Closed__Won profile picture
Closed__Won profile picture

Closed__Won

Sales

Big Shot
Executive
Valued Contributor
+3

WWYD?

Hey WR -


Quick "What Would You Do?" here - you're an IC, top performer, been crushing it (selling into SMB pulling in 200+ 60k base), young into sales career:


  • Option 1: Leave your current company to get a Mid-Market role w/ a 6-figure base, better earning potential, 250-300k probable


  • Option 2: Become your current company's VP Sales, make less, smaller earning potential, current company in rebuild mode, lose yourself as the top dog IC


WWYD?

🚀 Career Goals
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💆‍♂ Mindset
32

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LordBusiness
Politicker
16
Chief Revenue Officer
Can you with a ridiculous amount of clarity, relay the process you implement to be a successful IC?   Most companies (and reps at those companies) make the mistake of promoting high performers into leadership, when those high performers are "talent driven" and not necessarily "process driven" - talent driven sellers get frustrated with their direct reports because things don't come as natural to them, and the team fails.  That being said, I don't know you, your style or your personal situation so I'm just rambling a bit.   Bottom line, if you have to ask --- you probably shouldn't take the VP job. And I can assure you, if you are talented, dedicated, coachable - this won't be your last opportunity to grow. 

goose
Politicker
2
Sales Executive
The differentiation between "process driven" and "talent driven" hits the mark.  Never heard it explained this way but it explains a lot.
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
🔥 This is one of the best comments I've ever seen in the War Room! 
wormcatcher
Good Citizen
0
Fractional CRO
BRA-FUCKING-VO. Perfectly stated. I'll also add - consequences go up with the title. You go for VP and don't succeed people will ask why you're going back to IC and it'll be harder to make the jump to either role. You go to IC and it doesn't work, go to another company and tell the story about how you weren't enabled and job wasn't as described.

Leadership is NOT a "once in a lifetime" chance. 
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
4
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Option 1 my guy - get that moolah, prove it you can replicate your success in another company and the job titles will follow. 

VP churn is so real in sales that they're always looking for good sales peeps to step in. 

Otherwise follow @Mooney's advice he nailed it. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Depends on what you want your personal roadmap to look like. Personally I'd take Option 1 as I'm not into the VP title unless it comes with VP money. Ya feel me? 
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
3
SaaS Eater
Just the way your wrote this tells me deep down you want to stay the course in option 1. 

That being said, what do you care about more. Your title and ego or your paycheck and freedom?
SADNES5
Politicker
2
down voters are marketing spies
Option 1. You gotta leave to grow
CoorsKing
WR Officer
2
Retired King of the Coors Knights
Unless you genuinely want to and are good at being a leader, I would go with option 1. Not all top performers make
good leaders. 
someoneinsales
Tycoon
1
Director of Sales
Do you want to be in management? 
Closed__Won
Big Shot
1
Sales
I absolutely want to move up in business - but I don't know if it aligns with my life RIGHT NOW.  

I am extremely happy being an IC, having flexibility, and little stress.

I have a family I love spending time with.  I also have a side hustle that makes me a not-insignificant amount of money, and I don't want to jeopardize that.

I also value the ability to make as much as I possibly can, and being the sole controller of that.

With that said - Option 2 is an opportunity that is coming way-too-soon in my career and I feel like I would regret passing on it.
someoneinsales
Tycoon
1
Director of Sales
Sounds like option 1 might be best for you today. Option 2 will always be around. You have a lot of time to get there. If you want to maximize your income, focus on family and your side hustle, go with Option 1. 

Option 2 is cool, but there will always be chances to move up the ladder. 
wahmsales
WR Officer
0
SDR
What's your side hustle?
funcoupons
WR Officer
1
👑
Option 1
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Option 1, it's obvious that you enjoy being an IC and even listing 'lose yourself as the top dog IC' as one of the bullets for Option 2 shows that you're not thinking about growing up the next generation.

If your satisfaction comes from being the best, you won't be satisfied with Option 2 because you'll no longer have the opportunity to be the best. 
privateryan
Politicker
1
Director of Sales
@wormcatcher crushing the response
cw95
Politicker
0
Sales Development Lead
What’s the main reason (if not personal) for you to consider leaving the company in the first place to ask these questions? I always think, if you are questioning and debating it, there is probably a big, yet maybe an unnoticeable sign, to why you want to move to something different?
MCP
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Director
If you’re strategic, like more stress with longer hours & being responsible for everyone’s results, consider VP. At that level, your past won’t matter if you don’t perform here. Avg VP tenure is 18 months. Best IC’s don’t necessarily make the best VP’s.
JECU
Opinionated
0
Account Manager / Co-Founder
Option 1 to maximize your whole life. You mentioned spending time with family and not jeopardizing your side hustle.
CaneWolf
Politicker
0
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Holy shit, you’re killing it. No wrong choices. I would negotiate a raise on your base and stay in your role. No guarantee of earnings in the other role and you’re crushing it now.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
If you want to be in management, stay and be the best VP ever. 
alecabral
Arsonist
0
Director - Digital Sales Transformation
Based on what you responded to @Mooney , it doesn't look like becoming a VP is what would make you the happiest right now. 
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
Option 1
HockeyGuyInSales
Good Citizen
0
Account Executive
How do the two roles differ in terms of industry? Is option 1's company well established, similar space or better? Elaborate on this because that would be a big piece for me in making a decision like this.
sellingsellssold
Politicker
0
SDR
Option 1 for sure, need to make that money and then I could work hard and move up in the company that way or at least get experience while making lots of money. 
softwaresails
Politicker
0
Sales Manager
I saw your comment saying you do want to be in management at some point but that it doesn't fit your life right now... if that's the case, go with option 1.
Bighandshaker
0
Associate Partner
Only a General who has seen many a battle is qualified to run the war!  Build your experience and earn your medals first...
NoSuperhero
Politicker
0
BDR LEAD
Option 1.
AnchorPoint
Politicker
0
Business Coach
Doesn't the answer depend upon your goal?  You can't hit a target that does not exist.
fidelcashflow
Catalyst
0
Account Executive
I just have one red flag here;
How on earth are you going from an SMB AE to VP of sales? 
That does not make sense to me 
Wildcard
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
In general, if you found a job at a company that works for you, stay where you are. So many things can go wrong. 

Quitting well paying jobs is not a good strategy.
Only leave if better job for more money at a better company.

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