Negotiate a Better Raise

A CEO told me a story about a salesperson who asked for a raise. She asked the salesperson, "Why do you deserve a raise?"

"Because I made less this year than I did last year," explained the salesperson.

"That's because you sold less this year than you did last year," said the CEO.

"I know. And I want you to make it up to me," said the salesperson.

This salesperson is no longer working for this organization.

So how and when should a salesperson ask for a raise? Understanding your boss's point of view will help you position your raise as a good thing for the company, instead of a good thing for you. Here are seven points to consider before negotiating a better deal:

1. Make Sure You Have Clout.

The salesperson in the example above didn't have clout. Coming off a bad year or quarter is the wrong time to test your value. With clout, you could find yourself with a better offer from the company or on the free agent market.

A better offer from another firm validates your claim that you're worth more to the company you're working for. If your boss wants to keep you, you have the clout to establish the parameters of your raise. However, if you use the "here's-what-I'm-worth-to-another-company" ploy, you have to be willing to leave.

2. Watch Your Timing.

Don't even think about asking for a raise until you've been there a year or more. Your value to the company increases when you have some customer relationships that you can leverage for increased sales and referrals.

3. Ask for Small Increases in Your Base Salary Based on Inflation.

 If it's been a while since your base pay was adjusted, this ploy might work. However, the trend today is for lower bases and increased incentives. This lets companies reduce fixed expenses while rewarding you for meeting company expectations.

4. Be Willing to Take an Expanded Role in the Company.

You have both a job and a role as a salesperson. Your job is to sell and make your quota. Your role is to mentor that new salesperson and be part of the team.

Your role means supporting your boss in sales meetings, not rolling your eyes and sighing when the new demands come down from corporate, and not promising clients things that your production people can't deliver. Bosses bend over backwards to keep salespeople with good attitudes and look for excuses to fire the malcontents.

5. Negotiate for Perks That Don't Cost the Company More Taxes and Benefits.

Companies don't have to pay workers' compensation and FICA on an extra week of vacation, a trip or increased car or cell phone allowances. It's income to you, but not as costly in cash outlay as a raise.

6. Ask for Extra Incentives After You've Made Your Quota.

That's the easiest thing for your boss to give you. Imagine getting an additional 10 percent, or even 20 percent, on everything you sell once you've made your commission. This works, because your boss has to deliver a number to his boss. Once you help deliver that number, you've got more clout and people want you to stay.

7. Make It a Winning Situation for You and Your Boss.

In the scenario in the beginning of this article, the only winner would have been the salesperson. The boss didn't get increased performance. Show that you're willing to take on more responsibility. Be willing to do some of the work before you get paid to demonstrate that you deserve the increase .

Asking for a raise is just like asking for an order. Practice your presentation. Be as prepared for this meeting as you would be for a presentation to a major customer. Arm yourself with facts and figures on your performance. Position the raise as a benefit to the company. And finally, make sure your boss sees you as a winner and not a whiner.

     一位执行总裁给我讲了一个故事，是关于一名销售人员向她要求加薪的。她问那名员工：“为什么你应该得到一份更高的薪水呢?”

　　“因为今年我得到的薪水比去年还要少。”这名销售人员解释道。

　　“那是因为你今年的销售业绩不如去年。”这位执行总裁回答道。

　　“我知道。所以我想让您帮帮我。”这名销售人员说。

　　这名销售人员现在已经不再在这家公司工作了。

　　所以一名销售人员应该在什么时候以什么样的方式来要求加薪呢？了解你的老板的想法能够帮助你把给自己加薪描述成一件有益于公司的好事，而不仅仅只是于你有利。以下是在和老板协商加薪之前应该考虑的七点：

　　1.确定你有要求加薪的底气

　　上面例子中的那名销售人员就根本没有底气。刚刚遭遇了一个失败的销售年度或者季度，并不是时候去老板那里验证你的价值。如果你有好的业绩，你就会发现自己能够在公司或者在代理自由市场上得到一份更好的合约。

　　得到另外一家公司提供的更好的合约能够证明你对于正效力的公司更有价值所言非虚。如果你的老板想留住你，你就能够决定加薪的幅度。但是，如果你坚持“这是我在那家公司所能得到的”策略，你就准备好离开吧。

　　2.注意时机

　　除非你在这家公司已经工作一年或者更长时间，否则千万不要想去要求加薪。只有当你与一定数量的顾客群体建立了固定联系，并且能够通过他们来增加销售和转介业绩之后，你对于公司才算比较有价值。

　　3. 基于通货膨胀要求基本薪水的小幅提升

　　如果你的基本薪水调整之后有一段时间了，这个策略可能会奏效。但是，如今的趋势是底薪越来越低，而奖金越来越高。这让公司减少了固定支出，而如果你的业绩符合公司的期望，就能够得到额外的奖励。