S
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SaasStar

AE (Account Executive)

Contributor
Fire Starter

Climbing the sales ladder

Hey all - aside from more money, what would you ask for if you were the top rep at your company? If you wanted to remain an IC and not get into management, how do you continue to find upward mobility? I'm trying to get creative because I'm in a position where I can ask for more, but I don't know what to ask for other than money (and shares). Any ideas are welcome!

💰 Compensation
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24 comments

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SaaSam
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Ask for your own team of SDR's that report to you. Take care of all of your outbound activities, can tailor your SDR team to your specific approach to create a more consistent messaging throughout your process.
SaasStar
Contributor
1
AE (Account Executive)
love this
detectivegibbles
Politicker
1
Sales Director
Are you remote? Want to do a split WFH/In-Office schedule? 

Can you negotiate for more PTO? 

Upgraded equipment? 

What about sideways and keep your rep status but begin building out a team that you delegating things to? I see this with a lot of my mortgage industry buddies who do loan origination. 

They grind for 3-4 years, then are able to hire assistants and what not who do a lot of the grunt work. 

Congrats on being top dog!
SaasStar
Contributor
1
AE (Account Executive)
Ohh I like the idea of having an assistant or someone underneath me to assist with the day to day. 

Already have the whole "unlimited PTO" thing and the equipment I need to be successful.

I might see what I can do to get someone to assist but just hope it's someone good so they help me as opposed to slow me down. 

Thank you for sharing! 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
What about working remotely? That's a hot issue right now. I never want to return to an office. 
SaasStar
Contributor
0
AE (Account Executive)
already full time remote but I agree
alecabral
Arsonist
0
Director - Digital Sales Transformation
First: congrats dude, being at the top is always cool!
alecabral
Arsonist
1
Director - Digital Sales Transformation
Sorry, hit send accidentally. Second: do you need anything else at all or are you getting greedy? If it’s a need that drives you, put a name to it and ask for it. Chances are, they’ll give it to you. If it’s a whim…just phrase it in a way it looks like a need 😉 Seriously speaking, I like the advice you’ve gotten already. I’d try and get a SDR for sure!
SaasStar
Contributor
1
AE (Account Executive)
I don't really need anything else, but I am really in the position where I can ask for anything right now and I don't want to waste the opportunity. It's tough to figure out what to do for sure. 
alecabral
Arsonist
0
Director - Digital Sales Transformation
Gotcha, that makes sense. When I hit manager for the first time I didn't ask for anything. I didn't really need it other than the bigger paycheck and the authority to make decisions. I know now that was a mistake, I should have bargained for a few things that would made my job and life easier back then. Out of the top of my mind, some education funding what have been nice so you can get into training / courses that can help you do a better job as a manager. Hell, why not even an MBA or something. That's what i would have asked for.
SaasStar
Contributor
0
AE (Account Executive)
oh damn I didn't even think about that. I'm definitely going to start exploring the education realm
FlintIronstag
Notorious Answer
0
Chief Marketing Officer
I don’t think you’ll have trouble finding upward mobility as a top performing rep. Your company won’t let you. You can turn down a promotion but then they’re gonna figure out why and either try to incentivize you to move into management or they’ll give you more stuff to do without increasing your pay. I knew a guy who was always top 25%, never an all star but always way above average. Leadership tried to promote him to senior a few time’s and he kept declining. Somehow kept his job. Found out his excuse was he was a basketball coach and couldn’t commit to the hours and his wife was a teacher (dean) so he needed to be home because she worked long hours and he couldn’t commit to more work. They accepted it and as far as I know he’s still a regular AE over there making good money and working 35 hours a week. Good luck!
SaasStar
Contributor
0
AE (Account Executive)
Love to hear this. My dad was an AE his whole career as well. I plan to do the same. As a control freak, why not close the biggest deals - you create your own hours and make the most money. It's a win/win in my book
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
Are you looking for "more" to get more work or "more" to enjoy your position?  You can always take on more quota to get more base pay or options.  Or you can work less and continue to earn your money in order to improve your quality of life.
SaasStar
Contributor
1
AE (Account Executive)
They are 100% going to increase my quota. They doubled it last year and will do the same this year. In the Enterprise - that's a lot. So the pay will come, I just feel like I'm in the position rn to ask for me. Just need to figure out what the "more" is...
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
In some companies you make a percentage of what you sell.  Failure to make quota results in zero commissions or some fraction.  If my quota goes up it doesn’t matter.  Sell more, make more. 
Cornholio
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
I think I saw this but I’ve seen senior reps at an older company I worked for negotiate for assistants and unlimited PTO. do what you want to do and delegate to others. I think there are also creative ways to make more money additional accelerators for selling higher margins, etc. But time is money and being able to delegate so you can do more cool shit with your money is pretty sweet.
SaasStar
Contributor
0
AE (Account Executive)
Agreed. I am definitely going to push for an assistant. Just need to find the time to train them! 
Cornholio
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
Get an assistant to do it haha
SaasStar
Contributor
0
AE (Account Executive)
lol
LordBusiness
Politicker
0
Chief Revenue Officer
Access to bigger deals? Bigger opportunities? More complex sales?  
SaasStar
Contributor
1
AE (Account Executive)
Check, check and check for these. Getting creative on other options now...
FeedTheKids
Politicker
0
Solutions Consultant
As you climb the ladder, best part is to actually use the "benefits" provided. Take time off, leave early to hang with the family, have a few drinks at lunch, etc. 

Best part of a good job is being comfortable where you've got perks/benefits that come with the job and you actually use them. 

(Ex: How often does extra PTO matter while working in sales - your gonna work for the commission regardless of if your sick or not. Asking for more isn't always needed if you barely use what your given) 
SaasStar
Contributor
0
AE (Account Executive)
10000000%! This is something I have now (unlimited PTO, the freedom to work when I want, etc.) I'm definitely not using all of this to my advantage bc there's SO MUCH WORK. This is a great reminder though. TY! 

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