Asking your employer for money when they use your idea that'll save millions

Let me preface by saying I work in CRE AM for a huge company that does over $40 billion in revenue. Now, I think that I have come up with an idea that in its maturity, should raise the average occupancy on our debt properties by ~1% which would generate an additional ~$50 million in revenues, lower risk and have other consequential cost savings for the firm. I know on a comparative basis its not huge, but I think an extra $50 mil a year is $50 million.

Also, my office has a town hall meeting every quarter where employees get to propose ideas to senior staff. Hypothetically, if my company went with my idea, how would I go about asking them for a bonus? I realize I'd probably have no legal ground to stand on, but I would still feel obliged to ask if I get a cash reward for adding that kind of value as only an analyst. What do you all think? I wouldn't expect like a million bucks or anything but maybe between $10,000 - $100,000?

7 Comments
 

pitch it to the execs. I would be willing to bet that this isn't the last good idea you'll ever have...the right people will take notice to your ideas in the long run and you'll find success if you keep thinking outside of the box.

 
Best Response

In my experience, unless you're an executive, a particularly senior guy, or you are an owner, they will pat you on the back, tell you it's a nice idea and, if you're lucky, they'll explain to you why that probably won't work for them (if you're not lucky, they'll just ignore you altogether). People often become entrenched in their ways and are not likely to listen to a regular scrub employee. I've given up trying to give ideas to my employer (and am halfway out the door with my own business on the side where I can actually implement my ideas).

Also, in the highly unlikely event they implement your idea, you aren't really morally entitled to a bonus. Proposing process improvements is part of your job. Now, when it comes to promotion time or the time to ask for a raise then it's a notch on your belt. It's also a solid thing to put on your resume.

Array
 

I think it all depends on where you are in your career and where you want to be. I feel like most VP level guys are always one foot out the door, depending on how close they are to securing capital to do their own deals. It's just the nature of the business, real estate is fundamentally an entrepreneurial industry. Most folks I know are doing deals on the side until their side business takes up more time than their day job will allow for.

 

I suppose you could quit and then act as a 3rd party consultant who takes a % of costs saved. You'd have to be damn sure it would work. Find another company in that space and repeat.

 

Eveniet possimus voluptates nam omnis nemo exercitationem. Dolores dicta dolorem rem omnis aut voluptate fugit. Nemo ut dolor ut soluta magnam. Enim veritatis deserunt et accusamus vero corporis similique ut. Quia dolores delectus ipsum error sed. Eum non aut necessitatibus ut aut itaque. Qui id neque ab eum.

Voluptates in quam perferendis perferendis repudiandae. Minima vero possimus aut nulla atque. Est sunt quia sed velit. Non earum cum consequatur. Eaque voluptatem nostrum molestias et.

Enim omnis et in modi autem sint temporibus quibusdam. In ex totam quasi unde.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”