Albert Quintero

Regional Account Manager at Trusscore

Fired for not hitting Quota, Territory was a mess

I was a Regional Account Manager for a building materials manufacturer. The last rep before me was let go, but I didn't know why. Once I got into my territory, I discovered everyone hated the past Rep, he made customers feel uncomfortable. Our distribution hated him, which turned into hating my company.

The first 6 months of the job was just getting Distribution on board and getting their attitudes turned around. We weren't selling much, but I got Distribution back on board and started expanding our retail footprint.

My company was aware of the issues that happened before me, they never reached out to Distribution to smooth things over, I did it all myself. I assumed they were giving me the time to develop the territory so that it can finally start producing as it should, instead, they gave me a PIP 8 months in, and fired me a month later over production.

I had deals lined up, I already had beaten the numbers from last year, but their unrealistic quota was my demise. The territory was a mess, their quota is based off of 1 Canadian territory, they adjust for population. To think that if it works in Canada, it works in the US is insane to me.

I am now in talks with the Distribution company we worked with, they have an open position and are interested. They were in the territory with me, they saw me putting in work, they viewed me in a better light than my own company. It obviously wasn't fun being let go, but I think this will be for the better, and I strongly believe they just shot themselves in the foot by letting me go.

Any thoughts?

💺 Outside Sales

✍️ Sales advice

31

21 comment

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

6

🦊

@jefe where u at bb 👀🍿

jefe

Arsonist

5

🍁

Running behind, but looks like some of the usual suspects picked up my slack.

@Pachacuti and @Revenue_Rambo are completely on point.

This is a really unfortunate position to be in, and no fault of his own.

I hope this works out for you! Doesn’t sound like the old spot would have been any good if they pulled this.

oldcloser

Arsonist

4

💀

You didn't get fired. They gave you a hall pass to move to a better class.You're gonna be ok!

Pachacuti

Politicker

3

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

That's a tough position to be in - all that wasted time/effort. Fortunately it seems to have put you in a great position for the future and you have no guilt about leaving your current (former) employer for this other opportunity.

I would try not to dwell on what happened too much (I know its hard) and focus on the future. Tell the Distributor you want to bring everything you brought into the past position into them and hit the ground running!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

You successfully networked yourself into what hopefully will be a better position. Good for you!

Some things to note for later - ask questions during the interviews. Why are you hiring? What happened with the last person in this role? What's the ramp look like? What's attainment look like? Etc.

Best of luck to you!

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

3

Director of Revenue

From their glassdoor:

Pros
Great team and culture, everyone’s friendly

Cons
No cons at this company!

Are companies even trying to hide their fake reviews anymore?

pirate

Big Shot

3

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I'm in a similar position now, however my management knows me and are giving me a lot of time and belief and patience. You realistically cannot fix something in less than a year and if it's been poorly managed and you have no support, even longer. Not your fault. I'd just be glad you can move on to the better stuff now

SonnyVaccaro

Good Citizen

3

Growth Lead

I had a boss once say "You never know when you are interviewing for your next job." Sounds like the Distribution company knew you were hustling and wants you. Great work! As for the territory piece, rarely will you come into an established company that just has an awesome territory free. The more experience team members always get first crack and the new hire gets the junk.

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

2

Director, Revenue Enablement

Sometimes companies just need a fall guy to point the blame at for their own short comings. Sorry you got let go. Don’t take it personal. Just move on to the next opportunity and prove to yourself that what you did wasn’t a fluke.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

Honestly, it sounds like they handed you a blessing.

FoodForSales

Politicker

2

AE

Glad you have a job lined up

Diablo

Politicker

1

Sr. AE

Everything happens for good. Happy to know someone recognized your effort and willing you give you an opportunity:)
All the best !

sinbadthesailor

Personal Narrative

1

AE (Account Executive)

That’s tough. I’d definitely press into the role at the distributor.

One bright side, you are looking for a job now not in 3 months when no one is building.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

1

Sales Rep

Really tough situation, good luck!

HVACexpert

Politicker

1

sales engineer

You summed it up perfectly, this is a gift in disguise !

GDO

Politicker

1

BDM

Sounds like you got away from the situation.

Justatitle

Big Shot

1

Account Executive

The universe tends to unfold as it should

1

Retired Sales Professional

Never settle for anything less then what you are worth. They didn't see or want to see the major effort you put in to reestablish their distribution network which is the life of the company and you beat Last years numbers with a fractured network. It's their loss hope you do well in your new spot.

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

If the distributors want you go with them. Nothing will change for them except getting a person that’s motivated and wants to help them sell.

This is the way. I hope the grass is greener for you with them.

K.GoldSales

Member

0

Account Executive

100% working hard and building your network is never a waste of time or effort. Their loss, your gain.

Titanic

Opinionated

0

Senior VP - Sales

Building trades in this economy is tough enough in general. With that being said, you're better than the last person, and have the track record to prove it, right? You now have a great opportunity in front of you with I'm sure, a tremendous amount of autonomy. Blessing in disguise maybe? Onward and upward!

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