Commissions

What are Commissions?

Commissions are the payment structures you set up for your partners when they successfully refer deals or generate revenue. This system helps you automate partner payouts and track what you owe each partner.

What's on the Commissions Page

The Commissions settings page lets you define different commission structures for your partner programme:

• Commission Name: A descriptive label for the commission structure (e.g., "Standard Referral", "Enterprise Deal Commission")

• Commission Type: Choose between percentage-based or fixed amount commissions

• Rate/Amount: Set the commission percentage or fixed amount

• Partner Types: Specify which partner types this commission applies to

• Deal Criteria: Set minimum deal values or other requirements

• Actions: Edit, duplicate, or delete commission structures

How to Use It

Creating a New Commission Structure

1. Click "Create Commission" to add a new structure

2. Enter a clear name that describes this commission (e.g., "SaaS Referral Commission")

3. Choose your commission type:

   • Percentage: Commission based on deal value (e.g., 10% of deal value)

   • Fixed Amount: Set amount regardless of deal size (e.g., £500 per successful referral)

4. Set the rate or amount

5. Select which partner types this applies to

6. Add any deal criteria (minimum values, specific products, etc.)

7. Click "Save" to create the commission structure

Managing Existing Commissions

• Edit: Click on any commission to modify its details

• Duplicate: Copy an existing commission to create a similar one

• Delete: Remove commission structures that are no longer needed

• View Details: See which partners and deals are using each commission structure

Setting Up Different Commission Types

Referral Commissions

• Flat rate for successful introductions

• Typically percentage-based (5-15% of first year value)

• May include minimum deal thresholds

Reseller Commissions

• Higher rates for partners who sell directly

• Often tiered based on deal size or partner level

• May include volume bonuses

Recurring Commissions

• Ongoing payments for subscription deals

• Lower percentages but paid over time

• Usually tied to customer retention

Partner Type Integration

Different partner types often have different commission structures:

• Channel Partners: Higher rates for direct sales activities

• Referral Partners: Lower rates for introductions only

• Strategic Partners: Negotiated rates based on partnership terms

• Technology Partners: May focus on implementation or integration fees

Commission Calculation Examples

Percentage-Based Commission

• Deal Value: £10,000

• Commission Rate: 10%

• Partner Payout: £1,000

Tiered Commission Structure

• Deals under £5k: 5%

• Deals £5k-£20k: 10%

• Deals over £20k: 15%

Fixed Amount Commission

• Any qualified deal: £500 flat rate

• Minimum deal value: £2,000

Best Practices

Setting Fair Rates

• Research industry standards for your sector

• Consider the partner's effort and investment

• Align rates with the value partners provide

• Factor in your own profit margins

Structure Considerations

• Keep commission structures simple and clear

• Avoid overly complex criteria that confuse partners

• Consider both initial and ongoing value

• Plan for different deal sizes and types

Communication

• Clearly communicate commission terms to partners

• Provide examples of how commissions are calculated

• Set clear payment terms and schedules

• Be transparent about any changes

Important Notes

• Only Admin users can create and modify commission structures

• Changes to commission structures don't affect existing deals unless specified

• All commission changes are tracked for audit purposes

• Partners can view their applicable commission rates in their portal

• Commission calculations are automated based on closed deals

Integration with Deal Management

Commissions automatically integrate with your deal pipeline:

• Commissions are calculated when deals reach "Closed Won" status

• Partner payouts are tracked in the payments system

• Commission reports show what's owed to each partner

• Automated notifications keep partners informed of their earnings

Reporting and Tracking

The commissions system provides insights into:

• Total commissions owed by partner

• Commission performance by structure type

• ROI analysis on partner programme costs

• Payment history and outstanding amounts

• Partner performance against commission tiers

This helps you optimise your partner programme and ensure fair, timely payments to your partners.