The BIGG Successs Show
Should You Count On Your Counter-Offer
We offer suggestions to a listener who's received a counter-offer from his current employer. Listen to the show & read the summary here.
Welcome to our 49th Big Success Show. Today, we'll answer the question, "Should you count on your counteroffer?" The Big Success Show with George and Mary Lynn. Marilyn, I've heard a point counterpoint. I guess today we're going to play offer counteroffer. Sure. Well, one of our listeners, Patrick, sent us his big challenge. He was approached about a job and he accepted their offer. When he told his current employer, he got an unsolicited counteroffer. And so he wants to know if he should accept it. Well, first of all, Patrick, congratulations. Isn't it nice to be so wanted? Yeah, lucky you. Well, the funny thing is, a lot of us think it's nice, but the reality is, Patrick, we do understand. This is pretty stressful. Right, this is both a blessing and a curse. So let's get to our big solution here for Patrick. Well, and let's preface this with Patrick. We can't make the decision. Should you accept the offer, we can't make that decision. Only you can do that. But we can offer you some advice and that's what we'll do. So the first question is for you and that is, why did you accept the offer in the first place? And there can be a number of reasons. You don't really tell us, but it could be more money. Maybe you were actually unhappy and you just weren't actively looking, or maybe this is just a much better opportunity. And odds are that it's a combination of those things. And we're going to assume that for this case. Well, the second thing, Patrick, is just to understand with your current employer and this counteroffer, there's two possibilities. One is, they simply could be buying time. You know, they're not ready to do a search now. The timing's bad for them for some reason. Could be any number of things that could explain their counter. Just make sure you're aware of that. Or the other possibility is that they really value you. They weren't expecting this and they don't want you to go. They've made an investment in you and they have future plans for you and the company. Well, you know, I've made counters for both reasons. It happens. It's hard to judge someone's intentions. You can't do that. You can't know why they're making the counter. So assume the best, just keep it in the back of your mind that there could be an alternative reason. Right. And I guess the hard thing is, who do you trust? This employer that you're familiar with, but now you're on their radar because they know that you've expressed interest in leaving. Or do you trust the employer that you don't even know yet? It's the devil you know versus the devil you don't, right? Right. Well, the third thing, Patrick, is this. You have an offer and a counteroffer. Understand with your current employer, you're going to negotiate. And what we really mean by that, it's like negotiating for a new job. You know, the money part's easy. You're going to know whether or not they fulfill that promise. But if it's another factor, that may be more difficult to measure. Yeah, because maybe you're looking for less travel with your job or more flexibility in hours, more time off. Maybe you're wanting more professional growth and your current job doesn't offer that. Well, so our point is to just make sure you get it in writing. And the way to explain that to him is just, you know, talk to your supervisor or the HR people whoever you're dealing with, tell them you want to evaluate this offer. You appreciate the fact that they've countered and you want to be objective about it. You'd prefer to stay with them, but you also want to do what's best for you. You want to be able to see it so that you can give it all the attention it deserves. Now, George, just because you get it in writing, though, it's still no guarantee that they're going to follow through. Well, Marilyn, you're right. No matter what, it's risky. But the thing is, you don't know that you're other employer. You know, the grass may not be greener. They may not follow through either. Boy, this is risky business, isn't it? You're coming up how to maintain both relationships in this delicate process. We're answering Patrick's big challenge today. He's had an offer and a counteroffer from his current employer, and he's trying to decide between the two of them. Here's something we haven't touched on yet, George. Should Patrick let the company that made the offer know that he's considering this counteroffer from his current employer? Well, Patrick, you need to do what you think is right, but I will tell you personally, I wouldn't let them know. But it brings up our fourth point, Marilyn, which is to maintain relationships. Here's what I would do. I would be pushing very hard to make this final decision very quickly, just as quickly as you possibly can, because Patrick, you got to understand this. Somebody's got a position to fill, whether it's your current employer or the people who've offered you the job that you've accepted. And so just be timely in your decision. Right, this is not a time to be indecisive, because if you are, then you risk burning bridges. Well, and that leads us, Marilyn, to whichever one of these you go with, make sure you end the other relationship on a positive note. All right, boy, that's a lot. Thanks, Patrick, for sending us your big challenge, and we hope our big advice helps you with this big decision, and please do keep us posted. That's with two Gs, in all cases, right? Yes, it is. Do you have a big challenge? We would love to help, and you can find our email through our site at bigsuccess.com. And if you have some big advice for Patrick, please share it with us and leave a comment at bigsuccess.com. That's also where you'll find a summary of today's show. And before we go, let's get our big quote for the day. Our big quote today comes from Karl Albrecht, who said, "Start out with an ideal, and end up with a deal." Patrick, you've been dealt a good hand. Play your cards well, maintain your poker face, draw from within, and then place your bet. I think I'll double down, Marilyn. All right. Well, next time, we're going to talk about, what's your pick up line? How to grab someone's attention with a great opening line. And until then, here's to your big success. The Big Success Show at bigsuccess.com. [MUSIC PLAYING] [MUSIC PLAYING] [BLANK_AUDIO]