About to launch a hotly anticipated, already profitable product. Is now a good time to ask for a raise?

Question

I was hired into my company (30k+ employees) as a mid-level developer 2 years ago to work on a fledgling product that had received great feedback from its users. The original authors of the software were bootstrapped -- they taught themselves to program and built a useful tool. Unfortunately, their lack of education/experience manifested itself in classic ways: performance pitfalls, difficult to maintain, etc.

As the only formally schooled/trained programmer on the team, I was able to make positive contributions that had a solid impact on our feedback and order rate. Things took off, and everything worked out in a great way.

Fast forward to present day. I'm the only guy left working on the product (have been for the last 12 months), tasked with developing and supporting it. Preorders for the next version of the software have already made it hugely profitable (10x over). Though I have clearly been filling the role of Lead Developer/Architect/etc, I am still getting paid my original mid-level wage. My company doesn't do "bonuses", and our raise-policy prohibits more than x% per year.

My Question

With a big launch coming up, would it be wrong to approach management with the sales figures and ask for a (substantial) increase in pay or promotion?

Answer 1

The key with salary negotiation (or any negotiation for that matter) is leverage.

From what you said:

I'm the only guy left working on the product

and assuming this product is important to the company, you seem to be in a good position.

Before you enter any sort of negotiation, you need to know your BATNA (Best Alternative To Negotiated Agreement - see Roger Fisher book "Getting to YES" if you haven't read it), in short: you need to know what your alternatives are if you can't come to an agreement.

If (in the worst case), they decided to fire you on the spot (very unlikely) - what's your backup plan? No matter how unlikely this situation would be, you simply need to be prepared. Or what if they simply said "no"? Would you be happy to stay? or you probably, again, need to be prepared to move on. At the same time, once you start this kind of talk, your employer might start thinking that you are not happy and you might jump ship at any time and therefore they might slowly move to make sure you can be replaced quite easily.

So many if, might, and but ... but that's just how it is

Another issue would be how to present the question to your employer. Rather than straight out asking for a raise, it's usually better to lay your facts and arguments on the table, with the goal of telling your employer "I am worth a lot more than I am being paid right now". You need to show how important you are to the company and that it's in their best interest to give you a raise and keep you in the company.

In summary:

• Make sure you are prepared with facts supporting why you should be paid more
• Be prepared for ANY outcome, make sure you have a back-up plan

Answer 2

It sounds like you deserve it, but it also sounds like policy will be to say no. Instead of a raise, consider asking for a promotion.

Answer 3

I think you've earned it. It certainly sounds like you've contributed enough to deserve it.

With that said, it doesn't sound like your employer is going to give it to you, even if you ask. It kind of sounds like a situation where your skills at your salary level are being slightly taken advantage of, as you should have probably gotten this promotion already.

One way to handle this if you ask and they say no - start shopping your resume. I'm not sure where you are located but in most places in the US, software developers (especially experienced ones) are a hot commodity. You'd likely find another offer quickly. Then you could probably take THAT back to yoru current employer and use it as leverage.

Do this carefully, though, as you will probably only be able to do it one time with this employer.