Whupswhups

Business Development Representative

Should sales awards be all about numbers?

I'm a BDR for a SaaS company.

My colleague was pregnant in Q3 and she kept telling everyone that she wanted a certain award so badly, literally every single time we had a call with her. It's worth mentioning that my manager asked me to slow down on my sales so she could win the award. I refused of course.

We finished the quarter strong with 270% attainment for me (the highest performance globally) and 230% for her. Management decided to give her the Best BDR Award anyways and I wasn't even mentioned during the sales kickoff call.

This is an award that's given to the reps with the highest performance in each team. Reps with the highest attainment in other teams still get their award, and my team is the only exception. I also reached out to my manager and the higher up. They told me that "If you were to compete against other reps with the same attainment, you would have won", which didn't make me feel any better.

I was pretty upset when it first happened and after awhile I came to term with it. My colleague just received a plaque yesterday and posted it on LinkedIn that she's " the best performer" and that she's glad "the company values someone with more than just high numbers alone."

I know the whole situation is just ridiculous and I shouldn't be so upset over this, but this award actually means a lot to me because my ex-boss told me I wasn't suitable to do sales.

Do you think sales award should be all about numbers or just a feel good/pity award?

Should sales award be all about numbers?

Attached poll

Yes No

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

17

33 comments

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funcoupons

WR Officer

10

👑

I accidentally voted no but meant yes. If it's a top performer award it should be about numbers. The company can choose to give an award for biggest team player or whatever if they want an award that isn't strictly about hard numbers.

If my manager asked me to slow down on sales so someone else could win an award I'd laugh - are you sure that manager wasn't the one who got your colleague pregnant given he's so enamored with her? LOL jk but seriously...what a load of BS.

braintank

Politicker

3

Enterprise Account Executive

Yeah, your manager asking you to "slow down" is sus...

funcoupons

WR Officer

4

👑

He has a lil crush. Or she's just a really annoying person and would have hounded him for months if she didn't win it.

Whupswhups

Politicker

1

Business Development Representative

Ya she kept telling us in every single call that she really wanted to win this award, cause she's the only person in the team who had not gotten it.

funcoupons

WR Officer

3

👑

Sounds like she got too many participation trophies as a child.

BmajoR

Arsonist

1

Account Executive

no means yes, amirite my dear?
- Harvey

funcoupons

WR Officer

1

👑

Listen, I’m gonna take a shower

Whupswhups

Politicker

0

Business Development Representative

I'm pretty sure nothing is going on cause she's far from pretty. He favors her a lot though. In Q2, he also sked me if I would give some opportunities to her cause her numbers were low. I also rejected him but didn't think he would pull the same shit again

funcoupons

WR Officer

1

👑

I was kidding, but it definitely sounds like your boss plays favourites. Weak shit.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

6

🦊

Teamwork matters too.

SaaSam

Politicker

4

Account Executive

While it SHOULD be about the numbers it's clear that it isn't. In my opinion, your company just cheapened that award to a level near "participation trophy" I wouldn't give a shit about it anymore.

Go buy yourself a leg lamp and call it your "major award"

Whupswhups

Politicker

1

Business Development Representative

In my opinion, they should have made up some feel good award for her instead of stealing it from me.

Good idea on the lamp!

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

I agree with you here. My point is that they've shown how important that award really is.

SaaSguy

Tycoon

3

Account Executive

Who cares? Crush your number and get the $. These awards do not amount to much more than a self absorbed Linkedin post.

braintank

Politicker

2

Enterprise Account Executive

Minor slights like this are what fuel me. Go put up insane numbers and get an even bigger plaque.

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

2

VP of Sales

Slights fuel me too. I thank the lord I’m petty like that. I’ve made so much money just because someone somewhere said something and made me mad.

with that said, it fucks with your psyche when you see someone unworthy be recognized above you. I feel for OP. I’d bail and go kick ass for someone else. You don’t have to settle for this shit, esp right now.

TheOverTaker

Politicker

2

Senior Account Executive

its just a plaque...you can go buy your own if you want. Now if you lost out on some money because of it...then you can go scorched earth

Do.it.for.the.checks

Politicker

4

Account Executive

Oh definitely buy you own plaque "TOP BDR" "270% Attainment"

This would be the most passive aggressive fuck you to everyone

Whupswhups

Politicker

0

Business Development Representative

Imma do that. Thank you sir

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

0

VP of Sales

Leave it above your cubicle when you clean out your desk and go to their main competitor

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

In this case, it should have been about numbers. You got robbed. It does happen - there are lots of examples at my former company about Plat Club and who exactly attended and the "selection" process that was definitely not about the numbers.

Best revenge? Outperform again, take the money, and treat yourself to anything you want.

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

2

VP of Sales

Absolutely, 250% fucking yes.

You want participation prizes and a pat on the back for your collaborative energy, get a job in marketing. The rest of us signed up to be performers.

The day I can’t cut it in the arena anymore, I expect management to put me out to pasture. The day I see someone win a prize they don’t deserve, I quit, and I have. I can go make someone else rich, but they can’t replace my productivity.

To the victors go the spoils. The day they make it about anything else, get the hell outta there.

SalesSage

Valued Contributor

1

National Account Manager

I think there is no way around the numbers, but it does sound like a kick in the pants. Did she go out on leave for the pregnancy during this period? Is there more office politics involved that you might be unaware of?

Whupswhups

Politicker

0

Business Development Representative

My manager shows clear favoritism. He asked me to give some opportunities to her in Q2 cause her numbers were low. I told him no but didn't think he would dare to ask me again in Q3

Boudreaux

Politicker

1

Regional Manager

Been here before and was hoping to go back to back and had a rep with lower numbers win an award. "Everyone Gets A Trophy" is bullshit.

Whupswhups

Politicker

1

Business Development Representative

Exactly you can't make everyone happy but you shouold make your top sales people happy!

Do.it.for.the.checks

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Time to find a new job!

Seriously tho.

First red flag, manager telling you to sell less. Hell no, that's your bank account.

Second Red Flag, giving an award that matters on resumes to someone else. That is your career.

Third red flag, teamwork isn't sacrificing your self for the team. It's creating an environment where we can all push ourselves. What happens when Shitty SDR Steve isn't hitting his numbers? Do you have to set meetings for him?

Fourth red flag, they could easily make up a stupid award and give one to both of you! Stupid management asking you to sacrificing instead of finding an alternative solution.

5th red flag, you're kicking ass. If you are at 270% attainment, and they aren't recognizing you, how do you plan to get promoted. Go find someone who does.

Market is hot, you deserve better.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

1

Account Executive

What else can you award someone for doing? Can't think of anything but like..."best attitude award," or "best lunch orderer"

BonanObrien

1

Outside Sales Executive

My company does the similar shit. Only gives attaboys and and props/“awards”to those they think need them. This doesn’t bother me 99% of the time, but that 1% of the time it drives me up a wall. I learned to take it as a compliment and just focus on selling.

CameFortheChips

Good Citizen

0

Senior Sales Director

It should be, youre company should have created a new category if they really wanted to award her. Also - ego aside - these awards really dont mean anything

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yes numbers is important. But if that's only thing, you'll end up with incredible amount of assholes and that will kill the organization

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