techp

Account Executive

Startup decreased comp to survive - advice?

Hey guys,

I was promoted from SDR lead to AE last October. Yay. However - today, we got told everyone in the company is taking a 15% pay cut in return for a 4 day work week.

Marketing is gone - CMO is stepping down to be an advisor. Our main marketing lead is going to be part-time.

It’s all outbound now yet we just let go of 1 of 2 of our SDRs.

Morale at an all time low. Even my manager said they’re dusting off their resume.

Curious what y’all would do in this situation?

Begin interviewing or hunker down and ride out the recession.

🧠 Advice

☁️ Software Tech

27 comments

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Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I'd be dusting off my resume too. Sounds like the company is running on fumes, and unless getting a day back in your work week is worth the extra $$, the pay cut would have me looking for other places to work.
Sorry it's happening to you, but better to find somewhere else to work while you're still employed than be stranded. Looks like the company just gave you a free day for your job hunt.

techp

Opinionated

Account Executive

Good tips here, I appreciate the words.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

What other signs do you need to start interviewing asap?

techp

Opinionated

Account Executive

I think I’m still digesting to be honest and hearing what a third party thinks helps me formulate

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Get the hell out!

techp

Opinionated

Account Executive

Fine Dad!

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

Umm I’d be looking to bounce YESTERDAY.

techp

Opinionated

Account Executive

Roger that

BTQ

Politicker

Account Manager

Yep 🚩🚩🚩🚩time to abandon ship.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Do not pass go. Do not collect ANY dollars 😆

techp

Opinionated

Account Executive

What is this monopoly? Haha

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Ari - the original pimp 👨‍🦯

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

Fun fact, Jeremy Piven is the voice of Harv, Lightning McQueen's agent in Cars.

Tell me you have a 1 year old without telling me you have a 1 year old.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

LOL - that was my guy's favorite movie growing up hands down.
And as a young adult, that Pixar movie poster is STILL on his wall!

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

Haha it's a classic. We're watching it roughly 324 times per week.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I can't tell you how many times just having that opening music play got my boy out from underfoot. Saved me many times.
I probably know every line from that film by this point, and can quote it like I can Monty Python.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I would move out as soon as a new opportunity hits on me

techp

Opinionated

Account Executive

Let’s hope they buy me a drink first

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

won't say much here, but this -

https://bravado.co/war-room/posts/100-companies-hiring-for-sales-roles-currently-part-4-4

Gyro25

Notorious Answer

Account Executive

Writing on the walls. Before I got laid off, they spoke to us about adjusting comp and quota. I'd start interviewing and working on your resume sooner rather than later.

coletrain

Politicker

Account Executive

To survive? Run away

GDO

Politicker

BDM

sounds like its going down the drain. Start looking to be sure

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

update resume, collect paycheck, leave

LightingLeader

Politicker

Specification Sales

ChunkyButters

Tycoon

I've been part of two RIFs (Reduction in Force). Both times it was to survive, but they gave everyone who stayed pay bumps. Knowing how much the grind would be for a team 50% of the size to do the work of everyone who left, they made sure we got some motivation.
That said, I left after the second RIF. They are often signs of underlying challenges at exec/board level.
Definitely brush up on the resume and start applying to jobs. What you're describing sounds like the founders saving their asses, and just temporarily keeping people employed.

GingerBarbarian

Opinionated

Lead Sales

Begin interviewing. That ship has too many leaks. There are problems at every company, but when you see that many drastic changes in leadership and strategy it usually does not end well.

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techp

Startup decreased comp to survive - advice?

27 comments

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