On my team they let go the top 3 sales performers with very high commissions. The guy who sold the largest deal in I M Cloud history was let go a month later. Shameful.
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I was at IBM 22 years, I made 100% club almost everyone, with exceptions. I was moved to a non-sales role when I hit 112% one year. Another person on my team was also in the club and was RA’d. Only one other person on this large sales team made Club and 2 of the 3 were males and affected. Every other seller, all under 100%, kept their jobs. This team was dominated by Females, on the ground selling and up the management chain. Mid tier management makes crazy azz decisions not based on logic. Thats said it’s no different from anywhere else.
Folks, it’s no secret that IBM does this every year. I was affected myself a couple of years ago. Band 9… making great money and receiving all the awards, raises, etc. unfortunately, at IBM and other large corporations, we are simply a serial number and nobody except the TOP level of executives are truly ever safe. Good luck to all of you effected by this but have faith and try to find a company that is 500-3000 employees and that will be where you will be appreciated and your name will be known, not just your serial number.
@OP Top performers in sales ? What exactly were their actual sales numbers ? It couldn't have been very impressive if IBM only holds 2% or less of the global cloud market. Numbers count, not the gesturing, barefaced lies and hand waving at IBM Consulting presentations made by people in Bengaluru. Sounds like these high performance sales guys were overpaid and did not deliver.
It’s not about sales numbers, top performance, being on leadership development programs, Golden Circle, 100% club, building relevant skills or anything else that sets you apart. I’ve seen the best of the best go… the ones who seem protected often times are mediocre at best and firmly in leadership’s back pocket. The only way to be ‘saved’… or at least spared, is to be a brown nose. Or have trodden on everyone else and sold your soul to get to be the one that makes the decisions. There’s life outside of IBM so don’t fear the ReAper.