right now, I am the entire sales team.

Maximas

Tycoon

2

Senior Sales Executive

He should absolutely think that your success is a part of his.

As once getting those 6 deals closed your numbers should speak louder than words and I do expect that HIS attitude towards you will change once getting them closed.

Get em done first and see how things are gonna work afterwards!

GingerBarbarian

Opinionated

2

Lead Sales

This sounds bad, but it also sounds like you are pretty negative about the company overall. We have all been there, and it is tough to see the good things when you are irritated. If everything is a catastrophe, you likely would not have stayed there as long as you have.

With that said,it does sound pretty bad. I would put together my resume and start keeping an eye out. Not having the support of upper management is a death knell in any sales role.

RckChlkG33k

Big Shot

1

AE (Account Executive)

I love my coworkers, and while the new guy is clueless, he’s not malignant, if that makes any sense.

It’s not sewage, but it’s runoff and I’m trying to see if people think it’s on its way to becoming sewage.

GingerBarbarian

Opinionated

1

Lead Sales

There always is a way. I feel like if you do not feel like the management team has your back, it is time to start looking. That is usually the biggest barrier.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

shit. that sounds terrible.

when you lack the ability to close new customers....there is only one direction to go.... ⬇

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

since this is your first AE role i would stick it out as LONG as possible. any experience you can get, and learnings you can find will be valuable.

RckChlkG33k

Big Shot

1

AE (Account Executive)

I’ve got pipeline.

It’s the inability to get new pipeline that is concerning.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

totally get it. glad your doing better than anyone. being able to ride that might pay off.

but honestly, i wouldnt fault you if you bailed.

Chep

WR Officer

1

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

Focus on the controllable and ignore the doom scrolling. I should take this advice myself lol.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

0

☕️

Great success: https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/rckchlkg33k-closed-a-deal-for-131k-to-ceo

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