SmartHelping / Sales Compensation / Google Sheets
Sales Commission Scenario Planner
Compare fixed and scaled commission plans across different sales or gross-profit levels. See salesperson payouts, the amount remaining for the company, and the effect of changing performance targets and commission rates.
Download includes the Google Sheets link. Open it and choose File > Make a copy.
Immediate download after purchase. By purchasing, you agree to the Terms of Service.
See the planner in action
Walk through the commission comparison.
Two commission approaches
Compare a fixed percentage with a scaled commission plan.
Fixed commission rate
Apply one percentage to the selected commission base. Payouts increase as the salesperson generates more gross profit or revenue.
Scaled commission rate
Define up to five performance buckets with commission rates that increase at higher attainment levels. Compare the resulting payout and company amount with the fixed-rate approach.
Two analysis tabs
Review one result, then compare five performance levels.
Single-result comparison
Enter a revenue and gross-profit result to compare fixed and scaled commissions, including the gross profit remaining for the company after commission.
Sensitivity comparison
Compare commission payouts and company amounts at five revenue or gross-profit levels. Visuals show how the two commission structures behave as performance changes.
Plan the performance targets and payout structure
Compare salesperson earnings and company results together.
Set the performance buckets
Use historical results and sales goals to choose the dollar thresholds for your commission structure.
Adjust the commission rates
Compare the fixed rate with the scaled rates assigned to your buckets, then review the difference in salesperson payouts.
Review the amount retained
Compare the company’s remaining gross profit after commission at different production levels. The analysis shows the outcomes of the performance assumptions you enter.
Choose the commission base
Use gross profit or configure a revenue-based comparison.
Gross-profit-based commissions
Use the default gross-profit focus when that measure is available. Compare commissions with the gross profit generated and the amount remaining after the payout.
Revenue-based commissions
Set revenue and gross profit to the same amount at the top of the Model tab, equivalent to a 100% gross-profit rate. Change the gross-profit labels to revenue. The resulting comparison shows revenue remaining after commission.
Illustrative comparison
Compare total dollars after commission as well as the rate.
| Scenario | Gross profit | Commission rate | Commission payout | Gross profit after commission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower production | $3,000,000 | 5% | $150,000 | $2,850,000 |
| Higher production | $5,000,000 | 10% | $500,000 | $4,500,000 |
In this illustration, the higher-production scenario leaves $1,650,000 more gross profit after commission. These amounts are before other company expenses. Use your own performance assumptions to compare proposed plans.
Google Sheets access
Make your own editable copy after purchase.
Open the supplied template link
The download contains a Word document with the view-only Google Sheets link. Open the link and select File > Make a copy to create your editable version.
Reuse the analysis
Duplicate the analysis tabs when you want separate comparisons for additional salespeople. You can continue in Google Sheets or export your copy to Excel if needed.
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Read the articleQuestions before you start
A few useful details.
How many commission buckets are supported?
The scaled commission structure supports up to five performance buckets.
What does the sensitivity tab compare?
It compares salesperson commissions and company amounts at five different revenue or gross-profit levels under fixed and scaled commission structures.
Can I base the analysis on revenue?
Yes. Set the revenue and gross-profit amounts equal and update the labels to revenue. The analysis then compares commission payouts and revenue remaining after those payouts.
Can I use it for multiple salespeople?
Yes. Duplicate the analysis tabs to create separate comparisons for additional salespeople.
How do I edit the Google Sheets template?
Open the link in the downloaded document and select File > Make a copy. Work in your own copy of the template.
Compare payouts and company results
Build a clearer sales commission plan.
Sales Commission Scenario Planner — $45, with Google Sheets access.
