Making your numbers . . . better

Annuity sales

Payment timing for multi-year deals

Our sales people sell long-term deals, most of which span several years. When should they be paid for these – upon signing, as invoiced, when revenue is recognized, at completion, or a combination of these?

Paying for long-term contracts

If the sales person is expected to “account-manage” the account and ensure satisfaction throughout delivery (perhaps while also looking for opportunities to expand the business in the account), then payment over the life of the contract would be appropriate…

Commission payments following termination

What do we do when a sales person leaves the company before the last payment is made for a contract closed by the sales person? Do we still pay after termination?

Paying from first dollar for annuity business

My company is in the throes of revising the comp plan for next year and one of the most hotly debated items revolves around compensating a salesperson on all business generated from dollar one for the life of the account. Currently our firm doesn’t discriminate…

New Business vs. Account Management roles in Professional Services

In professional services, do you compensate differently in sales plans for “new” business vs. maintaining an account to incent your best “prospectors” to develop new business?

What percentage of annual gross revenue should come from new business?

I believe your question is about sales roles with a new business focus when the acquired business generally turns into a long-term annuity type relationship. Examples from my experience include…