GrindingSales

Account Executive

Retrained by my boss?

I had a bad April in sales and after a year and a half on the team, my boss wants to train me like I am brand new, sitting beside me while I make calls, having me go to networking events with him out of my territory. Do I make the best of this? Or is this an opportunity to stand up for myself and simply say "no, I got this and i'll show it to you!"

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📞 Cold Calling

28 comments

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Telehealth_2the_Moon

Notable Contributor

Director of Business Development

It depends on your relationship with your boss, this could be a very legitimate way to try and make sure you aren't falling behind. My boss is pretty amazing at teaching, and despite doing this for a while I appreciate having him in my hip pocket on things sometimes since I tend to always learn something new.

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

Thank you, more specifically, he wants to sit beside me while I cold call and correct my word usage. I don't feel like this is going to go well because I will be thinking too much about my every word instead of feeling natural with it.

Telehealth_2the_Moon

Notable Contributor

Director of Business Development

Yeah that is a bit oppressive, do you have the option to record calls in the CRM? Maybe a middle ground can be reviewing some recordings with him rather than live?

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

I don't have this option to record calls unless I get my cell phone out. I might do that and offer to roleplay instead. Thank you!

Telehealth_2the_Moon

Notable Contributor

Director of Business Development

Yeah for sure! Just double check that you're allowed to record when you're calling into different states. Some have different laws.

Salespreuner

Big Shot

Regional Sales Director

Yeah. Agree with the perspective. Purely depends on the relationship

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Do you respect this person? Are they a high performer that you could stand to learn something from? If so, don't shirk free advice.

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

Definitely a talented individual that I take notes on. My pain point is I don't do well with people sitting beside me correcting words they don't like. It's like shooting a basketball, I'm much more likely to make it with someone not in my face.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

I feel that. Maybe level-set and ask them for constructive feedback on language rather than a proverbial Taboo buzzer every time you say the words they don't want you to say. I think you can create a mutual success plan.

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

I so appreciate your comments! This is what I will work on today! Thank you so much!

AlecBaldwinsHairline

Valued Contributor

Head of Sales Development

Your boss can listen to call recordings and see your opp generation from networking events, but needing you to be babysat means somewhere along the way you lost your boss' trust.

IF you really are doing the job with the fullest effort, then see if your boss has advice on the quality of your efforts and if they don't then you make a case for asking what is the purpose of all this.

If you are really putting in the work, and the quality of work is there, the efforts just didn't pan out, then your boss is just being annoying.

My perception is maybe your boss doesn't believe you are putting in the work.

SellerBeware

Opinionated

VP Inside Sales

This is very true. @GrindingSales did something out of the ordinary happen in April? Short notice PTO? Drop in output? Too many “ate something bad last night” moments?

Could have put your manager on edge who is likely on a short leash about your performance

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

I think a combination of both. They could have good intentions or has your best interest at heart. Keep a guard up but make the best of it, if micromanagement to the 10th degree, bounce. Bad months happen

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

Thank you! Micromanagement is my kryptonite!

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

We have all been there, it is never good for the micro managed. My whole goal as a manager is to not be that person

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

How would you handle this situation instead out of curiosity? He wants me to set more appointments at the very least or I wouldn't be in this position.

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

I think a simple ask of manager "I have been consistent in the past, i happened to have a bad month. Are you concerned with my performance after a bad month, or are you trying to better understand me as a salesperson. I am happy to have you shadow me and attend my prospecting efforts, but not if this is because of just one bad month". See what they say with somethign like that and you can start looking for external if you dont like the answer.

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

Awesome! Thank you! I am definitely going to offer this up today!

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

keep us (me) posted.

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

Will do! Thank you!

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Is it an option or are they not giving you a choice?

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

Long story short, this manager had his title stripped away when our company got bought out and technically he is not my boss anymore, our actual boss is in another state. If this area grows, I can forsee him being offered his old position back however.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Are you on a plan?

GrindingSales

Politicker

Account Executive

Yes

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Then you will have to roll with it. Let him help you 😎

Wolfof7thStreet

Valued Contributor

Might as well take the extra help! If it ends up turning into senseless micromanaging it may be time to call it, but having them sit in on calls could definitely help. Is the boss a great seller? If the answer is yes, then you can definitely stand to learn

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

Use this as a chance to show him/her how much of a superstar you really are and regain their trust.

CoachUp

Contributor

SVP of Sales

Well, be open minded. Sales people should be in a state of continuous learning. Go by the playbook, and make sure it is a collaborative experience and not one sided.

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GrindingSales

Retrained by my boss?

28 comments

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