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Erin Redwin, Bitcoin astrologer, discusses eclipse season chaos, Saturn returns, 2026 predictions, and how planetary alignments influenced Bitcoin's creation. Erin Redwing, Bitcoin astrologer and former astronomer, joins us to talk about eclipse season chaos, Saturn returns for millennials, why 2026 marks the Age of Aquarius, and Bitcoin's astrological DNA from its 2008 Saturn-Uranus opposition birth. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com **NOTES:** • Bitcoin hit $18K on winter solstice 2020 • Saturn returns happen ages 27-30 • Eclipse seasons occur every 6 months • 2026 starts new astrological era • Bitcoin created during planetary opposition • Pluto in Aquarius until 2044 Timestamps: 00:00 Start 01:35 Astronomy background 03:37 Erin predicts the 2025 Spring sell-off 05:55 Eclipse Season 12:48 Positive outlook 16:52 Cleanspark 18:11 Themes for the next era? 22:18 Saturn return 26:12 Saturn return applies to everyone 30:19 Bitcoin & Saturn 32:56 Price up or down? 42:47 Bitcoin culture right now -
Ever send an employee a whiskey… and get a genius idea instead of a hangover? In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Luigi is flying solo and sitting down with Doug Hall, an engineer turned P&G brand builder, systems-thinking evangelist, and the mad genius behind Eureka! Ranch and Brain Brew Distillery. Doug walks us through how he flipped corporate innovation on its head by using systems, inventing custom bourbon on demand, and teaching everyday folks to embrace innovation, one “stop the stupid” moment at a time. What you'll learn in this episode: Why systems (not superheroes) drive real innovation How Doug launched 9 products in 12 months with a 3-person team The one question every leader should ask to boost team engagement What “Stop the Stupid” means—and how it transforms your workplace Why “ideas per employee” is the KPI your business is missing How to build culture change from the ground up The secrets behind making award-winning bourbon faster and cheaper How to sell smarter in a B2B world without the BS A DIY blueprint for fixing broken systems in your business Why reinventing yourself every 10 years keeps you sharp (and relevant) Favorite Quote: “If you don't have a good system, you are setting somebody up for failure. Systems make great people.” Who is Doug?Doug Hall is a chemical engineer… who built world‑class stuff at P&G, then created Eureka! Ranch to help others do the same, and now distills custom bourbon as easily as others pour shots. He builds better systems, smarter people, and yes…he literally builds things (like a bourbon‑blending box from the future). Tune in, raise a glass, and get ready to "Stop the Stupid" in your business. And maybe pour your own bourbon while you're at it. Connect with Doug Hall: Website (Doug Hall): https://doughall.com Website (Eureka! Ranch): https://www.eurekaranch.com
Monster trucks, skeletons, and a CMO who doesn't think about cost analysis very often. In this in-studio conversation, Torq CMO Don Jeter breaks down how brand-led world-building beats feature dumps, why entertainment now matters more than information on the trade show floor, and how a Monster Jam partnership and an episodic LinkedIn “junior intern” series created real pipeline by earning mental real estate long before buyers are in-market. We get into the 60-day rebrand sprints, showing up at Black Hat, aligning sales and product so bold creative actually converts, measuring what matters when attribution gets fuzzy, and using AI for brainstorming without shipping “AI slop.” Stick around to the lightning round where Don reveals his $10M marketing moonshot and the sacred marketing belief he thinks won't age well. If you care about brand, demand, and breaking B2B sameness, watch through to the end and then queue it up on audio for the commute. Key Moments: 00:00: Brand > Features: Cold Open02:09: Rebrand to Stand Out (Not Blend In)03:53: Trade Show Strategy + Monster Jam Booth07:31: World-Building for B2B Brands10:02: Episodic LinkedIn: Meet “Intern Trevor”13:18: Do Bold Stunts Actually Drive Revenue?20:16: Brand x Product x Sales: Tight Alignment30:04: Polarizing on Purpose: Handling the Haters34:30: Collabs, Culture & Consistency (Beyond F1)38:52: AI for Ideas, Humans for Taste45:00: Hiring Creatives + Technical PMM Muscle48:03 Lightning Round (Super Bowl Ads, Hot Takes & More) Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SaaStr 821: Swapping Stories - Building AI-First Companies: Insights from Zapier's CEO and Co-Founder Wade Foster Join us for an in-depth conversation with Wade Foster, co-founder and CEO of Zapier, on the SaaStr AI Swapping Stories Podcast! Wade shares how Zapier is leading the way in AI-powered automation, the evolution from simple workflows to agentic systems, and why AI fluency is now a must-have for every new hire. In this episode, we discuss: The journey of Zapier from integration tool to AI orchestration platform Real-world examples of agentic workflows and automation at scale How Zapier's culture embraces “don't be a robot, build a robot” The impact of AI on sales, customer success, and internal operations Tips for companies looking to hire and upskill for an AI-first future The latest trends in AI tools, including voice-to-text and workflow automation Whether you're a founder, operator, or just curious about the future of work, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. And see you at Zapconnect next week (sign up here - it's free.) -----------------------------------------------------------------------  Fin is the #1 AI Agent for resolving complex queries like refunds, transaction disputes, and technical troubleshooting—all with speed and reliability. See how Fin can deliver the highest resolution rates and highest-quality customer experience at fin.ai/saastr. --------------------- If you're serious about B2B and AI, you need to be in London this December 2nd and 3rd. SaaStr AI London is bringing together more than 2,000 leaders and founders for two days of practical advice on scaling into the new year. We'll have speakers flying in from OpenAI, Wiz, Clay, Intercom, and all your favorite SaaS companies, including yours truly with Harry Stebbings for a live 20VC podcast. It'll be fun, and it's all in the heart of London. Don't miss out: get your tickets with my exclusive discount by going to podcast.saastrlondon.com --------------------- Hey everybody, the biggest B2B + AI event of the year will be back - SaaStr AI in the SF Bay Area, aka the SaaStr Annual, will be back in May 2026. With 68% VP-level and above, 36% CEOs and founders and a growing 25% AI-first professional, this is the very best of the best S-tier attendees and decision makers that come to SaaStr each year. But here's the reality, folks: the longer you wait, the higher ticket prices can get. Early bird tickets are available now, but once they're gone, you'll pay hundreds more so don't wait. Lock in your spot today by going to podcast.saastrannual.com to get my exclusive discount SaaStr AI SF 2026. We'll see you there.
About this episode (#405): In this episode, Jack and Jeremy run a two-part teardown of real cold outreach messages. They start by analyzing a LinkedIn message that pitches AI agents for lead generation, then break down a clever follow-up email from a SaaS tool the recipient had signed up for months earlier. You'll hear what worked, what didn't, and how to write outreach that actually gets replies, whether your audience is ice cold or just cooling off. Key topics discussed in this episode: Why vague or generic subject lines instantly signal cold outreach - The dangers of pitching without credibility, proof, or a clear ask How to use curiosity properly in cold messages (and when it backfires) Why offering value or reciprocity makes outreach more effective A teardown of a SaaS follow-up email that used a “you never used your free credits” angle The difference between cold, warm, and “lukewarm” outreach (and why lukewarm might be your best audience) How small, specific asks can increase reply rates This episode is a masterclass in cold outreach psychology, whether your leads are brand new or just haven't heard from you in a while. About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com
Today, on Notable Leaders' Radio, I speak with Lauren Cassidy, Founder/Executive Creative Director – LC Studio Productions. She unpacks how showing up as your best self, seizing opportunities, and evolving through every challenge leads to success and fulfillment. In today's episode, we discuss: Embrace a “greatness over perfection” mindset to fuel creativity and avoid stagnation. Lauren learned that seeking perfection sets ceilings and fosters disappointment, while aiming for personal greatness keeps you evolving; by shifting your mindset this way, you allow yourself room for growth, more creative output, and less self-judgment, which benefits anyone seeking fulfillment and innovation in any field. Align your work and life as closely as possible with what you love. Lauren insists on infusing her passion for music and creativity into her work, and when that's not possible, she finds ways outside of work to feel fulfilled; everyone benefits by seeking or creating alignment between their passions and daily activities, which boosts motivation and overall life satisfaction. Stay open to unexpected career forks and don't fear following your curiosity. Lauren's pivotal choice between a theater tour and an HBO job taught her to pursue new opportunities even without guarantees; you too can learn from serendipitous crossroads, as flexibility and openness often lead to bigger breaks and more satisfying work than rigid planning. Use pressure as a moment to pause and collaborate rather than panic. When faced with a high-stakes challenge with Joan Rivers, Lauren demonstrated the value of staying calm and working with her team. So, when you find yourself in a similar situation, remember that stressful moments are best met with composure, seeking help, and trusting your problem-solving skills. RESOURCES: Guest Bio Lauren Cassidy, the founder of LC Studio Productions, has spent her career staging productions that come to life both on-screen and in person, where strategy, storytelling, and execution meet. Picture a show where C-suite executives are the lead actors, the brand is the script, and the audience is everyone from consumers to business partners. Her role? Casting the right team, directing the production, making sure the lines land, and yes, reminding people that Post-its are not, in fact, a filing system. Lauren brings all the pieces together so that when the curtain rises, the story doesn't just play. It sticks. During her 17 years at AMC Networks, Lauren built and led an internal creative studio that doubled as a powerhouse production crew for five core brands and streaming platforms. She produced everything from record-breaking campaigns and B2B activations to all-hands meetings that looked suspiciously like late-night variety shows. (Think executives who never thought they'd sing suddenly nailing a parody number with surprising confidence.) Along the way, she earned a reputation as the connective tissue, linking strategy to execution, creativity to business goals, and vision to reality. Awards, industry recognition, and happy executives were part of the outcome, but the real thrill was watching teams she mentored flourish in the spotlight. When she's not orchestrating corporate blockbusters, Lauren borrows inspiration from theater, music, and pop culture while also fronting a rock band. For her, work has always been about building the right ensemble, setting the stage for success, and giving people a reason to lean in. Whether it's a breakthrough campaign, film festival, upfront, social impact PSA, or an executive keynote, Lauren believes the show must not just go on; it should leave an impression worth remembering. Website/Social Links: @laurenbcassidy https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-cassidy/ www.lcstudio.io Belinda's Bio: Belinda Pruyne is a renowned Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach, Consultant, and Keynote Speaker recognized for her ability to transform executives, professionals, and small business owners into highly respected, influential leaders. As the Founder of BelindaPruyne.com, she partners with top-tier organizations, including IBM, Booz Allen Hamilton, BBDO, Hilton, Leidos, Yale School of Medicine, Landis, Discovery Channel, and the Portland Trail Blazers. Recently, she led the redesign of two global internal advertising agencies for Cella, a leader in creative staffing and consulting. She is also a founding C-suite and executive management coach for Chief, the fastest-growing executive women's network. A thought leader in leadership development, Belinda is the creator and host of the Notable Leaders Radio podcast, where she has conducted 95+ interviews with top executives and business leaders, revealing the untold stories behind their success. Previously, as Executive Vice President, Global Director of Creative Management at Grey Advertising, she oversaw a global team of 500 professionals, gaining deep expertise in client services and executive leadership. With 25+ years of experience, Belinda is a trusted advisor to startups, turnarounds, acquisitions, and Fortune 500 companies, delivering strategic, high-impact solutions in today's fast-evolving business landscape. Website: Belindapruyne.com Email Address: hello@belindapruyne.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindapruyne Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NotableLeadersNetwork.BelindaPruyne/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/belindapruyne?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindapruyne/
Explore the power of emotional connections in both B2C and B2B settings. Marketing maestro Bruce Turkel, author of "All About Them," joins Mark to unravel the often-misunderstood art of emotional sales messaging. Forget what you know about facts and figures; Bruce takes us on a journey into the heart of people-to-people interactions that truly drive successful sales. In an era where consumers can buy anything at the click of a button, Bruce urges salespeople to focus on what buyers truly want. Imagine your sales strategy as a musical performance, where creativity and emotional engagement are your instruments. Bruce shares how tapping into your unique talents can set you apart from the competition.
If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward• https://www.youtube.com/mapitforwardCheck out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshopsConsider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here:• https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingJoin our mailing list:• https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistInterested in our business advisory services for your small, medium, or large business? Email us here: support@mapitforward.orgLooking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Welcome to the 3rd episode of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.Our guests on the podcast for this series are Lucia Reid, Gabriela Copello Duque, and Madeline Stuart - 3 agroecological scientists specialising in resilient coffee farming.Given the challenges faced by coffee farmers to adapt to the new normal, i.e., unpredictable weather and reduced yields, in this series, we're asking the question "What Does Success Look Like for Resilient Coffee Farming?"Here are the 5 episodes we'll explore throughout this series:1. What is Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/tGJgcPCwDSM2. Transitioning to Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/xetbKOzcZxg3. The Challenges of Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/NMDe9XtYsWY4. Success for Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/YF1CRAwAvho5. Creating Resilient Coffee Relationships - https://youtu.be/j3ECGHwG9-MIn this Map It Forward podcast episode, Lee, Maddie, Lucie, and Gabi delve into the challenges faced by farmers in transitioning to resilient coffee farming practices. They discuss the necessity of investigating new solutions, the importance of partnerships, and how factors such as time, money, education, and unprecedented climate effects impact the coffee farming industry. The episode emphasizes the need for innovative approaches and specialized skills in managing agroforestry systems to ensure a sustainable future for coffee farmers.Connect with Gabriela Copello Duque here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-copello-duque/https://www.instagram.com/gabriela_copello/Connect with Lucia Reid here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinestuart/https://www.instagram.com/reidsramblesnroasts/Connect with Madeline Stuart here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinestuart/https://www.instagram.com/maddiesfieldnotes/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list
#589 Want to land more podcast interviews and pitch like a pro? In this episode, host Kirsten Tyrrel sits down with Parker Olson, co-founder of PodPitch, to explore the intersection of automation, podcasting, and entrepreneurship. Parker shares how his tool helps experts and businesses get booked on the right shows through AI-powered outreach — and reveals the common mistakes people make when trying to pitch themselves. They also dive into why starting with a clear “listener promise” is essential for any new podcast, how to validate your business idea by asking the hard questions early, and why making your first dollar fast can be the best product development strategy of all! What we discuss with Parker: + What makes a great podcast pitch + Common mistakes when pitching shows + Importance of a clear listener promise + How PodPitch automates outreach + Vetting active vs. inactive podcasts + Why value > self-promotion on interviews + ROI of podcast guest appearances + Validating ideas by asking for payment + B2B vs. B2C sales psychology + Building simple tools before scaling Thank you, Parker! Use code MILLIONAIRE for $100 off your first month of PodPitch. Follow Parker on LinkedIn. To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we chat with Ali Kriegsman! Ali is a writer, entrepreneur, and business strategist whose work lives at the intersection of brand building, storytelling, and sales. At just 24, she co-founded Bulletin, a retail technology company that reimagined how premium brands and retailers connect. Bulletin went on to be acquired by Emerald [NYSE:EEX], the largest B2B events company in the United States, in a $10 million deal.Since then, Ali has helped founders and companies raise more than $20 million in venture funding, secure profitable exits, and close major sponsorship and partnership deals. She's also the author of How to Build a Goddamn Empire, and her most recent fiction project, The Raise, which pushes the boundaries of traditional publishing by blending storytelling with cinematic, social, and direct-to-consumer elements to create an immersive brand experience.Ali has been recognized as a Forbes ‘30 Under 30' honoree and one of Fast Company's ‘Most Creative People in Business,' and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Refinery29, The Today Show, and more✨ This episode is presented by Brex.Brex: brex.com/trailblazerspodThis episode is supported by Gusto, OpenPhone & Athena.Gusto: gusto.com/trailblazersOpenPhone: openphone.com/trailblazersAthena: athenago.me/Erica-WengerFollow Us!Ali Kriegsman: @alikriegs@thetrailblazerspod: Instagram, YouTube, TikTokErica Wenger: @erica_wenger
Great marketing isn't just strategy, it's intuition, timing, and a deep understanding of human behavior. That's the beauty of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a movie about erasing your memories. In this episode, we're breaking down its lessons with the help of special guest Noha Rizk, Chief Marketing Officer at Incorta. Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from putting human emotion at the center of their work, trusting intuition alongside data, and embracing mistakes as the path to growth.About our guest, Noha RizkNoha Rizk is the Chief Marketing Officer at Incorta. With deep expertise in Marketing, brand management, integrated channel management, product leadership, P&L accountability, and change management, across various industries and launching and leading partnerships, marketing and product in over 50 countries, Noha brings extensive experience and insights into how to execute for brand loyalty, growth and sustainable share of the market. Prior to Incorta, Noha led marketing for Meta AI, launching Llama, and leading other open source projects like PyTorch. She pioneered online banking for Amex and Citi, online booking and revenue optimisations and integrated channel strategies in the hotel industry with Starwood and Marriott, led partnerships and loyalty in emerging markets, launched NGO and Gov projects with US state department, launched and spun off two of her own successful businesses and helped organise PayPals enterprise, Platforms and Developer product offerings and streamline their GTM strategies.Noha loves to solve big problems and create groundbreaking products and services that inspire customers and business partners. She focuses on delivering insights and metrics driven outcomes, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and coming up with innovative solutions. She especially enjoys building and developing strong, resilient, and nimble teams that can adapt to changing market needs and customer expectations.Noha is an avid reader, developing painter and pianist, proud mother and animal lover with a passion for helping the private sector thrive in emerging markets.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind:Lead with human emotion. Great marketing isn't about features, it's about people. Even in B2B, you're dealing with human psyches, behaviors, and emotions—not faceless corporations. Noha explains, “Even as B2B marketers… you're dealing with individuals. You're dealing with the human psyche, you're dealing with the buying behavior… ultimately that is the objective. The objective is to maintain a relationship with your customers.” The lesson? Build messaging that connects on a human level first, because behind every buying decision is a person making sense of their own emotions.Balance data with intuition. Metrics matter, but numbers can't capture everything. Noha argues that some of the best insights come from being present, listening, and noticing what the data can't show. “Some things can't be measured…A big chunk of marketing has to be intuitive. It's not always purely scientific.” Just as the film's dreamlike narrative reminds us memory isn't linear or logical, B2B marketers need to leave room for creativity, serendipity, and gut instinct, because not everything that counts can be counted.Embrace mistakes as part of growth. Trying to erase failures is as dangerous in marketing as it is in memory. Noha points out, “You can't just erase away the pain… you won't learn if you don't make mistakes. A lot of marketers have to be super buttoned up, their campaigns have to work… there isn't a lot of opportunity for marketers these days to be allowed to make mistakes.” But the best brands learn from experiments that don't go as planned. Failure isn't wasted, it's the raw material for innovation, resilience, and better campaigns down the road.Quote“ As marketers…we explore the human psyche pretty much day in, day out, even if it's not explicitly said. But that's essentially what we do.”Time Stamps[00:55] Meet Noha Rizk, Chief Marketing Officer at Incorta[1:26] Why Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?[5:51] Role of CMO at Incorta[9:07] Breaking Down Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind[22:11] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind[43:56] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Noha on LinkedInLearn more about IncortaAbout Remarkable!Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This episode features an interview with Bruno Bertini, the CMO of 8x8, a CX platform that brings together business communications and interaction data in one place.Bruno discusses 8x8's innovative marketing campaigns, particularly 'The Power of You,' which creatively leverages AI to feature customers in engaging ways. Bruno shares insights into their marketing strategy, the role of AI in scaling their efforts, and the challenges and rewards of pushing creative boundaries in B2B marketing. Guest Quote:"In B2B, the only way to cut through the noise is by doing something creative. Imagine you're a buyer. You wake up like, oh my God, I'm gonna read a white paper this morning. I'm so excited. Anyways, jokes aside for us as we are repositioning the company, the idea was I don't have the biggest budget. You know, I'm one of the smallest players in a very big market, that's moving at quantum speed. So instead of burning all the money we had just in paid, trying to push more of the usual, the idea was can we do something really different leveraging our internal AI culture."Episode Timestamps: *(06:42) The Trust Tree: Economies of scale from AI content*(10:05) The Playbook: The Power of You Campaign*(44:48) Quick Hits: Bruno's quick hitsSponsor:Pipeline Visionaries is brought to you by Qualified.com. Qualified helps you turn your website into a pipeline generation machine with PipelineAI. Engage and convert your most valuable website visitors with live chat, chatbots, meeting scheduling, intent data, and Piper, your AI SDR. Visit Qualified.com to learn more.Links:Connect with Ian on LinkedInConnect with Bruno on LinkedInLearn more about 8x8Learn more about Caspian Studios Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Unlock the power of Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) and geo-targeting to transform your advertising strategy! Once available only to high-budget DSP advertisers, these sophisticated tools are now accessible to all Amazon sellers, opening new possibilities for targeted marketing that delivers exceptional returns.Through a fascinating case study of a pool equipment brand, we explore how strategic geo-targeting solves one of the most frustrating challenges for seasonal products. By focusing advertising dollars exclusively on regions with year-round pool usage (like Southern California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona), sellers can maintain profitable advertising during traditional off-seasons while connecting with their highest-value customers. Imagine knowing that your Phoenix customers replace pool equipment annually while Michigan customers might use the same tools for years – that's the kind of insight that transforms how you target your advertising.AMC's implementation varies across Amazon's advertising ecosystem, with different capabilities for DSP, Sponsored Display, Sponsored Products, and Sponsored Brands. We break down exactly how each platform utilizes geographic data, from true filtering to bid modifiers, and explain how to access these powerful tools even without programming expertise. The conversation expands to cover B2B audience targeting, revealing how these professional customers often deliver significantly higher average order values and better conversion rates than standard consumers.What makes this strategy particularly powerful is how targeted advertising creates a virtuous cycle between ad performance and organic visibility. By directing your spend toward audiences with higher conversion rates, you effectively "signal" to Amazon's algorithms that your products deserve better organic placement. Whether you're struggling with seasonal fluctuations or simply looking to maximize your advertising ROI, these advanced targeting capabilities represent the future of Amazon advertising – and the time to start implementing them is now.
Called to Action is back with Liam Moroney of Storybook marketing to walk us through his journey as a marketer focused on brand and storytelling. He gives his history, philosophy, and advice on how to change your leadership's mindset. Liam draws from his extensive background in B2B marketing to share his experiences in navigating various industries, emphasizing the importance of moving from a 'growth at all costs' mindset to a more sustainable, brand-centric strategy. The conversation highlights key challenges faced by marketers in tech, especially in convincing stakeholders about the value of storytelling and brand awareness. Liam discusses how understanding the fundamentals of marketing and human behavior fosters better brand development and market reach. Stressing the significance of storytelling as a tool to improve brand recall and customer connection, Liam shares strategies for changing leadership mindsets resistant to traditional perceptions. This episode is rich with insights for marketers, challenging existing paradigms and encouraging more proactive approaches in achieving effective growth.Episode topics: #marketing, #leadgen, #demandgeneration, #sales, #B2BSaaS, #digitalmarketing #measurement #metrics #sales #marketingalignment #storytelling #brandmarketing______Subscribe to Stacking Growth on Spotify and YouTubeLearn More About Refine LabsSign Up For Our NewsletterConnect with the guest:Liam MoroneyConnect with the hosts:Evan HughesSteph Crugnola
If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward• https://www.youtube.com/mapitforwardCheck out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshopsConsider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here:• https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingJoin our mailing list:• https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistInterested in our business advisory services for your small, medium, or large business? Email us here: support@mapitforward.orgLooking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Welcome to the 2nd episode of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.Our guests on the podcast for this series are Lucia Reid, Gabriela Copello Duque, and Madeline Stuart - 3 agroecological scientists specialising in resilient coffee farming.Given the challenges faced by coffee farmers to adapt to the new normal, i.e., unpredictable weather and reduced yields, in this series, we're asking the question "What Does Success Look Like for Resilient Coffee Farming?"Here are the 5 episodes we'll explore throughout this series:1. What is Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/tGJgcPCwDSM2. Transitioning to Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/xetbKOzcZxg3. The Challenges of Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/NMDe9XtYsWY4. Success for Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/YF1CRAwAvho5. Creating Resilient Coffee Relationships - https://youtu.be/j3ECGHwG9-MIn this Map It Forward Podcast episode, Lee, Maddie, Lucie, and Gabi discuss the transition from conventional to resilient coffee farming. The conversation emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional agricultural practices with modern scientific innovations for a more sustainable approach. The discussion also covers the role of community support, understanding individual farmer contexts, and the economic and logistical challenges farmers face during this transition. The insights provided are valuable not only for coffee farmers but for anyone in the coffee supply chain looking to future-proof their operations.Connect with Gabriela Copello Duque here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-copello-duque/https://www.instagram.com/gabriela_copello/Connect with Lucia Reid here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinestuart/https://www.instagram.com/reidsramblesnroasts/Connect with Madeline Stuart here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinestuart/https://www.instagram.com/maddiesfieldnotes/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list
In this one, Chris and I talk fitness, sleep, supplements, and how to keep your body in the game while leading in the restoration industry. Late-night emergency calls, unpredictable schedules, and high-stress jobs can wreck your health if you don't have a plan. We share how morning training, sleep tech, diet balance, and smart supplementation keep us sharp so we can show up strong for our teams and clients. We even dig into creatine for brain energy and the truth about TRT vs. enclomiphene. Thanks for listening, Brandon Key Takeaways [00:04:30] Morning training: 4:15 a.m. alarm = momentum and accountability. [00:06:30] Injury hacks: Train smart with machines/isolation to stay strong under stress. [00:13:50] Creatine boost: 5g for muscle, 15g supports brain energy—huge for long shifts. [00:18:30] Sleep tech: Pod covers, less caffeine/screens, smarter wake-ups for recovery. [00:26:50] Diet freedom: 1g protein/lb, meat + fruit, and guilt-free “when in Rome” meals. [00:34:20] Hormones: Low T? Get labs. Options from enclomiphene to TRT explained. [00:45:30] Energy hack: Exogenous ketones give clean focus without the crash Did you know... Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%. Business Health & Value Assessment Start Assessment Know Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps. Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes: A Lite Valuation Of Your Business Your Value Multiplier Per Your Industry Health Assessment Per Our PYB Methodology Business Value & Growth Roadmap Tailored For You Value Acceleration Strategies Spotlight on Floodlight: Your Secret Weapon for Sales & Scaling This isn't a paid plug. It's real talk from the front lines. If you've ever thought, “How do I get a VP-level sales leader or even a sales team without hiring full-time?” Floodlight has the answer. Fractional Sales Leadership They act as your outsourced VP of Sales, taking full responsibility for training, managing, and growing your sales team. No six-figure hire needed. Clients often close 20 to 50 percent more deals within six months, thanks to data-driven coaching, CRM setup, scripts, and performance reviews.More at floodlightgrp.com/sales Commercial Sales MasterCourse A self-paced, video-driven B2B sales course designed specifically for restoration teams. Perfect for building commercial revenue and getting free from TPA handcuffs. Covers mindset, prospecting, pipeline building, LinkedIn lead generation, and includes a $250 discount with code SALESBOOST.Details at floodlightgrp.com/courses Tailored Consulting & Coaching Floodlight's Propel Your Business methodology offers a full-circle roadmap: financials, sales, marketing, leadership, recruiting, productivity. All built for contractors. These aren't “life coaches.” They're former restoration owners who've lived the chaos and know how to scale out of it.Explore more at floodlightgrp.com Live Training, Tools & Strategic Partnerships Floodlight also delivers live onsite and virtual training, keynote speaking, and leadership tracks covering operations, project management, and strategic growth. Bonus: They've vetted tools like Xcelerate, Liftify, and Sureti. Floodlight clients get access to exclusive discounts on tech that actually moves the needle.See all partnerships at floodlightgrp.com/partners Why it matters for you as a listener You don't need to figure this stuff out alone. If you're serious about sales growth, operational clarity, exit readiness, or leadership development, Floodlight is already helping folks like you scale smarter. And you get it from industry insiders. People who've sat in your chair, survived the fires, and built systems that actually work.
This week, Laura and Kevin are joined by Mike Maynard, CEO and Managing Director of Napier, a B2B PR and marketing agency helping tech companies turn awareness into opportunities. Mike started his career as an electronics design engineer before moving into marketing, and that technical background still shapes how he builds and measures campaigns today.We talk about what real success looks like beyond clicks and leads, how Napier decides which industries to focus on, and why some sectors spark more excitement than others. Mike also shares his perspective on AI in marketing, from copyright questions around image generation to how automation can coexist with campaigns that still feel human and engaging. And of course, we ask what keeps him curious about technology after decades at the intersection of engineering and marketing.On the lighter side, Laura gets a little weird by asking Mike what number he'd be, and in the outro we get into the Dax Prescott/Jalen Carter spitting incident in the Week 1 NFL opening game, the Eagles' sportsmanship (or lack of it, depending who you ask), and Laura's campaign for a new Super Bowl halftime band. This episode has it all!Mike Maynard is the CEO and Managing Director of the Napier Group, a $7M PR and marketing agency for B2B technology companies. Mike specializes in increasing the speed prospects travel through clients' sales and marketing funnels, generating opportunities more quickly, building integrated campaigns that focus on the important tactics, whether clients need to increase awareness, generate leads or engage contacts to create opportunities.
A CMO Confidential Interview with Shiv Singh, CEO of Savvy Matters, former CMO of Lending Tree and author of AI For Dummies and The 5 Marketing Truths You Won't See at Cannes. Shiv shares why he believes AI is killing marketing jobs, how the CMO Role is breaking down due to overlap with other functions, and how "Big Tech is running marketing." Key topics include: how walled gardens make the job harder; why the optics of Cannes are terrible; and the reason marketers should work to fully understand technology. Tune in to hear how AI is making us less intelligent and why Cannes should move to San Francisco. DescriptionWhat you won't hear on the Croisette. Former LendingTree CMO and Marketing with AI for Dummies author Shiv Singh joins host Mike Linton to unpack his viral “5 marketing truths you won't hear at Cannes”—from AI's real impact on jobs and creativity to why the CMO role keeps breaking under overlapping scopes, walled gardens, and distorted budgets.We dig into the zero-click search era, big tech as the new kingmakers, how to rebuild orgs AI-first, and what practical steps CMOs should take this quarter (hint: learn the tech, ship agents, and embed marketers into tech teams).In this episode • AI is changing performance, creative, and strategy—faster than the hype cycle • The CMO job: too wide, too blurry, and overlapped with the rest of the C-suite • Walled gardens & retail media: measurement theater vs. business impact • Zero-click search & AI Overviews: when your best customers never hit your site • “AI-native” org design: agents, code-as-deliverable, and the marketer-as-technologist • Why Cannes optics can backfire—and what a substance-first festival could look like • Playbook for CMOs: weekly show-and-tells, code literacy, and cross-functional embedsAbout our guestShiv Singh is CEO of Savvy Matters, co-founder of AI Trailblazers, former CMO of LendingTree, and a longtime brand leader (Pepsi, Visa). He writes and speaks widely on AI's impact on marketing, org design, and growth.Sponsor — TypefaceLegacy tools weren't built for AI. Typeface is the first multimodal platform where agentic workflows handle everything from brainstorming to launch across every channel. Transform one idea into thousands of on-brand assets—text, images, and video—at enterprise scale, with security and seamless MarTech integrations. See how brands like ASICS and Microsoft move from brief to personalized campaigns in hours: typeface.ai/cmo.If you're enjoying CMO Confidential, please like, subscribe, and share. New episodes every Tuesday; companion newsletter every Friday.⸻Chapter Markers00:00 – Welcome & Sponsor: Typeface01:45 – Introducing Shiv Singh & “5 Truths You Won't Hear at Cannes”05:10 – Truth 1: AI is changing jobs, creativity, and strategy10:20 – The CMO role is broken: scope, overlap, and alignment15:05 – Walled gardens & retail media: why measurement is broken19:45 – Truth 2 & 3: Big Tech as the new kingmakers24:20 – Zero-click search & the rise of AI-driven discovery28:50 – Truth 4: Cannes optics and why it's “not for everybody”32:40 – What CMOs should do: tech fluency, coding, weekly experiments36:00 – Superintelligence and the AI-native org of the future39:00 – Practical advice & closing thoughts⸻CMO Confidential, Mike Linton, Shiv Singh, Savvy Matters, AI Trailblazers, LendingTree, Pepsi, Visa, Cannes Lions, marketing truths, AI in marketing, agentic AI, AI agents, zero-click search, AI Overviews, walled gardens, retail media networks, big tech kingmakers, Google, Meta, TikTok, YouTube as TV, Performance Max, marketing org design, CMO role, C-suite alignment, measurement, marketing strategy, creative automation, knowledge workers, superintelligence, LLMs, large language models, marketer as technologist, code literacy, AI native organization, marketing experimentation, weekly show and tell, brand building, B2B marketing, B2C marketing, marketing leadership, executive insights, podcast for CMOs, Typeface, Typeface AI, typeface.ai/cmo, ASICS, Microsoft, customer acquisition, CAC, CLV, marketing ROI, retail media, AI transformation, marketing jobs and AI⸻See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Is playing by someone else's rules keeping you small (and underpaid)? Business growth strategist Anniedi Essien joins Michelle to spill the bold truths on owning your expertise, pitching like a pro, and showing up as your most unapologetic self—sneakers, sparkle, and all. If you're tired of underselling your brilliance and playing small, get ready to learn how to score those big corporate contracts, crush imposter syndrome, and bring your whole personality to the table. This one is a pep talk for everyone who's ever wanted to land dream clients, set their own rules, and finally get paid what they're worth. Anniedi Essien is a Chief Swagger Officer, Business Growth Strategist and Keynote Speaker who loves empowering busy professionals to lead more healthy, wealthy and fulfilling lives. She went from burnt out as a top corporate healthcare executive to fired up as an entrepreneur by taking charge of her own health, regaining the sparkle in her eyes, and launching her dream biz at Idem Spark. Anniedi created Swagger School® to advise C-Suite executives, entrepreneurs and women in leadership on how to elevate their impact, influence and income—without sacrificing wellness—so they can build multiple streams of wealth and joy by growing with more corporate clients. As a former corporate buyer, she is passionate about equipping independent consultants with the tools they need to capture a bigger piece of the revenue pie globally by elevating their positioning and playing more boldly in the B2B space with swagger. Anniedi has a BA in biomedical ethics from Brown University and an MBA in strategy from NYU Stern School of Business. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Visionary branding and entrepreneurship insights Lead generation vs. demand generation Strategic partnering for limitless impact Overcoming imposter syndrome with authenticity What swagger is and finding your competitive advantage Redefining professionalism Staying aligned with yourself through design thinking The role of AI and your creative advantage Marketing to corporate buyers and scale up Networking and the value of community Hitting your revenue with only a handful of clients Advice for entrepreneurs in September ---------------------- RESOURCES: Access Anniedi's FREE Ultimate Guide to Sealing More Corporate Deals to slay sales with corporate clients Episode 231: Styled to Lead: The Intersection of Aesthetic and Authority Episode 201: Building a Global Brand with Shay Bacani Episode 200: Our Teams' 2025 Bingoals Revealed Episode 176: Client Case Study: Piano C Property Management ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Anniedi and her consulting, follow her on Instagram @AnniediEssien and Facebook @Anniedi.Essien and visit her website, IdemSparkLife.com ----------------------- Boring packaging? Forgettable branding? Sticker Giant fixes that with custom stickers and labels designed to make your brand stick—literally. Use code KMA25 at stickergiant.com for 25% off your first order. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard
If you're still posting jobs and hoping A-players apply, you're already behind.In this high-impact episode, Alice Heiman sits down with Jamie Crosbie, founder of ProActivate and TEDx speaker with over 1 million views on The Power of Your Mindset, to reveal what every CEO needs to know to hire top revenue-generating talent.Most hiring processes are built for convenience, not performance. That's why companies end up with B-players or worse, just to fill a seat. Jamie shares exactly how CEOs can stop mis-hires before they happen and build bench strength that supports real growth.If you're a CEO of a B2B company under $100M, this episode is your blueprint for hiring right, every time.
Christian Bonnier reveals how he built ListKit into a $600K/month lead generation business using cold email, personal branding, and viral content. If you've ever wondered how to get consistent B2B leads, scale a coaching business, or grow your personal brand online, this episode is packed with actionable insights. We break down: ✔ The cold email framework that actually gets replies ✔ How to avoid spam filters and increase deliverability ✔ The secret behind viral TikTok & Instagram content ✔ Building a $600K/month business in just 5 years ✔ Coaching vs software: where the real leverage is Whether you're a business owner, coach, or entrepreneur looking to scale, this conversation with Christian shows you how to use outbound marketing + personal branding to dominate your industry.
Leaderrs rarely talk about their own health even though it drives every decision. Toni and Raul share their own experiences and what they learned from interviews with 17 founders and C-level leaders about mental and physical habits.They dig into how stress, sleeplessness and company performance feed into each other, how common burnout and anxiety really are, and why so many leaders slip into drinking or other forms of self-medication without noticing.(00:00) - Introduction (06:45) - Mental sealth statistics among founders (09:33) - Physical Health and Company Performance (11:53) - Stress and sickness correlation (16:17) - Do we self medicate too much? (23:33) - Health routines of successful CEOs (28:20) - Exercise routines (30:32) - Challenges of maintaining health when you have kids (34:19) - Health as a job responsibility for founders (39:21) - Improving sleep quality (44:04) - Diet and nutrition (47:13) - Final thoughts (48:50) - Next week: JB from Evergrowth on sales and automation
OpenInfer addresses the enterprise infrastructure gap that causes 70% of edge AI deployments to fail. Founded by system architects who previously built high-throughput runtime systems at Meta (enabling VR applications on Qualcomm chips via Oculus Link) and Roblox (scaling real-time operations across millions of gaming devices), OpenInfer applies proven architectural patterns to enterprise edge AI deployment. The company targets three specific customer pain points: cost reduction for AI-always-on applications, data sovereignty requirements in regulated environments, and reliability for systems that must function regardless of connectivity. In this episode of Category Visionaries, CEO and Founder Behnam Bastani reveals how external market catalysts like DeepSeek's efficiency breakthrough transformed investor perception and validated their compute optimization thesis. Topics Discussed: System architecture pattern replication from Meta's Oculus Link to Roblox to OpenInfer The compute efficiency gap: why "throwing hardware" at AI problems creates market inefficiencies How DeepSeek's January 2025 breakthrough shifted investor sentiment from skepticism to oversubscription Customer targeting methodology: focusing on business unit leaders facing career consequences Government market discovery: air-gapped environments and data sovereignty requirements Technical demonstration strategies for overcoming the 70% edge deployment failure rate Privacy-first AI positioning unlocking previously inaccessible use cases GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Target decision-makers with career-level consequences: Rather than pursuing prospects who might "take a risk," Behnam focuses on "those that lose their jobs if they're not solving the problem" - specifically business unit leaders whose profit margins or sales metrics directly impact their career trajectory. This creates urgency that comfortable cloud users lack and accelerates deal cycles by aligning solution adoption with personal survival incentives. Leverage external market catalysts for thesis validation: OpenInfer initially faced investor pushback ("Nvidia's got everything working well. Why you think you can do anything better?") until DeepSeek's efficiency breakthrough provided third-party validation. "January hits and then there's DeepSeek... People called us, hey, you're DeepSeek on edge." Founders should identify potential external events that could validate their contrarian thesis and be prepared to capitalize when these catalysts occur. Lead with technical proof points over explanations: In markets with high failure rates, demonstrations eliminate skepticism faster than education. "We definitely have metrics, demos, and we go with those. We demonstrate what's possible... we remove this skepticalism in terms of ease of deployments, power of edge in one shot." This approach recognizes that technical buyers need confidence before curiosity. Pursue unexpected traction sources aggressively: Despite targeting enterprise ISVs, government demand emerged due to air-gapped environment requirements. "Government is actually becoming huge traction primarily because data ownership was a major topic to them." Rather than forcing initial market hypotheses, founders should redirect resources toward segments showing organic product-market fit signals, even when they require different sales processes. Build credibility through architectural pattern repetition: Investors backed OpenInfer because "we are the people that have built this twice, scaled it to millions." Repeating proven technical patterns across different contexts creates sustainable competitive advantages that new entrants cannot replicate without similar experience depth. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM
Surgical Safety Technologies is pioneering the transformation of operating rooms from secretive environments into data-driven spaces that optimize patient outcomes. With their "Operating Black Box" platform now deployed in over 50 hospitals across the US, Canada, and Western Europe, the company has generated over 100 peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the ability to reduce patient morbidity and mortality by more than 30% while increasing hospital efficiency by $20 million annually for a typical 40-50 OR facility. In this episode, we sat down with Teodor Grantcharov, founder of Surgical Safety Technologies, to explore his 20-year journey from academic researcher to category-creating entrepreneur in the challenging world of healthcare innovation. Topics Discussed: The evolution from virtual reality surgical simulators in the late 1990s to comprehensive OR analytics platforms Breaking through the cultural resistance to measurement and transparency in surgical environments The strategic decision to target top-tier academic medical centers as early adopters Building a platform with four distinct modules: efficiency, compliance, quality/safety, and education The 10-year journey from research hypothesis to proven commercial success with measurable patient outcomes Creating the category of "data-driven healthcare" in traditionally dogma-driven medical environments GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Use demanding customers as product validation engines: Teodor's team deliberately targeted top-tier academic medical centers as their initial customer base with a specific thesis: "If we can make the best in the world even better, then we can make anyone better." This wasn't just about prestige - these customers had "internal, very sophisticated systems" and "very knowledgeable professionals and leaders" who would stress-test the platform in ways that revealed product gaps early. The approach creates a competitive moat: once you can satisfy the most demanding buyers in your category, you possess capabilities that competitors serving easier customers lack. Build category credibility through academic validation at scale: Surgical Safety Technologies generated over 100 peer-reviewed publications before their sales process accelerated, creating what Teodor calls "irrefutable" evidence. This wasn't just marketing - the publications came from top hospitals proving 30% mortality reduction and $20 million annual efficiency gains per 40-50 OR facility. The strategy transforms sales conversations: instead of pitching features, they present peer-reviewed outcomes data that procurement committees and clinical leaders cannot dismiss. Category creators in regulated industries should consider academic validation as sales ammunition, not just credibility building. Structure modular platforms for multi-stakeholder enterprise sales: Rather than forcing binary adoption decisions, Surgical Safety Technologies created four distinct platform modules (efficiency, compliance, quality/safety, education) that can be sold individually or as a complete suite. This addresses the reality that "each of those have different stakeholders" within hospital systems. The modular approach enables two distinct sales motions: land-and-expand with single-module entry points for budget-constrained buyers, or comprehensive platform sales when "we usually upsell additional modules to the subscription." This architecture is particularly valuable in complex enterprise environments where different departments control separate budget lines. Leverage mission-driven culture as a competitive advantage: Teodor emphasizes that every hire must understand "what we do, why we do it" and that the company constantly reminds itself "this is not just a gadget or an application. We have a responsibility for improving performance and ultimately improving quality of care for patients." In industries where trust and outcomes matter more than features, a genuine mission-driven approach becomes a critical differentiator that influences everything from branding to employee retention. Time market entry with regulatory and cultural shifts: The company's success accelerated as healthcare systems became more willing to measure performance and embrace transparency. Teodor observes: "Now we see hospitals recognize that you can't improve what you can't measure." B2B founders should identify when broader industry trends create openings for previously resistant categories, and position themselves to capitalize on these inflection points. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM
On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray sits down with Riya Grover, co-founder and CEO of Sequence. Riya shares her journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, including the story behind her first SaaS company in the restaurant industry and its eventual acquisition. She dives into the inspiration for Sequence—a modern billing and quote-to-cash platform designed to tackle the challenges of custom contracts and complex pricing models for scaling SaaS and B2B companies. Riya opens up about the company's pivotal shift from payments to revenue management, navigating tough conversations with investors, and building a lean, high-impact team. She reveals how Sequence is empowering finance teams to automate billing, invoicing, and revenue recognition, while also offering flexibility for hybrid pricing and go-to-market motions. Tune in to hear Riya's insights on scaling a SaaS business, managing a major product pivot, and how AI-powered automation is transforming the future of financial operations. Whether you're a SaaS CFO, founder, or just curious about the evolving CFO tech stack, this episode has a wealth of lessons and practical advice. Show Notes: 00:00 Automated Custom Billing Platform 04:29 Scaling Challenges for SaaS Companies 09:11 Pivoting to Custom Payments Solutions 10:54 Early Capital's Impact on Team Building 14:51 Adapting Teams for Changing Visions 16:40 Growth Strategy Focused on Content and Networking 20:31 Hybrid Scalable Pricing Model 24:35 Transforming Finance with AI Agents 29:19 "Contextual Finance Automation Opportunities" 30:25 "Contact SequenceHQ Easily" Links: SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/sequence-raises-75-million-in-funding Riya Grover's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riya-grover-a22a4822/ Sequence HQ's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sequence-hq/ Sequence HQ's Website: https://www.sequencehq.com/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
We're going to interact with people who are not ideal clients. But salespeople have trouble when they're afraid to disqualify a prospect. To say, okay, I'm no longer going to follow up with this person. I've always viewed it a little like the game musical chairs that you played as a kid? You have a certain number of people going around, and a certain number of chairs. When the music stops, everybody scrambles to get a chair. If you don't have a chair, you're out, right? I view prospecting that way in some respects. Where you have to, at some point, start to prune the list. You have to start to get rid of the people who are not likely to become clients. If you're afraid to do that, you will continue to leave the same number of people and chairs. Jay: Yes. David: And if none of them are buying, it's not going to work well. David: Hi, and welcome to the podcast. In today's episode, co host Jay McFarland and I will be discussing letting ideal clients know you're alive. Welcome back, Jay. Jay: Hey, so good to be here, David. And I think this is, again, such an interesting topic. I find that I'm so caught up in the daily. I'm taking calls and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. And some of those ideal clients kind of go by the wayside sometimes. David: Yeah. A lot of times we don't even know who they are until we first try to identify them. So, in a sense, the topic itself goes kind of deep. You can't know they're an ideal client until you know they're alive. Then you have to let them know that you're alive. Then you have to determine if they're an ideal client. Jay: Yeah. David: So there are actually a few steps in this. Jay: Yeah, and I think that's such an important thing to know. You need to have a system, like you always have, of identifying those ideal clients. It's hard for me to really figure out if they're ideal up front. But I'll tell you one thing I can tell is when they're not ideal. I was on the phone call with somebody yesterday. He's going to become a client. But I regret the relationship I know I'm going to have with him, because he's already so demanding. And I'm like, this guy's not ideal, but he's a customer. And so, how can I not sell him the product? David: Yeah, that's a great question. And it's harder for some than others, I think. You get to a certain point in your business or a certain point in your career or whatever and you weigh it. Well, I guess we all do that. We have to weigh it. How much of a pain is this person going to be? And what's my tolerance for pain essentially, right? Jay: Yeah. Yeah. David: But you're exactly right. You don't really know that necessarily upfront. So a lot of times when we're working with our clients, what we'll do is start with the people they think are likely to be their ideal clients. And whether that means in a certain geographic area or in a particular industry or in a certain sized company, if they're selling B2B, You can make some initial judgments based on who has been a good client for you in the past, and then say, okay, how can I get more people like that? And then when you're introducing yourself to those people who meet those similar criteria, as you're having those conversations, you can then start to make those determinations about whether or not they are an ideal client, or if they just sort of fall in that general ecosphere of people who could potentially be ideal clients, but maybe aren't. Jay: Yeah, exactly. And not just finding new ideal clients, turning your existing ideal clients into more business. Because if they were ideal the first time, if you can keep that to be a generating ongoing revenue source and relationship... Man, I'd rather do that every day than deal with the other type of customer. David: Yeah, no question. And when you get to the topic we started out with, which is letting ideal clients know you're alive, that does go for your ideal clients as well.
Every successful founder has a story worth learning from. In this episode, Jake & Gino sit down with Brian Smith to unpack his incredible entrepreneur journey—from surviving political challenges in Denver real estate to building and scaling businesses across the U.S. and Mexico.Brian shares candid lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience, and growth. Discover how his early days in commercial real estate shaped his mindset, why burnout forced him to pivot, and how he eventually launched Strategy Ladders to help founder-led B2B service businesses scale beyond the owner. You'll also hear his perspective on Mexico City as an entrepreneurial hub, the shift from consulting to implementation, and how he helps businesses achieve 2–8X growth. If you're an entrepreneur or investor, you won't want to miss Brian's insights.Connect with Brian Smith: StrategyLadders.com | LinkedIn: S. Brian Smith Chapters:00:00 – Introduction03:12 – Breaking into Denver real estate with master leases07:39 – Politics, burnout, and lessons from failure14:43 – Redefining success: survivalist roots to investment banking20:24 – Founders Organization & why many groups miss real entrepreneurs32:52 – Myths vs. reality of living in Mexico as an entrepreneur42:45 – Why implementation beats coaching in today's consulting market We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors)
AI companies are hitting growth milestones in record time—some reaching $100 million in revenue in just two years. But while this pace feels familiar in tech, healthcare has always been slower to adopt new tools. That may finally be changing.Kent Bennett and Sofia Guerra of Bessemer Venture Partners join Steve Kraus to unpack findings from Bessemer's State of AI 2025 report and what they mean for healthcare. From “supernovas” and “shooting stars” to the rise of systems of action, they explore how AI is reshaping not only software businesses but also the way doctors, health systems, and patients interact with technology.We cover:
Are you ready to expand your business and sell more? One way to do that is to sell to other businesses. In this episode we are joined by Kim and Garrett from Kim and Garrett Make It. They are going to share their journey of expanding beyond selling directly to consumers and stepping into the world of B2B sales. They break down the differences between selling to individual customers versus selling to other businesses, and offer real-life tips on how makers and small business owners can approach wholesale opportunities, build relationships with retailers, and scale their products to reach a wider audience. Whether you're a DIY crafter or a creative entrepreneur, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger about your business potential.Get Cori's Market Booth Makeover for just $9: https://link.craftingcamps.com/marketboothGrab Courtney's crafty profit projector at: https://thecraftybrick.com/products/the-crafty-profit-projector Kim and Garrett, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind "Kim and Garrett Make It". With a dedicated YouTube following of over 100,000 subscribers, they inspire and empower laser crafters worldwide through engaging tutorials and insightful content, connecting with a diverse audience of followers and subscribers eager to learn and grow.Kim and Garrett have successfully cultivated a vibrant maker community. Their efforts ensure that crafters of all levels have the tools and support needed to navigate the ever-evolving world of laser crafting with confidence and creativity.Give their paint a try at https://link.craftingcamps.com/paint and use coupon code CRAFTINGFORPROFIT to get 20% off (ends September 30th, 2025).Join our crafty community now and connect with others! Join us here: https://link.craftingcamps.com/community Check out Cori's Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChapterCraftStudio Don't forget to shop our merch store to support the podcast! https://link.craftingcamps.com/merch Let us help you craft your future by turning your passion into a paycheck. Angie Holden and Cori George are teaming up for a series of live events dedicated to helping you start and grow your craft business. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of the future episodes!Sign up for our email newsletter here: https://crafting-camps.ck.page/4715c59751Ask us questions here: https://forms.gle/ShKt64gKjeuneMLeAWant more from Cori and Angie? Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channels and follow on Instagram using the links below.https://www.instagram.com/craftingcampshttps://www.instagram.com/heyletsmakestuffhttps://www.instagram.com/angieholdenmakes#craftbusiness #craftingforprofit #smallbusiness
Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3K2NcZn ----------------------- Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Joe Chernov, a seasoned B2B marketing leader and Executive in Residence at Battery Ventures, joins host Johann Wrede to unpack the modern CMO's biggest trap—playing out of position. Joe shares the pivotal career moment that pulled him from traditional PR into the world of content marketing, and explores how today's marketing leaders can navigate the pressure to chase pipeline at the expense of long-term brand impact. From understanding your company's true expectations to balancing creativity with accountability, Joe offers hard-earned wisdom on what it really takes to succeed—and stay—in the CMO seat. He also dives into the role AI can play in strengthening personas, removing bias, and ultimately helping marketers become better strategic partners. If you're a marketing leader feeling the pressure to prove value through short-term metrics, this episode will help you rethink your role, and how to future-proof your impact. Memorable quote: “I did my best work when I wasn't afraid of getting fired.” – Joe Chernov What you'll learn in this episode: “Underpaid CROs”: Why many CMOs unknowingly mimic CROs, and how it's limiting their influence Pipeline vs. brand: The need to balance immediate performance metrics with long-term brand stewardship Maslow's hierarchy for marketers: Why predictable pipeline must come first—but can't be the end game AI's new role in marketing: How artificial intelligence can reshape persona development and uncover hidden customer insights The spirit of your role: Why aligning with the reason you were hired—not just your KPIs—matters for lasting impact The power of brand moments: A surprising sneaker story that connects influencer gifting to big revenue wins Resources & Links: Joe Chernov on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jchernov/) Johann Wrede on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannwrede/) Battery Ventures (https://www.battery.com/) Nathan Isaacs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast
If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward• https://www.youtube.com/mapitforwardCheck out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshopsConsider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here:• https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingJoin our mailing list:• https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistInterested in our business advisory services for your small, medium, or large business? Email us here: support@mapitforward.orgLooking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Welcome to the 1st episode of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.Our guests on the podcast for this series are Lucia Reid, Gabriela Copello Duque, and Madeline Stuart - 3 agroecological scientists specialising in resilient coffee farming.Given the challenges faced by coffee farmers to adapt to the new normal, i.e., unpredictable weather and reduced yields, in this series, we're asking the question "What Does Success Look Like for Resilient Coffee Farming?"Here are the 5 episodes we'll explore throughout this series:1. What is Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/tGJgcPCwDSM2. Transitioning to Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/xetbKOzcZxg3. The Challenges of Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/NMDe9XtYsWY4. Success for Resilient Coffee Farming - https://youtu.be/YF1CRAwAvho5. Creating Resilient Coffee Relationships - https://youtu.be/j3ECGHwG9-MIn this Map It Forward Podcast episode, the conversation dives into the critical topic of resilient coffee farming amidst the backdrop of climate change. Lee, Maddie, Lucie, and Gabi explore the immediate impacts of climate disruptions on coffee farming in Brazil. They discuss the importance of resilient farming practices, from shade trees to cover crops, and the necessity for all members of the coffee supply chain to understand and support these initiatives. This episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the transition from conventional to resilient farming practices, emphasizing the need for adaptability and ecosystem-specific strategies.Connect with Gabriela Copello Duque here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-copello-duque/ https://www.instagram.com/gabriela_copello/Connect with Lucia Reid here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinestuart/ https://www.instagram.com/reidsramblesnroasts/ Connect with Madeline Stuart here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinestuart/ https://www.instagram.com/maddiesfieldnotes/ ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list
“The thread through my entire career is resonating with target audiences.” -Bret Rachlin David Lahmi is a seasoned business development executive and wealth management specialist with over 20 years of experience in international finance. Currently the Co-Founder of Finberry and Head of Business Development at Shine Global Family Office, David has spent his career building trusted client relationships, guiding high-net-worth individuals, and leading initiatives that drive organizational growth. His background includes senior leadership roles at Lombard Odier, Credit Agricole, and BNP Paribas, where he specialized in private banking and strategic partnerships across global markets. Fluent in French, English, and Hebrew, David brings a dynamic, multicultural perspective to wealth management and business development. Website: https://finberry.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lahmi/ YouTube: https://finberry.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lahmiofficial/ Bret Rachlin is a Go-to-Market Strategist With decades of marketing and communications experience primarily helping B2B companies grow, Bret develops and implements go-to-market strategies that align with how customers buy,reducing friction through the buying process. Additionally, Bret helps entrepreneurs monetize their expertise through thought leadership programs that build communities around the problems they solve, expediting revenue growth. When Bret's not working or spending time with his family, he's focused on living an active outdoor lifestyle, running, hiking and playing tennis. Having completed multiple marathons and half marathons and other exciting adventures like hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in one day, Bret has honed a competitive edge to prepare for arduous events and adapt to changes to ensure finishing them happy and healthy. Website: https://www.adapt2changes.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bretrachlin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adapt2changes Facebook: https://facebook.com/bretrachlin Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bret.rachlin In this episode, we explore the intersection of wealth management and go-to-market strategy, uncovering how to build trust, reduce friction, and create sustainable growth in today's fast-changing business landscape. Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments
#281 CRO | Matt is joined by Haley Carpenter, founder of Chirpy, a conversion rate optimization agency. Haley has nearly a decade of CRO experience across agency, SaaS, and eCommerce, and she's known for helping brands use research and testing to make smarter marketing decisions.Matt and Haley cover:Why CRO isn't just A/B testing, and how research should guide every optimization effortHow to approach CRO when you don't have massive website traffic, including scrappy testing methods and toolsThe role of messaging, value props, and social proof in driving higher conversions (and where B2B often lags behind DTC)By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of how to approach CRO as a system, not just a set of tests.Timestamps(00:00) - – Intro (02:09) - – Who is Haley Carpenter (03:09) - – What CRO really means (06:09) - – Research vs. testing explained (10:09) - – Where to start CRO on a website (13:09) - – Testing with limited traffic (17:09) - – Using data for smarter decisions (20:09) - – Building a culture of testing (24:09) - – How to report CRO results (29:09) - – Scrappy tools: Clarity & Hotjar (34:54) - – What B2B can learn from DTC (38:54) - – Why messaging matters more than features (42:54) - – The power of social proof (48:54) - – Common blockers to CRO success (50:54) - – A surprising test result (+7% sales) (52:54) - – Vanity metrics vs. real business outcomes (56:54) - – Closing thoughts Send guest pitches and ideas to hi@exitfive.comJoin the Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterCheck out the Exit Five job board: https://jobs.exitfive.com/Become an Exit Five member: https://community.exitfive.com/checkout/exit-five-membership***This episode of the Exit Five podcast is brought to you by Qualified.AI is the hottest topic in marketing right now. And one thing we hear a lot of you marketers talking about is how you can use AI Agents to help run your marketing machine.That's where Qualifed comes in with Piper, their AI SDR agent.Piper is the #1 AI SDR Agent on the market according to G2, and hundreds of companies like Box, Asana, and Brex, have hired Piper to autonomously grow inbound pipeline. How good does that sound?Qualified customers are seeing a massive business impact with Piper: a 3X increase in meetings booked and a 2X increase in pipeline.The Agentic Marketing era has arrived. And if you're a B2B marketing leader looking to scale pipeline generation, Piper the #1 AI SDR Agent is here to help.Hire Piper, the #1 AI SDR Agent, and grow your pipeline today.You can learn more at qualified.com/exit5
Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!In this episode of OpsCast, hosted by Michael Hartmann and powered by MarketingOps.com, we're joined by Pradeep Manivannan, Martech Consultant at Academy Sports & Outdoors. Pradeep brings extensive experience from roles at eBay, Salesforce, and Nordstrom, offering a unique perspective on connecting data, building journey-based experiences, and aligning marketing operations across channels.Pradeep explains how to map customer journeys effectively, leverage segmentation, and implement omnichannel strategies that work in both B2C and B2B environments. He shares lessons learned from consumer-focused marketing and how B2B teams can apply them to drive better engagement and measurable results.In this episode, you'll learnHow to design seamless customer journeys from scratchThe role of data integration across channels in marketing successSegmentation strategies that improve targeting and personalizationWhat B2B teams can learn from consumer-focused marketing approachesThis episode is perfect for marketing, RevOps, and growth professionals looking to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. Tune in to hear Pradeep's actionable insights on building journey-based marketing strategies.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Visit UTM.io and tell them the Ops Cast team sent you. Join us at MOps-Apalooza: https://mopsapalooza.com/Save 10% with code opscast10Support the show
Copernic Catalysts is developing next-generation chemical catalysts using computational materials design to replace century-old technology in the $80 billion ammonia industry. The company has raised $10 million and is working with top-five global ammonia producers to prove their Neptune catalyst can deliver tens of millions in annual savings per plant while reducing the industry's 1% contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode, Jacob Grose shares insights from his journey from BASF venture capitalist to deep-tech founder, revealing how his team is navigating one of the most conservative B2B markets while building transformational technology for both current chemical production and future sustainable shipping fuels. Topics Discussed: The century-old ammonia catalyst problem and why the industry hasn't innovated Copernic's computational approach to rationally designing drop-in replacement catalysts The extreme conservatism of chemical industry customers and how to overcome it Multi-stage go-to-market strategy from lab samples to pilot demonstrations to commercial scale Using toll manufacturing partnerships to scale capital-efficiently while building customer trust The historical significance of ammonia synthesis and its role in feeding 8 billion people Building a platform technology for multiple catalyst products across different chemical markets GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Navigate ultra-conservative B2B markets with staged proof: Jacob outlined a methodical approach for entering markets where customers are "terrified of change" due to tight margins and operational risks. Start with small lab samples to top customers, progress to pilot-scale demonstrations over 6-12 months, then secure commercial installations. This staged approach allows conservative buyers to gradually build confidence while de-risking their decision-making process. Leverage toll manufacturing for customer credibility and capital efficiency: Rather than building manufacturing capabilities, Copernic partners with established catalyst manufacturers using an "Apple model" - they own the IP while trusted partners handle production. This approach provides three key advantages: faster scale-up, capital efficiency, and most importantly, customer comfort with proven quality control systems. For deep-tech founders, partnering with established players can accelerate market acceptance. Turn industry conservatism into a competitive moat: While chemical industry conservatism creates barriers to entry, Jacob recognized it also creates powerful moats once you're established. Companies using 100-year-old iron-based catalysts represent massive switching costs and customer lock-in opportunities. Founders entering conservative industries should view initial resistance as future protection against competitors. Design for drop-in replacement adoption: Copernic deliberately engineered their catalyst to work within existing plant infrastructure, minimizing customer adoption friction. Jacob emphasized using "base metals" (common, inexpensive materials) and standard manufacturing techniques to ensure compatibility. When disrupting established industries, reducing implementation complexity can be more valuable than maximizing performance gains. Build technical credibility through domain expertise transfer: Jacob's nine years at BASF provided deep industry knowledge that proved essential for both product development and customer trust. His background in corporate venture capital gave him insights into how large chemical companies evaluate new technologies. Founders targeting specialized B2B markets should consider how domain expertise - whether through hiring, partnerships, or personal experience - can accelerate credibility and customer relationships. Position platform technology for multiple market opportunities: While focused on ammonia catalysts initially, Jacob positioned Copernic as a platform company with computational catalyst design capabilities applicable across multiple chemical markets. This platform approach appeals to investors seeking larger addressable markets while providing strategic flexibility as the company scales. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM
While most UX teams obsess over reducing clicks, Carhartt discovered that fewer clicks can actually hurt revenue and customer satisfaction.Join hosts Chuck Moxley and Nick Paladino as they talk with Bruce Shields, who leads digital experience optimization at Carhartt. Carhartt has been making durable workwear since 1889—but their digital experience team is just as focused on longevity and performance. In this episode, Bruce Shields, head of Carhartt's Global UX team, shares how his team uses two years of homepage interaction data to build predictive models, benchmark creative assets, and shift decisions from gut feel to data-led.Key Actionable Takeaways:Move from gut feelings to data-first design decisions - Create a culture where "Have we tested that?" becomes the standard question in every design discussionBuild predictive models from interaction data - Use click and scroll data to create benchmarks that can forecast component performance before launchSegment B2B and B2C user experiences differently - B2B buyers have fundamentally different motivations since they're purchasing for others, not themselvesWant more tips and strategies about digital transformation and customer experience? Subscribe to our newsletter! https://www.thefrictionlessexperience.com/frictionless/ Download the Black Friday/Cyber Monday eBook: http://bluetriangle.com/ebookBruce Shield's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceshields/Nick Paladino's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/npaladinoChuck Moxley's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chuck-moxleyChapters:(00:00) Introduction(03:00) Team structure across nine time zones and specializations(06:00) Moving from design intuition to data-first decisions(08:26) Preventing confirmation bias in testing culture(11:22) Grid ordering system case study - When leadership was wrong(16:59) Two years of homepage data creates predictive models(18:22) Building interaction rate benchmarks by component position(23:03) Moving predictive analytics into wireframing stage(26:49) Most reliable performance predictors - PLP to PDP conversion(30:18) Why fewer clicks isn't always better - The journey optimization debate(34:30) Conclusion
Eldon put a $150K line of credit on his house to start eSentire in 2001. No VCs would touch him—they didn't understand services businesses. He worked 12-hour days, 7 days a week for 7 years to hit $1M in revenue. His co-founder coded while he flew to New York on $99 JetBlue flights from Buffalo to save money. Then something clicked: they brought in an experienced CEO who transformed their scrappy cybersecurity consulting into a managed service. Revenue grew from $1M to $10M in just 3 years. They won 95% of competitive deals against Dell-backed SecureWorks by comparing themselves to a local burger joint versus McDonald's. Today eSentire is worth over a billion dollars. This is the raw, unfiltered story of building a massive B2B company without following any of the Silicon Valley playbook—no YC, no venture capital for years, just pure survival mode.Why You Should Listen:How to win head-to-head sales battles against bigger competitors with no marketing budget.Why taking a long time to hit $1M ARR doesn't mean failure.How bringing in an experienced CEO after 8 years saved the company.Keywords (comma-separated):Startup podcast, Startup podcast for founders, eSentire, Eldon Sprickerhoff, cybersecurity, bootstrapping, managed services, B2B sales, Canadian startup, MSSP, founder-led sales, pivot00:00:00 Intro00:01:00 Starting eSentire after 9/1100:03:26 The dot-com crash reality00:05:23 $150K home equity line to start00:08:32 Landing first customer at ING00:14:03 Making up the rules as they went00:19:09 Bringing in an experienced CEO00:22:44 The hamburger pitch that beat Dell00:28:36 From $1M to $10M in 3 years00:34:39 Common founder mistakes00:40:39 Chief survival officer mindsetSend me a message to let me know what you think!
“The thread through my entire career is resonating with target audiences.” -Bret Rachlin David Lahmi is a seasoned business development executive and wealth management specialist with over 20 years of experience in international finance. Currently the Co-Founder of Finberry and Head of Business Development at Shine Global Family Office, David has spent his career building trusted client relationships, guiding high-net-worth individuals, and leading initiatives that drive organizational growth. His background includes senior leadership roles at Lombard Odier, Credit Agricole, and BNP Paribas, where he specialized in private banking and strategic partnerships across global markets. Fluent in French, English, and Hebrew, David brings a dynamic, multicultural perspective to wealth management and business development. Website: https://finberry.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lahmi/ YouTube: https://finberry.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lahmiofficial/ Bret Rachlin is a Go-to-Market Strategist With decades of marketing and communications experience primarily helping B2B companies grow, Bret develops and implements go-to-market strategies that align with how customers buy,reducing friction through the buying process. Additionally, Bret helps entrepreneurs monetize their expertise through thought leadership programs that build communities around the problems they solve, expediting revenue growth. When Bret's not working or spending time with his family, he's focused on living an active outdoor lifestyle, running, hiking and playing tennis. Having completed multiple marathons and half marathons and other exciting adventures like hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in one day, Bret has honed a competitive edge to prepare for arduous events and adapt to changes to ensure finishing them happy and healthy. Website: https://www.adapt2changes.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bretrachlin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adapt2changes Facebook: https://facebook.com/bretrachlin Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bret.rachlin In this episode, we explore the intersection of wealth management and go-to-market strategy, uncovering how to build trust, reduce friction, and create sustainable growth in today's fast-changing business landscape. Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments
Ethan Smith is the CEO of Graphite—the leading SEO growth agency—and my go-to expert on SEO. After 18 years of mastering traditional SEO, Ethan has been at the forefront of what is called AEO: answer engine optimization, or, more simply, getting your product to show up in ChatGPT/Claude/Gemini/Perplexity answers. He's discovered that ChatGPT traffic converts six times better than Google search—and most companies are completely missing this opportunity.In our conversation, we discuss:1. His 7-step playbook to rank #1 in ChatGPT2. Why ChatGPT traffic converts 6x better than Google3. How early-stage startups can win at AEO immediately (unlike with SEO, which takes years)4. The three tactics that actually work: landing pages, YouTube videos, and Reddit comments5. Why help-center content can suddenly be your highest-ROI investment6. The specific Reddit strategy that works (spoiler: be authentic)7. Why AI-generated content doesn't work—Brought to you by:Orkes—The enterprise platform for reliable applications and agentic workflowsVanta—Automate compliance. Simplify security.Great Question—Empower everyone to run great research—Where to find Ethan Smith:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ethan_l_s• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ethans-linkedin• Graphite: https://graphite.io/• Graphite Research Papers: https://bit.ly/graphite-five-percent—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Welcome back, Ethan(04:34) The changing landscape of SEO(06:19) AEO (answer engine optimization) vs. GEO (generative engine optimization)(08:13) The impact of AEO(11:51) How early-stage startups can win at AEO(14:34) The quality of AEO leads(15:35) On-site vs. off-site traffic(16:32) Reddit's role in AEO and avoiding spam(20:11) How AI models use citations (RAG)(21:41) Key principles for winning at AEO(25:00) Avoiding hyper-SEOed content, and the importance of originality(28:55) Actionable AEO playbook: steps and experiments(33:35) Tracking, measuring, and share of voice(38:34) Adapting AEO for B2B, commerce, and early-stage companies(41:11) Is letting AI index your content good?(43:06) Experimentation, control groups, and measuring results(46:15) The future of AEO, SEO, and search channels(51:35) AI-generated content: what works and what doesn't(55:25) The dangers of infinite AI derivatives(58:44) The future: convergence of LLMs and search(01:00:40) Help-center optimization and the long tail(01:03:18) Lightning round and final thoughts—Resources and episode mentions: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-ultimate-guide-to-aeo-ethan-smith—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com
At some point, nearly every woman consultant will feel burned out. In this episode, we're focusing on why, what we can do to prevent it, and how recover from it. Join Leah and burnout expert and Academy coach Brandy Zimmerman as they unpack the hidden challenges women consultants face. Discover six game-changing tools to reset stress, boost energy, and design a business that supports your well-being. Whether you're lightly toasted or feeling completely burnt out, this episode will give you a roadmap to reclaim your passion, productivity, and peace. --- When you're ready to break through to the next revenue level in your consulting business, here are three ways I can help you. 1. Connect with me on LinkedIn for weekly insights on landing better clients and charging for the value you deliver. 2. Get your copy of my Referrals on Repeat guide, and learn five strategies you can implement straight away to take control of the referral process and attract more of the right inquiries – no more sitting around hoping they'll happen. Get your free copy at smartgetspaid.com/referrals 3. Build a repeatable sales and marketing system that gets you better clients, better rates, and less stress in your consulting business. If you're ready to stop leaving your success to chance, learn the proven system women consultants are using to attract ideal clients consistently and get paid for their value. Plus, you'll get help from me and my team every step of the way. If you've been in business for at least two years, you're making at least $120k, and you want to implement a system that's designed specifically for B2B consulting businesses, email team@smartgetspaid.com with "BREAKTHROUGH" in the subject line and I'll get you the details.
AJ Bruno, the CEO of $21M SaaS startup Quota Path, explains his company-wide experiment to make all of his employees vibe code. The results were shocking. Thanks for tuning in! Catch new episodes every Sunday. Don't miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM executives. Use code TOPLINE for 10% off your GA ticket. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter. Tune into Topline Podcast, the #1 podcast for founders, operators, and investors in B2B tech. Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders to keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! Chapters: 00:00 The Future of AI in Startups 00:52 Introduction to Top Line 05:08 Vibe Coding Fridays Explained 13:32 The Impact of AI on Company Culture 29:57 The Role of Managers in Modern Companies 33:36 Challenging Traditional Management Practices 34:13 The Role of Senior Managers and Getting Hands Dirty 35:38 The Value of Middle Management 45:54 The Impact of AI on Management Roles 52:20 The Bubble of AI Revenue Reporting 1:00:58 Predictions for the Future of Labor
Send us a textLinkedIn Prospecting Workshop - September 22 @ 12pm CSTApply for the Tiny Marketing ClubLinkedIn | How I hit multi-six figures in year one.Ever wonder why those steady referrals that built your business suddenly dried up? In this episode, I unpack the exact strategy to reignite your referral engine without begging, pestering, or resorting to desperate tactics.After my own journey from relying on past employer referrals to building a sustainable pipeline, I've mapped the patterns that repeatedly work for B2B service businesses. The secret isn't becoming a social media superstar—it's becoming remembered, trusted, and recommended within specific circles where your expertise matters most.Discover the "niche networker" approach that blends strategic community participation with intentional LinkedIn relationship-building. Rather than passively posting content hoping someone notices, learn how to curate your feed with direct prospects, referral partners, and industry peers who can naturally connect you to opportunities. I share how one client went from zero pipeline (and three months away from missing mortgage payments) to a wait list in just six months using these exact methods.The process hinges on three key components: finding the right niche communities where your dream clients already gather, crafting a gateway offer that gives people an easy way to recommend you, and mastering the "magic DM" approach that turns LinkedIn connections into meaningful relationships without being sleazy or salesy.Want to put this into practice? Join my LinkedIn Prospecting Workshop where I'll share the templates, systems and exact approach that generated $94,000 in just 30 days—no paid ads, no spam, no cold calling. Check the show notes for details and keep marketing small but making it big!Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube
A deep dive into Nepal's protest surge, where BitChat's mesh network and Discord polls helped topple a government, with Bitcoin‑adjacent tools fueling the uprising. Dive into the wild story of how Nepal's government was overthrown using Jack Dorsey's BitChat mesh network app and Discord polls. From social media bans sparking protests to Zoomers coordinating via Bluetooth networks, this episode explores the intersection of crypto technology and political revolution. Plus, Charlie Kirk's thoughts on Bitcoin strategic reserves. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com **Notes:** • BitChat downloads jumped from 3K to 50K in one day • 48,000 Nepal downloads = 38% of total installs • 26 social media platforms banned Sept 4th • Bluetooth mesh network max range ~30 meters • Charlie Kirk supports US Bitcoin reserve • Discord poll selected interim leadership Timestamps 00:00 Start 00:25 Citizens rebel in Nepal 03:44 BitChat 05:08 Nepal backstory 06:18 BitChat to the rescue 11:41 Discord voting 21:26 Hot topic of week -
Welcome to The Rose and Rockstar - with the Chief Troublemaker at Seventh Bear, Robert Rose, behind the bar serving one of his splendid cocktails while our host Ian Truscott, a CMO but not a rockstar, picks his brain on a marketing topic. This week, over a classic cocktail, Ian and Robert discuss Reddit, how it is informing search results, generative AI, and how we should engage with it to support our B2B content marketing. Some key points from the discussion: The culture of Reddit Building credibility on Reddit takes time and effort Using Reddit for audience research. Niche markets and topics are well served by Reddit Engaging on Reddit as a different channel from other social platforms Experimentation is key, like any social media If you have a question for the bar or an opinion on this week's discussion, please get in touch - just search “rockstar cmo” on the interwebs or LinkedIn. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn Robert Rose on LinkedIn Mentioned this week Why Reddit Marketing Should Be Your Next Big Business Move Robert's Lens Newsletter Robert's new relaunched website: Robertrose.net Robert's firm - Seventh Bear Ian's firm - Velocity B Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: We'll be right back by Stienski & Mass Media on YouTube Piano Music is by Johnny Easton, shared under a Creative Commons license You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon and Spotify.This podcast is part of the Marketing Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Your Playbook for Black Friday & Cyber Monday Creative that ConvertsSign up here: https://www.tiereleven.com/BfcmGet your Beauty Brand's creative trend report from one of the most successful Creative Strategists, Lauren Schwartz. In this FREE webinar, you'll get all the Angles, Styles & Hooks That Sell (Before Your Competitors Catch On.) Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the most competitive moments of the year for beauty brands, and the right creative is how you win. In this webinar, we'll reveal the trends, hooks, and tactics driving conversions before your competitors catch on. You'll learn:Angles, Styles, and Hooks - Those that are actually selling this season, and not the trends we are going to see over-saturated.Macro Creative Trends - Learn all about the Macro creative trends that will shape your Q4 creative ads.Holiday Hooks - Holiday hooks that can be shaped to your brand to own the feed and stop the scroll.Quick Start Checklist - Get the ultimate quick start checklist so you can apply these learnings to your brand in under 7 days.Many marketers focus solely on driving traffic but overlook the critical step that follows: the landing page. In this episode, Andrew Miller, Co-Founder and VP of Client Services at Workshop Digital, shares how landing page optimization (LPO) and leveraging first-party data can drastically increase the ROI of your marketing campaigns.With over 20 years of experience, Andrew has helped countless B2B businesses maximize their conversions by optimizing their post-click experience. We explore the game-changing role of AI tools like Google's AI Max and how they're reshaping the future of online marketing.You'll also learn how to bridge the gap between AI-driven ads and optimized landing pages for different target audiences to attract better leads and achieve higher conversions.In This Episode:- SEO in the age of AI- Content quality and distribution strategies- How AI Max has impacted Google ads- The future of media buying and data flow- Optimizing landing pages and the post-click experience- Why aligning marketing and sales is critical - How to optimize data flows & micro conversions for better leads- Targeting the right customers with AI- Case study on the impact of dedicated landing pages- How to get in touch with Andrew MillerMentioned In the Episode:Google AI Max: https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/google-ai-max-for-search-campaigns/Previous episodes on landing page optimization:https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-711-defeat-the-new-google-ai-max-landing-page-doomsday-with-val-riley/ https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-707-decode-googles-new-diabolical-landing-page-changes-with-tas-bober/ Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple:
AI can do a lot, but it's ineffective when it comes to building relationships with prospects. Even though creating connections is important, most sellers tend to struggle with this. I invited my guest, Ravi Rajani, a sales coach and author of Relationship Currency, to join me in this episode to discuss his newest book. He shares what inspired him to write this book and why sellers need to focus more on building relationships to create strong pipelines.The Origins of "Relationship Currency"· To start, Ravi discusses what inspired him to write his first book. He shares a funny story about talking to his mentor about the idea of writing a book while having a second baby on the way. · Looking back on his career and life, he noticed how much his relationships influenced his success. He learned that by building trust and communication skills, other sellers can achieve the same success.The Central Role of Trust· Would you be friends with your bestie if you didn't trust them? Your prospects feel the same way when it comes to doing business with you. · Trust is the glue that holds relationships together. In his book, Ravi talks about the "Three Cs" of trust:o Connection (the emotional bond)o Character (your invisible values)o Competence (showing expertise without being overbearing)· You need all three to establish lasting trust, whether with clients, colleagues, or partners.The Art of Listening and Empathetic Questions· Ravi explains how surface-level questions yield surface-level relationships, but conscious questions develops deep relationships. · A “conscious question” is rooted in positive intent and service. For example, instead of “How are you?” ask something you know the other person is emotionally invested in.Five Habits to Build Relationship Currency· Here are the five habits that help build the Three Cs:o Transform Your Internal Story: The relationship you have with yourself sets the tone for all others.o Ask Conscious Questions: Rooted in service and positive intent; paired with deep listening.o Unearth Your Charisma: True charisma makes others feel significant.o Tell Stories That Inspire Change: Especially social proof stories—show, don't tell.o Become the Trusted Guide: Help others achieve their goals without self-interest, bringing all habits together.Ravi's Advice for Leaders: Model the Change· If you want your team to be more passionate or authentic, you need to model that energy and intention yourself.· Reinforce these behaviors by acknowledging team members who practice them.· Genuine compliments go a long way—they activate the same brain areas as financial rewards!“I believe that the only currency that has mattered is relationships. And the only currency that will matter moving forward is relationships, especially in a world increasingly being shaped by AI.” - Ravi Rajani.ResourcesRavi RajaniBook | Speaker, Coach & Consultant | Ravi RajaniRavi Rajani's mission is to help B2B tech sales teams ditch feature dumping for storytelling so they can get their prospect's attention, become trusted advisors and win more relationships.Sponsorship Offers1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and
SaaStr 820: The Complete Guide to Vibe Coding Without a Developer with SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of vibe coding with a prosumer approach. SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin shares his extensive journey of building production-ready applications without a developer, using platforms like Replit and Lovable. From initial excitement to hard-earned lessons, learn about the strengths, challenges, and key takeaways from creating and deploying vibe-coded apps. Discover why the hype around 'building an app in 20 minutes' is often misleading, and understand the importance of thorough planning, competitive research, and mastering your platform. Whether you're a founder, aspiring app creator, or tech enthusiast, this episode will provide valuable insights into the future of no-code and low-code development. ----------------------- This episode is sponsored by Intercom  Fin is the #1 AI Agent for resolving complex queries like refunds, transaction disputes, and technical troubleshooting—all with speed and reliability. See how Fin can deliver the highest resolution rates and highest-quality customer experience at fin.ai/saastr. --------------------- If you're serious about B2B and AI, you need to be in London this December 2nd and 3rd. SaaStr AI London is bringing together more than 2,000 leaders and founders for two days of practical advice on scaling into the new year. We'll have speakers flying in from OpenAI, Wiz, Clay, Intercom, and all your favorite SaaS companies, including yours truly with Harry Stebbings for a live 20VC podcast. It'll be fun, and it's all in the heart of London. Don't miss out: get your tickets with my exclusive discount by going to podcast.saastrlondon.com --------------------- Hey everybody, the biggest B2B + AI event of the year will be back - SaaStr AI in the SF Bay Area, aka the SaaStr Annual, will be back in May 2026. With 68% VP-level and above, 36% CEOs and founders and a growing 25% AI-first professional, this is the very best of the best S-tier attendees and decision makers that come to SaaStr each year. But here's the reality, folks: the longer you wait, the higher ticket prices can get. Early bird tickets are available now, but once they're gone, you'll pay hundreds more so don't wait. Lock in your spot today by going to podcast podcast.saastrannual.com to get my exclusive discount SaaStr AI SF 2026. We'll see you there.
Renegade Thinkers Unite: #2 Podcast for CMOs & B2B Marketers
Putting the customer at the center has been preached for years, yet too often, B2B marketers are told to chase net new logos and leave expansion for someone else. That approach leaves growth on the table. Delighted customers are your advocates, your storytellers, your engine for long-term success. Every company says it listens to customers. In this conversation, Drew and guests Allyson Havener (HG Insights), JD Dillon (Tigo Energy), and Alan Gonsenhauser (Demand Revenue) show how listening turns into concrete action, how feedback becomes a system, and how customer voices drive lasting growth. In this episode: Allyson on how reviews, surveys, and customer spotlights at TrustRadius feed marketing and influence buying decisions early JD on how Tigo's Green Glove Program creates loyalty through installer support and a seal of quality Alan on why retention is a financial driver CMOs must track as closely as revenue Plus: Why framing churn as retention keeps teams motivated How to bring the customer voice into leadership discussions The metrics that capture customer impact, from adoption to earned growth How to operationalize cross-functional alignment around the customer Catch this episode to hear how customer voices shape strategy, culture, and growth. For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/