patatas

Sales Development Representative

Valued Contributor

Performance Improvement Plan

I work for an early stage startup (Pre series A) as an SDR. We are only 3 SDRs on the team. I joined the company 6 months ago and was super excited.I was promised a significant amount of variables depending on me reaching SQO quota.

Since I joined the company, not one of the SDRS has been able to reach quota. And overall, I have been the second best. I have been consistently improving though, which is shown in the numbers. This month, I am even leading the table.

Last night, I got an invite for a quick sync with my managed and HR. Turns out they are not happy with my performance and are making me sign a Performance Improvement Plan which dictates I must reach some weekly goals and must reach quota (again - which no one has done) in 30 days.

My feeling is they are using the quota as an excuse to fire me for other reasons (I'm the most expensive SDR in the team, my initial 6 month trial is finishing in a month so later it will be more expensive to fire me, I have brought some good opps that will materialize in a couple of months so they wont have to pay me for it...)

I feel super confused. Not sure on how to proceed. Any advice or thoughts?

😤 Conflict Resolution

26

27 comments

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Pachacuti

Politicker

13

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Sharpen the resume. They are basically giving you 30 days notice. Many don’t get that luxury.

Start ups are difficult environments. High risk/ high reward. They could be very cash strapped right now and letting you guys go is the east way to save money.

jefe

Arsonist

8

🍁

100% this.

Get ready for the inevitable.

Doesn't sound good for the company, so even if your position is safe your future very well might not be.

oldcloser

Arsonist

4

💀

Agree to the above. Always easier to get one while you’ve got one. Your role just got a heavy added responsibility. You are now a professional applicant. Attack it. You’ll find a better place

CuriousFox

WR Officer

9

🦊

They've made their decision boo. You can try to stay and hit every metric but it still will not guarantee you get to keep your job.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

6

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Well, you have 2 options really - either hit the numbers or stop trying and start interviewing for another job. The latter is the best option.

FoodForSales

Politicker

5

AE

Any time you have a meeting with both your manager and someone from HR, the result won't be good.

jefe

Arsonist

1

🍁

Ain't that the truth. Even worse when it's before (or after) your usual start time.

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

0

Enterprise AE

The dreaded "we need to talk" meeting.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

2

Sales Rep

Dust off that resume and start interviewing to control their narrative.

Also, make sure the PIP is 100% clear on the expectations. If you miss one metric are you laid off? So you know where you stand at all times and do your best to stay above water until you land a new role.

WheelofCheese

Opinionated

2

Sales Executive

30 days to reach your quota is a little tight. Sounds to me like they have already made their decision to have you move along but need to check all of the boxes. If it were me, I would polish up my resume and start looking for a new gig. I'm sorry to hear! Chin up!

Maximas

Tycoon

1

Senior Sales Executive

You'd better run away being second and top achiever and they wanna let you go that easily, they don't deserve your services anymore 4 sure.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

1

Sales Director

Lots of good advice already.

One question...is the top rep being put on PIP?

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Yes, interesting if it's one person or the whole team.

In any case, they are looking to cut back.

Don't take it too personally, even though it feels personal. Use the time to find a new role which might be even better.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

yeah this totally sucks but its super common. I would say that you should buckle down and try to hit the numbers. but if you are on a 6 month trial, this might have been their whole plan all along.

Diablo

Politicker

1

Sr. AE

Dude it’s time to move on - clearly visible. If no one has done it I am sure others are also put in the similar situation? Or is it just you as you mentioned you are the 2nd best off 3.

Time for an upgrade.

quotascammedeverytime

Opinionated

1

account executive

Sounds like a classic crappy startup. Get out of there asap. Leave some things burning on your wait out

Justatitle

Big Shot

1

Account Executive

They’re telling you to go find a new SDR role and you have 30 days. Apply, talk to recruiters, work on making the best story possible.

patatas

Valued Contributor

1

Sales Development Representative

Appreciate all the advice. Had a new one to one with my manager and explained the situation. The problem is money, so although I reached 90% quota this month I will have to do the same or better next month in order to stay.

Conclusion: Have two intervews lined up fuck this

Gyro25

Notorious Answer

0

Account Executive

If no one is hitting their numbers, then it's very unlikely it's a you problem. They're likely a slowly sinking ship and they're throwing you a life vest as they throw you overboard, but at least you won't sink.

BitcoinAddict

Opinionated

0

AE

I was in this situation a few weeks ago. I took the severance so I can mentally be at peace and do not regret my decision.

AnchorPoint

Politicker

0

Business Coach

Have a straight forward conversation with your manager. Why are you receiving this information from HR without any insight during your 1:1s with your manager? Not having 1:1s ... there is the first (of many) issues. Fire up that resume - you have 30 days or less.

Armageddon

Opinionated

0

Enterprise Account Executive

Sorry to hear this. Double down on activity and defy their expectations. But as a backup prep that resume and tap your network. You can do it!! Don't give in, but also prepare yourself for the worst case scenario.

BestCase

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

They'll squeeze all the juice out of you that they can and then put you through the wood shredder. Start the hustle for the next job and review the terms of your comp plan to make sure you do anything you can to get the variable owed to you before they give you the axe. They'll use any excuse possible to withhold once you sign that separation agreement.

patatas

Valued Contributor

0

Sales Development Representative

I was actually worried about this too. They already owe me variables from the previous quarter but also its very likely many of my opps will start closing this quarter

BestCase

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

Exactly as I suspected. Time to clarify if your comp plan specifies you need to be employed when variable is earned vs. if you need to be employed when it's paid. Very different and they've given you reason to try and question/clarify at this point.

Last year I was PIP'd and it was a surprise to me that the timing was such that they dismissed me 3 days before I was due a 5-figure commission check. It was not a coincidence. I was also #1 on the team at the time.

patatas

Valued Contributor

0

Sales Development Representative

This is AMAZING ADVICE. i just even went over my plan and it doesnt state the fact that I have to be employed or not, but it does state that I have to officially request my commisions from the previous quarter BEFORE the 7th day of the month.. so basically, you just might have saved me here because I had totally forgotten about this

BestCase

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

Buckle up because they're going to try and tell you they'll pay it once you're off plan. Time to dig in. "I'm going to have to let my lawyer review this before I sign anything."

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