Podcasts about B2B

John Corcoran is a recovering attorney, an author, and a former White House writer and speechwriter to the Governor of California. Throughout his career, John has worked in Hollywood, the heart of Silicon Valley, and run his boutique law firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, catering to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Since 2012, John has been the host of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, where he has interviewed hundreds of CEOs, founders, authors, and entrepreneurs, including Peter Diamandis, Adam Grant, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Marie Forleo. John is also the Co-founder of Rise25, a company that connects B2B businesses with their ideal clients, referral partners, and strategic partners. They help their clients generate ROI through their done-for-you podcast service. In this episode… Many professionals struggle to stand out online and build the relationships that fuel business growth, often feeling overwhelmed or plagued by impostor syndrome as they step into thought leadership. With countless tools and platforms competing for attention, it's hard to know where to focus. How can you overcome self-doubt, use modern tools effectively, and build meaningful B2B connections?  John Corcoran, a seasoned entrepreneur and relationship-building expert, faced these challenges directly by applying clear frameworks, smart technology, and a people-first mindset. Drawing on resources like Winnie Hart's The Daily Thought Leader, John shares how consistent, practical content can build credibility and quiet self-doubt. He also explains how AI note-taking tools and intentional email welcome sequences helped him boost productivity, nurture prospects, and turn casual interest into lasting professional relationships.  Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as Chad Franzen of Rise25 interviews John Corcoran about leveraging thought leadership and technology to build real B2B relationships. They discuss overcoming impostor syndrome, leveraging AI note-taking tools, and creating an effective email welcome series that nurtures leads and opens doors to new partnerships.

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you'll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Thomas Dobmeyer, medical, entrepreneur and investor at ekwithree.   Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Thomas, covering: Choosing to freelance and consult as a medic after qualifying in medicine. Co-founding a niche regulatory affairs firm and growing it into a 3,000-person multinational pharmaceutical solutions organisation. Expanding into new countries, acquisitions, and domains to build scale and credibility in biopharma — with culture as the secret weapon. Why lawmakers and regulators became his best salespeople, and how increasing complexity, internationalisation, and market growth ultimately led to a $1.4B exit to Cencora. Life after the sale as an active investor and mentor — and the key trends Thomas sees shaping the future of drug development. Dr. Thomas Dobmeyer is a physician, researcher, and entrepreneur currently serving as a partner at ekwithree GmbH, a growth investment firm specializing in technology-driven B2B service providers. In this role, Thomas plays a key part in driving the organizational success of ekwithree and its diverse portfolio of companies.   With over two decades of extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, Thomas was founder and CEO of PharmaLex GmbH. There, he spearheaded the transformation of a startup consulting boutique into a globally recognized unicorn company operating in 40 countries with 3,500 employees. His strategic expertise was instrumental in shaping and executing the company's business strategies, overseeing leadership team formation, advising on strategic matters, and ensuring the implementation of robust business plans to achieve corporate objectives. Under his leadership, PharmaLex successfully completed nearly 40 mergers and acquisitions, significantly expanding its global business model and footprint.   Molecule to Market is also sponsored by Bora Pharmaceuticals and Charles River Laboratories, and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We'd also appreciate a positive rating!

In this candid conversation, Nathan and Bryan dive deep into the often-misunderstood world of sales in the construction and HVAC trades. Nathan, who has transitioned from fieldwork to spending roughly 60% of his time in sales, offers a unique perspective on why sales professionals are necessary despite the skepticism they face from tradespeople. The discussion tackles head-on the negative perceptions surrounding salespeople while making a compelling case for their essential role in growing and sustaining a trades business. The conversation explores the fundamental differences between residential and commercial sales, revealing insights that anyone in the industry will find valuable. Nathan explains that residential sales requires quick relationship-building, subject matter expertise, and the ability to emotionally connect and disconnect rapidly from customers you may only see every few years. It's essentially retail sales with a technical component. Commercial B2B sales, on the other hand, is far less transactional and much more relational—it's about building confidence, managing accounts effectively, and ensuring clients can focus on their core business while you handle their facility problems seamlessly. One of the most refreshing aspects of this discussion is Nathan's honesty about the unglamorous side of sales. He emphasizes that the job isn't about fancy lunches or golf outings—it's about being the person who answers their phone, follows through on commitments, and doesn't shy away from uncomfortable conversations. The guys share frustrating examples of poor salesmanship, from ghosting potential clients to making promises that can't be kept, illustrating how these failures give the entire profession a bad reputation. Nathan stresses that good sales is fundamentally about managing expectations, delivering on promises, and serving as the crucial liaison between customer needs and production capabilities. The conversation concludes with practical advice for tradespeople considering a move into sales: if you're motivated by the chase, enjoy solving people's problems, and find satisfaction in knowing your work directly impacts the bottom line, sales might be for you. But if you're just looking for an easier path with less physical labor, think again—great salesmanship is mentally demanding work that requires constant follow-through and resilience. Topics Covered: Why tradespeople are often critical of sales and the misconceptions about the profession The difference between "good" and "bad" salespeople and the moral use of sales skills Essential traits for successful residential HVAC salespeople, including product knowledge and emotional agility How commercial B2B sales differs from residential—less transactional, more relational The critical importance of follow-through, responsiveness, and keeping promises in account management Why sales serves as the essential "oil in the machine" that prevents business breakdowns The role of salespeople in managing customer expectations and protecting production teams The unsexy reality of sales work: constant uncomfortable conversations and problem-chasing When entertaining clients (golf, lunches) is appropriate versus when it becomes buying work Advice for tradespeople considering transitioning into sales roles   Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool. Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

Elena Verna is the head of growth at Lovable, the leading AI-powered app builder that hit $200 million in annual recurring revenue in under a year with just 100 employees. In this record fourth appearance on the podcast, Elena shares how the traditional growth playbook has been completely rewritten for AI companies. She explains why Lovable focuses on innovation over optimization, how they've shifted from activation to building new features, and why giving away their product for free has become their most powerful growth strategy.We discuss:1. Why 60% to 70% of traditional growth tactics no longer apply in AI2. Why you have to re-find product-market fit every 3 months3. The specific growth tactics driving Lovable's unprecedented growth4. Why giving away product is a growth strategy that beats paid ads5. “Minimum lovable product” as the new standard (not minimum viable product)6. Why activation now belongs to product teams, not growth teams7. Whether you should join an AI startup (honest tradeoffs)—Brought to you by:WorkOS—Modern identity platform for B2B SaaS, free up to 1 million MAUsVercel—Your collaborative AI assistant to design, iterate, and scale full-stack applications for the webPersona—A global leader in digital identity verification—Transcript: ⁠https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-new-ai-growth-playbook-for-2026-elena-verna⁠—My biggest takeaways (for paid newsletter subscribers): ⁠https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/i/181207556/my-biggest-takeaways-from-this-conversation⁠—Where to find Elena Verna:• X: https://x.com/elenaverna• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaverna• Newsletter: https://www.elenaverna.com—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) Introduction to Elena Verna(05:19) The scale and growth of Lovable(08:55) Confidence in Lovable as a business(12:17) Retention at Lovable(15:02) Lovable's unique growth levers(28:13) The role of marketing in Lovable's success(38:09) Launching new features(40:59) Hiring and team dynamics(43:17) The value of vibe coding(49:46) The importance of community(51:47) Giving away your product for free(56:26) Tripling their company size(01:00:23) Product-market-fit challenges(01:08:50) Advice for joining AI companies(01:12:00) Work-life balance(01:15:20) What it's like to work at Lovable(01:19:45) Women in tech(01:25:29) Final thoughts and lightning round—Referenced:• Elena Verna on how B2B growth is changing, product-led growth, product-led sales, why you should go freemium not trial, what features to make free, and much more: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/elena-verna-on-why-every-company• The ultimate guide to product-led sales | Elena Verna: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-ultimate-guide-to-product-led• 10 growth tactics that never work | Elena Verna (Amplitude, Miro, Dropbox, SurveyMonkey): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/10-growth-tactics-that-never-work-elena-verna• Lovable: https://lovable.dev• Building Lovable: $10M ARR in 60 days with 15 people | Anton Osika (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/building-lovable-anton-osika• Stripe: https://stripe.com• What differentiates the highest-performing product teams | John Cutler (Amplitude, The Beautiful Mess): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/what-differentiates-the-highest-performing• How to win in the AI era: Ship a feature every week, embrace technical debt, ruthlessly cut scope, and create magic your competitors can't copy | Gaurav Misra (CEO and co-founder of Captions): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-win-in-the-ai-era-gaurav-misra• “Dumbest idea I've heard” to $100M ARR: Inside the rise of Gamma | Grant Lee (CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-50-people-built-a-profitable-ai-unicorn• Eric Ries on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eries• Elena's post on LinkedIn about Lovable Missions: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elenaverna_everythingispossible-lovableway-activity-7401627519646474242-hn6e• SheBuilds: https://shebuilds.lovable.app• Shopify + Lovable: https://lovable.dev/shopify• The Product-Market Fit Treadmill: Why every AI company is sprinting just to stay in place: https://www.elenaverna.com/p/the-product-market-fit-treadmill• Cursor: https://cursor.com• The rise of Cursor: The $300M ARR AI tool that engineers can't stop using | Michael Truell (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-rise-of-cursor-michael-truell• Unorthodox frameworks for growing your product, career, and impact | Bangaly Kaba (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Instacart): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/frameworks-for-growing-your-career-bangaly-kaba• The adjacent user: https://brianbalfour.com/quick-takes/the-adjacent-user• Granola: https://www.granola.ai• Wispr Flow: https://wisprflow.ai• I'm worried about women in tech: https://www.elenaverna.com/p/im-worried-about-women-in-tech• Slack founder: Mental models for building products people love ft. Stewart Butterfield: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/slack-founder-stewart-butterfield—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

This Week In Startups is made possible by:LinkedIn Ads- http://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartupsSquarespace - https://squarespace.com/twistEnterpret - http://Enterpret.com/twistToday's show: How do top tech CEOs hire? AI has thrown out the playbook for getting hired — so what are the most innovative firms looking for? Anyone can learn any skill and automate much of it, what is to be valued in the modern labor market?On our first AI Roundtable episode of TWiST, Jason is joined by three top tech CEOs: Wade Foster (Zapier), Mikey Schulman (Suno), and Ali Ansari (Micro1). They each give their perspective on the tech talent wars and how to get hired in 2026.The resounding answer on how to get a job? JUST START DOING THE JOB! If you want to be a designer, start sending designs to companies you want to be hired by — don't just sit around waiting to be hired. The biggest value you can bring is a “high agency” mindset to your company and the role. Show you get after it!They are also hitting on:- How AI is getting used to make music today- The tech industry's communication problem- How to raise kids in the age of AITimestamps:(00:00) It's our first ever “This Week in AI” Roundtable, and we've got an amazing panel(05:50) How Meta and OpenAI skew how everyone thinks about compensation(09:37) The importance of looking beyond SF for talent(10:24) LinkedIn Ads: Start converting your B2B audience into high quality leads today. Launch your first campaign and get $250 FREE when you spend at least $250. Go to http://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups to claim your credit.(14:39) Is AI making more people seek out developer jobs?(18:36) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://squarespace.com/twist(19:36) When design becomes its own bottleneck… and some workarounds.(22:37) It's not how much you know, it's how adaptable you are(24:10) The best way to get hired: just start doing the job(30:09) Why Ali says we're entering the "Post-Training"(31:34) Enterpret - Enterpret turns feedback noise into Customer Intelligence, so your team knows exactly what to fix and build next. Head to http://Enterpret.com/twist to book a demo and see it in action.(33:32) Understanding the value of your company's data and using it to get better outputs(41:14) Mikey calls Suno the “GLP-1s of the music industry”: everyone uses it but no one admits it(46:39) Mikey Talks break out AI artists like Xania Monet(49:32) Questions raised about how AI will effect job markets(54:43) How AI and robotics will unlock new jobs and opportunities(58:48) Possible solutions to the AI and automation question.(01:04:03) Technology's communication problem and how to fix it.(01:05:24) Are people replacing their friends with AI?(01:08:11) How CEOs are thinking about raising young kids in the world of AI.(01:12:21) Lightning round on AI agents, workflows vs. agents(01:16:49) Trapped value in sales calls, questions, company meetings that are unlocked by AI(01:22:10) How Ali pitched the LAUNCH team outside of a Jeni's Ice Cream storeSubscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/Check out the TWIST500: https://twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonThank you to our partners:(10:24) LinkedIn Ads: Start converting your B2B audience into high quality leads today. Launch your first campaign and get $250 FREE when you spend at least $250. Go to http://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups to claim your credit.(18:36) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://squarespace.com/twist(31:34) Enterpret - Enterpret turns feedback noise into Customer Intelligence, so your team knows exactly what to fix and build next. Head to http://Enterpret.com/twist to book a demo and see it in action.

Shopware has been a great partner to the show for a couple years and it is always great to have the GM/President Jason Nyus on to explain why B2B is so much tougher, but bigger for ecommerce! Mr. Nyus teaches Summer Jubilier and Scott Ohsman why Shopware is so big in Germany and how it is growing fast here in the US. What Shopware does that is so different and how it works with ERP systems along with carving out a great niche in regulated industries. We talk about how there could be an AI store of agents and why Summer must have one immediately. We play the "NAME THAT ACRONYMY" game which turns out to be both lame and entertaining. Stay on for the bloopers at the end! Enjoy Always Off Brand is always a Laugh & Learn!    FEEDSPOT TOP 10 Retail Podcast! https://podcast.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/?feedid=5770554&_src=f2_featured_email Guest: Jason Nyhus LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonnyhus/ Shopware Site: https://www.shopware.com/en/ QUICKFIRE Info:   Website: https://www.quickfirenow.com/ Email the Show: info@quickfirenow.com  Talk to us on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quickfireproductions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quickfire__/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickfiremarketing LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/quickfire-productions-llc/about/ Sports podcast Scott has been doing since 2017, Scott & Tim Sports Show part of Somethin About Nothin:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/somethin-about-nothin/id1306950451 HOSTS: Summer Jubelirer has been in digital commerce and marketing for over 17 years. After spending many years working for digital and ecommerce agencies working with multi-million dollar brands and running teams of Account Managers, she is now the Amazon Manager at OLLY PBC.   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/summerjubelirer/   Scott Ohsman has been working with brands for over 30 years in retail, online and has launched over 200 brands on Amazon. Mr. Ohsman has been managing brands on Amazon for 19yrs. Owning his own sales and marketing agency in the Pacific NW, is now VP of Digital Commerce for Quickfire LLC. Producer and Co-Host for the top 5 retail podcast, Always Off Brand. He also produces the Brain Driven Brands Podcast featuring leading Consumer Behaviorist Sarah Levinger. Scott has been a featured speaker at national trade shows and has developed distribution strategies for many top brands. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-ohsman-861196a6/   Hayley Brucker has been working in retail and with Amazon for years. Hayley has extensive experience in digital advertising, both seller and vendor central on Amazon. Hayley lives in North Carolina.  LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-brucker-1945bb229/   Huge thanks to Cytrus our show theme music "Office Party" available wherever you get your music. Check them out here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cytrusmusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cytrusmusic/ Twitter https://twitter.com/cytrusmusic SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VrNLN6Thj1iUMsiL4Yt5q?si=MeRsjqYfQiafl0f021kHwg APPLE MUSIC https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cytrus/1462321449   "Always Off Brand" is part of the Quickfire Podcast Network and produced by Quickfire LLC.  

How do you go from newsroom bloopers to leading national brand strategy? In Part 2 of our conversation with Stephen Johnson, we dive into the moments that shaped his mindset: From losing a news package on deadline to designing fish-themed fantasy football merch for charity. Stephen opens up about self-taught creativity, pushing the boundaries of “safe” marketing, and how he balances compliance with storytelling. He also shares why industry leadership isn't about flashy promises, it's about consistency, communication, and delivering on what you said you would. Whether you're in B2B marketing, managing rapid growth, or just trying to keep your creative spark alive, Stephen's story is packed with practical knowledge. Plus, we settle the ultimate Rockford debate: Uncle Nick's or Portillo's?

Your brand isn't losing to competitors, it's drowning in “helpful” content no one remembers. In an AI-everywhere world, bland is broken and volume is just a faster way to disappear.If LLMs can write what you ship in 10 seconds, why would a buyer choose you?This week, Sylvia LePoidevin delivers the reality check B2B marketers have been dodging: content volume is a commodity, brand is the moat. We dig into how AI-native teams actually work (tastemakers and operators), why “helpful” guides are table stakes, and how human stories, conviction, and point of view become the only defensible edge in a world where production is free. We also get into:Content brands > corporate blogs: Building something people follow, not just something you publish.Helpful is dead: Why every piece needs a person, a story, and a spine—or it's AI fodder.Anchors and distribution: Human-made “anchor” content, AI-powered repurposing, zero soul lost.Manifestos, not messaging decks: Founder-fueled conviction as the real brand operating system.Brand as last moat: Community, ecosystem marketing, and taste as the next-gen B2B unfair advantage.

Looking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is episode four of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar, featuring first-time guest Greg Oddo.Greg is a weather strategist who specialises in coffee for Sucafina. In this series, Lee and Greg discuss the role that weather is playing in the coffee market.The 5 episodes in this series are:1. The Impact of Weather on the Coffee Industry - https://youtu.be/psIRwab0jTo2. Connecting The Price of Coffee to the Weather - https://youtu.be/uHUduEMnnXI3. Coffee Industry Adapting to Changing Weather - https://youtu.be/1Tiktg6lenM4. Open Sourced Weather Data for Coffee - https://youtu.be/zAaLHDjNScs5. Challenges Ahead for Coffee and Weather - https://youtu.be/mFsN_Vleq3IIn this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Greg discuss the critical role of open source data in the coffee industry. They focus on data transparency, specifically in Brazil's weather reporting, and the necessity of self-education in accessing free available data. Greg emphasizes the importance of observational data quality and transparency to avoid market manipulation and improve decision-making for coffee farmers and businesses. Additionally, the episode highlights upcoming changes for Map It Forward in 2026, including the introduction of multi-language support and B2B advertising opportunities. Join us as we delve into why open source data is vital for accurate weather predictions and market strategies in the coffee sector.Connect with Greg Oddo and Sucafina here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-oddo-3b252a34/https://sucafina.com/https://www.instagram.com/sucafina_northamerica/Find weather data about Brazil here: https://bdmep.inmet.gov.br/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

#312 | In this episode, Udi Ledergor joins Dave to break down the ideas behind his new book, Courageous Marketing, and why most B2B marketing fails because it plays it safe. He also shares his journey from marketer #1 to CMO to Chief Evangelist at Gong, where he led category creation, brand, and marketing through massive scale. They unpack how Gong built a brand that actually stood out, what it means to punch above your weight as a B2B marketer, and how to think about brand ROI without fake dashboards.Timestamps(00:00) - – Meet Udi and his path into marketing (08:16) - – Early career lessons and building marketing from zero (15:16) - – How Gong found product-market fit and nailed positioning early (19:26) - – Courageous Marketing: why Udi wrote it and what it really means (23:16) - – Brand first: personality, positioning, then visuals (28:20) - – Campaigns that punched above their weight (billboards, experiments, perception hacks) (35:10) - – Proving brand impact: soft ROI, pipeline, and exec buy-in (47:40) - – The future: product-led marketing, AI, and courageous teams Join 50,0000 people who get our Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterLearn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/***Today's episode is brought to you by Knak.Email (in my humble opinion) is the still the greatest marketing channel of all-time.It's the only way you can truly “own” your audience.But when it comes to building the emails - if you've ever tried building an email in an enterprise marketing automation platform, you know how painful it can be. Templates are too rigid, editing code can break things and the whole process just takes forever. That's why we love Knak here at Exit Five. Knak a no-code email platform that makes it easy to create on-brand, high-performing emails - without the bottlenecks.Frustrated by clunky email builders? You need Knak.Tired of ‘hoping' the email you sent looks good across all devices? Just test in Knak first.Big team making it hard to collaborate and get approvals? Definitely Knak.And the best part? Everything takes a fraction of the time.See Knak in action at knak.com/exit-five. Or just let them know you heard about Knak on Exit Five.***Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more

LinkedIn marketing is changing, and many B2B brands are heading into 2026 with the wrong priorities.In this episode, LinkedIn expert Michelle J Raymond is joined by marketing strategist Bec Chappell to unpack a practical B2B marketing reset for LinkedIn in 2026.They explore what businesses need to stop, start, rethink and redo to get better results from LinkedIn, without relying on AI shortcuts, beige content or chasing the algorithm.You'll learn:Why LinkedIn strategy must align with real marketing fundamentalsHow brand and relevance drive better B2B outcomes on LinkedInWhat role LinkedIn should play in your wider marketing mixHow to prepare your LinkedIn marketing for 2026 with confidenceIf you're a B2B marketer, founder or leader using LinkedIn to drive growth, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters next.Key moments in this episode - 00:00 – The B2B Marketing Reset for 202602:15 – Why AI Is Hurting LinkedIn Strategy09:30 – Bringing Brand Back to LinkedIn16:10 – Rethinking LinkedIn's Role in B2B Marketing21:40 – Aligning Marketing Strategy and LinkedIn26:40 – How to Prepare Your LinkedIn Strategy for 202630:15 – Final Advice for B2B MarketersConnect with Bec Chappell on LinkedInCONNECT WITH MICHELLE J RAYMOND Michelle J Raymond on LinkedIn Book a free intro call https://socialmediaforb2bgrowthpodcast.com/ B2B Growth Co newsletterToday's episode is sponsored by Metricool. Make sure to register for a FREE Metricool account today. Use Code MICHELLE30 to try any Premium Plan FREE for 30 days. https://metricool.com/michellejraymond/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20251216_michelle-raymond_dec-premium_en&utm_content=audio&utm_term=q3#b2bmarketing #linkedin #linkedinmarketing

Aurelius Systems is tackling one of defense's most critical challenges: cost-effective counter-drone warfare. The company builds lightweight, edge-deployed laser weapon systems with 10-million-x marginal cost advantages over traditional interceptors—shooting down drones for approximately 10 cents versus $2 million per Sea Sparrow missile. With systems priced in hundreds of thousands rather than tens of millions of dollars, Aurelius is proving that commercial manufacturing principles can revolutionize defense technology. In this episode of BUILDERS, I sat down with Michael LaFramboise, CEO and Co-Founder of Aurelius Systems, to unpack how his background spanning automotive manufacturing at Chrysler, R&D at Coherent (the largest U.S. laser manufacturer), and defense sales positioned him to build what he calls "the F150 of directed energy systems." Topics Discussed: Why Michael's unusual combination of heavy industrial manufacturing, high-power laser R&D, and directed energy sales made him one of "probably like five people under 70 in the country" positioned to build this company Aurelius's contrarian R&D thesis: build everything from commercial off-the-shelf components first, only upgrading to bespoke when field tests fail The tactical fundraising progression: first prototype to pre-seed, DIU grant in February 2025, Singapore Defense Force joint challenge, Army X-Tech competition wins Government relations as infrastructure: why Aurelius retained a lobbyist six months post-pre-seed and how Congressional support addresses 1-3 year sales cycles Navigating the DOD acquisitions reorg: 100+ technology acceleration organizations consolidating to 10-20 under new PAE structure, with goals of 90-day turnarounds replacing multi-year cycles The demonstration strategy that changed everything: earning signed memorandums from high-ranking officers after shooting down drones in Hawaii and Austin under adversarial conditions (heavy rain, 99% humidity, heat warping, night operations) Founder-led marketing ROI: why acquisitions officers, funders, and engineering talent all follow different channels (LinkedIn vs. X) and require different voices The three-stakeholder sales complexity: when your end user (warfighter), purchaser (acquisitions), and budget authorizer (Congress) are separate entities who don't communicate GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Follow proven playbooks in specialized markets, then execute obsessively: Michael explicitly followed Anduril's early-stage defense playbook, particularly around government relations: "I think it's like following the Anduril playbook for how you do an early stage defense company is probably a very appropriate thing to do." In highly specialized B2B markets (defense, healthcare, financial services), pattern-match to companies that have successfully navigated regulatory and procurement complexity rather than inventing process from scratch. The differentiation comes from execution and technology, not from reinventing go-to-market structure. Treat specialized expertise as infrastructure, not overhead: Aurelius hired a lobbyist six months after their pre-seed—before significant revenue—because defense sales involve three disconnected stakeholders. Michael explained: "your purchaser, your end user, and your authorizer for funds are all separate people that don't know each other... whenever you have these different points, it doesn't expand linearly the difficulty or the complexity of the sales cycle. It expands exponentially." B2B founders should map stakeholder complexity early and staff accordingly. If your buyer doesn't control budget, your user doesn't make purchase decisions, or your champion needs internal air cover, these aren't edge cases—they're your sales model. Demonstration beats documentation when overcoming category skepticism: After decades of directed energy failures, Aurelius spent 2024 conducting nationwide field demonstrations, culminating in adversarial drone shoot-downs in heavy rain, 99% humidity, and night conditions. Michael noted they needed to "clean up the mess that a lot of these other companies have created" with signed memorandums from high-ranking officers. When your category has a failure history, customer education isn't about better pitch decks—it's about systematic proof that eliminates objections through witnessed performance. Plan for demonstration costs and timeline in your first-year budget. Build your R&D thesis around manufacturing reality, not engineering perfection: Aurelius's core principle: build everything from commercial off-the-shelf components, upgrading only when field tests fail. Michael's insight from automotive and laser manufacturing: "you can get 80-90% physics perfection on a system for 2% of the cost" versus traditional directed energy's approach of "400 ARL and AFRL PhDs all coming together to make the most super bespoke, hyper perfect thing ever." They use material processing lasers (identical output at 1/10th the cost of directed energy lasers) and commercial components from automotive supply chains. B2B founders should define their "good enough" threshold explicitly and build cost structure around it—perfection is often the enemy of scalability and margin. Attack market dislocations where wrong-fit solutions reveal unmet needs: Aurelius doesn't compete with Sea Sparrow missiles for shooting down aircraft at 9 miles—they target the dislocation where $2M missiles designed for large ordinance are being misused against $500 drones with 30% effectiveness. Michael identified that "there isn't anything in the market that's been developed for counter drone at any significant distance." The opportunity isn't better missiles; it's purpose-built solutions for Group 1 and Group 2 drones (FPV quadcopters and small planes) where no appropriate system exists. Map where customers are forced to use expensive, inappropriate solutions—that's where new categories emerge. //  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

GreenLite delivers private construction plan review as an alternative to traditional city permitting processes. After spending six months testing both sides of the construction permitting transaction, the company identified owner-developers as their ICP and built a business model around Florida's privatization legislation—legislation that has now expanded to nine additional states including Texas, Tennessee, and California. In this episode of BUILDERS, we sat down with James Gallagher, CEO and Co-Founder of GreenLite, to explore how his fifth startup leveraged regulatory shifts, rejected workflow software in favor of outcomes, and scaled by targeting chief development officers at enterprise retailers struggling with permitting delays. Topics Discussed: How GreenLite discovered architects were heavy users but wrong customers due to two-part sales dynamics Why owner-developers became the ICP after six months of customer discovery across applicants and agencies The accidental discovery of private plan review through conversations with Fort Worth and Miami-Dade agencies GreenLite's platform combining regulatory permissions, licensed AEC professionals, and AI-augmented software How natural disasters and AEC talent shortages are accelerating privatization legislation nationwide Cold email strategies that converted enterprise retailers by surfacing acute pain points GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Map two-sided markets to find where purchasing authority and pain intersect: GreenLite pitched a CTO at a major architecture firm who responded positively but said "I just need to talk to my client, my customer." This revealed architects required approval from owner-developers despite being the heaviest product users. James pivoted to owner-developers who "carry the land, carry the construction loans" and feel revenue delays most acutely. The lesson: usage intensity doesn't equal buyer authority. In complex ecosystems, systematically test which party controls budget and feels enough pain to sign contracts independently. Recognize when procurement cycles kill early-stage validation velocity: Cities explicitly told James their "crazy procurement cycles" made early partnership impractical despite genuine interest. State and local education and government sales require specialized expertise and extended timelines that prevent rapid iteration. James chose to prove the model with private sector customers first. For founders: government can be a lucrative eventual market, but unless you have sled sales expertise and 12+ month runway per deal, validate PMF elsewhere first. Capitalize on regulatory tailwinds before markets realize they exist: Only Florida permitted private plan review when GreenLite launched in July 2022. By late 2024, nine states passed enabling legislation driven by natural disaster reconstruction needs and talent shortages in city building departments. James positioned GreenLite to ride this wave rather than selling transformation to resistant agencies. Founders should monitor legislative and regulatory changes in their verticals—new compliance requirements or permissions can suddenly open massive TAMs with minimal incumbent competition. Enterprise cold email converts when you surface non-obvious acute pain: GreenLite cold emailed chief development officers at major retail chains and quick-service restaurants with "Are you missing your openings due to permitting?" The response rate validated that permitting delays—not site selection or construction costs—were a critical path blocker for store rollout velocity. James targeted CDOs rather than real estate or design teams because they own the full development timeline. For enterprise sales: identify the executive accountable for the metric your solution impacts, then lead with how you move that specific number. Validate outcome-based models before building sophisticated workflow tools: GreenLite's customers rejected "another workflow product or system of record" that required API integrations with their ERPs and construction management systems. Instead, they wanted "faster, more predictable, more transparent permits." James built a viable business delivering finished permits through licensed professionals augmented by software, with the AI sophistication coming later. The business was "super viable well before the product was" by early 2023. For founders in industries resistant to software adoption: test whether buyers want tools to operate or outcomes to purchase—outcome-based pricing can achieve PMF faster and command premium willingness-to-pay. // 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

Looking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is episode four of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar, featuring first-time guest Greg Oddo.Greg is a weather strategist who specialises in coffee for Sucafina. In this series, Lee and Greg discuss the role that weather is playing in the coffee market.The 5 episodes in this series are:1. The Impact of Weather on the Coffee Industry - https://youtu.be/psIRwab0jTo2. Connecting The Price of Coffee to the Weather - https://youtu.be/uHUduEMnnXI3. Coffee Industry Adapting to Changing Weather - https://youtu.be/1Tiktg6lenM4. Open Sourced Weather Data for Coffee - https://youtu.be/zAaLHDjNScs5. Challenges Ahead for Coffee and Weather - https://youtu.be/mFsN_Vleq3IIn this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Greg discuss the critical role of open source data in the coffee industry. They focus on data transparency, specifically in Brazil's weather reporting, and the necessity of self-education in accessing free available data. Greg emphasizes the importance of observational data quality and transparency to avoid market manipulation and improve decision-making for coffee farmers and businesses. Additionally, the episode highlights upcoming changes for Map It Forward in 2026, including the introduction of multi-language support and B2B advertising opportunities. Join us as we delve into why open source data is vital for accurate weather predictions and market strategies in the coffee sector.Connect with Greg Oddo and Sucafina here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-oddo-3b252a34/https://sucafina.com/https://www.instagram.com/sucafina_northamerica/Find weather data about Brazil here: https://bdmep.inmet.gov.br/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

Physics defines work as force times distance times alignment. In sales, that's effort times results times whether those results actually get you what you want. I saw a junior SDR post on LinkedIn saying "sales training is a joke—just dial your face off." He's one-third right. Volume matters. But here's what gets lost: you drive to work every day, doesn't make you a Formula One racer. It's intentional volume that matters. Josh Braun responded with something so well-written I had to share it: "Drop someone in a pool with no training and they'll kick really hard, flail harder, and burn out in 20 seconds. Put them with a coach who adjusts their breathing, reach, and timing, and suddenly they move further, faster, with less effort. Top reps don't just make more calls—they make better calls." I'll share my own riptide story from last summer: I got caught surfing with my kids, swam as hard as I could, made zero progress—actually went backwards. Two surfers pulled me sideways along the shore to escape it. I could have swam all day and never made it. That's alignment. This episode breaks down why volume reveals your gaps but technique closes them, why I've wasted $30K on useless sales training but still believe in the right coaching, and why physics would say if you're booking appointments that don't convert, no work has actually been done.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Dr. Karen Sutherland is a multi-award winning educator and author from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. As a Certified AI Consultant and Director of Dharana Digital Marketing Agency, Dr. Sutherland specializes in using AI for strategic marketing and communication. In addition to designing and delivering training and workshops globally for over a decade, her research spans AI in strategic communication, B2B relationships, social media pedagogy and practice. She has authored two editions of her book 'Strategic Social Media Management – Theory and Practice' Palgrave Macmillan, downloaded more than 170k times, 'Transmedia Brand Storytelling - Immersive Experiences from Theory to Practice' Palgrave Macmillan, and 'Public Relations and Strategic Communication', Oxford University Press. Her latest book, '⁠Artificial Intelligence for Strategic Communication⁠,' , Palgrave Macmillan, has been adopted across 20+ countries. Dr. Sutherland has featured in global media including  the Wall Street Journal, Euro News AAP, ABC, Nine, Sky News and has been Ticker's AI and social media expert for the past five years. 

All sorts of setbacks can come up during your career. You narrowly miss landing your dream job. You get put on a project you don't love. You have a horrible manager. You go through a round of budget cuts. You have a family emergency come up. You have a sudden health issue. Or you realise you've taken the wrong job. We all experience disappointments, stressors, or unexpected twists and turns in our career that test our resilience, patience, and fortitude. Career setbacks can't be avoided. No matter how well you plan things out, stuff comes up, and your ability to navigate and manage those setbacks will make the difference between you getting stuck in a rut or bouncing back to find a better way forward. In this episode of the Career Relaunch® podcast, Ben Kuhl, a sports and events hospitality management professional turned woodworking, shelf-making craftsman shares his thoughts on his shift from white-collar to blue-collar work, and I also share some thoughts on the hidden blessings behind career setbacks.

What actually drives agency growth when pipelines are noisy, buyers are skeptical, and everyone sounds the same?In this episode, Dan Englander sits down with Alex Marshall, a longtime agency growth leader with two decades of experience across holding companies and independents, to unpack what really moves the needle. They explore why trust and relevance matter more than tactics, how storytelling shows up late in the sales cycle, and why relationships compound over time even when results aren't immediate.This is a grounded conversation about growth as a discipline, not a hack. 

Send us a textWelcome back to the Laundromat Resource Podcast! In this special episode 230, host Jordan Berry sits down with the dynamic brother duo, Juan Lopez and Emilio Lopez, the innovative minds behind "Let Growth." If you've ever wondered how some laundromat owners are crushing it in the commercial pickup and delivery space—or you're itching to tap into more B2B laundry clients—this episode is packed with game-changing insights.Juan Lopez and Emilio Lopez reveal exactly how they help laundromat owners land and close deals with businesses like gyms, spas, hotels, Airbnbs, and beyond. You'll hear their journey from generic lead generation to becoming the go-to experts for commercial laundry sales, leveraging smart tech, AI, and tailored outreach. Discover the strategies that set top performers apart in this niche, and learn how being curious about your potential clients—and offering irresistible trials—can transform your results.Whether you're a DIY entrepreneur or ready to hand things over to pros, this episode lays out the common pitfalls in commercial lead generation, gives a behind-the-scenes look at Let Growth's proven approach, and introduces powerful (and even free) tools designed to help you stand out. If you're serious about scaling your service side and want actionable steps to boost your commercial laundry business, don't miss this conversation with Juan Lopez, Emilio Lopez, and Jordan Berry . Tune in now!

In this 5 Insightful Minutes episode, David Dorf, Head of Retail Industry Solutions at AWS, joins Omni Talk to cut through the AI hype and reveal what's actually coming for retail in 2026. From LLM limitations to agentic commerce reality checks, David breaks down why domain-specific models are replacing frontier model fantasies, how answer engines will reshape search, and why shopping agents will start with your grocery delivery. If you've ever wondered what AI predictions are worth believing, this episode delivers the clarity you need.

Many women feel invisible or silenced during hard seasons. Putting pressure on themselves to suck it up and push through. My guest this week, Heidi Schalk, believes that visibility is a healing and transformational act for women and she wants to help get them there. Heidi's story is incredibly powerful — from single motherhood and burnout to rebuilding your life and business. Heidi Schalk is the co-founder of HLH Growth Solutions, an author, speaker, and host of two top-ranking shows: The Be S.H.E. Podcast (Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Empowered.) and the Business Growth Spotlight Podcast. Heidi believes success is not reserved for a select few. It's available to anyone willing to be seen, step into their voice, and claim the life they dream of. Her work is centered on empowering others to lead with authenticity, courage, and possibility.On this guest episode, Heidi shares about when she first realize she was hiding and how she found the courage to be seen again. She also talks about the moment that sparked her own awakening & transformation the led her to create the Be S.H.E podcast to encourage Women to be seen, heard, and empowered. Heidi offers advice for Women who feel called to lead but are terrified to be visible and how women can step into leadership without falling into the patterns of competition, perfectionism, or self-sacrifice. And she tells how healing and inner work influenced her business success in building multiple businesses both B2C and B2B and now running a successful growth agency. Finally, together we discuss how burnout is not as a time problem, but an alignment problem and why so many women struggle with receiving love, money, support, & visibility and how to shift that.Bio:Heidi Schalk is the co-founder of HLH Growth Solutions, an author, speaker, and host of two top-ranking shows: The Be S.H.E. Podcast (Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Empowered.) and the Business Growth Spotlight Podcast. She is a contributing author in Heart Talks Volume 1 and has been featured on FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, and The Daily Herald. She was also named one of the Top 30 Inspiring Entrepreneurs to Look Out for in 2024 by The NYC Journal. For the past five years, Heidi has helped women break through their limits, achieve their goals, and build online businesses they truly love. Along the way, she learned firsthand that while entrepreneurship isn't easy, it can be simple, aligned, and fun with the right support and strategy.In 2025, she made a bold pivot building a six-figure-plus marketing and visibility agency in just seven months. Today, Heidi helps leaders, experts, and companies grow their brand authority, expand their audience, and generate demand through strategic visibility, content ecosystems, and “podcast-to-pipeline” systems. Most recently, Heidi has expanded HLH Growth Solutions with cutting-edge AI tools including the AI Receptionist and the Sales Analyzer, designed to help businesses reduce workload, increase conversions, and accelerate growth with smart automation. These solutions allow companies to create 24/7 customer experiences, analyze sales opportunities in real time, and scale with efficiency.A mom of two teenagers (16 and 14), Heidi credits her children as the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey. As an animal lover, she often fosters and transports pets in need, helping them find their forever homes.Links:Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  Spotlight to Scale BlueprintInstagram: @heidischalkcoaching    Heidi Schalk (@heidischalkcoaching) • Instagram photos and videosLInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoachingWebsite: hlhgrowthsolutions.comWebsite: Business Strategy Coach

On this episode of HALO Talks, host Pete Moore sits down with Johnny Hilbrant—SoulCycle instructor turned viral sensation, also known as "PE Guy." From his roots riding and teaching at Soul in Chicago and Boston, Johnny talks about his journey from fitness enthusiast to comedic creator, blending his knack for improv and sharp observational humor to lampoon a familiar character . . . the "private equity bro" you inevitably get cornered by at a wedding or some other event. The conversation gets into how Johnny developed his PE Guy persona, why the character resonates so widely (with both chuckling fans and the occasional real-life PE pro who's less amused), and how he manages authenticity even as brand partnerships and cameo requests start rolling in. Along the way, Johnny and Pete also discuss the importance of self-awareness, the ability to laugh at yourself, and the line between satire and selling out. Whether you're in the PE world, the HALO sector (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoor), or just love a good roast, this episode is packed with insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of laughs. On the private equity lifestyle Hilbrant states, "Some of these folks seem to be a little bit . . . haphazard, like a runaway train, because they're among other people who are buying watches and flying privately." Key themes discussed SoulCycle instructor journey and community. Industry changes and business model evolution. Creation and popularity of "PE Guy" character. Satire of private equity culture. Audience feedback and handling criticism. Brand partnerships and authenticity challenges. Creative process behind viral content. A Few Key Takeaways:  1.Journey Into SoulCycle & Fitness Industry Johnny shared how he began his SoulCycle journey in Chicago while searching for his next career move. After auditioning with 60 others and being one of only two selected, he trained with Soul before relocating to Boston, where he found both community and success as an instructor. 2. Evolution of SoulCycle Culture: The conversation also touched on the shifts in SoulCycle's energy and market position over the years. Hilbrandt acknowledged changes due to increased competition and tweaks to the business model, but emphasized that the unique, immersive studio experience and community still remain, even if the industry's "buzz" has faded a bit. 3. Viral Creation of "PE Guy": The "PE Guy" character began as a playful exaggeration of a certain type you meet at weddings—someone who talks at you endlessly. He used a filter to bring this persona to life, and after giving the character a private equity job, the videos quickly went viral. He credits the rapid rise to relatable satire and people recognizing the archetype. 4. Reception of Satire—Mostly Positive, Rare Backlash: Most of the audience, even those in private equity, really appreciate Hilbrandt's satire. He's largely received positive feedback, with a few exceptions (such as one in-person encounter with a Bain professional who took it personally.) He noted the importance of self-awareness and being able to laugh at oneself, a skill he thinks can foster humility and potentially even positive changes in the finance industry. 5. Creative Process & Brand Partnerships: Hilbrandt described his creative process as a mix of structured and spontaneous inspiration—sometimes scripting out ideas, other times improvising based on something he sees or hears. The success of "PE Guy" has led to lucrative partnerships, especially with B2B and tech brands, though luxury brands are often hesitant to be self-deprecating. He's committed to maintaining authenticity and resisting "selling out," balancing brand deals with staying true to the character's comedic roots. Resources:  Johnny Hilbrant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-hilbrant-partridge-721b1b87  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyhilbrant/?hl=en  Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/pe-guy-instagram-tiktok-johnny-hilbrant-partridge-private-equity-2025-6  Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com Promotion Vault: https://www.promotionvault.com HigherDose: https://www.higherdose.com

In this episode of 10X Growth Strategies, host Saradha Sriram sits down with John Boccuzzi — author of The Art of Seducing Your Customers and President of Research at ISG — to unpack why the best businesses don't sell harder, they build emotional connection, trust, and clarity. Drawing from decades of research and real-world experience, John reframes sales and customer experience through an unconventional but powerful lens: seduction over manipulation. From the origins of his TEDx talk to stories spanning Uber, Kodak, UPS, and Zappos, he explains how storytelling, friction reduction, and employee empowerment quietly separate companies that retain customers for decades from those that lose them overnight. A sharp, experience-backed conversation on why sales is a job of rejection, why cost-cutting often destroys customer experience, and how leaders can immediately diagnose friction inside their own organizations. ⸻ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – 00:45 • Intro 00:45 – 01:30 • Saradha introduces John Boccuzzi & his work 01:30 – 02:40 • Why “Seduction” — The TEDx origin behind the book's title 02:40 – 04:30 • The Frame Store Story — Confidence, storytelling & 27 years of loyalty 04:30 – 05:50 • Seduction vs Manipulation — Emotional appeal, trust & value creation 05:50 – 08:35 • Sales Is Dating — Listening, timing & relationship-building 08:35 – 10:40 • The Seduction Framework — Empowering employees & retention-first design 10:40 – 12:25 • Friction Hunting — How Uber exposed broken customer experiences 12:25 – 13:45 • Operational Insight — UPS, right-hand turns & invisible efficiency 13:45 – 14:45 • Kodak's Failure — Fear, disruption & missed opportunity 14:45 – 16:15 • Hiring the Wrong Way — Jobs vs careers & the EQ gap 16:15 – 17:25 • The Cost-Cutting Trap — Why CX isn't a savings exercise 17:25 – 18:55 • Handling Rejection — Knowing when to walk away 18:55 – 20:00 • Storytelling That Endures — The Budweiser Super Bowl lesson 20:00 – 21:40 • B2B vs B2C — Why customer principles don't change 21:40 – 23:45 • Losing $300M Deals — The 500-page contract mistake 23:45 – 25:40 • Immediate Action — Running a friction audit 25:40 – 26:55 • The Missing Chapter — AI & the future of customer experience 26:55 – 28:45 • What's Next — Keynotes, research & closing thoughts

How is Cycle H2O (a new Water VC) De-Risking Early Stage Water Tech Investment?More #water insights? Get my free mapping of 267 water investors here: https://investors.dww.show

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Ian Wong, co-founder and CEO of Summation, to talk about one of the most frustrating challenges in finance and analytics: getting timely, trustworthy answers to basic business questions. Ian shares the story behind what he calls the “Monday Morning Problem” and explains why finance teams often spend weeks chasing insights that arrive too late to matter. The conversation explores the limits of dashboards, the risks of AI hallucinations in finance, and what decision-grade analytics really means.Ian Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Summation, an AI-powered decision platform built to help enterprise leaders better understand how their businesses are performing. Before Summation, Ian co-founded Opendoor and served as CTO through its journey to going public. He was also Square's first data scientist, where he built early fraud and risk systems. Ian holds degrees in electrical engineering and statistics from Stanford University and brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and business leadership experience.In this episode, you will discover:What the “Monday Morning Problem” is and why it slows down decision-makingWhy dashboards and ad hoc reports often fail finance leadersThe risks of relying on generic AI tools for financial analysisHow decision-grade analytics differ from conversational AIWhat the coming “query flood” could mean for data infrastructure and costsIan explains how Summation helps finance and operations teams move from manual data stitching to faster, more reliable insights. The discussion also covers AI hype versus reality, why trust matters so much in finance analytics, and how leaders can think more clearly about where AI fits into real business workflows.Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance.Follow Ian:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-wong/Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summation-hq/Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today's Episode:[01:58] – Meet Ian Wong[05:25] – The “Monday Morning Problem”[09:23] – What Empathetic Leadership Really Means[13:15] – How Enterprise Research Really Works[16:34] – The Monday Morning Numbers Meeting[21:25] – A Balance Sheet That Still Doesn't Balance[25:53] – Where AI actually helps finance teams[28:27] – The AI Hype Question of 2025[33:07] – Moving into Personal Questions

In this episode of the RevOps Champions Podcast, host Brendon Dennewill is joined by Braxton Kilgo, founder of I Believe In You (IBIY), a kindness-driven movement and purpose-led brand built to help people and organizations lead with belief before strategy. Braxton shares how his background running a high-performance B2B lead generation system shaped the way he now scales IBIY by blending belief-driven storytelling with practical, repeatable outreach systems that create real human connection.Together, they break down how Braxton generated 237 appointments in 30 days using organic LinkedIn prospecting, why most outreach fails (and how to avoid sounding spammy), and the mindset shift that makes modern selling feel more like serving. Braxton also shares the origin story of IBIY and how a simple “I believe in you” sticker idea turned into an app-enabled bracelet movement that tracks kindness as it spreads around the world. The conversation tackles a challenge every revenue leader faces: balancing purpose with performance in an increasingly metrics-driven world. This episode is essential listening for RevOps professionals, B2B growth teams, and business leaders who want to build scalable systems without sacrificing authenticity.What You'll LearnHow Braxton generated 237 organic appointments in 30 days by building targeted LinkedIn lists and running a structured outreach sequence.Why most LinkedIn outreach feels like spam and how to stand out How to use “high intention, low attachment” to keep prospecting consistent without getting derailed by rejection.Why “serve, not sell” works as a real growth strategy How raw, human communication can outperform overly polished sales messaging.How I Believe In You creates a trackable ripple effect of kindness. How leaders can balance purpose and performance by tying impact to sustainable business fundamentals.Resources MentionedLinkedIn Sales NavigatorI Believe In You (IBIY)IBIY mobile app NFC (Near Field Communication) chips Is your business ready to scale? Take the Growth Readiness Score to find out. In 5 minutes, you'll see: Benchmark data showing how you stack up to other organizations A clear view of your operational maturity Whether your business is ready to scale (and what to do next if it's not) Let's Connect Subscribe to the RevOps Champions Newsletter LinkedIn YouTube Explore the show at revopschampions.com. Ready to unite your teams with RevOps strategies that eliminate costly silos and drive growth? Let's talk!

B2B sales leader Kent Kononoff is back with us on the show to share his expertise on the crucial, and often overlooked, connection between physical fitness and sales performance. Drawing from over 25 years of experience, Kent shares how discipline, consistency, and resilience developed through fitness routines can directly improve outcomes in the sales world.  The conversation uncovers Kent's favorite daily habits for staying energized, the role of nutrition and sleep, and practical strategies for overcoming the lifestyle challenges sales professionals often face. Whether it's hiking with clients or building accountability with colleagues, Kent reveals the secrets to staying motivated, managing stress, and sustaining peak performance. If you're looking for actionable advice on blending wellbeing with work to become a high-performing sales professional, this is one episode you don't want to miss. Outline of This Episode [04:26] Kent's favorite fitness habits: morning exercise, meal planning, and movement breaks. [06:46] Overcoming fitness and lifestyle challenges. [07:47] Combining client meetings with exercise and enjoying nature. [12:09] Prioritize nutrition, sleep, and recovery; don't overexert yourself. [15:01] Fitness and nutrition sustain Kent's energy for long workdays and frequent travel. [17:05] Never compromise on fitness or nutrition: they are critical for both personal and professional excellence. The Overlooked Link Between Fitness and Sales Performance There are direct parallels between fitness and success in sales. Both arenas, Kent points out, demand discipline, consistency, dedication, and the willingness to tackle tough challenges head-on. Kent likens uphill mountain biking, where grit and resilience see you through, to the demanding "uphill" moments every salesperson inevitably faces. The physical stamina built through exercise translates directly to mental toughness and perseverance on the job. For Kent, athleticism isn't simply a bonus trait he looks for when hiring; it's a key criterion. Candidates with athletic backgrounds often exhibit teamwork, determination, and a coachable spirit, all attributes that fuel both athletic and sales success. Building Daily Habits that Pay Off What's the secret sauce for keeping that momentum going day after day? Kent's go-to is a consistent morning routine, starting each dawn with breathwork, stretching, and some form of physical activity, whether hitting the gym or taking a brisk walk. This jumpstart not only gets his heart pumping but sets a positive tone for the entire day, fueling motivation and raising overall energy levels. His approach goes beyond exercise alone: Meal Planning: Avoiding the all-too-common pitfalls of poor dietary choices, especially when sales roles often involve client meals and unpredictable schedules. Planning meals in advance and even using AI tools to track nutrition ensures that energy remains steady and focused. Movement Breaks: Recognizing the hazards of sedentary work, Kent schedules mini-exercise intervals or walks throughout the workday to keep both body and mind sharp. Navigating Sales-Specific Health Challenges Sales professionals face unique lifestyle obstacles: long hours, frequent travel, and a schedule that's never truly their own. Kent acknowledges that a lack of time is a universal excuse, but urges salespeople to treat fitness as they would any non-negotiable client meeting, making it a priority and protecting it. He also addresses the double-edged sword of business done over meals or drinks. His solution is proactive planning to make healthier choices, and consider inviting clients for activity-based meetings (like walks or even hikes), which boost fitness and build stronger client relationships. To combat burnout and fatigue, Kent recommends being vigilant for warning signs, such as low energy or motivation. His antidote? Get back to basics: stick to a strict exercise schedule, maintain mindful nutrition, and establish a disciplined sleep routine. He stresses that sleep is a critical, yet often neglected, performance lever, impacting not only productivity but the longevity of one's sales career. Putting Fitness First With a demanding travel and meeting schedule, Kent credits his fitness routine for sustaining energy and focus during marathon days. While others feel burned out, he's energized and effective until the last meeting. The key is to never compromise on fitness and nutrition goals. The most successful and long-tenured sales professionals are those who invest in their health, reaping the rewards of high performance, longevity, and overall life satisfaction. Physical fitness isn't just a nice-to-have for sales professionals; it's a game-changer. By weaving movement, healthy eating, and recovery into your daily rhythm, you not only elevate your career but also enjoy a better quality of life both inside and outside the office.  Connect with Kent Kononoff Kent Kononoff on LinkedIn  Connect With Paul Watts  LinkedIn Twitter  Subscribe to SALES REINVENTED Audio Production and Show Notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Physics defines work as force times distance times alignment. In sales, that's effort times results times whether those results actually get you what you want. I saw a junior SDR post on LinkedIn saying "sales training is a joke—just dial your face off." He's one-third right. Volume matters. But here's what gets lost: you drive to work every day, doesn't make you a Formula One racer. It's intentional volume that matters. Josh Braun responded with something so well-written I had to share it: "Drop someone in a pool with no training and they'll kick really hard, flail harder, and burn out in 20 seconds. Put them with a coach who adjusts their breathing, reach, and timing, and suddenly they move further, faster, with less effort. Top reps don't just make more calls—they make better calls." I'll share my own riptide story from last summer: I got caught surfing with my kids, swam as hard as I could, made zero progress—actually went backwards. Two surfers pulled me sideways along the shore to escape it. I could have swam all day and never made it. That's alignment. This episode breaks down why volume reveals your gaps but technique closes them, why I've wasted $30K on useless sales training but still believe in the right coaching, and why physics would say if you're booking appointments that don't convert, no work has actually been done.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

In the 219th BlockTalks we speak with Avinash Lakshman, Founder & CEO of Weilliptic, who tells us about his journey from distributed storage to decentralized networks.Links:X Link: https://x.com/weillipticLinkedIn Link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weilliptic/Website Link: https://weilliptic.ai/The BlockDrops Podcast is proud to be supported by Semoto.Semoto is the largest B2B ecosystem in Web3, built around three verticals.First, a curated marketplace that lets you quickly discover, compare, and review the best crypto providers and products.Second, independent consulting that runs your project management and vendor selection, so complex launches stay on time and on budget.Third, a boutique desk that helps you design and execute complex OTC transactions with true white-glove support, so you're never alone on the hardest decisions.Check https://semoto.io for more.. Redes sociais / comms.. https://blockdropspodcast.xyz/.. https://blockdrops.substack.com .. Instagram.com/blockdropspodcast.. Twitter.com/blockdropspod.. Blockdrops.lens .. https://warpcast.com/mauriciomagaldi.. youtube.com/@BlockDropsPodcast.. Meu conteúdo em inglês twitter.com/0xmauricio.. Newsletter do linkedin  https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7056680685142454272.. blockdropspodcast@gmail.com

When it comes to marketing, everyone has opinions—but few have proof. That's where Professor Byron Sharp steps in. In this episode, Drew sits down with the globally renowned marketing scientist and author of How Brands Grow to unpack what B2B marketers are getting wrong, what they should measure instead, and why focusing only on in-market buyers is a recipe for decline. Byron drops truth bombs on:   Why mental availability drives physical availability (not the other way around)  How B2B marketers are shooting themselves in the foot with fluffy brand campaigns   What to measure if you want to track real progress  Why B2B growth takes time—and how to prove it's working Plus, why CMOs should stop pretending that awareness is enough and start earning a place in buyers' brains before they're ready to buy. Whether you're defending your brand budget to a CFO, fighting for longer-term investment, or just trying to grow your share of voice without blowing it all in Q1—this episode delivers the mental fuel (and science) to make your case. To hear the rest of this CMO Huddles Bonus Huddle, visit CMO Huddles Hub on YouTube.  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/   

Many founders chase revenue—but end up with less freedom, lower margins, and no clear exit. In this episode, Doug C. Brown sits down with U.S. Marine veteran, executive coach, and bestselling author Richard Walsh to unpack what it really takes to grow a scalable, sellable, and self-sufficient business. You'll learn: ✅ The real difference between revenue growth and profit growth✅ How to implement “automate, delegate, eliminate” in a high-performing company✅ Why wrong-fit clients quietly drain your bottom line✅ What it takes to become an exit-ready CEO (even if you're not selling yet) If your business depends on your presence—you don't own a business. You own a job.This episode will show you how to fix that.

What if your next 1,000 hires didn't require chaos? In this episode, Doug C. Brown is joined by Pranav Dalal, founder and Chief Disruption Officer of Office Beacon, to talk about what it really takes to scale global teams—without giving up control. Pranav grew Office Beacon to 5,500+ full-time employees across 4 countries… without outside capital or “unicorn” hires. What made it possible? Systems, not superstars. Inside the episode: ✅ How to structure remote teams for scale ✅ Why bootstrapping forces better decisions ✅ How opposite thinking leads to competitive advantage ✅ The simple habits that keep you from overextending If your business depends on 1:1 sales, offshore teams, or scaling operations—this episode is your blueprint.

Sometimes the biggest creative breakthroughs start with a mistake, and no one proves that better than Massimo Bottura.The three-Michelin-star chef behind some of the world's most iconic dishes built his reputation on turning accidents, constraints, and tradition itself into something entirely new. In this episode, we break down his marketing lessons with the help of our special guest Abel Grünfeld, VP of Marketing at Riverside.Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from transforming mistakes into memorable stories, using constraints to spark better ideas, and leading with calm adaptability when things inevitably go off script.About our guest, Abel GrünfeldAbel Grunfeld is Riverside's VP of marketing and first employee. He is a growth strategy expert, specializing in scaling our digital presence and building an efficient marketing pipeline. What B2B Companies Can Learn From Massimo Bottura:Turn mistakes into magnetic storytelling. Massimo Bottura's most iconic dish was born from a dropped lemon tart, which is proof that imperfections can become brand-defining moments. Abel explains, “ [It's] very inspiring to take this high stress environment… and transform it into something that actually is unique, much more creative, much more powerful in terms of storytelling.” In B2B, the same principle applies. When a campaign breaks, a launch misfires, or a plan goes sideways, don't hide it. Shape it into a story. Audiences connect most with brands that reveal the creative, human process behind the work. Your “oops” moment might become your most memorable asset.Use constraints to fuel creativity. In high-pressure kitchens, limitations create innovation, not less of it. Abel notes, “Your constraints are your advantage… By being very intentional and aware of what your constraints and disadvantages are, you can be really focused on how to use these to actually create some sort of playing field where you can be more successful.” B2B teams often don't have unlimited budgets, bandwidth, or time. That's not a disadvantage, that's focus. Constraints sharpen your narrative, strengthen your positioning, and force bold creative choices. The boundaries become the catalyst.Plan for surprises and lead through them. Massimo Bottura thrives by embracing unpredictability, treating chaos as a space for invention. Abel shares, “You always plan, but you cannot always control the outcomes… you need to plan to be surprised… and  to figure out how you make the most out of any situation.” For B2B marketers, this is the mindset shift. Markets shift. Teams change. Campaigns don't go as expected. The brands that win are the ones that stay calm, adapt quickly, and turn the unexpected into momentum. Build flexibility into your strategy so you can transform disruption into differentiation.Quote“Real creativity, very often, it's a coincidence of different factors.  There's an unintentionality behind creation that when you plan everything out, you'll never come to that result. When you allow space for exploration, for playfulness, for doing things that you never planned… sometimes they're better than what you actually can envision and visualize yourself.” Time Stamps[00:55] Meet Abel Grünfeld, VP of Marketing at Riverside [00:52] Why Massimo Bottura?[01:59 The Role of VP of Marketing at Riverside[03:02] Behind the Scenes of Massimo Bottura: The Italian Culinary Genius[14:58] Marketing Lessons from Massimo Bottura[26:19] Where are B2B Companies at with Video?[32:07] The Importance of Video Content[41:34] Content Strategy at Riverside[44:47] Simplifying Video Production[47:07] Consolidating Video Creation Tools[49:07] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Abel on LinkedInLearn more about RiversideAbout 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.

Topics CoveredAI efficiency vs. AI opportunity in modern B2B orgsUse cases across Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and ChatGPTClaude for Excel outperforming native pluginsAI-powered brand visibility audits (AIO, GEO)Building MVPs from product demos using GeminiAutomating reporting and funnel analysis with ChatGPT & GeminiCustom GPTs for keyword analysis and lead quality reviewsAI system design in regulated or high-security environmentsFramework-based AI prompting for repeatable resultsTesting rigor and prompt engineering for trustable AI outputQuestions This Video Helps AnswerHow can B2B marketing teams use AI to save time and create net-new strategic opportunities?What LLM (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot) is best for specific tasks like Excel, brand analysis, or creative reviews?How do I know if AI-generated reporting is accurate enough to trust?What's a good prompt structure to consistently get usable output from ChatGPT or Gemini?How can I explain AIO (AI Optimization) visibility and results to executives?Jobs, Roles, and Responsibilities MentionedMarketing teamsSales teamsFinance and accounting departmentsHR and admin functionsDemand gen strategistsOperations and supply chain leadersAI consultants and systems integratorsCreative and copywriting leadsIT and cybersecurity teamsExecutive and portfolio leadershipKey TakeawaysAI tools should be evaluated by outcome, not branding—Claude may outperform Copilot in Excel.Reframing workflows to be AI-native rather than AI-assisted unlocks transformational gains.Demand marketers can use LLMs to streamline reporting, extract funnel insights, and improve creative alignment.Framework-driven prompting (like SPEC) helps generate consistent, high-trust outputs.Custom AI workflows (e.g., for lead scoring, brand checks) can scale across clients and teams without deep coding.Generative AI is a tool for internal enablement, not just public content.

Who's the real MVP—on the field and in the chemical industry?In this episode of Smart Acids, Andy and Chris put Bob Craycraft CEO of Univar Solutions' Chemical Distribution & Services division and former Vanderbilt football player through a quick quiz on famous Commodores before diving into the biggest plays in chemical distribution.From consolidation trends and targeted growth to why safety, service, and expertise make Univar Solutions the distributor of choice, Bob shares insights that will keep you ahead of the game.Smart Acids™ is the source for product insights and current market moves related to chemical and specialty ingredient distribution—breaking it all down one boron at a time. Join hosts Andy Erickson and Chris Ernst for straightforward and honest chat that speaks to the why behind pricing and supply, delivered in a smart, fun and entertaining way. Smart Acids is the winner of a B2 Silver Award, a top national recognition among leading global brands and marketers in B2B.About the hosts: Andy Erickson, senior director of product marketing for essential chemicals, and Chris Ernst, senior director of product marketing for solvents, converse with guests from chemistry and specialty ingredient backgrounds who are keyed in to manufacturing and markets across industries.Univar Solutions is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers, and helping to keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, we offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries and applications.

What does it really take to generate high-quality B2B leads on LinkedIn without falling into the trap of cold, salesy outreach or getting lost in the endless world of organic posting? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, Vinay Koshy sits down with serial entrepreneur Colin Hirdman, founder of Rainmaker, to unpack the step-by-step process he's developed over years of experimentation, perseverance, and plenty of failures turned lessons. Colin Hirdman reveals why most people are thinking about LinkedIn all wrong and how ditching traditional tactics in favor of authentic, education-driven engagement can transform your sales pipeline. Learn how he leverages automation with care, sidesteps burnout, and uses live streams and polls to build meaningful connections, all without breaking LinkedIn's rules or coming off as just another spammy vendor. You'll find actionable strategies for defining your ideal audience, engaging them in ways that actually spark conversation, and creating content that compels, even if you're just starting. Whether you're a solopreneur or leading a sales team, this episode offers a fresh, highly practical perspective on LinkedIn lead generation you won't want to miss. Some topics we explore in this episode include: Why focus on LinkedIn for lead generation – Colin Hirdman explains his reasons for choosing LinkedIn as the main channel for building networks and leads.Authentic, educational outreach philosophy – The importance of focusing on education and authenticity over selling.Audience building techniques – Tips for building ideal prospect lists using tools like Sales Navigator, event lists, and industry connections.LinkedIn automation strategies – How to automate manual processes while staying within LinkedIn's limits and policies.Messaging and connection tactics – Effective practices for initial outreach and follow-up without being salesy.Using LinkedIn features for engagement – Leveraging live streams, events, and polls to increase touchpoints and value.Emphasis on relationship building – Why nurturing and educating connections drives better results than direct selling.Entrepreneurial resilience and lessons learned – Colin Hirdman shares experiences about perseverance and navigating setbacks.Five Fs business philosophy – How core values like freedom, finance, family, friendship, and fun guide business decisions.Tracking and improving success – Metrics, testing, and tweaking strategies to improve LinkedIn campaign performance.And much, much more...

Guests: Jason Burg – 40-year industry veteran, retired GC, national MRP consultant Jim Greer – 40+ years in B2B consulting, national carrier & vendor network strategist Jason Burg: 407-782-1772 This episode explores why MRP (Managed Repair Programs) and DRP (Direct Repair Programs) are becoming essential revenue streams for roofing contractors—and why the traditional door-to-door storm model is becoming increasingly unstable. The discussion breaks down how shifting insurance policies, rising deductibles, declining storm frequency, ACV-only policies, and market restrictions are changing the economics of storm restoration roofing. The episode explains how MRPs, DRPs, TPAs, and MGAs actually work, why most contractors misunderstand them, and how these programs create recurring, predictable revenue while improving business valuation. It details why door-to-door alone has become feast-or-famine, why free roofs are disappearing, how contractors can still achieve 35–40% margins through the right programs, and why insurance carriers urgently need more vetted roofers—especially during CAT events and daily claims. The episode also clarifies misconceptions around low margins, lack of control, and qualification barriers, outlining how background checks, onboarding, and vendor approvals actually work. Real-world examples show contractors getting approved within days when introduced through the right relationships. Ultimately, this episode provides a blueprint for shifting from a volatile storm-chasing model to a sustainable, diversified revenue system built on direct carrier work, recurring repair opportunities, and long-term business stability.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Tom Stein, the Chairman and founder of Stein and Jann Schwarz, Senior Director of Marketplace Innovation at LinkedIn and founder of Think tank, The B2B Institute, who join us to discuss the 2025 Brand-to- Demand Maturity and the B2B Buyability studies. Tom and Jann share results showing the need to integrate brand and performance marketing in an era when the marketing funnel has collapsed needs fundamental re-thinking and Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) are still a key measure (in spite of data showing they've lost their usefulness). Tom and Jann explain why nearly all survey respondents acknowledge a problem but only 20% are taking action. Key topics include: why a good product or service are now "table stakes”; how buyer confidence, human connection and customer experience have become key Buyability differentiators; and the belief that B2B creative is way behind B2C on average. Tune in to hear why “demand-focused marketing" was one of the greatest brand misdirects of all time and a fabulous story of an alter boy accidentally dropping the Baby Jesus. The Truth Behind the Curtain in B2B: Brand + Demand, MQLs, and “Buyability” with Tom Stein & Jan SchwartzDescription:Mike Linton sits down with Tom Stein (Stein) and Jan Schwartz (LinkedIn's B2B Institute) to unpack new ANA research on brand–demand maturity and a bold operating model they call “buyability.” They cover why 80% of marketers say integration matters but aren't doing it, why MQLs are failing modern buying groups, how to financialize creative and brand, and what CEOs/boards should actually measure to accelerate revenue. Chapters:00:00 Intro & guest setup02:36 Why a brand–demand maturity study now05:36 The 80% integration gap07:17 Org design: why teams move slowly09:36 MQLs under fire (and better alternatives)10:45 Creative quality in B2B: reality check13:34 ServiceNow, Idris Elba, and distinctive assets15:01 The CEO/CFO/Board disconnect19:00 “Buyability” explained: becoming easier to buy22:12 Brand as a full-funnel commercial driver23:40 The funnel is broken; AI ups the stakes26:59 Playing offense: fewer, better buyer-group leads28:20 Financializing the case for change29:56 The budget stat that shocked everyone31:41 What to do now: category fame, trust, real metrics34:41 Funniest stories and practical parting advice37:35 Wrap & where to find more episodesTags:B2B marketing,brand and demand,buyability,MQL,pipeline velocity,CMO Confidential,Mike Linton,Tom Stein,Jan Schwartz,LinkedIn B2B Institute,ANA,B2B brand,B2B demand gen,marketing measurement,go to market,Salesforce,ServiceNow,Idris Elba,B2B creative,category fame,board metrics,CFO,CEO,CRO,sales alignment,MarTech,lead gen,buyer groups,brand strategy,revenue growthSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, we are thrilled to welcome Ethan King as our guest. Ethan is an entrepreneur and author who coaches individuals on AI through the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). He joins us today to share insights on entrepreneurship, books, and life. He also explains how small business owners can implement AI. Stay tuned as Ethan breaks down practical AI strategies that any entrepreneur can start using today. Ethan's Journey Ethan has been an entrepreneur for 25 years. He began with a passion for art and a pivot into graphic design. While in college, a class project evolved into a real e-commerce business supplying fraternity and sorority gear. Over time, he expanded into Zeus Closet, a retail and custom apparel business serving entertainment, corporate, and educational markets. Starting with only $700 alongside his future wife and business partner, Ethan emphasizes creative problem-solving and simplicity in business. His focus on automation began in 2011 and eventually evolved into AI, which he has been teaching and applying in practical ways across his businesses for the past three years. Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and Accelerator Ethan considers EO and its Accelerator program his practical MBA. After joining EO in 2014, he applied systems and frameworks to scale his businesses, focusing on people, cash, strategy, and execution. Since then, he has coached other entrepreneurs through the Accelerator program, helping them reach the million-dollar revenue milestone. He highlights the value of peer learning, mentorship, and surrounding oneself with a like-minded community as essential elements for business growth. Wealth Beyond Money In his book Wealth Beyond Money, Ethan introduces his six dimensions of success: spirituality, intellect, money, physical presence, love, and entertainment, spelling SIMPLE. He recommends constant calibration across those areas, rather than balance. The book, inspired by a TEDx-style talk in 2014, became a bestseller in multiple categories. The AI Evolution After his wife introduced him to ChatGPT in 2022, Ethan immediately implemented it in his businesses and demonstrated its power to other EO marketing chairs. Recognizing the demand, he began teaching AI strategies to business owners and wrote ChatGPT to Double Your Business in 90 Days. He updates the book continuously, providing readers with fresh content and practical tools for implementing AI efficiently. Implementing AI in Business Ethan used AI in his own business as a testing ground before he began teaching others, applying tools like voice agents, social media automation, and custom AI solutions to improve efficiency and scale operations with minimal resources. His approach focuses on practicality, so he only teaches methods that genuinely benefit everyday business owners in B2B and B2C contexts. Perspective on AI Adoption Ethan has noticed that most entrepreneurs are aware of AI but are barely scratching the surface. Experts using AI are rare, while some people remain resistant. He highlights proactive learning, noting that AI will replace jobs for those who ignore it, but can create opportunities for those who embrace it. He draws parallels to past technological shifts to illustrate the transformative potential of AI. Work-Life Integration and Partnership Ethan explains that working with his wife in business has strengthened their relationship. She handles operational responsibilities while he focuses on vision and creativity. He stresses the importance of shared goals and complementary roles, describing their partnership as a battlefield collaboration that builds resilience and alignment. Year-End Advice for Small Business Owners Ethan recommends three key actions: invest in AI learning and team training, upgrade necessary equipment and software, and intentionally reflect and plan for the upcoming year. He encourages people to create vision movies as a tool to emotionally engage with people's personal and business goals, integrating reflection and planning into a meaningful process that drives results. Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Ethan King On his Website LinkedIn  

Interested in improving the productivity of your sales force?  Investing in training and developing your salespeople is always a good idea.  But it isn't the entire solution for many organizations. Often, enormous improvements in sales productivity can be achieved by sharpening the structure of your sales organization. ************************************************************ Dave Kahle is a B2B sales expert and a Christian Business thought leader.  He has authored 13 books, presented in 47 states and 11 countries and worked with over 500 sales organizations.  In these ten-minute podcasts, his unique blend of out-of-the-box thinking and practical insights will challenge and enable you to sell better, lead better and live better.        Subscribe to these ten-minute helpings of out-of-the-box inspiration, education and motivation. WWW,DaveKahle.com Dave's Substack page (PW)   The Sales Leader's Excellence & Influence Course   

Andrea Rosi, Head of Operations and Marketing at StatSocial, shares her career journey and offers insights into how StatSocial helps brands understand audience interests, media preferences, and influencer relationships to drive more effective marketing strategies. She highlights the importance of an audience-first approach, especially in B2B marketing, where looking beyond job titles to understand people as individuals leads to more authentic and meaningful connections. Andrea also breaks down StatSocial's marketing mix, spanning paid search, social media, and event marketing, and discusses the ongoing challenge of balancing long-term brand building with short-term lead generation.   About StatSocial StatSocial is a people-based intelligence platform that delivers identity-resolved, AI-ready audience data built from public social behaviour across major platforms. Powered by StatSocial's Identity Graph and Knowledge Graph, the platform enables audience insights, influencer strategy, targeting, and exposure-based measurement. Leading brands and agencies use StatSocial to understand real audiences, improve marketing decisions, and quantify impact across paid, earned, and owned channels. Learn more at StatSocial.com   About Andrea Rosi Andrea Rosi is a leading marketing and operations expert with over 10+ years experience working with Fortune 500 companies in the marcom technology space. Her background includes expertise in go-to-market strategies, product and content marketing, product management and sales. Time Stamps 00:00:18 - Guest Introduction: Andrea Rossi 00:01:46 - Overview of StatSocial's Product 00:02:18 - Understanding Audience Insights 00:06:01 - Benefits for B2B Companies 00:10:12 - Risk Aversion in B2B Marketing 00:14:19 - Balancing Data and Creativity 00:14:33 - StatSocial's Marketing Strategy 00:16:08 - Measuring Event Marketing Success 00:18:00 - Budgeting for Branding vs. Lead Gen 00:19:06 - Future of Marketing and AI   Quotes "I think one of the biggest challenges in B2B is that engaging, analyzing and engaging audiences has been fairly limited to people's title." Andrea Rosi, Head of Operations and Marketing at StatSocial. "It's been a really critical gap is being able to enable clients to take an audience first approach to their influencer programs. I can't tell you how many times we've spoken to clients that previously would choose influencers based on reach and engagement metrics." Andrea Rosi, Head of Operations and Marketing at StatSocial. "It's hard to find a balance sometimes... you don't necessarily know what movement is going to go viral. So you use data to the best of your ability." Andrea Rosi, Head of Operations and Marketing at StatSocial.   Follow Andrea Rosi: Andrea Rosi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-rosi-343b8158/ StatSocial website: https://www.statsocial.com/ StatSocial on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/statsocial/   Follow Mike: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing B2B Tech and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We'd also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier's other podcast - The Marketing Automation Moment: https://podcasts.apple.com/ua/podcast/the-marketing-automation-moment-podcast/id1659211547

Acquia VP Brand Strategy & Creative Shawn Perritt shows how B2B brands can die a slow death when you are constantly playing it safe. It's risky being boring, and smart leaders are always working on improving their creative fitness and not falling into a "martech trap" of the illusion of only short term attribution metrics. Embrace AI and remember the human factor is as impactful as ever. "AI can absolutely build on what exists, but you still need people to imagine what doesn't." The bottom line is playing the long game with your brand strategy. This episode has been sponsored by Meter. Head to meter.com/marketimpact to learn more.

Dexory builds data intelligence platforms for logistics, using autonomous robots to create digital twins of warehouse operations. With over $280 million raised through a recent preemptive Series C, the company has scaled from a bootstrapped startup to a full-stack robotics operation expanding across Europe and the US. In this episode of Category Visionaries, I sat down with Andrei Danescu, Founder and CEO of Dexory, to unpack how the company navigated early product-market misalignment, cracked the messaging for a category-creating technology, and maintained execution velocity as a capital-intensive business. Topics Discussed: Building in logistics after observing parts tracking failures in Formula One operations The costly mistake: spending years on public space robots before committing to warehouse logistics Why bootstrapping for five to six years forced product discipline before venture funding Messaging shift from autonomous robot capabilities to inventory visibility pain points Zero infrastructure change as a strategic product constraint for live warehouse deployments Geographic expansion strategy using multinational customers for internal reference selling How the convergence of AI adoption, sensor cost reduction, and industry data appetite created market timing Maintaining commercial velocity as the primary metric for Series C readiness in full-stack businesses GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Message to the problem, not the technology stack: When Dexory led with "world's tallest autonomous robots" and "scan 10,000+ pallets per hour," prospects responded with "what does it actually do?" The shift to leading with inventory visibility and stock control—a pain point customers immediately recognized—unlocked early traction. For category-creating products, customers need to map your solution to existing problems before they can appreciate technical differentiation. Andrei's insight: start with the problem customers know they have, then layer in technical superiority once you've established relevance. Turn operational constraints into product requirements: Dexory designed around the reality that warehouses operate as "live businesses" that cannot pause for infrastructure overhauls. Zero infrastructure change became a core product spec, not a nice-to-have feature. This required autonomous navigation in complex, dynamic environments rather than controlled spaces. Founders building for established industries should identify non-negotiable operational constraints early and architect solutions that respect them rather than requiring customers to adapt their operations. Build value expansion mechanisms before closing your first customer: Dexory established infrastructure for continuous product improvement from day one, treating early deployments as ongoing collaborations rather than transactions. Customers influenced roadmap priorities while Dexory delivered incremental value increases over time. This transformed buyers into advocates who took "point of pride" in the technology. The tactical approach: structure customer agreements and product architecture to support continuous delivery cycles that compound value rather than one-time implementations. Use multinational customers as geographic expansion infrastructure: Instead of opening regional offices across territories, Dexory targeted global companies where a European deployment could generate US interest through internal reference calls. Andrei noted this creates "a lot stronger" references "because they're already part of the same company." The expansion velocity this enabled—UK to Europe to US without massive regional buildout—proved critical for a capital-intensive business. Founders should prioritize customers with multi-region operations who can accelerate geographic reach through internal advocacy networks. Treat post-raise execution velocity as your next round metric: After Dexory's Series B, investors returned a month later to find the company "already ahead of plan." This consistent over-delivery on growth targets set up their preemptive Series C. For full-stack businesses where each dollar deployed takes longer to show returns, maintaining commercial momentum signals execution capability that justifies higher valuations. Andrei's warning: the temptation to slow down and "invest a bit more in product" after raising capital is exactly when founders need to double down on commercial traction as the North Star. // 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

What if the biggest risk in deploying AI isn't the technology itself, but how your team is able to understand its most significant benefits? Agility requires more than just adapting your technology stack; it demands a flexible brand narrative and a creative approach that can evolve with customer sentiment and cultural shifts. This is particularly true when tackling a topic as hyped and misunderstood as artificial intelligence. Today, we're going to talk about what it takes to break the mold of traditional B2B marketing, particularly in the age of AI. We'll explore how brands can move beyond feature-focused messaging to create genuine emotional resonance and build a brand that feels both innovative and human. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Robbie Ferrara, Global Creative Director at monday.com. About Robbie Ferrara As Director of Creative at Monday.com, Robbie leads the creative vision for the brand, shaping global marketing strategies, defining messaging, and spearheading mass advertising campaigns that drive brand growth and engagement.Robbie oversees the in-house creative department and manage relationships with creative agencies and production partners to deliver impactful global campaigns. He also plays a critical part in evolving Monday.com's creative identity and driving its position as one of the fastest-growing tech brands in the world.Prior to monday.com, Robbie held creative leadership roles at Prime Video and Amazon. Robbie Ferrara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbieferrara/ Resources monday.com: www.monday.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Take a look a the Monday.com marketing campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hkcw_j8js0 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Ryan Gentry, CEO of Bitcoin Infrastructure Acquisition Corp, discusses his $220M IPO, the "aerospace mafia" thesis, and why Bitcoin lending is the next big sector for public markets. Ryan Gentry, CEO of Bitcoin Infrastructure Acquisition Corp (BIXI), joins us to talk about taking a Bitcoin company public via SPAC. We dive into his journey from aerospace engineering to Lightning Labs, and why so many engineers flock to Bitcoin. Ryan breaks down the current state of Bitcoin infrastructure, the massive opportunity in Bitcoin lending, and how Lightning Network integrates with new side systems. We also discuss why the "burden of proof" has shifted to the no-coiners in traditional finance. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Notes: * IPO oversubscribed, upsized to $220 million  * BTC Lending very attractive * Square used by 28% of US merchants Timestamps: 00:00 Start 01:31 Ryan intro 07:12 Aerospace Bitcoin Mafia 09:29 What is Bitcoin Acquisition Infrastructure Corp? 13:06 Target company count? 14:10 SPAC vs Index investing 17:28 Areas of industry focus? 21:25 Bitcoin's evolution as asset 26:33 L2s & Lightning 29:13 Side Systems 33:41 AI agents & payments 36:04 Investor technical understanding -

Holiday urgency is real, whether you are trying to squeeze into your jeans or squeeze in those last few deals, and on this Bathroom Break Daniel Murray pulls Jay Schwedelson into a fast, funny riff on how to make that urgency actually pay off. They get into a wild "ate through the shot" Wegovy story, then flip it into simple, budget friendly tactics that push people to buy or opt in without feeling gimmicky. From DTC countdown discounts to B2B content that literally expires, you get plug and play ideas you can steal before the year is over.ㅤFollow Daniel on LinkedIn and check out The Marketing Millennials podcast for sharp, no-fluff marketing insights. Subscribe to Ari Murray's newsletter at gotomillions.co for sharp, actionable marketing insights.ㅤBest Moments:(01:08) Jay admits he tried Wegovy expecting magic, then laughs about how he "ate through the shot" and ended up just eating less instead.(02:30) Daniel calls out how much money Jay wasted on the shot before pivoting into the real topic of using urgency to close year end revenue and email goals.(03:22) Daniel breaks down Set Active's "Set Miss" promo and why shrinking discount windows instantly force shoppers to make a decision.(05:26) Jay shares a dead simple B2B play where you put a countdown on how long a guide is available, then actually remove it from your resources page.(07:11) They brainstorm a "12 days of content" idea where every day a new curated asset drops and then expires to rapidly grow your email list.(08:23) The chat drifts into holiday party avoidance, sweatpants vs real pants, and Jay getting officially banned from wearing his hat backwards at 50.ㅤCheck out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Send us a textIn this episode, we unpack how a sales recruiting business scaled from $100K per month to $7M in cash collected and why the growth ultimately wasn't worth the stress. We explore rapid offer pivots during the pandemic, launching B2B and B2C divisions simultaneously, equity partnerships gone wrong, and the critical mistake of scaling faster than leadership and systems could handle. A candid look at why more revenue doesn't always mean more freedom.Learn how to invest in real estate with the Cashflow 2.0 System! Your business in a box with 1:1 coaching, motivated seller leads, & softwares. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/Want to work 1:1 with Ryan Pineda? Apply at ryanpineda.comJoin our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://tentmakers.us/Want to grow your business and network with elite entrepreneurs on world-class golf courses? Apply now to join Mastermind19 – Ryan Pineda's private golf mastermind for high-level founders and dealmakers. www.mastermind19.com--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generated over 1 billion views online. Starting as a minor league baseball player making less than $2,000 a month, Ryan is now worth over $100 million. He shares his experiences in building wealth and believes that anyone can change their life with real estate investing. ...