Given ultimatum at work -what would you do?

[slackerinabox]

I'd keep the job for now, but look for somewhere else to work. It looks like they're going to try and spur you on by making you feel like your job is perpetually on the line. That's going to be a lot of pressure on top of a new baby.

This is why I'm going to leave (after I close the 2 rental deals I'm work on, hold on to the large sales deal in my back pocket and then find a new company to work for) - I know he's doing this to motivate me in a passive aggressive way, because I would have been with that group of 20 if he truly felt the need to let me go. I have absolutely no problem with sales quotas - if he wanted to set firm guidelines, fine. But to spring it on me on the 12th and say I have 19 days to meet a new quota that didn't exist on the 11th, all with the knowledge that I'm expecting a kid during the first week of August seems really shitty to me. If he wants to manage by threats now (instead of firm goals and concequences, which I understand is the way the world works), then I can only imagine that it will get worse no matter how I perform.. Now it's "make X by the end of the month or you're fired!" Next it'll be "Make x+2 OR YOU'RE FIRED!" and so on, and so on.

 

[Scarpozzi]

If you're not happy there, don't let it brew too much...but just remember. "The grass is always greener on the other side."....and then what I occasionally say...."If you move around too much, you may start running out of grass."

Take your time making the decision to stay or leave and definitely look around for a while before jumping ship. The largest costs as an agent are advertising when you're the listing agent. Some firms pay these costs for you....they may be harder to find, but there probably are a few good employers. Just be prepared for a long job hunt. Especially with the family situation at hand. New hires typically have less job security.

 

[olds]

With a baby on the way, the smartest thing would be to quit your job.

 

[Lifted]

This is why I'm going to leave (after I close the 2 rental deals I'm work on, hold on to the large sales deal in my back pocket and then find a new company to work for) - I know he's doing this to motivate me in a passive aggressive way, because I would have been with that group of 20 if he truly felt the need to let me go. I have absolutely no problem with sales quotas - if he wanted to set firm guidelines, fine. But to spring it on me on the 12th and say I have 19 days to meet a new quota that didn't exist on the 11th, all with the knowledge that I'm expecting a kid during the first week of August seems really shitty to me. If he wants to manage by threats now (instead of firm goals and concequences, which I understand is the way the world works), then I can only imagine that it will get worse no matter how I perform.. Now it's "make X by the end of the month or you're fired!" Next it'll be "Make x+2 OR YOU'RE FIRED!" and so on, and so on.

Being at the bottom of the totem pole is always rough, especially in sales and even more so in real estate as agents are a dime a dozen.

Once you break through the period where they weed out the dead weight, start applying to better agencies such as BHS, Ellimen, etc. My company uses [Edit] *your company* for our rental properties, but the new luxury developments are all BHS Select, and from what I've seen working with these different agencies, the high end of real estate has a much more professional atmosphere. While it can still be cut throat, it's not the Best Buy "sell 20 extended warranties per work or your fired" nonsense. I'm sure the rewards are much greater too when you're dealing with properties in the $4mm - $20mm range.

 

[BoomerD]

Maybe you should look at this as an opportunity.

It sounds like you're not particularly good at real estate...maybe a career change is just what you need.
What else have you done/do you know/ have you trained in/have a degree in?

 

[DrPizza]

Just a general remark, but what kind of idiot names his employer online, posts personally identifying information, and complains about his employer? You. Are. An. Idiot. For. Doing. So.

(edit: I highly recommend editing out your employer's name in your posts, and requesting by PM that others who have quoted you also edit out the name.)

edit edit: since the OP is offline, I did it for him. OP, apologies if that's not what you wanted, and feel free to put it back.

 

[waggy]

Just a general remark, but what kind of idiot names his employer online, posts personally identifying information, and complains about his employer? You. Are. An. Idiot. For. Doing. So.

(edit: I highly recommend editing out your employer's name in your posts, and requesting by PM that others who have quoted you also edit out the name.)

lol was going to mention that.

sounds like you better sale more or find a new job.

 

[BoomerD]

Just a general remark, but what kind of idiot names his employer online, posts personally identifying information, and complains about his employer? You. Are. An. Idiot. For. Doing. So.

(edit: I highly recommend editing out your employer's name in your posts, and requesting by PM that others who have quoted you also edit out the name.)

I wondered about that as well. Maybe he just doesn't care if his employer finds this thread...

 

[nanette1985]

I'm stunned that in this many posts nobody has pointed out the obvious - now is the time to be making contacts & connections like crazy, not thinking about another job. In sales it's all about your rolodex (whatever the current trendy name for that is) - you have to have your ear to the ground, know all the news before it becomes public, do favors for others like crazy so that when you find yourself in a situation like this you can send out a few emails and call in your favors.

This situation happens a lot in sales - get used to it, roll with it. Be prepared for it.

Congrats on baby. FYI, the proper way to deal with this was to be networking with all the new people you're meeting - doctors, fellow expectant parents, baby-equipment suppliers, preschools & day care (you've registered, right?), every busybody who's stopped you on the street to look at the belly & give you advice - and so on. THis is a GOLDEN opportunity to meet people at a point in their lives where they need to upgrade their real-estate needs. And it's a great time for you to make a good connection with them and share your joy. If you admire every single baby born in the hospital on the same day as yours, you've made some friends for life - friends who may seriously need to know someone in the real estate biz. If you don't enjoy this, you're in the wrong business.

Your employer expects you to run with this advantage - not for you to flake out on him now.

Best.

 

[SKORPI0]

It could also be a test to see who is tough enough to stay on the job and meet the new "quota". Looks like you're gonna meet your goal. Do a job search (outside the company premises) for now and see how this current job goes. If it goes any worse, jump ship.

*** Edit out company name*** Who knows they might be searching for rants like this. Good luck. Keep us updated.

 

[PricklyPete]

I've worked for <redacted> as a real estate agent in NYC for about 11 months (including 2.5 months for training, so really 8 months on the field). I had zippo prior sales experience so my manager understood that learning was a process, and appreciated my slow but steady growth. Since we pay for all of our individual expenses, taking a rushed approach while not knowing exactly what we're doing would mean I'd blow a lot of cash. I took a measured approach and have shown significant progress. The first 7 months (2.5 of which were training) were indeed very slow - I only made 6 deals during that period (some agents do less, but it's mediocre). I had a lot to learn, but the 4 months after that I've picked up the pace dramatically and have my first $600,000 client plus the referrals are coming, which means my clients love me even though I'm a slow poke right now. I'd rather be slow at first then make a mistake that could cost my clients thousands. Two days ago my manager quit because he did not like how the company was moving. The new manager promptly fired 20 agent and then gave me an ultimatum (and a few other agents) - make x amount of deals by the end of the month or face termination - all while he knew my first child's to be born that very week...

So he told me on the 12th to meet a sales target that was never discussed, mentioned, or even hinted at by the 30th- all while my head is already spinning from all this shit I have to do as a soon-to-be father. What would you do? I've already reached the half way point of this goal, but I'm so pissed off that I want to walk, especially if I make the target (which I will). What are your thoughts? Would would you do?

Quit a job right before having a baby? Fantastic idea...you're ready for middle management.

As already mentioned, it is probably not the best idea to make explicit complaints about your employer while naming your employer in a public internet forum.

Work your hardest and try to meet the goal. Prove that you are a cut above, but at the same time look for jobs at another agency citing this performance as a reason they should want you. Once you have landed the new job, you can always let the manager know why he is losing his newfound talent if you really are still butt sore. That being said...if you get a job elsewhere because of the fact that you are now performing at a new level...you may have him to thank for it.

 

[ProfJohn]

If you want to laugh at a Toxic Sales Organization - Rent/watch the movie "GlenGarry Glen Ross".

We're adding a little something to this month's sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anybody want to see second prize?
Second prize is a set of steak knives.
Third prize is you're fired.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Meh... you're a realtor. You're an independent contractor. Peoeple call YOU. Not the office. If your broker is being a shit move to a different office. Once the move is settled email everyone in your contact list to tell them the great news.

"I just wanted to tell you the great news. As of xx/xx/xxxx I will be joining the team at (whatever, inc). Their resources and expertise have been serving the greater city area for eleventy million years and I'm thrilled to be a part of this team... blah blah etc."

 

[ProfJohn]

Video of his new sales manager
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI

 

[sandorski]

If you're confident you can make the quota, do it. Quitting now may kick you in the ass later when looking for a Job elsewhere. Wait for another offer or find another Job before Quitting.

 

[Macamus Prime]

Eat a bunch of food you know will cause havoc on your colon. Take a big nasty awful dump on your boss' desk. Leave a post-it note on that awful pile of shit you just took; "I hope this meets my quota".

Do NOT identify yourself.

Oh, and wipe your ass with his family's photos.

 

[Krazy4Real]

With a baby on the way, the smartest thing would be to quit your job.

This.

 

[Imported]

File for paternity leave.

Was going to suggest the same.. do this instead of quitting.

 

[boomerang]

Here's some tough love...


That you're expecting a baby doesn't factor into your bosses decisions at all. It doesn't matter to him, it doesn't matter to the firm. Yes, it's a big deal to you and understandably so.


Separate the baby from your job and now you're thinking like your boss does. The truth is that he doesn't care about your baby, he doesn't care about your family and he more than likely doesn't care about you either. What he does care about is hanging onto his own job. To do that, he has to make the numbers his superiors are demanding from him.


The pressure he's putting on you will exist at the next place you go and they won't care about your baby either. So leave if you want, but be realistic about what's really going on.


Make sure the grass is really greener on the other side.

 

[BoomerD]

Here's some tough love...


That you're expecting a baby doesn't factor into your bosses decisions at all. It doesn't matter to him, it doesn't matter to the firm. Yes, it's a big deal to you and understandably so.


Separate the baby from your job and now you're thinking like your boss does. The truth is that he doesn't care about your baby, he doesn't care about your family and he more than likely doesn't care about you either. What he does care about is hanging onto his own job. To do that, he has to make the numbers his superiors are demanding from him.


The pressure he's putting on you will exist at the next place you go and they won't care about your baby either. So leave if you want, but be realistic about what's really going on.


Make sure the grass is really greener on the other side.

I agree. The fact that the OP's wife is about to have a baby has NO bearing on this in any way from the company's POV...and it should not.

I also agree that the OP should not quit until he finds a different job...and if possible, should try to keep this job until after the baby is born...at the minimum. It would suck to lose his health benefits (if any) right before the baby was born. While he should be eligible for COBRA benefits, they're usually expensive as hell...

 

[chusteczka]

... This situation happens a lot in sales - get used to it, roll with it. Be prepared for it.
...
If you don't enjoy this, you're in the wrong business.

:thumbsup:

You have a sales job with standard sales goals. This is the way it works. A salesman not selling is dead weight. You either sell or you go. The decision is entirely yours to make based on your motivation to meet your goals.

If you are not motivated to meet your goals, then it is best for you to go.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'd say yes sir, yes sir, three bags full. Find a new job and leave in a heartbeat.

 

[JS80]

What kind of idiot fires commission only agents?

 

[jteef]

why aren't you trying to grab all the clients of your recently fired cows?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

why aren't you trying to grab all the clients of your recently fired cows?

I'm sure the manager already has.