- This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 1 month ago by
-
Posts
-
Put on a performance improvement plan – advice please
Hey Will,
Not strictly an asset review but today at 42% of target at H1, I have been put on a performance improvement plan. I have around 8 weeks to deliver or I’ll be let go from my business.
My performance:
- Q1 – £120k/£200k – 4 deals
- Q2 – £50k/£200k – 1 deal
- Q3 – in forecast: £312k/£175k – 6 deals
I find out on Monday what I need to do to stay in the game, the only thing not making me panic too much is my forecast, where I have 3 deals currently going through procurement & legal with a total deal value of £200k and another £112k close to that stage.
Obviously, I can not let anything slip and it’s survival/crisis mode.
Are there any immediate things I should be doing to myself out of danger as quickly as possible? Would love any advice!
Thanks
David
OK couple of things –
- Plenty of people have been on a PIP whilst in the program and come out of the other side just fine.
- You need to work out if (A) this is down to your performance, (B) if they generally want to reduce headcount or (C) they want to let you go specifically.
- During your meeting on Monday you need to get the specifics that you need to hit to keep the role forwarded to you in an email. i.e. the “terms of your PIP” – If you do X, the PIP is removed. They have to give you what you need to do to keep the role. Its your job to negotiate them to be measurable, non-ambiguous and achievable.
Are there any immediate things I should be doing to myself out of danger as quickly as possible? Would love any advice!
I would sit down, look at your pipeline and be really honest about where you are at. Are you going to hit your number?
If not, is there any low hanging fruit that you can ATTACK to get it over the line in the next 8 weeks?
Is there anyone where perhaps an in-person visit could speed things up (I don’t think we’ve talked about in-person meetings previously)?
Two final things –
- Ask yourself, is this job is worth fighting for? 8-weeks is long enough to find another role, interview, get the job and then resign before facing any consequences. This would not be defeatist if the company is trying to downsize and you’re in the firing line, it would be strategic. The only issue with this is that your focus is spread in job hunting and winning business which means one of which will suffer.
- Obviously happy to jump on a one-on-one call with you next week if you want to talk things through. We’re all here to get you through this.
Hi David.
I was placed on an improvement plan in my last sales role.
I saw it as writing on the wall and spent my time and energy getting that next job lined up.
Because I left the company on my own terms, I controlled the narrative and actually took a step up in both base pay and the opportunity.
It’s something to consider.
PS – I should also mention that I earn more in my new role than I ever did in the previous one. The company went into receivership in the end and so it wasn’t me that was the problem, it was the management.
Thanks Will, really appreciate that feedback.
My gut feel is that it’s genuinely option A, but will ensure I do enough digging to feel comfortable that’s the case and that the target is achievable (and therefore will probably answer that question).
That’s a good plan of attack for me to start, and yes please if ever a 1-1 session is needed I think it’s now! So I’d love to take you up on that offer
Hey Michelle,
Thanks for that perspective, really appreciate that. Out of curiosity, how did you manage that narrative? I’m still quite early in my sales career having spent most of my time in procurement (of all things!), So my nervousness about that route is essentially how to get a job if my performance has not been up to scratch.
Would love to hear you take and thanks again for you openess!
Thanks Will, really appreciate that feedback. My gut feel is that it’s genuinely option A, but will ensure I do enough digging to feel comfortable that’s the case and that the target is achievable (and therefore will probably answer that question). That’s a good plan of attack for me to start, and yes please if ever a 1-1 session is needed I think it’s now! So I’d love to take you up on that offer
I’ve sent you an email.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
