March 25, 2006

You know what I like about my CEO? He’s sincere. He always wants to do the right thing by his standards. He always follows through.

Originally, my CEO floated a 10% raise to accompany my promotion to VP of Marketing. While I was half joking about checking the salary data that I purchased for my job offer negotiations back in July 2005, my CEO remembered he had market salary data too and was eager to review it. He wanted to ensure that I was receiving market value for my base salary.

Justifying His Second Raise Amount

Early this week, my CEO told me that his big goal was to finalize my salary by yesterday. We didn’t have my one-on-one meeting on time due to meetings on both of our parts. He finally showed up with a piece of paper in his hands. I could tell he couldn’t wait to discuss, whatever he was holding. But we had to discuss a Sales issue first, and then finally, he launches into his speech.

“You know I wanted to finalize your salary base. I have the data. For our size company, the average is $X and I’m prepared to round up to $Y. While you are far from average, I intend to improve this base when we start hitting our sales forecast. But as you know, we have to manage cash flow, so this is as high as I can give for now, but there will be more to come later.”

My CEO’s was in suspense. I looked at the piece of paper. I was shocked. I respond with,

“This is an outstanding raise. Thank you so much. I appreciate your thoughtfulness on researching the base.”

Mutual Admiration Society

My CEO was relieved. He continued,

“I think we have great chemistry. We work so well together. At least that’s my perception. You also have great chemistry with the management team. Just keep doing what you doing. I’m not good at mushy stuff, but thank you for being with our company.”

After my last gig, it’s great to feel valued again. I replied with,

“When I interview prospective employees for our company, I tell them that I can’t wait to come into work every day. Your company is exceptional. I love working with you, my peers, my Marketing team, and all our employees.” I say with my usual understated excitement.”

Validation in My Abilities

So there it is. I have my new raise; it’s a 20% increase from my starting salary. My CEO doesn’t care that I’ve never been a VP before. He wanted to give me a salary that fit his expectations.

While I was excited about his initial 10% offer, I’m stunned that he gave me 20% increase. As for the stock options, he has to meet with our investor to discuss the pool. Frankly, I’m not so concerned about that, especially since my own LLC is in the process of being acquired. The base and future growth at my CEO’s company is fabulous.

On a footnote, I had to review a document I created early last year in 2005, when I was still a Sr. Product Manager. I can’t believe that so much has happened in one year. My position was eliminated on April 30, 2005. Eleven months later, I’m a VP of Marketing with the new raise that is 46% more than what I made in my last job as Sr. Product Manager. So much can happen in a short amount of time that it’s hard to believe that good things really can happen.

Lessons Learned

Life can throw us curve balls or even bench us in the game, nearly defeating our confidence in our abilities. Always remember, there’s a reason for everything. Jobs begin. Job’s end. There’s always a perfect timing to these events, even though it doesn’t feel like it at the time.

The Smart Lemming Diary is a series that chronicles a journey of laid-off worker, who becomes a Vice President of Sales Operations & Marketing for a small entrepreneurial healthcare technology company. For previous entries in this series, click here.  For the first diary entry, click here. For the highlighted Smart Lemming Diary entries, click here.

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