Play the game to lose... WDYD

Recently I was handed off an account from a previous manager. No big deal there, we align business as usual. During said alignment I observed several inconsistencies; spray and pray messaging, no talk track structure, 0 persona/industry to product feature knowledge, a non complex scope (0-250 employee size coherent to revenue) and the leading question on the phone is "are you looking for VoIP?".


I asked the previous manager, "bro, if you know this stuff is off, why haven't you fixed it?" He said, "sorry bro, I wasn't allowed to, so it is what it is."


(Quick background: I've already led a similar account, with a similar client base, with a similar product line but to bigger companies - millions of dollars in pipeline.)


I then took it to my own hands and booked a meeting with our "boss".


I told him, "hey listen, I just met the client, great people, we may have some easy wins here - she wants to reach further, potentially grow their account, this is their first outbound effort type of gig. I can lay up, free throw all day even shoot 3s for the hell of it, but we can win here."


"So, would you like me to win on this account or should I just play ball and drag a zero sum game?"


He said, "nah, don't win, if anything its free training for the reps, if we don't make it, we tell them their messaging sucks and they have to give us new messaging, as I told the previous manager, its too much effort and we will only do what the client gives us, we don't get creative."


.....


Now, I'm in between telling the client, hey listen, our company has changed a bit and we used to do this but we're not allowed to anymore at least not free (not true about the not free part but something to save face) - so tell you what - I redo the messaging - hyper focus our efforts on particular personas and industries and have a uniform talk track for all the reps... let's just say that all came from you... deal?


What do you savages think?


Would you risk your ass for the client and your win or would you play the game to lose?








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13
FlintIronstag
Notorious Answer
6
Chief Marketing Officer
Walk away from this engagement. Ghost the client and don’t participate in the new directive. Someone else will do it. You’ve got a bad boss who will be mad you went over them and you’ve got a client who will inadvertently make it look like you did what you wanted instead of listen to your boss. If you do anything other then ghost you’re fired.
JC10X
Politicker
2
Senior Sales Manager
I appreciate the advice @FlintIronstag ! You're right, he finds out I helped the client succeed and its my ass! Such a weird predicament! 
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
5
War Room Enthusiast
I would never accept mediocracy. I would follow my heart, and try to save the account. If you succeed, your boss will see you took matters into your own hand and did what had to be done. That is worth gold in any company. If you go the extra mile and things don't work out for whatever reason you'll know you did everything in your power to do things right and will be able to sleep at night.

Any company that does not value someone for going the extra mile isn't one I'd like to get on board with. 
JC10X
Politicker
2
Senior Sales Manager
Oh man, that part about being on board. Yes, been trying to get off board, just not to a random ship with an unknown destination. If I succeed, I tell my boss it was all the client, but she has to tell the same story - I wonder how that would look like from the client's perspective? What if it makes things worse...? smh.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
3
War Room Enthusiast
Only you know this client, use your skills and try to read them, is it a client that would appreciate your extra efforts? Is it a difficult one that might put you on the spot? I'm sure you've been in similar spots before, what has resulted then? What are the other managers in the company doing? Is it worth to put this extra effort? Only after answering these types of questions is when you can determine the right path for YOU. 
JC10X
Politicker
1
Senior Sales Manager
Thank you kind sir! It has never happened to me before and I just recently met the client so not sure how she might take it. I'll take your word for it though and do some more analysis. There are no other managers it seems. It helps me sleep better at night to know I used my skills to help someone be more successful then to know I am letting them drown if I dont.

Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
1
War Room Enthusiast
Take your time, analyze your best possible outcome ant stick to it, trust your gut on this one!
FeedTheKids
Politicker
2
Solutions Consultant
2x
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
3
Sr. Customer Success Manager
This makes no sense - so you're telling me your boss plays to lose? This is a red flag for me, especially when it comes to flow with the flow... 
JC10X
Politicker
2
Senior Sales Manager
Seems like he plays to lose and does not care who he loses along the way.
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
1
Sr. Customer Success Manager
not cool at all - how did it go? 
MaximumRaizer
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
This makes no sense - so you're telling me your boss plays to lose? This is a red flag for me, especially when it comes to flow with the flow... 
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Only you know this client, use your skills and try to read them, is it a client that would appreciate your extra efforts?
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
Any company that does not value someone for going the extra mile isn't one I'd like to get on board with. 
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
1
ISR
I would never accept mediocracy. I would follow my heart, and try to save the account.
Jesterlord
Politicker
0
BDR
From my point of view, I would bet on the customer, looking for a gain rather than a loss.
Mr.Floaty
Politicker
0
BDR
Most people recommend putting at least 15% of your pay in some sort of retirement account. I suspect that's a bit light.
Cyberjarre
Politicker
0
BDR
I've heard that it's not the amount of money but the habit creation that's important at first.
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