Silverhound

xDR | Go-to Market Advisor

I've been an SDR for 6 months and have gone from hero to zero. Any input is welcome.

I work for a company that contracts with tech SAAS companies to provide SDR services. Essentially they're a cold-calling mercenary group for companies that don't have or want an internal SDR team.

The first project I was assigned was already in the red and the client was unhappy. I turned it around within 2 months and was seeing record breaking meetings and opportunity conversions. Brand new and right out of the gate I'm kicking ass. (The crowd roars!)

Midway through October I was put on a new, more prominent and visible project. (Awesome! I'm all over it!) But...my numbers have been shit and I was put on a PIP with everyone scratching their heads. (The crowd boos!)

I'm not one for falling into the trap of making excuses, but I do acknowledge that my lack of experience and transitioning during the holiday season are challenges. I have gone back to basics to work on structuring my messaging to resonate with these new prospect personas and have had more positive conversations and am gaining traction on it. But I'm afraid it may be too little too late. I have a meeting with the COO later today and I don't have a warm, fuzzy feeling about it.

I value the fact that I'm going through this experience because these things happen, and it will galvanize me in the future when I meet these kinds of challenges again. But apart from just venting my story, and advice or suggestions, personal anecdotes and the like would be welcomed.

💆‍♂ Mindset

🤘 Personal Growth

9

14 comments

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salesking

Politicker

6

Manager of Business Development

Sounds like they did not give you the proper support to transition you into the new project. Management needs to take some responsibility in the transition. But you went back to the basics, which everyone should do when they get into a slump.

You should reach out to the management team of the first company you worked for and see if they are willing to hire you directly. They are more likely to take a risk on you because you have already shown that you can do the job.

Also, keep in mind... the world is a different place than it was 6 months ago. There have been a ton of layoffs and uncertain times are ahead. People are less likely to take meetings. Also, add in the holidays ahead. December could be one of the worst months for says.

Silverhound

0

xDR | Go-to Market Advisor

Thanks.

I don't want to blame my management just because in the end, I feel like I'm responsible for getting the job done. I don't want to take the onus off of me. I feel like they've given me adequate support, but then, it's difficult for me to gauge that since this is the only management I've experienced in this industry.

I may well reach out to the prior project client because everyone there was pleased with me, with one of their AEs actually suggesting it and offering a reference. I just don't know if there is a contractual issue there that would interfere with that.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

4

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

First of all, if your current company lets you go, they shouldn’t have any say over where you land. Non-competes are generally for higher level employees, not BDRs. So that should be a good path for you should you end up needing a new role.

I do appreciate your sense of responsibility and lack of excuses, even if in the back of my head I do have the suspicion that you weren’t adequately supported - you are brand new! How much can you possibly know? But that said, solutions and problem-solving are better than excuses, and those are attributes that will serve you very well in your career.

I do think you should let your COO know what you proactively have done to change your approach, that you learned from your own experience. In this economic environment, I don’t know if it will save this job, but it is a conversation worth having.

Best of luck to you. Long term you’re going to be fine, because you have a great attitude.

Silverhound

0

xDR | Go-to Market Advisor

I appreciate that, thanks.

It turns out that they laid me off, not due to performance issues, but a reduction in staffing due to our clients downsizing.

Same outcome but for different reasons. They said they thought I did great overall but as I said, I've only been there 6 months.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I’m sorry to hear you’ve been laid off. Are they helping in any way, such as references?

Silverhound

1

xDR | Go-to Market Advisor

Yes, actually. All my management said they would give me references.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

0

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Again, I’m sorry it happened, but you’re going to be a prize candidate for your next company.

Diablo

Politicker

4

Sr. AE

I like the ownership mindset you have but remember you can’t be taking all the blames on you because you success also depends upon other factors outside of your control. Doing this will only put you down.

All the best!

Silverhound

1

xDR | Go-to Market Advisor

I will definitely keep that in mind. I'm always receptive to good advice.

Diablo

Politicker

0

Sr. AE

All the best buddy !

Pachacuti

Politicker

2

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I’d walk through what you’ve done with the COO and ask where you could better. Being teachable is a valuable asset.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

2

🦊

I like this. Put pride/ego aside, ask for help and do your best.

stan123

Opinionated

2

Enterprise Account Executive

Funny enough, the SDR team we hired went through the same exact transition as you. As the AE, I see it from a different perspective. My SDR transitioned from calling doctors offices to calling into store merchandising teams. COMPLETELY different personas and software so the transition was tough for a few months with hitting quota which is to be expected. Something the SDRs don’t see is that our company in general hits relatively low qualified meetings because we’re a bit niche, and our product is not necessarily go to market ready which makes it hard to have volume of leads. ALL of this is out of the SDRs control and they don’t understand the full picture of why qualified meetings are so hard to come by (even when I explain this to them it’s hard to see it from a high level when you’re not internal). My point is what others have said before me: there are a lot of factors you cannot control and a lot of it is not your fault if you do the work that’s required. Sometimes it really comes down to product fit and the market.

Hope this helps!

punishedlad

Tycoon

1

Business Development Team Lead

Best thing I can say is don't get down on yourself. As others have noted, a lot of this is out of your control. It sounds like you've covered your bases as far as things that are in your wheelhouse. At the end of the day, it's a bad time for (most) everyone when it comes to quota.

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