SalesGuy

Account Executive

What does "ramp" mean to you when starting a new role?

I was at one company for 7 years. Was promoted thru different verticals and roles 3 different times. Each of those times there was a "ramp" period of usually 3-4 months to start where I was *paid my full variable OTE, but had a lower quota for those months*. This allowed me to actually make money while getting acquainted with the role and territory despite not bringing in as much revenue as a seasoned rep.

I started at a new company in March and was told during the interview that the "ramp" period for this role was closer to 9 months. "Great", I thought to myself, "plenty of time to figure shit out and still make my full *variable* OTE of $125k that's in the job description". Then I get the comp plan for 2022 and find out that if I hit 100% I make somewhere around the equivalent of $50k for the year. This is on top of a healthy base so it's not like I'm going to be out on the streets but a $75k difference is quite a chunk of change.

Turns out "ramp" means something completely different at this company and I'm a bit annoyed.

SO what does ramp mean to you?

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11 comments

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Gasty

Notable Contributor

11

War Room Community Manager

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antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

4

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Think about this, it may be a CRAZY comparison... but think about a pipeline.... it takes a while to build, you have to prospect the land, and then finally start pumping... you aren't getting that damn oil in the first minute.

Evel Knievel wasn't going to jump those busses without a ramp to help him gain speed and take off.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

EK - are you in your 90s like me???

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

3

Bravado's Resident Asshole

lmao, you are most definitely NOT in your 90's, I'm still fairly young 31 in two months, but cultured and well versed in history.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Never expected an Evel Kneivel name drop here, tbh.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Lesson learned: ask what it means.

My new company, ramp just meant the quota was lower for the first year so I had a chance to hit the number. Comp was handled the same way for me as it was for other reps. But, I asked about it during the interviews and onboarding, and before I signed.

jefe

Arsonist

1

🍁

To it's always meant that the quota is adjusted as you learn, but that doesn't necessarily equate to full OTE. It means that expectations are adjusted to allow you to learn and you won't get PIP'd or fired.

I mean it sounds like you had it good at that company, but I've not seen that kind of comp structure before and I've been at multiple B2B sales companies since 2011, and in software since 2016...

To me, your current setup is the norm. Probably not the answer you want to hear though.

Pachacuti

Politicker

1

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Only based on what you said, it appears to be a bait and switch. How do they justify the $125k when being at 100% gets you $50k. Or is it Year2 OTE?

SalesGuy

Contributor

1

Account Executive

That is the OTE once "ramped" apparently. So starting in 2023 (for me) it is apparently the 125k.

Pachacuti

Politicker

0

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

That's really not too bad. You have 6 months to ramp - get to know people/product, sandbag a few deals for '23, etc.

BostonHound

Opinionated

1

Enterprise BDR

Have had it both ways, definitely frusturating though when you are told your OTE is 100k for example and then you find out you arent even prospecting or selling for the first two months (and not comped for it) making it impossible to hit OTE unless you destroy your quota in several other months.

Definitey something to always ask, my first company screwed me like that and current company comped me full quota while i was in training

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