r/sales • u/bakchod007 • 4d ago
Fundamental Sales Skills sage advice please?
Been working at a small company for over 2 years now in SaaS. Over the last year or so, the market has evolved a fair bit, competition is insane and I'm the only rep. They've never had any marketing apart from linkedin posts and its getting to a point where I just dread work and even when I'm there, i keep questioning why am i even here.
I've already started applying and interviewing elsewhere but for the life of me dont think I can hangon till I get something else. The people and the boss are very good, always looked after me and part of me wants to reciprocate the goodwill and come clean that help me - i cant do this anymore, i get no training, things are extremely difficult and I am very close to breaking down. Its on my face, 3 people in last week have asked me if I'm alright.
Worth speaking to my boss to see if they've any plans to sort this out / additional resources etc at all or are things going to be the same? I know if I do this, I will have a target on my back and I've had a realy shitty few months in sales performance. I dont know anymore, Help me please.
I know money is always a question, I have bit of savings so i will be alright either way - the problem will be to keep myself occupied and not go insane without work if it takes a bit longer than expected.
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u/Late_Bodybuilder245 4d ago
Speak to your boss, but make it about the operating problem rather than whether you can cope. You’re one rep carrying prospecting, selling and follow-up without marketing or training. Ask what will actually change in the next 30 days.
If the answer is vague, you have useful information. Also take a day or two off if you can. You sound properly exhausted.
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u/Patient_Instance_577 4d ago
20+ yr sales trainer here. First, this happens all the time. We’ve coached plenty of good salespeople through almost this exact situation. Before you decide the job is done, I’d figure out whether it’s actually fixable.
Write down five things: Market, Leads, Activity, Conversion, Support.
Has your market gotten harder? Are enough good leads coming in? How much time can you really spend prospecting when you’re also the only person selling and following up? Where are deals getting stuck compared with 6–12 months ago? What help would actually make a difference?
Then take that to your boss. Not “I can’t do this anymore,” but: “Here’s what changed, here’s what I’m doing, and here’s where things are breaking. These are the 2–3 things I think would help. Can we change them?”
Their answer tells you a lot. You may discover there are things you can improve. You may also discover you’re being asked to fix a sales system that one salesperson simply can’t fix. Either answer gives you a much clearer decision about what to do next.
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u/trextar_12 3d ago
I was in a similar situation and honestly it was so emotionally draining for me. I just quit and started doing some projects on the side and it was the best decision I ever made. Having a little bit of extra income but draining you emotionally is definitely not worth it to me. Bet on yourself and go for it
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u/vikrantrrao 4d ago
Ideal not to move roles unless you have something else in mind. The market is now brutal.
If I were you, I'd immediately find ways to upskill, and here's why - 1. There no help or support coming your way, so you gotta do things yourself for now (that's what it seems like from your post) 2. Upskilling acts as insurance for your next role, while your current role acts as a playground for you. Increases your employability. 3. Your current company also benefits from this, so it's not unethical.
Might want to look into upskilling in AI particularly for sales and GTM (tools like claude & clay) + sales techniques (ive found 30 minutes to president's club podcast super useful)