22 comments

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UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
4
SaaS Eater
Isn't the the same as the other post you already created this AM? 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
🦊
👀 

My answer is the same. I was never a SDR. 
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
0
BDR
You guys are a cut above the rest. Amazing
mitts2
Politicker
4
Account Executive
Told my leadership that's what I wanted to do the first day I started. Worked my ass off for a year. Scheduled a bunch of meetings with current AEs on how to prepare. Did 2 mock pitches to the sales leaders. Made the jump.
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
0
BDR
Boom!
newsalesguy14
Politicker
2
Account Executive
I got promoted internally, but I can tell you that the #1 thing my company looks for when bridging that gap is discovery.

They care less about negotiating and closing, and focus on the ability to conduct good discovery to set yourself up for good negotiations and closes once you learn those skills in the role. The interviews conduct #1 of discovery followed with presentation, so ability to present and pitch was still important, but really what they were looking for was continuous discovery throughout the pitch.

This should be good news, as SDRs don't conduct a ton of discovery naturally, so it's something easy to work on moving forward on your calls.

ie If someone tells you no they aren't interested, really start to dig in and find out why and learn what their priorities are and see if you can tie your product in or just find out when timing actually makes sense for the org, rather than immediately pushing back trying to find a time for a meeting.
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
1
BDR
Discovery is the most important part of the process- Had a couple leaders ask me about what's the most important step - that's the right answer.  Loved "to conduct good discovery to set yourself up for good negotiations" & "If someone tells you no they aren't interested, really start to dig in and find out why and learn what their priorities are and see if you can tie your product in or just find out when timing actually makes sense for the org"
QueenSoopers
Opinionated
2
Account Executive
Said from the start that an AE role was my end game. Worked my ass off, networked with ANYONE and everyone in my company, and became multi-faceted (my company sells 2 products). I even started running my own discoveries before handing them off to my AEs. Literally all they had to do was close. Basically I made myself too valuable to throw away.
Because of all of the above, I got a base salary offer 15k above the two guys i started with who also got promoted to the other product we sell, as well as ~50k more OTE.
My biggest piece of advice is to of course work hard, but don’t skip on networking. Set up time with your executive leadership and seek mentorship, and go to happy hours with your team.
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
1
BDR
That's awesome. you probably also sold yourself internally when you had successes I assume. (That has been huge benefit doing that this year for me- the other sdr who got let go didn't stand a chance.)
QueenSoopers
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
Yep! Had to show I was dedicated and in it for the long run. The other two guys who got offers to get promoted ended up turning them down and leaving.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Ask specific questions for more relevant answers 🙂
barney2021
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
Told them on my first day and kept reminding them every month. Crushed my numbers and eventually got into the gruelling 12 week program to AE!
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
0
BDR
is that what leadership needs .. a constant reminder!
ExtremeVibeChecker44
Arsonist
1
Inside Sales
Went to another company. Easy.
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
0
BDR
Value me or someone else will - I hear ya
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
1
Exec Director, Major Accounts
Walked in, told him I slept with his wife. He said nobody every talked to him like that. Said it takes balls, which is what they needed. Got the promotion. 
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
0
BDR
put your dick on the table and balls in the tip cup !
Flippinghubs
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
Took longer than i would have liked but im a stubborn guy and wasnt going to take no for an answer 
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
0
BDR
Persistence and dedication- great characteristics. 
Tdd
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
My way was pretty aggressive since the company was too slow to decide. I was top performing sdr for the whole year and kept being 1st in the team for most months. They said they’ll promote but I interviewed at other places to make sure I have a card on hand if I need it. The day of the promotion call I got notified I was a accepted to a different company. 

I called them my management to let them know they were nervous but I was ok with leaving. In the end they upped my already promoted salary and bonus, it ended up working out really well for both sides. 
Bonafidesalesguy
Valued Contributor
0
BDR
that's how you do it like a boss, my AE did likewise and still ended up leaving haha 

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