Where my REAL AE hunters at?

I run an outbound sales team for a SaaS company that is on the brink of IPO.


Recruiting and sourcing good candidates has been a challenge. This inevitable impacts growth timelines.


I need hungry, savages who do whatever it takes to stay accountable to their number, pipeline and forecasts.


Is good outbound sales talent that difficult to come by?



Is good outbound sales talent hard to come by?

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
☁️ Software Tech
👥 Hiring
🧢 Sales Management
23
Beans
Big Shot
10
Enterprise Account Executive
It's the consistency that's hard to come by.

Build out a plan that keeps your team incentivized, hungry and competitive and they'll deliver. 
NorthernSalesGuru
Politicker
5
Manager, Outbound Sales
Agreed! I actually have an incredible group of core reps, it’s finding new talent that is incredibly difficult
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
What about referral bonuses for your team?

Have them steal the best folks within their network.
TheQueenofDiamonds
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Internal refferals work!
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
5
Rolling 20's all day
This 100%. I feel like many companies still operate their recruiting as if it's 2019.
They are not compensating or designing the comp plans around what they want to ultimately happen. 
I'm sure it's tougher now as it's a candidate's market, but they need to do everything possible to set their team up for success.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
5
War Room Enthusiast
I'd say is hard to get a great AE, since typically the best ones are always taken; if you are good at your job you'll probably stay they and get pay raises every now and then. However, there is always good talent looking for jobs. If the company is offering the right amount, talent will come!
SaaSam
Politicker
4
Account Executive
My entire career has been like 90% outbound. There's a bigger sense of pride and a nice rush that comes from closing something that was all me from the start. I would agree with @justatopproducer that the talent is hard to come by but that a decent company is equally hard to come by. Let me know if you want to continue this convo and I'll make a burner email to share with you.
MCP
Valued Contributor
3
Sales Director
I prefer someone spend the time & energy prospecting. I just don’t have the patience for it anymore. Find me someone who wants to talk, either through the inbound motion or via SDR and I’m good. Prospecting is a waste of time for good sellers. That shit should be segmented.
justatopproducer
Politicker
2
VP OF SALES -US
Hungry savage here, 90% net new business sold. - Yes, great outbound sales talent is hard to find but we have just as hard of a time if mot harder finding a good company to work for. May I ask why you need to hire people who will “do whatever it takes” to sell whatever it is you’re asking them to sell”? Ive always been a top performer and sales isn’t hard so this is why im asking. There may be a better approach?
Justatitle
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
Outbound is such a subjective view. We can be talking pure outbound where the company being sold to would have never heard about you if not for that rep reaching out or is it marketing warmed up leads that didn’t demo request? Either way I’ve found the best deals come from outbounding and being able to find leads with intent as to why they should listen to you. People are generally shy and intimidated by cold outreach so they are tougher to find but when you find them they’re gold.
NorthernSalesGuru
Politicker
0
Manager, Outbound Sales
I love this! Totally agree here! It’s just not for everyone!
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
2
SaaS Eater
Do you have SDRs? Its usually a bit easier to develop awesome AE's internally by starting them from the bottom and developing them as you see fit. 
TheOverTaker
Politicker
1
Senior Account Executive
I am 99% outbound sales. Keeping hunters constantly motivated is definitely the challenge. Especially when you have peers in non-outbound roles that are doing very well.

Nothing beats a cold call, to meeting, to proposal, to close all on your own though
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I'd say is hard to get a great AE, since typically the best ones are always taken; if you are good at your job you'll probably stay they and get pay raises every now and then.
WomenWantMeFishFearMe
Politicker
0
AM
I'm listening
NorthernSalesGuru
Politicker
0
Manager, Outbound Sales
Interested in a new role? 🤔
WomenWantMeFishFearMe
Politicker
0
AM
Always, but I just started at a firm less than 6 months ago, I don't think it appropriate, nor wise to leave them, considering the support/help I've received from them. Once Bravado builds DMs, let's chat.
TheQueenofDiamonds
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I am interested to hear about it. Looking at your profile (🇨🇦 love) I am exactly what you are looking for! The only challenge is to connect outside of this magical world of bravado. @sahil help us?  
Jewcan_Sam81
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Throwing spears at those buffalos all day every day
SaaSniper
Tycoon
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Very difficult to come across true hunters/savages. A lot of very wealthy "order takers", and those who rely on SDR's / Marketing to hit their numbers. I have only worked with a few ENT AE's who had the same mentality as I do, which is...I am going to self source enough pipeline to hit my number alone, anything my SDR does is pure accelerators. It's worked for years. 

Sales is a numbers game even if folks don't want to admit it, the more at bats you have, the more you'll find yourself at the right place/right time, the more deals, the more cash, simple math. 

There are too many automation tools & databases out there not to have AE's generating a ton of their own pipe. That said, some folks are comfortable with their OTE, I am not one of those people. 
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
It's the consistency that's hard to come by.
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
0
ISR
I have ADD/ADHD. For me, being in sales has been a great fit. I have the freedom to structure my day and my process to what works for me. I'm usually faster at brainstorming and creative thinking.
22
Members only

SDR ---> AE *REAL ADVICE PLEASE*

Discussion
34
Did you get promoted from SDR to AE
61% Yes
39% No
129 people voted
8

What milestones and skills will I need to become a top enterprise AE?

Question
10
11

SDR to Strat. Ent AE

Question
9