SalesManiac

Manager - Sales

Valued Contributor

Contributor

Fire Starter

How to switch from BDR Manager to AE?

Hey folks!

From a BDR, I wanted to become an AE for a B2B SaaS company. Clients are usually E-commerce giants etc.

There was no opening for that role in my org so they promoted me as a Manager. I accepted, thinking this role would be cool and I'll learn new things. Now I realise, this is just same as doing BDR work, on top of it, now I need to worry about my team hitting targets as well. I also think, after a while there will be a cap to my earning potential.

While, opps and pipeline are great, I want to contribute in direct revenue now. I feel, it's going to be a lot more challenging with huge earning potential.

Do you guys, have any suggestions for this?

👑 Sales Strategy

13 comments

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Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Often to move up you need to move out.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Tough jump from where you are to do it in the same org, but your skill set will be valuable somewhere. Might be moving time.

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

Director of Sales NA

Leaving will be the fastest and most fiscally positive way

SaaSguy

Tycoon

Account Executive

Step 1) Apply to AE role'sStep 2) Profit

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

Start applying and interviewing for AE roles without expectations...ask a ton of questions focused around what top AE reps are doing at each company.

"What's the best case scenario for a rep after 90 days in this role?""What do the top 10% reps do better than the bottom 90%?""What are some unique or creative ways you've seen reps create more opportunities?"

SalesManiac

Valued Contributor

Manager - Sales

I am doing this now. Thank you :D

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Gotta check that fine print. That's how they getcha.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Well, let me ask you a question here. Being in Sales dev you are directly contributing to the revenue side you just aren't closing so is this a matter of wanting a better title or wanting to make more $$$?

The reason I am asking is that many try to transition to being an AE then ultimately flounder for various reasons, so if you are making good money as a manager then it might be worth a discussion around expansion of your role.

If it is for more money then you can always have that conversation as well and state the fact that you have been loyal to the org yadi yada.
Very curious here.

SalesManiac

Valued Contributor

Manager - Sales

It's wanting more $$$. And also from future prospects of career. I think AE's can make more along the way, since the end goal is to be the VP of sales; BDR Manager feels like a longer route to that destination.

Yes, I am making decent money as a Manager but is money ever more? Also, I am simply bored of this job role because I feel like I am not learning anything new. I've had my fair share of working as a BDR and as a Team lead earlier so it's just getting boring now.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

Hard pivot, BD leadership tends to be it's own path and you'll have difficulty getting back on the IC path internally.

SalesManiac

Valued Contributor

Manager - Sales

Yeah seems like it.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Start looking for and applying to AE roles. If this isn’t scratching your itch, time to start looking.

SalesManiac

Valued Contributor

Manager - Sales

Thanks @Sunbunny31 !! Need to start applying now.

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SalesManiac

How to switch from BDR Manager to AE?

13 comments

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