KingofGIF profile picture
KingofGIF profile picture

KingofGIF

AE

Politicker
Valued Contributor
Executive
+7

Question for Sales Managers here

I'm a Sr AE leading a pod of 6 AEs. I still carry a quota and do 75% IC, and 25% managing, although most recently, the split has been like 50-50.


I came across a Sales Manager opp where I won't be selling anymore, and it looks compelling, but I have doubts.


Where to go after being a Sales Manager? Previously my goal was to become a VP of Sales, but I have lost trust in the role after recently seeing so many VPs being forced into becoming Darth Vader due to VC money. Anyway, that's a different rant, back to the point where I would go after being a Sales Manager for 3 or 4 years. Also, how bad will I miss not selling? I am addicted to the gamification chasing quota gives me.

🎈 Mentorship
🧢 Sales Management
🚀 Career Goals
14

14 comments

Sort by:
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
7
Account Executive
If you want to be a sales manager, be a sales manager. Any company that requires you to maintain a direct selling quota while managing a team is significantly cutting corners and doesn’t understand how vastly different both roles are.

just my 2 cents
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
What do you feel like you wanna do boo?
Corpslovechild
Politicker
3
Inbound Sales Manager
I am a salesman at heart, and I moved to be a sales manager about 2 years ago. I love it because I just help reps close deals and get better. I don't miss the prospecting or the follow-ups.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
So we can’t tell you how much you will miss selling haha.

After sales manager you could become a director. It’s the i between stage from manager and VP.

I would think about what brings you the most joy/excitement. Does helping other ppl hit their quotas and become
Better sales reps get you pumped? If so, then managing is a great move.

If you get pumped by making as much money as possible and closing deals then You might feel like your missing something if you go to be a manager.

Keep us posted
Diablo
Politicker
2
Sr. AE
How much would you miss selling; well only you have that answer. You can be a Director / VP but not sure if you can still get the joy by not chasing quota
WhoThat
Personal Narrative
1
Vice President Business Development
Two parts here- first look at being a sales professionals and invest in yourself - realize the profession is a lifestyle not just a job or role. Also, realize all professions have an off ramp to Darth Vador-ism , it becomes a choice one makes, so be aware if ever faced with that choice yourself…
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Player-coach roles are tough because you are serving multiple masters and at the end of the day no one wins. I’m dealing with the same situation myself and it’s not what I’d call ideal.

If you like to sell, sell. If you prefer to manage people instead of deals, then go for that.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Can’t help you see the future, but if the sales manager position is appealing to you, you can take it. Worry about what’s next when you have to make that decision- not all VPs end up on the Dark Side, and the sales manager position does not mean you’re in a dead end. You can always be an IC again, or find a position at a different company. If this role looks good to you now and for the immediate future, go for it.
ChumpChange
Politicker
1
Channel Manager
Coincidentally, I've transitioned from a team-leading SAE to a Manager role. It's an entirely different job and honestly...there's not a ton of selling to it. At least not in the conventional sense. It's more of a project manager coupled with negotiating with internal/external stakeholders. It's a challenging position because even though you try your hardest, your metrics ultimately come from your team which is completely different from being an IC. If the team succeeds... you're a superstar. If the team is struggling or the performance is flat be prepared to be questioned. I would say the first 180 days there's a steep learning curve but you'll get the hang of it. If you enjoy IC independence... DO NOT BECOME A MANAGER. You will be pulled 8 different ways several times a week. That's probably the biggest thing I missed about being an IC.
ventox35
Politicker
1
Sales Leader
let me give you some perspective. i was in the same boat, and now i full time manage.

-i still get some of the rush that selling gives you by helping the team with deal strategy and getting on closing calls
-managing is fun in that you get to delegate and pass on knowledge. but you deal with people, and people suck
-i don't see what's next for me. i have no path to VP of Sales gig at my current company. there's not much of a path forward for me from here, both from a career trajectory perspective and financial perspective

it IS rewarding to see people you manage succeed..but it's also good to sell a bunch of stuff and make $$$$$
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
1
Director Sales and Market Development
Im a sales manager and involved in all the fun (hard) parts of the sale including negotiations, the highs are still there, less lows with constant prospecting and bs. The role is good and challenging, i would stay with it. I can (and you could too) always go back to IC anytime you want as you are still using those critiical skills.

As for the VC money and Darth Vader sales leaders, stay out of that shit and work for an established company or just dont be that manager
EQSales
Opinionated
0
VP of Sales
go to a company that expects sales managers to be player coaches, but doesn't give you a direct quota, just a team quota. IMO, the team lead thing never works well, where you lead a team and have your own quota to sell against.

You're basically doing the job, just go somewhere where they will pay you to be a sales manager and help reps get deals done

the vp of sales/CRO path is a sep discussion, I've been there trust me. the bottom line is if you find the right company and culture- you can be the change you want to see, by taking the VP role and doing it right
666ABC
Good Citizen
0
RM (Relationship Manager) Director of Sales
I would tread carefully into the Sales Manager career path. Often you are saddled with little control but held accountable for the performance of your team, even when the company as a whole might be flailing. It’s akin to taking an offensive coordinator job in the NFL. If your players suck, or the head office is not spending on talent, your career will suffer and could be totally out of your control. At the end of the year they might want to save face, and guess who takes the blame? It’s not upper management. Just ask yourself, why is the position open? What happened to the last guy, and is your team going to be capable of doing what they are being asked to do.
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
0
Senior Account Executive
I want to be a SM at some point to get the non sales exp in. Bear in mind you will be kissing the comission checks goodbye depending on who you work for.

Related posts

12

Hiring managers alert 📢 question for you

Discussion
🎯 Career Development
14
13

question for sales managers on interviewing

Question
🐱
👥
🗣
13
Bravado is a community of trusted sales professionals endorsed by their customers.
Apple Store logo
Products
The War Room Jobs Salary Guide Tech Sales U
Company
About Us How It Works Blog Bug Bounty
Contact
Press Careers
© 2024 Bravado Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy Legal and Privacy Center Sales Jobs
If you are hired as a contract sales rep by a Bravado customer, we may ask you to prove access to the employee email account provided to you by that customer. This data will be shared with customers to track your sales productivity; customers can use this data to confirm you meet the minimum activity requirements to pay out your ramp stipend and commission.