Fair PIP?

a kid from my hiring class (6months in) was recently laid off 30 days into his PIP.  He was #1 in sales from our class, and high up there in booked opportunities.. myself & the rest of the class are concerned cause like why tf him?  
managements' justification was almost all of his sales came from inbounds, his activity was low and he hadn't progressed much forward.  despite hitting activity metrics, he was booted (rest of the criteria i imagine he didn't meet, not sure there).  
company has a successful sales org & history of exceeding targets though recently we're struggling across the board.
question is was management justified?  why PIP a top performer so early on? 

im sorry if u see this man
😳 Ethics
16
SaaSam
Politicker
6
Account Executive
The only things that come to mind are what a terrible org would do and what a great org would do.

If you have amazing leadership, it's possible this guys was becoming a toxic employee in one way or another and they don't tolerate that garbage regardless of how much revenue you bring in.

If you have garbage leadership they were likely trying to avoid paying out on some crazy accelerators or something.
SaasSlingin
Politicker
1
Sr AE
Far from toxic! Good dude.. we’re remote & he lives far from offices
SaaSam
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Then you have toxic leadership. Likely didn't want to pay out his commission.

I was put on a near impossible PIP once because I brought up a concern that one of the apps leadership asked everyone to download on their personal phones doubled as a spyware. I beat the PIP and put in my 2 weeks the next day. They "fired" me when I put in my 2 weeks.
SaasSlingin
Politicker
1
Sr AE
Wow. Can’t beleive shit like this happens. Were you paid out better vs leaving yourself?
SaaSam
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Yeah, I got what was owed for the upcoming paycheck plus my unused PTO and an extra paycheck's worth
SaasSlingin
Politicker
1
Sr AE
Not bad! How was addressing it on interviews/ did you find yourself having to elaborate much at all?
SaaSam
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Got rehired at the company I was at previous to this one. Really tight with the CEO and as soon as he heard I was looking again he offered to match what I was making at the shitty company salary-wise and guarantee a certain level of commission. I was literally less than 24 hours without a job
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
It seems like there's something about this that the rest of you don't know.

This is when good sales management steps up and clarifies what happened, without being intrusive, because otherwise there are bound to be issues with the team and morale. It may have been a code of conduct behavior, or something like that, that wouldn't show up in SFDC but would be of concern to management.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
so at face value, it doesnt make sense to put a top performer on a PIP.

But if the only metric he was was an activity metric but missed on everything else, then it makes more sense.

I hope leadership sees how this could effect the rest of the team, if the reasoning behind it is not explained properly.
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
Is there such a thing as a fair PIP?

That sucks though, seems super arbitrary and some BS - unless we're missing some big piece
SaasSlingin
Politicker
1
Sr AE
we’re remote & he lives far from offices + sales almost all inbound
SaasSlingin
Politicker
0
Sr AE
Nothing else I can think of. Idk about his relationship w his manager
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Did he not mesh with the organization or mngt? Did he say something stupid in a casual moment to the wrong person? Lots of reasons come to mind beyond performance.
SaasSlingin
Politicker
1
Sr AE
Not that I’m aware of but hes normal and quieter than most so really doubt it. Could it be his manager under scrutiny?
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
0
Sales Rep
Have to assume it was this or was doing something unethical
Gasty
Notable Contributor
1
War Room Community Manager
They shouldn't. There needs to be another story running in parallel or behind the scenes that you might not be aware of, @Saaslinging
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
This sounds like some info must be missing… I’m willing to bet that something was going on with required activity for sourcing your own leads vs just working inbound.
SaasSlingin
Politicker
0
Sr AE
Could be but u look at the salesforce reports and he was never even at the bottom half in activity. Not sure if that gives a better picture
SADNES5
Politicker
0
down voters are marketing spies
You can spot an inbound coaster from a mile away. Guy might have discounted without auth to get those deals.
A million reasons why he could have been #1 and shady.
SaasSlingin
Politicker
1
Sr AE
Agreed. do they ever get away with it though? Discounts would be outright rejected so not that. Our calls do recorded so maybe he cursed at a prospect idk
SADNES5
Politicker
0
down voters are marketing spies
Yeah. There is some big picture stuff going on that your team isn't privy to. They don't just dump top performers before they change comp plan if it's a fat commish cheque.
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
none of this seems to make sense, if leads are being closed who cares about inbound vs outbound. seems like theres something else there. IDK though
thezeetee
Valued Contributor
0
Global Head of Sales
Sounds like toxic leadership, in addition to this individual of bucking a trend; oftentimes, leaders don't like atypical salespeople that are successful, so they find moronic ways to fire them.

It may be worth speaking with your mgr about your concerns, if you have any.
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