Hey Chops,
It's difficult to advise somebody properly on so little information. So take what I say with a pinch of salt.
Firstly, a problem you can have with giving advice to managers is that they feel threatened by you. You were lucky they even implemented them. As they did and the things worked out (I guess) it should give you confidence that you can make some good decisions if you were in the same positions.
Secondly, why should they promote you? Are you the best performer in your field? Are they hinting to you that you should apply for posts when they come up? Is there a position for you to be promoted to? If anything, it sounds as though the company is going backwards and not forwards - why else are they cutting salaries?
I would be approaching this differently. If I was as good as I thought I was and had a proven track record in my current position I would be TELLING them not asking them. "Look I need a greater challenge. You know I want a management position and if you want me to stay here then I want a promotion within 3 months." The directness will probably get a knee-jerk response (this is what you want, not to give them time to give you a considered answer). You need to know where you stand and at least with this approach you'll find out - be prepared for the worst.
If you haven't that confidence in your own position then you need sit it out. Ask them what you have to do to be promoted, what the timescales are etc. Every good salesperson should put pressure on their manager - all the time. If it's not for more commission, it's for a better car, better terms whatever. You have to be good at what you do now.
If you are averagely good at your job now but can illustrate you may perhaps be a good manager - chances are you won't get there. You need to make people need you. You need to have the position of power and you can only get that by being bloody good at what you do - then you dictate to them not the other way around.
Thomo
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