Lost my Job for Entering into a New Vertical

Hi All,


Figure what better time to become active in the WarRoom than after being let go on Friday. A little background, I have been in the collections and receivables space for just around 4 years, selling SaaS to call centers / collection agencies and most recently providing 1st and 3rd party services to a wide array of industries.


We are a disruptor in the collection space providing a digital, flexible, and empathetic approach to consumer collections and we do it well! As I was getting settled in last year I was reaching out to a number of industries and I found my niche. Higher Education! At this point we had zero clients in this space and higher ups saw that I was getting tractions and it was off to the races.


Over the course of my first year I increased our whole client base by 7% with Higher Ed. clients alone, this could of been more deals closed, but many conversations were staled due to market factors in the industries, Covid, budget freezes, you name it. As we are approaching and slowly entering the New Year the train comes into the station. I mean I am booking 3-5 discos a week (avg. across the team maybe 1 - 2 a week) and moving a number a deals quickly through the cycle.


Then last week, out of left field they chop have off half the sales department myself included and are restructuring the wholes sales department. Needless to say I was surprised along with my manager, but they said my revenue wasn't there even though there was not a quota for the whole team and was entering into a completely new vertical. :)


I felt like I was just hitting my stride and potentially could of my made us a huge name in the Higher Education space but feel like I screwed myself by putting most if not all of my focus into one vertical.


Wanted to vent and see if this has happen to anyone else with being tasked to enter a new vertical and getting screwed over?




ALSO, anyone hiring?


๐Ÿงข Sales Management
14
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Sounds like it wasn't just that - if half the team is gone, not sure that breaking into the new vertical was the issue.ย  There was probably a line and everyone below it, for whatever reason, was cut.

Edited because where is my empathy?ย  I totally forgot to tell you that I'm sorry to hear that, it's tough when it happens to you.ย ย 
Weatherman
Fire Starter
3
Enterprise Account Executive
No no no man, your right I mean that's sales straight numbers game. At the end of the day my numbers where not were they needed to be and I completely understand that when you are completely restructuring the sales dep. that that is the criteria you follow.

Just felt like I was right there with making higher ed. a big name for us but oh well, enjoyed my time while doing it and met some great people. Just gotta keep on keep on as they say.

I appreciate you being straight with me!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
It sucks that youโ€™re not going to be there to make that breakthrough and celebrate, but take that positive energy elsewhere. You sound very determined to be successful, which is a great sign. Good luck!
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
๐ŸฆŠ
Geez Bunny wtf ๐Ÿ‡
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
IKR, cold as ice.

Might be because I just got back from MI and haven't yet thawed out.
Gyro25
Notorious Answer
3
Account Executive
We're hiring. I used to on the Enterprise team before making the switch to partnerships. I could tell you who to contact for an interview.ย 
Weatherman
Fire Starter
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Of course I am open to learning more, DM me or how ever it works on here haha.
Gyro25
Notorious Answer
1
Account Executive
Well, shit.. Any workarounds Bravado?ย 
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Sounds like a โ€œcompany viabilityโ€œ problem to me. They may have done you a favor letting you go now before the entire ship sinks. Hopefully you got a decent severance check.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Yeah, this too.ย  Half the reps is a massive reorg, possibly indicating cash issues.
Weatherman
Fire Starter
0
Enterprise Account Executive
So the big thing was they are trying to IPO at the end of this year, they did very well during COVID (relief checks) so they projected extreme revenue targets for 2021 while also hiring 80% of the sales team at that that time, which is now back to its original 20% haha.
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
1
Professional Day Ruiner
Doesnโ€™t sound like they cut you loose for entering a new vertical, sounds like they cut you loose due to downsizing.
r_slash_sales
WR Lieutenant
1
Head of Member Services - Bravado Jobs
Hey OP, I'm sorry to hear about the news. Being forced to find a new gig is never a fun spot to be in. Seems like you've got a good outlook and your experience rolling up your sleeves in a new vertical will surely help you land a new role.ย 
If you haven't already, I recommend applying for our Jobs Program at Bravado:ย  https://jobs.bravado.co/

We're helping some awesome orgs fill a variety of roles. Would love to tee up some interviews for you if any are a fit.
Weatherman
Fire Starter
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Way ahead of you :)
Omztheonetwo
Fire Starter
1
Account Executive
Sorry to hear that. Keep your head up. Keep believing, you're going to do great things.
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
1
Director Sales and Market Development
Im hiring but cant do that here sadly. Im trying to think how to subliminally offer you an interview, all out of ideas though, the market is hot go get you some!ย