Overworked & underpaid SDR's?

Today, our SDR team was informed that they're taking the 2% kicker away from Closed Won deals away from us. We've been pretty lucky to have it, as I understand most SDR orgs don't offer it in the first place but still want to share my entire situation for some advice.


I've been at the company for 13 months as a top performer and I've brought in more than $5 million in pipeline and only in the next 2 months will most of those opps close. And now, I won't receive any of that 2% including deals that I sourced in Dec. 2023 where I pushed timing quicker than what's in my job requirements.


In January, I also received what management is calling a promotion to work the company's top global accounts with so far, no raise in base salary or raise in pay per opp. From raising my concern around this, a comp plan is still in the works. I now work the most difficult set number of accounts, with annual revenue's between 8B & 265B per year. They lowered my quota by 2 opps but said the variable comp will still be the same as the rest of my colleagues - so being paid more per opp, but it evens out to the same amount of variable comp as my colleagues working in small - mid ent.


A bit more insight into our variable comp - at my last company, I was being paid $300 for a deal size as little at $500-1000. At this company, my pay per opp is about $160, no matter the deal size. My average contract value is $130K per year. On top of that, SDR's at this org are in charge of 30-60 min discovery, kicking off calls after initial disco and an insane amount of research and admin work.


My colleagues and I feel like execs are trying to get the whole team to quit so they can start fresh as the majority of the team underperforms greatly. However, my manager is absolutely useless. Has nothing to offer any of us and sits silent almost every meeting. Haven't learned a single thing from the guy in the year. Upper management is entirely aware of this.


I'm frustrated and mentally drained.


Should I be as frustrated as I am or is this pay and expectations normal?

☁️ Software Tech
💰 Compensation
👨‍🌾 SDR
14
bonez
Politicker
4
Account Executive
This seems like a lot of red flags and false promises. If you're not confident in leadership then what's keep you here?

If you have the experience then it may be time to look elsewhere. Once they take your money away it's rarely a downhill battle.
You're putting in AE work and getting paid less than before - none of this equates to a winning strategy my dude.
FoodForSales
Politicker
4
AE
isn't the whole point of being a SDR is to be overworked and underpaid
SaaSed
Executive
0
SDR
lol yes but a lot of organizations actually do pay SDR's a decent amount
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
Four words: Dust off the resume.
SaaSed
Executive
0
SDR
Done haha
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
These changes are worrisome and mostly like a sign of worse things to come.

Start networking.
SaaSed
Executive
1
SDR
Defintely!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Sounds like you have the experience and capability to land a new job. You're obviously paying attention and know your business. If you haven't been networking and getting interviews, this is the time to start. Don't quit until you have something in hand. Good luck. Sorry.
SaaSed
Executive
1
SDR
Thanks so much!
DionysusClytemNe
Valued Contributor
2
Account Executive
Yeah man. They want you to quiet quit? Quiet quit and start applying
reverendpluto
Executive
2
Sr. BDR
Get out of there, I was in a similar situation at my last company. They tried to get us all to quit before eventually laying off everyone this past December. If you don’t believe in your leadership/management and you’re not learning it’s a waste of time because they probably won’t move you up anyways. Start faking dials to finish your day earlier and interview at better companies you’re actually excited about.
SaaSed
Executive
1
SDR
Took your advice! Faked some dials, applied to a bunch of jobs and landed my first interview at a company I've always wanted to work for
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
Are you looking for another job?
SaaSed
Executive
0
SDR
Am now
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
seems rather bad for business practice and a great way to churn reps
SaaSed
Executive
0
SDR
agreed
DataCorrupter
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Its totally understandable to be frustrated. I'm gonna take the opposite approach to some of the other comments, but hear me out. The primary thing you should focus on right now is that you're performing well. When you leave or the company goes belly up, what will matter MOST is that you performed well. Focus on that. Can you dust off your resume and start interviewing? Yes. But I gotta warn you that everyone wants a unicorn right now, so will you find something soon? Probably not, unless you're a unicorn.

Every career has highs and lows, you're on a performance high and I'd let it ride while you can.

Another point. Every company has these types of politics, so let it be white noise to you, and keep performing. I think you gotta focus on being the best you, keep learning, keep performing and don't get focused on the stuff like politics, it'll always be there in some form.
13

Poll time! In your current role, are you underpaid or overpaid?

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Do you feel that you are paid market value for your work?
49% Yes, I feel I am adequately compensated
51% No, I feel I am underpaid for my work
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Overqualified for SDR underqualified for AE

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18
16
Members only

Overpaid, Underpaid, Just Right for Enterprise AE w/$1.3 Mil Quota

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32
90 base 90 Commission/180 OTE for Enterprise AE Role
66% Low
4% High
30% Just Right or in the ballpark
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