saltysal profile picture
saltysal profile picture

saltysal

Account Executive

Executive
Fire Starter
Good Citizen
+3

Dare I……..ask for a raise in these turbulent times?

We've all gotten to the point before in a sales role where we feel the time has come...right?

Context:
Been with the company for over a year now. I have brought some big dawgs onboard, including the largest customer we have to date.

I've taken on many other tasks besides sales as they've been handed to me when the company has experienced turnover (from CSM tasks all the way through to acting as the GD collections agency for unpaid invoices).

Important note- I am BEHIND on my annual quota.....significantly. Although I'm fairly certain the executive team sees now that my goal was more or less bullshit. Do I have a leg to stand on here?

How would y'all approach the conversation? Helpful tips/tricks of the trade would be so so appreciated. thank you!
🧠 Advice
🚀 Career Goals
🤞 Negotiation
18

34 comments

Sort by:
BmajoR
Arsonist
7
Account Executive
You are without legs on this one.
jefe
Arsonist
0
🍁
This is the unfortunate truth.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
7
🦊
How about ask em then let us know what happened
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Not sure how you'd approach it when you're off target. Even if it's bs.
Sorry.
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
3
🔪Amateur Butcher🔪
Targets are high all-around IMO, on purpose. Hard to argue with folks hitting goal. Easier to raise the bar and gaslight.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Which is yet more indication of bs.
oldcloser
Arsonist
4
💀
You do not dare ask.
saltysal
Executive
2
Account Executive
Solely because of the whole under quota thing, eh? 😫
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Unfortunately.
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
Yep. Not saying your heart isn't in it. But they don't pay for hearts.
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
4
🔪Amateur Butcher🔪
I just did last week, I'm doing the same work for less money (Purchasing Power). Gave them until Q4 (Calendar) to give me an answer/find the money.

Here is your ammo...
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
5
🔪Amateur Butcher🔪
and this...
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
5
🔪Amateur Butcher🔪
and this....
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
This holds water in major metros in a profitable org when used as ammo by a high caliber seller with a history of performance. A mid performer in a struggling org in Ekalaka, MT might not get the desired result. Good stuff for the polished though.
saltysal
Executive
2
Account Executive
I feel like I must comment here……..I was a top performer at my last company for 3 years…..but subpar at the new gig despite best efforts. Definitely not in a metro area…..but not as rural as Ekalaka Montana 😂😂. Anywhooooo, the answer is probably not asking for a raise here, probs need to catch the next wave
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
Wasn’t judging, homie. Not at all. ✊ Thing is- these days it’s hard to tell who’s good and who isn’t. Macro market fuk sort of lowers all boats.
braintank
Politicker
4
Enterprise Account Executive
Performance at former gig doesn't count at new org
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
2
🔪Amateur Butcher🔪
Stern, but fair.
Pachacuti
Politicker
4
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
The go to for most companies when a sales person asks for a raise is to say "sell more".

In your case specifically, its all about "what have you done for me lately". If you are behind your quota YTD, you probably shouldn't be asking.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
My favorite: "you control your own destiny". Which...yes. But it's also used as a reason to not move a base or give a bonus.
Filth
Politicker
2
Live Filthy or Die Clean
I like openly calling out my executive board whenever they make statements about what happens if we hit our goals..."WE GET BIGGER GOALS/QUOTA?" and it starting, slowly, to make them realize that may not be the best strategy for morale, especially when people are doing their job well.
saltysal
Executive
3
Account Executive
💯 understand that. My thought process behind it is I have brought in the biggest customers and I’ve gone above and beyond with what my job is supposed to entail. But at the end of the day everyone in here is right lol they will say f*** off if I ask….or fire me 🤞🤞
AnchorPoint
Politicker
2
Business Coach
No is always the answer if you don't ask.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
2
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Yeah, you don't have a leg to stand on to ask for a raise. You do need to learn how to say no to the extra stuff you are taking on. It seems to be hindering your ability to do what you should be.
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
you if you're behind on quota that is an issue
Filth
Politicker
1
Live Filthy or Die Clean
Yeah - I'm with the other answers here, got to have the above quota leverage to pull this one off. Even if that quota is BS. If you're close to someone in management/executive level have an informal alcohol filled discussion to feel it out. I just did that sans alcohol on a sales road trip with my CRO and basically felt it out by asking out how hard the board is riding them and where they still need to be financially.
My carved out answer was just burn them on the unlimited Comish and hit them up on the monthly ledgers but no way they can commit to raises when they need to hit certain goals annually.

Worked for me and I didn't have to formally ask, I'm going to do that q1 24.
saltysal
Executive
0
Account Executive
Oh this is great advice….I’ve got a conference coming up next month and the entire executive team will be there. Definitely some angles to work in like you said boozy conversations. Thank you!
Beans
Big Shot
1
Enterprise Account Executive
You've got no leverage unfortunately, you can gain some with an external offer, but then you risk them saying bye bye.
ApocalyBoom
Politicker
1
Account Executive
If asked tell me what happened
QWhiz
Big Shot
0
Founding AE / ex-SDR
yes
ThatNewAE
Big Shot
0
Account Executive - Mid enterprise
In this economy - if you are behind the annual quota, I don't think you have a very strong foundation to talk about raise at this point.

But somebody wise (my fiance) says that there's no harm in asking, the worst they can say is NO. It's fine.
PineappleYa
Opinionated
0
AE
Any pipeline to close the gap on annual quota?
saltysal
Executive
0
Account Executive
Solid pipeline to help close the gap……but not sure if it’s gonna get me to 100%. All I can do is floor it through the rest of the year and hope for the best! What’s really peculiar is a week after I posted this question, my manager gave me a ball park number I need for q4 for him to go to bat for me for a raise in base. And it’s totally obtainable, surprisingly. He just brought it up organically

Related posts

42
Members only

Ask for that raise!!!

Advice
💰
🚀
23
12

Should I ask for a raise?

Question
🧠
💰
☁️
16
9

Should I ask for a raise?

Question
🙏
☁️
🧢
9
Bravado is a community of trusted sales professionals endorsed by their customers.
Apple Store logo
Products
The War Room Jobs Salary Guide Tech Sales U
Company
About Us How It Works Blog Bug Bounty
Contact
Press Careers
© 2024 Bravado Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy Legal and Privacy Center Sales Jobs
If you are hired as a contract sales rep by a Bravado customer, we may ask you to prove access to the employee email account provided to you by that customer. This data will be shared with customers to track your sales productivity; customers can use this data to confirm you meet the minimum activity requirements to pay out your ramp stipend and commission.