Need help on getting shafted at work.

[Rick Lee]

I need some detached advice on something I'm too mad about at the moment to write cleary on to my boss. But I need to write him soon.

Last Monday, as I walked out of my Santa Monica hotel and was looking at the smoke in Malibu, my Blackberry buzzed with an email from our CFO announcing that our company was comp'ing (as in totally free of charge) every press release to our most expensive domestic distribution circuit that had to do with the CA fires. This deal ended Friday. Obviously, this cost some money, but was intended to be a PR effort to bolster our image and build some goodwill. I think it worked too. But since I am paid base plus commission, this has taken some money out of my October revenue and thus November commission check. This wouldn't matter too much in January, but as the end of the year fast approaches, we can get huge bonuses for meeting our 2007 goal early. It's basically the CFO telling sales folks we're donating part of our commissions to the groups that wanted to put out statements or info on the fires. He didn't ask us, he told us.

I haven't computed the actual dollar figure yet, but I'm guesstimating at least $3k in freebies for my own clients and that's only the stuff I have access to. The company set up a special email address for this "sale", so I can't see what all went there. Our commission structure is so complex, that it's almost impossible to figure out what cut of that amount would be my commission. Since my division deals solely with public interest news, we have been hit a lot harder by this than the rest of the company, which deals with business and financial news. And crisis communications is our business. We thrive on it. Why give it away?

My boss is nowadays way more of a management guy now than he used to be and actually told me, "If you had been here last week (I was on my honeymoon), you could have capitalized on this by reaching out to prospects who had previously not returned your calls." I'm not making this up. In the end he said he could see where I was coming from, but I know he's trying to spin this into a big picture thing that is somehow supposed to benefit me and, at the same time, gingerly warning me to not make a big deal of it. I can take the hint. But he has asked me to write him an email, explaining why I think we should not be docked this comp'ed revenue and how much I would be "due". He says he'll pass this on to our CFO.

What would you write?

[Zeke]

I'm gonna wait and see what this means. Very obscure writing, Rick.

[RickM]

If the CFO wants to build goodwill at the expense of the employees that put the money on the table he/she's doing a good job.

Was it implicitly stated that you would not receive a commision on the sales? I'm sure they'll be logged into the books at full value for a write off.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by RickM

If the CFO wants to build goodwill at the expense of the employees that put the money on the table he/she's doing a good job.

Was it implicitly stated that you would not receive a commision on the sales? I'm sure they'll be logged into the books at full value for a write off.

How is it doing a good job by telling your sales folks they're donating their work last week? It's not like these clients are victims of the fires. Most are gov't. agencies, insur. companies and charities, who would have sent us the work anyway, and want to get their message/story/info out to the press.

No, these jobs will not be billed or logged as revenue. Only people who work on commission will feel any pinch from this. We eat it.

[Superman]

Let your union rep handle this.

[M.D. Holloway]

I'm surpised it would ding your numbers. It would be like giving away samples in lueu of selling product (Lord only knows I do that all the time on this board!). If the freebie was in place of an order, this may actually be a great opportunity to hit them up on some futures!

Your CFO has now established a certain amount of sales equity with your customers. Why not strike while the irons are hot! Swing them a volume deal and post out the billings and tie them into a nice extended contract! Also, make sure that you wite each of them a note stating that their plight is in your prayers and to include a summery of how much "VALUE" you and your company has brought them in terms of the freebie.

I think this is actually a great opportunity and not so much a fudgeover.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Sorry to hear about this - I'm staying tuned for more information.

[M.D. Holloway]

Also, for what it is worth, your Boss did a deed, prolly had to sell it to his Boss. Any attempt to throw him under the bus is a mistake - a very unwise move.

Not to sound like a arsekiss but try as best you can to spin a positive note on his move. Use the percieved value and sales equity thing and look to make some crap lined flower pots instead of swearing at the pile of shyt.

Face it, it is a no-win situation and it is not the end of it if you make it into a negative. he thought he was doing something good - kinda like Nestle sending tons of free, freeze dried baby formula to Sudan. Nice thought but you need water to make it. Sudan doesn;t have much water last I heard.

The road to hell is paved with these...

[RickM]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

How is it doing a good job by telling your sales folks they're donating their work last week?

I was being sarcastic.

To be clear....The CFO is doing a good job of improving the company's image at your expense (moral, financial, trust etc). I would have serious issues with this stunt as well.


However, the intent may have been borne of good intentions. The CFO made an assumption that the "team" would be united in doing something positive for the community. That said you may want to proceed cautiously.

[Jim Bremner]

suck it up, smile- move on


I just got asshanded for selling too much.

start your own company, and make the rules.

[Rick Lee]

Upon further inspection, my projected loss is truly negligible. But not so for others. I just happen to have a large number of clients on flat monthly-rate agreements, who wouldn't be billed extra anyway. Other co-workers stand to lose a LOT more than me, but haven't made a case of it. Boss just told me he'll bring this up at the managers' meeting this week. Problem going forward is that I'll be taking over the SW territory when I move to PHX. What are the odds there will be no more big catastrophe stories in CA for which we comp stuff again? Then it truly will be my bread and butter. I guess I'll just eat cake instead.

Had this happened in late December, a $3k cut in revenue could mean over $10k in lost commission, if it took me just below my 2007 goal. That year-end payout is an all or nothing deal.

[911Rob]

Hey Rick,
I'm glad your losses are becoming negligable; especially while on your honeymoon!
I agree with Jim of course; "start your own business"

I've been involved in commission based income for many years, both as an employee and an employer. My experience tells me that if you're a high earner, then the powers to be will find a way to divide your earnings.

In my current situation, I own and manage a few companies. My partners are continuously devising ways to add overhead or provide freebies for one sake or the other. My reply to them is "I don't care what you do with your part of the profits. Don't fk with mine" That's another story buddy, hope this helps and good luck.......... go make some money before year end and get those performance bonuses!!!

[livi]

I really misunderstood that thread title. Once again, threw this great forum, I have added to my English vocabulary. Never mind my spelling however, the Spell Check does not seem to work.

Sorry for adding this inherently useless post.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

start your own company, and make the rules.

+1 Probably the best advice on this thread (although Lube's was too).

This is precisely what I'm working towards doing. I don't particularly dislike my boss or anything, but the concept of "fire your boss" has great appeal. I like the thought of being directly responsible for my own success or failure in life, dependent on nobody else and owing to nobody else.

It's a long, difficult road to get there (I'm about 3-5 years out) but it'll be worth it when I get there.

[rammstein]

I definitely don't need help getting shafted at work.

[Rick Lee]

Geeze, if I just knew what the hell I wanted to do, I'd be my own boss like yesterday. I really want to start an eBay store, but can't even figure out what the hell to sell.

My boss is a great guy and no matter what disputes we have, I'll always remember him as my best ever boss, fair, honest, competent and someone I respect. That doesn't change the fact that he has bosses too and $hit tends to flow downhill.

[911Rob]

Jeff!
3 to 5 years out?
Man, that's a few hundred thousand dollars in income for you!
Change that to 3 to 5 minutes and get on with it man!
or at the most; 3 to 5 months.

Start by calling in well......."Hello Boss, sorry I feel too good to come to work today"

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Need help on getting shafted at work.

Bend over in front of the copier a lot.

[KFC911]

Rick, that's a tough one when it's $ out of your own pocket, and I really can't relate to your pay structures, etc. This may very well be one of those instances where you have to decide whether you want to "pick a battle". Don't lose sight of the big picture and assess whether the it's worth it "in the long run" even assuming that you "win". Good luck!

[GDSOB]

I'd suggest the company split 50/50 with the sales staff. Both benefit, so both should contribute in the spirit of"fairness and cooperation".

If you are planning to work for yourself, be very careful in what you get into. Make sure you love the work because you are going to be married to it. You can't just decide to quit and change jobs when you are committed to your own business.