closedwonner

Account Executive

Help: Ent BDR -> Ent AE

Really need advice here: I was the top-performing Ent BDR at my company for over a year. Org went through a few rounds of layoffs since mid-2022. I was then given a verbal promotion and put on a 6-month ramp period to Ent AE. I was officially promoted to Enterprise AE in January. Org hasn’t been doing too well as there aren't a ton of deals closing or people hitting quota. BUT I have a really solid pipeline and have been working a few deals (one that will sign this quarter for over 100k per year with a 3-year agreement)!

Should I stay put or should I be looking elsewhere? And if I stay, how long should I stay to have enough experience to transition into another Enterprise AE role? OR should I just consider MM/SMB roles?

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37 comments

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Stay where you are and work your ass off. You got the vote of confidence and you’re working a deal that has a solid TCV!

If you’re not able to hit quota, what has historically been the rolling period that you’re judged on before getting a PIP? Start looking about a month ahead of that cut line.

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

This crossed my mind as well but wasn't sure if it was a good approach - thank you!!

GDO

Politicker

BDM

Was thinking the same thing. You go for it

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Why would you be looking to jump so soon? It's March, you've been in the role for a couple of months. You know the solution, you are in a better place than you would be if you jumped ship and had to start from scratch. You'll also be asking tough questions about why you jumped so soon. Do what the wise PBC suggest and work hard.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I agree with this. You want to be seen as a job hopper or someone who easily gives up?

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Valid points… thank you!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Stay and get the experience, especially if you have a few good deals lined up. Get at least a year in as an AE before looking to leave.

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Got it, thanks a lot!

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Not a lot of companies promote SDRs directly to Enterprise AE. Do you like the company? The comp structure? Your team?

If the answer is is Yes to all, my advice is be patient. You are less than 3 months into a role and already have any traction with multiple deals. Assuming your sales cycle is 3 months, it seems like things are pretty much on schedule

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Grateful, I am... Learn, I shall!

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

If you really want the test the waters you can, but I am not sure if the grass is greener

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

This thought crossed my mind as well, thank you!

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Too less experience to jump ships that might not land you to options that you desire. As others mentioned, hold on, close those deals that you are close to, make money and gain some more experience simultaneously.

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Love the consistency of these responses. Thank you for all the feedback!

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Your are in the proverbial drivers seat. Keep hands at 10 and 2. Keep pedal down. No off-ramp in sight. Go. Go far. Go fast. Stay on track. Pass other drivers.

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

I accept and will apply your advice - thank you!

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Kudos on the jump from Ent SDR to Ent AE. Can you elaborate a little on the “org hasn’t been doing too well” part? How long is the runway?

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Well, sales have been slow since early 2022 and turnover has been high. But we’ve been told by management that we have the money to support us for years to come. Wasn’t sure if I should entirely believe that or not, especially seeing the layoffs and other people walking out the door… but maybe I’m just being overly skeptical

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

That's the only red flag here if you ask me. Talk to other folks and try to get this info out.

Otherwise, as others mentioned, 100% recommend you stay and kill it here in your Ent AE role!

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Thanks so much Gasty! You all are great - best sales community out there!

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

💙

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

Zero reason to leave yet. You have a pipeline. Keep filling the top while closing the bottom.

You got this.

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Well put, thanks a lot Detective!

starson

Good Citizen

Senior Sales Manager

Stay. Get some AE experience under your wing.
Close some deals and make your success a part of your CV.

Critical though: keep generating your own pipe and do so constantly. Also learn how to protect yourself.

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Will do, absolute focus… Thank you! Also, when you say protect yourself, can you elaborate a bit more?

I understand it’s wise to have alerts set for job listings in the event that something unforeseen happens. And to always ask recruiters questions about their offerings instead of responding with a quick “not interested”. I’m also navigating the corporate politics well and actively developing my CV with transferable skills. But what else would you recommend I do to protect myself?

starson

Good Citizen

Senior Sales Manager

So. You need to think about what info about your deals goes where from an info and tool perspective. Which part of your work is transferable and so on.

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

So just so I understand, you're saying find ways to automate certain parts of my work?

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

i would 100% stay! you did the hardest thing!! you got promoted! now you need to show ppl that you can actually do something with that experience.

I would try to get at least 1-2 years before leaving. if its really ENT sales than 2 years will be needed.

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Got it! I know it seems a bit outlandish to go from BDR directly to EAE, but that's all the company sells. It's truly ent sales so 2 years may be necessary to transition at the same level from here.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Stay till you're done with your pipeline, you may get some really good resultsout ofit!

At least for one year cuz of this ongoing Layoff madness till things get better!

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

That’s the plan, thanks a lot!

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

URW.

Nairobi

Politicker

Stay as long as you can. You’ve just saved 3-4 years by going from ENT BDR to ENT AE instead of the usual BDR-> SMB AE-> MM AE -> ENT AE

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Very true - thank you!

Nairobi

Politicker

Good luck!

kneehigh

Politicker

Senior Enterprise AE

I am an Ent AE. It takes time to ramp up, grow pipeline and close deals especially if this is your 1st AE role. I would stay there and learn the processes if its a good environment and you have support. You did really well as BDR which means you know how to talk with clients and build rapport, so the key now is just moving the sales process along to deal closure.

Good luck!

closedwonner

Member

Account Executive

Spot on, thanks a lot!

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closedwonner

Help: Ent BDR -> Ent AE

37 comments

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