Comp Plan Switcheroo

I’ve personally had this happen twice in my career and curious to learn how common it is.


Have you ever accepted a job offer with ‘Comp Plan A’ only to have a switcheroo pulled on you when you’re finished training / ramp and put onto new ‘Comp Plan B’ which is worse and comes with a higher quota?

Have you had to accept a shittier comp plan after training / ramp for a new job?

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
💰 Compensation
🤷‍♂ Poll
😜 contracts
19
Pachacuti
Politicker
12
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Welcome to sales - it only gets worse.
punishedlad
Tycoon
7
Regional Partnership Manager
Yep, never directly after training, but a few months in. Happens frequently at startups.
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
I know it does but why is this horseshit tolerated? Should at least be able to guarantee 12 months at the original comp plan upon accepting an offer.
StringerB
Politicker
7
Senior Account Executive
My company is so great, they change the comp plan EVERY FUCKING QUARTER.

No I was not told this while interviewing.
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
2
Account Executive
You poor bastard.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
Dude wtf? REPULSIVE
KeepingTheLightsOn
4
Sales Lead
Although technically legal as I assume you are an 'at will' employee, it's also a huge red flag. Do you really want to work your butt off and drive business for a company who reneges on agreements this early in your tenure? Expect more headaches in the future. My advice is look elsewhere, but patiently.
Sunbunny31
Arsonist
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
No, that’s garbage. I’m sorry.
Maximas
Tycoon
1
Senior Sales Executive
Nope, didn't try it, hope it went well with you at the last two times when you had to accept it!
detectivegibbles
Politicker
1
Sales Director
At my first startup, comp plan switched twice but it was always for the better. I never made less money.
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
2
Account Executive
Didn’t see that coming.
HVACexpert
Politicker
1
sales engineer
I had a company reduce pay across the board 2 weeks in , found out during training, that was fun
WheelofCheese
Opinionated
1
Sales Executive
I’ve only had reduced base salary during a several year ramp period. I knew this going in, though, as it was laid out in my offer letter. To me, it made sense as future sales and commissions would offset the lower base. Is this what you’re referring to?
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
Never got reduced base. That’s way more fucked up. I was referring to the comp plan aka commission.
WheelofCheese
Opinionated
1
Sales Executive
It seems to be common in my industry (commercial and employee benefits insurance brokers) actually… but I agree with you! Regarding reduced commission— only once did this happen to me (not during my ramp up period). Senior management felt they were over paying their producers as compared to their competitors. As you can imagine, not all were very happy about it. Management also felt that by doing this, there would be more focus on new business as opposed to certain brokers sitting on their books— “fat and happy”.
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
While a company can do whatever they want when it comes to comp plans you certainly don't have to work there. I can't understand how this happens to you twice. Seems like I would have learned my lesson the first time...
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
Twice at 2 different companies, mate.

And like others have said, it’s common in startups which is the bulk of my experience. Just look at the poll results.

FYI, a quota increase is technically a comp plan downgrade.
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
Sounds tough. Maybe joining a startup isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’m sure there are stellar startups out there but it seems easy to get trapped by some organizations pretending to know what they are doing. I hope it works out for you.
Headintheclouds
1
IT recruiter
Every sales job ever lol
muffman
Good Citizen
1
BDR
My comp plan has changed 4 times and I’ve been here a little over a year
SalesSoverign
1
Account Executive
Negotiated tooth and nail over Comp Package A. Took 7 meetings in total with my manager and COO.
Ended with getting special approval from Finance.

I sign. I kill my first month’s numbers.
And BOOM, I’ve been put on Comp Package B.
Padraig123
Executive
1
Mid Market Account Executive
Exact same thing happened to me
ChristianSgt94
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
I would flip a table
Padraig123
Executive
1
Mid Market Account Executive
Negotiated my comp plan and it switched after one quarter felt absolutely duped
Glengaryglenross
Member
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Yup had this happen twice. Each time was told that “everyone was going to make more money.”

Spoiler alert: no one made more money.
DougB
Personal Narrative
1
Director of Sales
While I clicked the yes button. That doesn't mean you have to fully accept it. I have left companies that mess with my Money. And I tell them directly that. Then I am amused that they are surprised when I leave. Sometimes for a competitor who I then proceed to eat their lunch. To argue the shittier plan you need to break it down and explain to them what isn't right then if they still go forward with it. Too bad on them when you move on.
9

Comp plan nightmares

Discussion
16
7

Hardware-as-a-Service Comp Plans

Question
4
10

‘23 comp plan

Question
9