detectivegibbles

Sales Director

Acclaimed Answer

Did my CEO "throw me under the bus"?

Context:

Long time client of our company. The client was passed to me in December of 2020.

Product I sold (based off the quote that was presented to him from my VP in Q4 of 2020) ended up not having one spec that he said "would be nice to have" but drive his price up a few grand. Again, I clarify that he DID NOT SAY IT WAS A REQUIREMENT for this specification to be included and he signed the contract before money exchanged.

Fast forward, customer didn't pay entire invoice. Left off one item. I ask him about it and his response is "Surprised they'd even mention it considering I never got what I asked for...no one answered my calls, texts, etc, not good business. I lost money on this deal and I should have called my attorney" (FYI, notorious liar and constant fabricator of the scenarios).

I loop my CEO in and in his reply to the customer he says "I want to thank you for your grace as detectivegibbles learns the ropes". Keep in mind, I have numerous texts, emails and let alone, the contracts, not specifying this specification being included. I did my job.

Knowing my CEO personally, he is an outstanding leader of nearly 150 employees. The fact I can text him, call him or the like and get immediate feedback is invaluable to me.

I personally don't think he meant any harm by it, but rather just navigating the relationship with this customer. However, I have other friends in sales who say that they would have been rubbed the wrong way by the CEO's comments.

Thoughts?

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14 comments

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funcoupons

WR Officer

3

👑

I'd be annoyed - he didn't have to bring you into it. Could have said something like "I apologize for the oversight from my team during the signing of the contract" or something like that, or he could have taken responsibility of himself. Part of being a great leader is taking responsibility for the good, and for the bad from your team.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

1

Sales Director

I think it was more tactful on his end. "hey customer, I know you've worked with bob for numerous years...how has his transition into his leadership role been?"

I feel you, and I think he is an outstanding leader. May just have been a mishap by him.

funcoupons

WR Officer

1

👑

You have a good attitude. Nobody's perfect, after all. If this is a rarity chalk it up to him being preoccupied or having an off day and move on. :)

MMMGood

Celebrated Contributor

2

Senior Account Executive

His attempt to be humorous and lighthearted might also have taken away your credibility and rapport with the customer. It was in poor taste.

Probably can't say anything about it...and the hope is that the customer doesn't even take notice...but I'm feeling the burn a bit for you.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

1

Sales Director

That was my first concern...rapport and credibility. The customer is older and "been in the industry" for a long time. I'm the young new guy with limited experience.

While not offended by my CEO's comments, I think it maybe should have been consulted between myself, my CEO and VP (who was on my side) to just talk through the situation a bit more.

Appreciate ya MMMGood.

MMMGood

Celebrated Contributor

1

Senior Account Executive

Yea, man. I got you. I doubt it will be anything that causes you problem...but still just one of those “really?” moments that doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

1

Sales Director

That's exactly it and WHY I felt this could be a useful post to others. I'm very lucky with my employer. They literally bend over backwards for us so by no means is this complaining....merely wanting to get a pulse in the room on this topic.

MMMGood

Celebrated Contributor

1

Senior Account Executive

This is probably the best place to get that feedback. Best of luck.

UserNotFound

Politicker

2

Account Executive

I'd be upset. Your leadership should have your back, and if it WAS your mistake, they should own up to it with you and chalk it up to a learning experience. There are ways to deal with these situations, and, in the past, I've pre-written a template response for my leadership to then doctor up & add what they also want to convey.

I'd say this is a unique situation where maybe your CEO had too many balls in the air and just wanted to kick a response out, without realizing what impact his response would have on you. Also, I would never blindly leave communication in a situation like that in my leadership's hands, without some sort of guidance on what I want them to say or how I want them to handle it.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

0

Sales Director

Looking back, I think I should have voiced my opinion on it a bit prior to his comments.

Not slighted at all, but this feedback is appreciated as I aspire to become a leader in my space and want to be sure I treat my team accordingly.

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

1

Director Sales and Market Development

Man this is a tough one. Do you have to manage this account long term or is this going to the CSM's? If it is a pass off after the sale, i see how doing this is a stroke of the clients ego and CEO doing the CEO thing, if this is a relationship you still have to manager i would not be so quick to accept this type of response/bus throw.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

1

Sales Director

Guessing this customer will shop elsewhere for the time being....but our reputation in the industry is respected and we will more than likely hear from him again. At that point, I'll pick conversations back up.

I feel it's the former...CEO just rubbing his ego. The customer has notoriously pitted our team members against each other.

I'm not feeling slighted but felt this was a great scenario to propose to the War Room.

Bittersweet0326

Politicker

1

Digital Business Associate

It probably wasn't meant in a negative way but I would definitely be rubbed wrong. If you know him personally I would talk to him and ask him if roles were reversed how he would react. If he's a good leader hopefully he's open to feedback as well.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

1

Sales Director

He 100% would welcome it too. I may bring it up, I may not.

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