IndianaShep

Director of Sales and Marketing

What are your (real) perks

Sales is hard. No shit, IndianaShep. my industry has become even more difficult in the last six months (arguably the most in my 15-years of slinging solutions).

I'm in an existential tail spin and while scrolling through LI prospecting this morning I saw someone who interned for me in 2010 on a boat in Banf living it up. she went public policy, I went sales.

I got wondering, what are my perks. Money, sure. but what am I doing? What is my day-to-day existence worth?

So, dear savages, what keeps you here? I need real answers not "it's a nice challenge" or "money" or whatever.

🧠 Advice

🌎 Economy

💼 Office Life

29 comments

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

REMOTE. WORK. NOT THAT HYBRID BULLSHIT.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Like my super flexible schedule, working from home, and all the things my kids do which I don’t miss out on?

IndianaShep

Big Shot

Director of Sales and Marketing

Fair. My kid is on the couch in my office and we are watching a nature documentary. Good point, thank you.

FoodForSales

Politicker

Those are some nice perks!

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

100% about the kid. Just one over here, but I chased all the immediate gratifications in my 20s. And it was sales that allowed that. Now I get the time to connect. Sales is a lifestyle choice.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I've been able to be present for most of the events my kids participated in over the years (with a few notable exceptions - it happens).

But: having the flexibility to take the kids to practices for their various activities after school because I wasn't at an office in the city until 5 and home at 6:30.
Being able to go grab them from school or have them home if they're sick and still be able to manage my work day.
Great benefits that assured my husband didn't have to purchase them through his work that saved us some $$$.

Yes, the money too - but it's given our family opportunity that I wouldn't otherwise have gotten in a ridiculously flexible work environment.

I'll leave you with this:

"Comparison is the thief of joy."

IndianaShep

Big Shot

Director of Sales and Marketing

You and @Pachacutinailed it. It is the kids. You are right. My youngest is 2, and my oldest is 10, and it wasn't too long ago that I was commuting an hour and a half each way and never saw my first kid. Great point. And I am truly a sucker for a good quote. Way to screw it to the sticky place.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

10 is where you're in the thick of watching them while they engage in their interests. I can't tell you how many cheer competitions, riding lessons, little league games, squirt hockey games and various practices and birthday parties I was able to attend. So much fun!
And for 2..all the discovery museums, zoos, parks and playgrounds ... seriously, I miss those years.

IndianaShep

Big Shot

Director of Sales and Marketing

I love it! So much!

Also, I had 6 (yes, six) games last Saturday! I have really settled in to that.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

My husband used to shake his head that I drove to all the games, sat through all the competitions/scrimmages etc. Are you kidding? That is time with the kid in the car, time spent watching and supporting, time you don't get back. All those concerts, from the (painful) elementary school ones through university - it's time spent with family, appreciating how they've changed and grown and spent time developing an interest.

Had either child asked us not to be present, we would have respected that, but they never did. I'm not the kind of parent to make a scene on the sidelines or yell at refs, umpires, coaches, other kids, which honestly is a protip for keeping your blood pressure down and the enjoyment level high. I also no longer go to practices of any kind, and miss the time spent with other parents, who have become my friends. Tonight is my son's last practice. He is driving himself. He misses next week due to school commitments and travel to the final tournament (fun, it's spring). It's an end to years and years spent with two kids (he's our youngest) and I'm so, so glad I have had a job that has enabled me to participate fully in things that are important to them.

Some day, you'll have the last of each thing, so embrace it. Even the 6 am start times and the times things don't end when they are supposed to and you're running late and dinner gets cold. This doesn't last forever.

IndianaShep

Big Shot

Director of Sales and Marketing

This was beautiful. Thank you.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

You have got so much in front of you! Enjoy the ride. Have a great weekend with your family.

Enrossie

Opinionated

Inside Sales Manager

The travel has been great. Lots of conferences around the world has kept me interested.

IndianaShep

Big Shot

Director of Sales and Marketing

Awesome. That is great. No travel at all for me . . . mid-sized business and can't justify the spend. What has been your favorite destination and why?

coletrain

Politicker

Account Executive

In hybrid/remote settings, the flexibility.

I've been able to visit family a lot more without using vacation how my schedule looks now.

As an example, went to a conference recently and was able to extend the trip (with advance approval) into a weekend with family due to the event being nearby. Cost practically nothing out of pocket and no PTO.

It did help that the flights cost the company less than what I would've otherwise taken.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I've done that too - added up the cost of flights + extra hotel stay to gain approval for early/late travel. It's how I got to explore NOLA the first time; got in early for the conference so I could play tourist for a day and a half. The flight was cheaper and I paid for the extra hotel night at the corporate rate. Totally worth it.

SteveD

Member

Sales Director

I always thought this was the way. Since 90's in nice city asked the boss "Conference ends on Friday afternoon, nice city can I fly back on Sunday? Flight is 70% cheaper and Ill pay my own accommodations" Have got to see +35 cities because of this.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I am sticking my ass for 2 things - 1/ I like sales 2/ flexibility - money is cool but I like having my social and personal life separated out from my work life and that’s something I could achieve with the company I work

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

WFH mainly and getting vacations whenever I'm asking for one!

1nbatopshotfan

Politicker

Sales

Remote work combined with work life balance. Sure some days I start early as hell or work late to support my colleagues in APAC, but I’ve also been able to walk my kid to school almost every walkable day. That’s irreplaceable.

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

The flexible schedule and working from home is pretty awesome.

IndianaShep

Big Shot

Director of Sales and Marketing

This seems to be the take home. And I agree. I’m in a much better place now. I went on a bike ride with my kid and dammit what a treat.

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

Flexibility 100%. I haven’t worried about the day of the week/time of day of a Dr appt (or, hell, even a hair appt) in 10 years. Also variety. If I had to do the same thing every day after arriving at the same building I’d lose my shit. I’m not built for that.

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

Honestly at this point i dont know anything else and dont want to learn anything else. ITs also the only job you can get a raise everyday if you want it

punishedlad

Tycoon

Regional Partnership Manager

By nature of my position, I travel all over my state (which I love) and get to see places I never would have visited before and get a brief glimpse into the local culture. I also do some out of state travel. All of it being on the company dime is a great perk.

My compensation allows my wife to be a SAHM and be with our kids during these incredibly important formative years before we start schooling. Considering home schooling/a co-op system, so she could be staying home for much longer.

J.J.McLure

Politicker

Owner at *redacted*

Since I saw you have a kid, I'll add another comment for that. My favorite thing is the work from home & flexible schedule. I was home when my baby said his first word, and I'll be here when he takes his first steps. I'm able to help make breakfast & lunch and bring my other son to school and also go to see his concerts. I'm a much more present daddy with the job I have now compared to the last one where I was in the office every day.

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

President/CRO

Remember, social media is only a highlight real. If you really wanted to hang out in Banf you could be there too.

I do love the question. The answer is very individual. I'd recommend going through your own goal setting exercise. One that takes place over a few days and really figure out what you want your life to look like. Then start to assess whether your current role/perks are getting you closer to that life or not. Lots of good methods for this out there. Pick one and try it out.

Saleszilla

Opinionated

Sales Manager

I get to work in an industry that I love without the grueling hours. The entertainment industry is a lot of fun and you can make a lot of money but there is hardly any work/life balance, it beats up your body and, depending on your role, you are always working 1099's. It is definitely nice to have just one W-2 at tax time.

Armageddon

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

Work life balance, big commission checks