Commission

Well, it’s the greatest motivator for salespeople in the world.

It’s the money some people make above and beyond their salary. A little monetary carrot dangling out in front of a salesperson to encourage them to sell, sell, sell!

You're an agent who just sold a house? Good for you...you get 3% commission. The house went for a million bucks? You get $30k for the privilege.

You’re the stock broker who sold three million shares of stock? Good for you...you get four cents a share, or $120 grand in your pocket.

You’re the Hollywood Agent who just inked Brad Pitiful into a movie deal worth 20 million bucks? Good for you...that's 10 percent, or two million bucks, to your kindly loving agency, Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe.

Now, for someone who’s attempting to sell a polished turd…well, that’s Commission: Impossible.

Find other enlightening terms in Shmoop Finance Genius Bar(f)