LIwarrior

Founding SDR

Not Getting a Plan from Sales Director / CEO

Hey All,

I've been at a Series A startup for the past 8 months, was the 3rd member of the sales team hired and have been deemed the "Leader of the SDR Team". I love what I do and the team I work with booking meetings with top prospects in the IT / InfoSec space generating over $1.25M in qualified pipeline and receiving top marks in my performance reviews.

I made it clear during the interview process that my goal was to become an AE here but as it stands I have no clear path to the promotion. I have asked my Sales Director every-week during our 1-1's for a plan/metric for the past 3 months. Every time I am met with "We're Working on This" or "After this Quarter" .

Well now its Q4 and I have not heard anything from leadership, I work directly with the CEO on gaining access to key accounts and they trust me with responsibilities of onboarding new hires to our stack (AE's, and SDR's) as well as other projects. I currently make a decent base and benefits but there is no Commish at all.

We are adding AE's every month who are coming in and being handed deals so I'm kinda here pounding the stone wondering when it will be my turn. I'm happy to grind this out I just need some target because I'm worried their going to keep shifting the goal posts on me.

Thankful for any advice or thoughts.

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8

17 comments

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Pachacuti

Politicker

10

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

(1) only 8 months? People toil away for much longer times to move up the ladder. Not knowing what did prior to this company, it’s hard to say 8 months is enough experience, but it usually isn’t.

(2) there is such a thing as being too good at your job. They may need you as an SDR because you’re doing so well there.

(3) often to move up, you need to move out. Now only 8 months at your job doesn’t bode well and it paints you as a job hopper.

So my advice is to be patient.

TennisandSales

Politicker

5

Head Of Sales

i was going to say theses 3 things!! at a series A, there will never be an offical plan for anything ahah.

i bet they also dont WANT to hire you because you are too goos at your current role

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Completely agree here, though I am curious about prior experience.

LIwarrior

Executive

1

Founding SDR

Previous Experience

1 yr Doing CRE Investment Sales - Multifamily

7 Months as a SDR at an Event Tech company (passed up promotion to AE to join current gig)

8 Months Series A startup Joined before Launch and currently outbound prospecting, handling of inbound qual, onboarding of team members, writing our SDR playbook focusing on deep personalization and identifying ideal ICP. (Edit: Also built our SalesLoft process, got Lusha into our stack, pay out of pocket for 2 more enablement tools)

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Yeah, so you have a little bit more than just 8 mos at SDR. Sometimes when you start at a new company, the meter resets, which may very well have happened to you. I agree that it would be nice to get a plan for your eventual promotion.

Thing is, it sounds like they may not feel as though they're in a good position to train up a new AE, which is why they are hiring externally. However, I agree with Pachacuti that you stay on their radar. It may also not be that you meeting X of target is in the plan; it may just be timing that is the biggest factor in the move to AE.

LIwarrior

Executive

1

Founding SDR

Going to have a chat w/ Sales Manager tonight and ask them again. We are totally remote but in person this week for SKO summer camp. At the end of the day I have a job and It is what it is.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

This is exactly the kind of conversation it might be easier to have 1:1 in person. Good luck!

LIwarrior

Executive

2

Founding SDR

Thank you for this! For context Im not asking for an immediate promotion now, simply just some sort of mutual arrangement that says if I achieve X by Y date I will take the step up.

Im happy waiting out till my full year (for options reasons as well) and want to build a career here. Just hard to do that with no guidance.

Diablo

Politicker

0

Sr. AE

100% agree - point 2 is bang on. If you are doing something great at a Series A, they don’t want to imbalance things by making any structural changes.

LIwarrior

Executive

1

Founding SDR

I joined in Seed before we had a website, onboarding etc... I know that there is a "plan" because our company is extremely transparent in showcasing all departments OKR's.

My question is how do I make sure I'm apart of that plan?

Pachacuti

Politicker

1

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Remind them periodically about your ambition so they can’t claim ignorance. But just keep in mind that you moving up may not be part of their plan. It could be, but most likely not.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

6

🦊

Give it a full year then reevaluate.

Maximas

Tycoon

0

Senior Sales Executive

Yes, that seems right.

Arzola

Valued Contributor

0

Business administration

hehe agree 100%

nomdeguerre

Executive

1

Account executive

Like everybody is saying give it a bit more time before you push for promotion. I would however talk to leadership about comp for your current role.

jefe

Arsonist

1

🍁

As others have said, put some more time in.

SDM

Politicker

0

Sales development manager

I'd say you are doing as a SDR. A good SDR isn't always a good AE and vice versa.

Also, its hard to say that 8 month is enough but it usually isn't.

I think ask for commissions if you are doing great. Also seek an answer from your management on this and how does they feel about promoting you an AE

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