Told to Wait 6 mo multiple times for a raise

I’ll get the obvious out of the way first I know there’s an option to look for another job. However, I really do enjoy the actual company I’m working for and the people.  

I’ve been with a company for over two years as a sales manager. After my first year, I was over 130% of my quota and received a stellar review from my peers, my team and my manager. I asked for a raise at the time, and they said my team would be going through a mid-year raise cycle. So six months go by I ask again they said they don’t do promotions midyear, and to wait to the beginning of next year. Beginning of next year rolls around (this year) where I hit over %140 of quota and once again received a stellar review from my peers, my team and my manager. I ask for a raise again, this time sharing specific qualitative and quantitative reasoning along with a specific number needed. The decision was drug out over a month and finally told no once again with the caveat of it can be revisited in another 6 months. 

In addition, this FY we have been given the classic line of “doing more with less”. I have been doing way more than I had been the last 2 years. With all the changes and additional workload I constantly catch myself working late to put out fires, and frankly am starting to feel burnt out.

On top of this, I have fought for my reps (who also have been hitting over 110% consistently) to get any compensation increase with no success. We hired them at about 15-20% less than industry average and our very top performers are starting to peace out for more cash. 

I’m really struggling with what to do or how to present this, because I feel like I’ve done everything possible to warrant even a cost-of-living raise over the course of the last two years yet they keep giving me the runaround. Everything else about the business is absolutely fantastic; product market fit the people, the culture, the energy and my peers. 

I really don’t know what to do but I’m severely frustrated and feel like I cannot advance. Any tips, suggestions or words of wisdom would be appreciated. TIA
🧠 Advice
💰 Compensation
💯 Promotions
12
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
8
☕️
If you cannot make a logical appeal with the data that proves your team has produced an increase in revenue (aka attributed conversions) then you are up shits creek without a paddle and your boat is sinking fast.

What are the numbers you and your team are currently held accountable to?
detectivegibbles
Politicker
2
Sales Director
Heavily encourage you to take PBC's advice here...expert on these topics.
fastpasstofriday
Fire Starter
0
SDR Manager
Good points here. Something that’s been hard is the way we measure this has changed twice since I have been with the company. Definitely worth trying to make a report + case that equalizes the results across the multiple plans we have had.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
0
☕️
As a leader of this team, you should have built this and rebuilt it when the measurement captures changed.

Do this now, look at the data, and decide if your team is truly contributing revenue or if they're contributing fluff.
Filth
Politicker
4
Live Filthy or Die Clean
Time to start working at the pay you're being given. No more extra effort, no more anything over 100%, no more urgency from you or your team until its reciprocated from the organization. Amount of pay = amount of effort. End of story in my biased opinion.
fastpasstofriday
Fire Starter
1
SDR Manager
I have been trying to “work my wage” but it hard when I genuinely care about my teams success. And are consistently being asked to do more. Do my best to draw a line in the sand but can be difficult
Filth
Politicker
2
Live Filthy or Die Clean
I completely understand that but if your exec/leadership team doesn't understand that the only real language you and your team hears is $$ then the real help is calling other organizations to get your team better gigs where their work will get them the real money they deserve.

I just have no sympathy for not paying your top people especially in sales as it directly relates to revenue. You know damn well the execs are getting their bonuses on your backs.

Keep fighting and if they say 6months, tell them you'll be taking a 6month vacay then. Time to get drastic b/c they think they own you right now.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
It sounds like there's belt tightening and you're caught in it. I'm sure it's frustrating.

Are they giving out any merit raises at all? If they aren't, the execs may have frozen those for a bit to not have to cut later. Note that I'm only hazarding a guess here.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
No reason other than it made me giggle
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
OSCAR! understandable, and acceptable response.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
2
Sales Rep
What areas are getting raises? What are they doing differently?

Or is the company putting a freeze to any raises?
fastpasstofriday
Fire Starter
1
SDR Manager
There has been a freeze on all raises this last time I was told to wait. Was not the case for the last 2 times I had asked previously
WheelofCheese
Opinionated
2
Sales Executive
I would schedule a meeting with your leader and outline your accomplishments. If they know you’re displeased with a lack of any raise multiple times, they may hear you out and offer something. If they don’t, at least you tried. Sounds like you’ve been a very valuable asset and may think twice before shutting you down after you state your case. Most companies will work with you to avoid having to fill another position. They’ll likely spend more to replace you than offer up a raise. Worth a shot!
fastpasstofriday
Fire Starter
1
SDR Manager
I have tried this. Raised it multiple times after being told no and was even given some sass if you will for even asking “at a time like this”
WheelofCheese
Opinionated
1
Sales Executive
Wow. Well.. I’d maybe consider looking at other employers at some point if this is going to continue to be their reaction. I’m sorry to hear.
Wellss
Tycoon
2
Channel sales
I got stuck in this cycle as well. What I finally did was ask for concrete steps in what they needed to see from my end to receive a promotion/ raise. Once I accomplished everything they asked, there was no reason they could continue saying no. It sounds like you're doing an awesome job as it is so hopefully you have something good coming your way soon!
fastpasstofriday
Fire Starter
0
SDR Manager
Did this both times I have asked prior to the current one, mainly told to keep doing what I’m doing. Managed to even have a better review and results this year, but now everything is “frozen” in way of Pay increase. Worth revisiting though.
Meetingboy22
Good Citizen
1
bdr manager
How big is your company?
CPTAmerica
Opinionated
0
President/CRO
agreed, also want to know this before providing an answer.
fastpasstofriday
Fire Starter
0
SDR Manager
Roughly 1k EEs
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
I have always negotiated my base with the expectation that it will never be raised, no matter how well I do.
fastpasstofriday
Fire Starter
0
SDR Manager
Good point. I took the Pay given when I started because I was a new manager and wanted to prove myself, which I feel like I have. Really don’t want to have to leave, but know my worth is greater than my pay+perks atm.
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
Give em a one final last 6 mo opportunity, if still nothing you'd better look somewhere else for an offer that meets your expectations!
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
This seems to be getting more and more common. My inclination is you are SOL but I have seen people leveraging offers and threats of leaving to get their way be successful (but obviously with huge risks as well)
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