Thread: Middle Man / Facilitator / Commission?

I have a potential situation in which I'm at a bit of a loss(how I benefit).

For the last two years I've worked for a large corporation. Over that time, I've learned the business, and realized there is an opportunity I/my family is uniquely positioned to potentially help this large corporation enter a certain country. With that, I'm proposing to my company the option to meet and work with us to facilitate the re-entrance of the industry to the region.

The company currently has men on the ground working toward the same end goal, but they have had little success over the last couple years. Due to the positioning of our family in the Govt(people to be lobbied), I believe it would be in the companies best interest to work with us/them to clear the path.

My question is, how do I, or can I work in some sort of commission for the facilitation if my plan works?

I don't understand why not....

Originally Posted by Sir Robbins

I don't understand why not....

I guess my question more clearly is.. How do I approach the topic. Considering I'm an employee(salaried, and not in the business development department) suggesting a solution to a problem. How do I take it the next step and basically ask for a commission on something like this? I do not want to jeopardize my job or future at the company, but also do not want to miss out on a potential commission.

It would be tough and I do not know. Have you pursued say, a college professor or business consultant? They may be able to help a lot.

This is all pretty vague, but I would quit thinking of the situation as a commission opportunity. You're not selling shoes here and if your "in" is as grandiose as you say, you want a consulting fee followed by an equity stake.

IF (the biggest IF I can possibly imagine) you actually can deliver like you say you can and individually deliver "billions in revenue" you need to speak to an attorney first and draft an NDA or some sort of other legal way to cover any information you may divulge. Then you need to approach the owners of your company and ask for an opportunity to present to them the opportunity.............HOWEVER, first I would ask yourself how possible this really is because many (read: all) employees think they have all the answers to the company after they have been there two years. In my opinion, and not to poo-poo the idea, you should be very careful presenting this opportunity to the powers to be because you majorly risk being the "pain in the ass kid who won't shut up and just do what is outlined in his job description. It is a very fine line. You have to ask yourself, what are the chances?

Just my humble opinion having served as consultant and advisor to many businesses.

Originally Posted by Sir Robbins

It would be tough and I do not know. Have you pursued say, a college professor or business consultant? They may be able to help a lot.

Have not, but plan to.

Originally Posted by JimF355

This is all pretty vague, but I would quit thinking of the situation as a commission opportunity. You're not selling shoes here and if your "in" is as grandiose as you say, you want a consulting fee followed by an equity stake.

IF (the biggest IF I can possibly imagine) you actually can deliver like you say you can and individually deliver "billions in revenue" you need to speak to an attorney first and draft an NDA or some sort of other legal way to cover any information you may divulge. Then you need to approach the owners of your company and ask for an opportunity to present to them the opportunity.............HOWEVER, first I would ask yourself how possible this really is because many (read: all) employees think they have all the answers to the company after they have been there two years. In my opinion, and not to poo-poo the idea, you should be very careful presenting this opportunity to the powers to be because you majorly risk being the "pain in the ass kid who won't shut up and just do what is outlined in his job description. It is a very fine line. You have to ask yourself, what are the chances?

Just my humble opinion having served as consultant and advisor to many businesses.

Understand how it sounds unrealistic. Not guarantying anything, just flushing out the option. Basically looking for the specific kind of council to approach(specialty etc).

I would recommend having a very detailed plan (business plan) describing how your family members will be able to help, and other details so there are no major "what is this employee talking about?" ideas in the higher ups minds when you ask to talk to them.

You could potentially make a lot of money, or lose your job, best of luck to yah!

Do you have a good idea on additional revenue this new venture would produce? How far along is the company currently in entering the new country? How can you measure exactly what revenue is generated from your help compared to the company itself?

Originally Posted by 12204

I would recommend having a very detailed plan (business plan) describing how your family members will be able to help, and other details so there are no major "what is this employee talking about?" ideas in the higher ups minds when you ask to talk to them.

You could potentially make a lot of money, or lose your job, best of luck to yah!

I casually brought up the concept to someone in senior management I know. He liked it enough to take it straight to the president of our division. He liked it as well.

I am not pitching the concept as fool proof, just as something that has legitimate potential. And something that should be explored at the very least.

Basically before it gets to senior management at corporate, I need to get my ducks in a row.

Originally Posted by DTS-Photo

Do you have a good idea on additional revenue this new venture would produce? How far along is the company currently in entering the new country? How can you measure exactly what revenue is generated from your help compared to the company itself?

The door is closed currently, no revenue coming from the country. If in time we can get the laws/policies changed, it would be a substantial increase to the overall revenue of the business. The company has a man on the ground, but there hasn't been much headway the last few years(company is concentrating efforts on other countries currently developing this technology). I'm proposing the man on the ground and myself work with my family members towards our end goal.

The concept isn't new, lobbying happens non stop in the US.. I'm just trying to lock in my end of the deal if it works out for the company.

In my simple world I would hand over the opportunity to your family and ask for money on their end.

If you wanted to be on the up and up with your employer I'd recommend this:

I'd say to the company you are working for that you are happy to POTENTIALLY help the situation by doing XYZ and that if it worked how do they see your role in all of this.

Bottom line let them scratch their heads and come up with a fair solution.