Any job better than no job?

[mattKnight]

Hi all,

This may be the wrong forum, but here goes...

background.

Me - I was a VB Programmer & service engineer for UK based company dealing with telephony equipment, until Jan this year. In Jan the CEO, MD and Ops Dir offered me a change in role into a Salesman selling technology that I have had 15 years experience of. I had always said I didn't want to sell (people aren't my strong point...) but this job was suggested as a temporary (c 24 months) one in order to allow me to gain "commercial experience". It was impl,ied that if I didn't take the job, my career would stagnate as I was at the time the most experienced field engineer - there was no advancement possible. I was assured that if the job didn't work out I could return to the service role also my development traing to MCSD would remain unaffected. After much thought, and taking into account the assurances, I accepted.

Changes.

Since then, the company managment structure has changed considerably. The CEO has taken a step back and passed day-to-day control to director who joined the company as a consultant and been promoted. He has employed a new sales director. The sales model has been changed (for 3rd time in as many years) away from a product champion one to a territorial one. My major (national) clients have been passed back to the office for a national account manager to handle leaving me to establish a new set of clients, with a new product set and little support!

Diasaster situation,

I was asked to forecast my sales figures for a month and they were virtually non-existent... I was bollocked for this. At this point I had had enough and stated that I had never wanted to work in sales, and wanted to leave the role. The SD said that, with my attitude, he would not hav e me working in his sale team. I was given 5 days garden leave and have a meeting soon "to discuss my future". It appears that the assurances that I was given (verbally) will not be honoured. However I had a letter confirming that I can continue in my sales role but there will be a disciplinary hearing over my poor performance.

I have been unhappy with this role for a period of time, but have stuck at it. It has affected my personal life, but my wife has pointed out that since I have been on leave I am much happier and less irrateable with her and the kids.

The choices...

Quit, look for another job and be happy(ier) but lose the income for who know how long...

or

stick at a job where I do want to continue but need the salary!

rant off...

What do other people think, what should I do, what shoulkd I have done earlier to prevent this, Is there a political game going on (i.e. don't fire, but make job so unacceptable he'll quit)

All thoughts aprreciated


Matt

 

[Craftor]

Shame Matt - sounds like you are in a horrible one there. I know as a developer I never want to go into sales - despite pressure from management.

Looks like the consultant they employed wasn't told/didn't particularly care about the verbal assurances you were given. Maybe he didn't actually know the situation and thought you were some arrogant upstart who wants to get into big bucks with no work (PS: from your post I'm sure you're not - just giving out thoughts here).

The best advice I can give you is if you are not happy in your job - and they won't let you change - get out ASAP. You will find something better - especially if you have experience! If you really like the company, is there any chance of talking to the CEO? Find out what happened there? He seems understanding from what you have said.

Matt - I really wish you all the best and hope you come right.

Much luck!

Craftor

 

[mattKnight]

Craftor,

Thanks for the response:
coupla points though, I think they know how hard I work (even though I have working a sales role, I have had to provide site support for several key sites. It isn't that I am lazy or anything {I did read your PS thanks but I thought I'd make it clear!!})

As for approaching the CEO, he thinks that the MD and SD (ex-consultants) are the best things since sliced bread. I would not expect to receive any support from him, even though I have worked closely with him on a number of occasions and usually received praise... To discuss this with him would be, IMHO, counter productive as it would imply criticism of his selection of board level management. He has also on previous occasions said "The cemetery is full of people who thought they were indispensable". I think that if I quit I will talk to him, not witha view to regaining the job but more to achieve some form of "closure"

Thanks for your thoughts and help

 

[TomKane]

I think to leave your job without having another one lined up could be risky. If you're thinking about leaving maybe you should get the cv out to the recruitment agencies (totaljobs someone like that).

I think you should use the disciplinary hearing to get your point across - aren't you entitled to have someone come in with you in those situations?

If you have the technical skills and the product knowledge - maybe you could do a pre-sales support type of role which would give you a foot it both camps as it were?

 

[Kjonnnn]

A bird in one hand is worth two in the bush.

 

[alicep]

"I have had to provide site support for several key sites."

Do you have any letters from customers regarding your abilites at support? Do other sales staff have site support duties?

TomKane mentioned maybe a sales support role for you. In the meeting regarding your "poor performance", offer to add more site service and give up some of the sales duties. Especially if you know of coworkers in sales that are not as proficient at support as you. I wouldn't mention anyone by name in your meeting, the boss should know who might be getting complaints at service.

If they won't entertain the idea of a job change for you and it seems like you have a job in "Sales or nothing", get them to help formulate a training program for yourself that is at least 3 months in length. Ask to be re-evaluated at the end of that training. Use that time to look for a better job.

 

[mattKnight]

Alicep

Thanks for the thoughts, both you and TomKane have offered some useful ideas. I will, try and implement them!

I don't think the Sales director will "release" me back to support work as he is very target orientated, but it is worth a try

quote "If it isn't helping to hit the sales target, the ask Why am I doing it?"

thanks anyway


Matt

 

[TomKane]

I wouldn't presume to know the business you're in, but surely if your company has good guys who can provide support then the existing customer base will be happier to hand over the recurring licence/support fee or whatever - which is revenue as well, isn't it?

 

[jtb]

Salesmen aren't born, they're made. But it requires training.

I'd contact the accounts that used to yours and ask if they needed a consultant familiar with the product to keep it up and running, if there was enough interest, quit and be an independent...

Otherwise, you may need to eat some crow and put up with their lies and misrepresentations...

And from now on get it all in writing. JTB
Solutions Architect
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSA, MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)