Having served the business development needs of dozens of startup companies over the past 25 years, with 8 ‘exits’ to my credit, I want to go on the record about some of my personal experiences.
I want to advise those of you that are pursuing a career in tech sales to be careful what you wish for. Working for small companies that are not making money can be a miserable experience and a detriment to your sales career.
When a SaaS company hires an SDR/BDR for business development, they typically expect sales results overnight. Your employer wants meetings, and if you don’t produce them in a couple of weeks, they begin to look at you differently – not a good thing. The pressure mounts, and before long you may regret the decision you made to work for the company. You start thinking of looking elsewhere, but you’ll soon find that other companies are basically the same circus just different clowns.
SaaS companies are hiring you to cold call, send emails, book meetings. Check all the boxes and you get to keep your job. The problem for many ‘new hire’ salespeople is that many of these small AI startups are underfunded, and do not provide the necessary technology resources to help you make direct contact with the buying market. This leaves it entirely on your shoulders to drive the company’s success – AND you’re not even an owner of the company!
SaaS is a tough industry to earn a living in these days due to the volume of competitors. Finding a winning company to advance your career is going to take diligence on your part. Take your time – be careful – and call me before you sign the ‘offer letter’. Prof. Pete – 516-528-5367.
