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Dear Quota Team

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I’ve been with my company for just under three years. When I joined, things were pretty good. We only sell to people in our state, and at the time, we didn’t really have any competition and were able to pretty much get most of the business in our area. 

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But over the last year or two, things have changed. Interest rates have affected our business and there are new alternatives for our product. We’ve had a few layoffs but I am a pretty reliable producer so I’ve managed to keep my job. But honestly, it feels like it’s just a matter of time until this company shuts down or until they whittle the sales force again.

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What do you think I should do? Is it worth sticking around and hoping things improve or should I move on? I don’t necessarily mind the job but my paychecks keep slowly decreasing and I feel like I’m on a sinking ship and it’s inevitable that this place will eventually collapse. What would you do? Would love to get your thoughts. 

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Wondering in the South   

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Dear Wondering,

What would we do? We’d probably look for another place to work, preferably somewhere that doesn’t feel like it’s on the verge of collapse. Markets ebb and flow, and products come and go, so it’s important to make sure you don’t get stuck on a “sinking ship,” as you put it. 

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Hope is not a strategy, and waiting for things to improve is futile if you don’t see your company trying to make any changes. Depending on your personal goals and circumstances, you might want to start looking for a job sooner rather than later. It’s easier to get hired when you’re already employed, and much better than scrambling to find something when you don’t have money coming in. The sooner you start looking, the better off you’ll probably be. Good luck.