How to handle a Director trying to take your pipeline?

Hey guys,


Spent the first half of the year splitting a territory with a new rep, both of us on Mid Market and Enterprise. I was supposed to be dedicated Mid Market initially and he was supposed to be dedicated Enterprise. He wanted some Mid Market because of existing relationships he allegedly has in the region, so my manager agreed to split with the caveat that I would get some Enterprise.


Fast forward to end of Q1, I smoked him, got brought into way more deals, and was top performer in the region. However, the region did poorly overall, so my manager was demoted to rep and they brought in a new Director who used to work with this new rep at their last company.


We re'org'd in April and I was given a new territory with the promise from my CRO that I could keep any outstanding deals in my previous territory.


Fast forward to this week, this new Director hasn't brought on the pipeline that she was hired to bring on with her alleged "relationships," and now the colleague I was splitting with is telling me that she's saying he'll get my outstanding deals.


Normally I wouldn't care too much, but I originally agreed to split the territory because I was trying to help this guy. Greedy mofo, way to pay back the favor.


The Director threw a 1 hour meeting on my cal for this week to discuss the territory. My manager is out on pat leave and I'm reporting to the VP above her. The weird part - she marked the meeting private on her calendar, so no one can see that we're meeting.


-------------------------

Update: I tried to push the meeting off one week until my manager on pat leave was back. This woman had already pushed off our meeting 2 weeks.


Psycho kept calling my cell and pinging me and would not leave me alone. Friend told me I had to talk to her otherwise the psycho would tell everyone I was ignoring her. I pick up the phone, we get into a screaming fight, but I agree to meet with her the next day.


The next day, my other friend is in a meeting with the psycho + my CRO + the CEO. Psycho says "{my name} is ignoring me" unprompted in front of leadership. 30 minutes before our scheduled call.


I'm fucking done.

If yall were me, would you:

Attached poll
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๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚ Poll
25
oldcloser
Arsonist
9
๐Ÿ’€
Just so much unnecessary shade in this. Ask her why she chose to meet privately. Open it up. Have the CRO sit in. So many eggshells. Step on all of them and make sure it stays fair.
1
Sales Specialist
I agree have at least one other person sit in.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
8
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
Go over the directors head to the VP as a CYA. If they both agree, then you are screwed. Otherwise, you are just making sure you have proper visibility to your leadership.
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
6
Account Executive
You got a point.

Rereading your situation, I agree you should go direct to the CRO since heโ€™s the one who promised you that you would get to keep the outstanding deals from your previous territory.

Out of curiosity, how did the colleague that youโ€™re splitting with, tell you this all went down? How did the Director break the news?
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
3
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
I was given a timeline to close them. I would start splitting %โ€™s after a point until they were gone. If it was truly a deal, it was on me to close it. I didnโ€™t close all of them, but it I did protect those that I put a lot of time into.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
๐ŸฆŠ
Recap everything in an email. Every verbal agreement. Copy everyone. Start the paper trail. Seriously I'm shocked you are not looking at other jobs.
TheQueenofDiamonds
Politicker
3
Account Executive
Was just about to say the same
Every word ๐Ÿ™Œ
HVACexpert
Politicker
5
sales engineer
Have the one on one meeting. Explain your side and that the CRO informed you already would get the deals. If she balks then escalate to VP and CRO. Stand your ground.
rsnyc
Good Citizen
2
Account Management Leader
Exactly. Why are we โ€œtattlingโ€ we hear what She has to say??
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
I picked push the meeting off - but I see some other good options and suggestions below.

One thing I would NOT do is meet with her in private. It sounds like you're going to get railroaded and have no proof.

If you're reporting above her, I'd go above her and find out what's going on. I'd also go to to the CRO, as that is the person who guaranteed your deals.

This is a terrible situation, and I'm sorry.
Maximas
Tycoon
3
Senior Sales Executive
I mean,he doesn't deserve it I get it,but has he asked her to get him your deals or she decided out of no where to make the split without your or his knowledge for whatever reason she might find valid,so haven't you checked on that first!
If he knew about it which I'm leaning to,then go with option 1 that got my vote!
detectivegibbles
Politicker
3
Sales Director
I'd avoid having a meeting with this person if no one else will be attending. Sounds like a car crash waiting to happen. Good luck!
3
Head of Growth
I would reply to the invite + cc your manager to ask if she's already been updated by CRO on your transitioned pipeline agreement made in April, because if not you're happy to share those details in advance in case it changes her agenda for the meeting. This might be all you need to do to avoid dealing with her.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
You definitely need to have someone else involved - either the VP or CRO - basically to CYA.

I hate office politics
RandyLahey
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Other - start actively applying for other jobs. You are in an obviously detrimental, toxic situation.
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
Straight to the CRO imo
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
CRO or VP. Promises were made and more importantly you already have the relationship with people. Itโ€™s stupid business to take accounts away that youโ€™d likely close.
1
VP Sales
If it was me, I would go to the CRO and let them know that you have an upcoming meeting to discuss pipeline and just verify what you had already discussed with them. Let them know that you are preparing for the meeting and confirm that your understanding is that you will retain your existing accounts.

If the VP tries to change that arrangement, then youโ€™ll be in a better position to either keep the opportunities (probably with a time bound date - close them by X date or lose them) or negotiate something that is still in your favor.

good luck. Interested to hear how it goes.
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
This is a prime example of a long-timer with a relationship using it to screw you over and help themselves.

You got to put a stop to it.
Others have said jump over their heads. Unless you know it can be accomplished in a different way, you got no choice.

If not, next thing you know that person will be selling more, your accounts will be gone and transferred, and you'll be working for free. Eventually let go.
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
I also want to mention another important point. You need to control the narrative of what's happening here. Don't wait, don't sit back and do nothing. All that does is allow your Director to control what's happening.

Uthred decided to go back to his family instead of the King after he personally won the battle. Guess what, he didn't get any credit. He got shit on and demeaned for being 2nd.
ToemanChris
Executive
0
Business Developer
Tell them to geeeeeet fucked.
WhoDey
Opinionated
0
VP of Sales
I'd get with my HR partner, lay out the facts (no emotion or accusations or conspiracy theories), and ask for their advice/help in making sure everything is being done on the "up and up".
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