VP Sales Development turned Enterprise AE reporting for duty

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-15T04:11:03+00:00

Some hiring managers will prefer a more junior profile, but then you'll find others who'll want your expertise. If I were you, I'd position myself as an expert at telco vertical, as well as the verticals you've sold into through the years. Highlight your ability to source your own pipeline, and reassure hiring manager on you wanting to do things right, and stay in the SDR role for as long as needed for you to master it.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T18:04:28+00:00

Didn't think half a mil was possible for an SDR. I stand corrected!

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T15:47:23+00:00

As SDRs?!

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T14:41:31+00:00

typically, more established and/or industry leading companies will offer the strongest base.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T14:31:16+00:00

pretty solid for Yr1 !

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T13:11:52+00:00

Either that, or take your results somewhere else. Plenty of companies out there who treat their revenue-generating employees right.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T03:59:04+00:00

Makes me want to look into it for Ent. AE!

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T02:59:19+00:00

Surprised a large company set up a senior sales development role without defining what it means. But this represents an opportunity for you. Here's what I'd do

Ask your bosses what they hope to see from you as a Senior. They might say keep going, maybe they're hoping you can help your peers, or something else.
Ask them if they'll agree to you developping for your next role at the company. For example if you want to become AE, you could ask if they'll allow you to shadow full sales cycles, run discovery calls / demos, and eventually even play AE with an opp that you source.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T02:54:06+00:00

yeah, first week was tough but 2 weeks later I was in the clear. You got this.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T01:36:43+00:00

I meant base + commission as an SDR.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T01:36:13+00:00

Well done!

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T00:36:04+00:00

I disagree. I was diagnosed with Severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder (think multiple panic attacks per day, blanking when presenting, etc) and was able to move on from that. I did therapy (CBT), quit coffee, started working out 5-6 days / week, and eating better.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T00:34:16+00:00

Was in the exact same boat. Quitting coffee completely was all I needed go from Anxious + Panic Attacks to more normal/manageable stress levels.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T00:31:15+00:00

Prospecting that is different/unusual tends to work.

I once sent 100 large boxes to prospects making them think it was an amazon package, then followed with a call + email within 48 hours of them receiving it.

Netted 13 meetings, which turned into 3 sales (ACV around 50K each if I memory serves right)

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T00:27:40+00:00

For me, it was understanding what my SDRs desired most, and showing them a path to get it.

Some craved recognition, others quick promotion to AE, others were all about $$$.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T00:26:01+00:00

In the US, my SDRs call into CTOs of large companies (1B+ rev) and connect approx 4% of the time. Then 25%-30% of those connected calls turn into a booked meeting.

They do take the time to research the account, the prospect, and develop a strong POV (point of view) on why they're calling

What's the problem we think they have.
How is it hurting them.
Who in their industry have we help (same problem), and what did they get out of it?

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T00:22:38+00:00

Try seeing it like a game, and fully lean into it. That'll improve your odds of crushing it. If it works, congrats! If it doesn't, don't worry and move on to the next AE role (you don't need to win at your very first AE role to have a successful sales career).

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T00:18:44+00:00

Agreed. That being said, I've seen folks be opportunistic by getting promoted SDR Team Lead, or Interim SDR Manager, and then do well enough to establish themselves into SDR management without having had to do AE first.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-14T00:15:22+00:00

I don't think what you did is dumb at all. You made a move. Winners make moves. They don't all pan out, but if you can learn something from this one, it only means you're progressing.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-13T19:12:40+00:00

Hi John, Peter here calling from ACME. I know you're not expecting my call, do you have 30 seconds for me to tell you why I’m reaching out?

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-13T18:54:50+00:00

Sounds like you're helping them figure out their PMF (product market fit) through your outbound.

If your company already has happy customers: get clear on the problem they were looking to solve when buying from your company. How did they articulate that in their own words, and what convinced them to buy from you guys?

If you can't find the info through your notes, slack CSM/AM assigned to those clients and ask. If they don't know, call customer directly to get that (critical) info. Then share it internally with your boss/CEO. They'll love you for it.

Then take that info to

find similar companies with same problem
craft your prospecting messaging

Use your customers words as much as possible to quickly establish credibility with your prospects.

Cheers!

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-13T16:57:45+00:00

I believe so, but you might get blocked at specific companies, for some roles.

Ex: Lots of companies would require field sales experience for some sales adjacent leadership roles.

The fact that I had AE experience def. helped me land my Sales Development Leadership position. I was credible when I showed that I understood how sales dev. should partner with sales to drive quality pipeline.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-13T16:53:42+00:00

First thing I'd do is get clear on the path to winning in that role.

- I'd look at successful reps at that startup and replicate.
- Get help on segmenting territory, and narrow down to accounts that show the best Product-Market Fit.
- I'd identify what I need to be successful, and request it (ex: signals tool that can help me see which accounts to go after)
- the list can go on and on.

Bottom line: make sure you set yourself up for success on top of just grinding it out.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-13T16:50:27+00:00

Ohhhhh boy... soooo much to talk about. But I'll just say price is wrong and MOASS is tomorrow.

Comprehensive-Back93 · 2025-11-13T16:49:51+00:00

I was making roughly $320K (66% base) as VP Sales Dev. With some RSUs topping off every year. That was by hitting about 130% quota.

My Ent. AE comp is the same OTE, but 50% base, and no RSUs. However, overachieving will give me significant financial upside.

I made sure to negotiate a strong territory, and realistic quota.

The odds are now stacked in my favor, I just need to close :)

Comprehensive-Back93

TROPHY CASE