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When the relationship between a CRO and CEO breaks down, the symptoms show up quickly in the forecast, the sales plan, and ultimately the boardroom. Strong revenue organizations avoid that trap by anchoring leadership decisions in shared data, realistic planning, and constant communication. In this replay episode, John Kaplan and John McMahon sit down with former CRO and private equity operating partner Bob Ranaldi to break down what effective CRO leadership looks like from both the operator and investor perspective. The conversation explores how CRO-CEO alignment shapes company performance, why sales efficiency has become a defining metric in private equity environments, and why revenue leaders must take ownership of the forecast from day one. Bob Ranaldi is a former Chief Revenue Officer and current operating partner in private equity, where he works with portfolio companies to improve sales performance, leadership alignment, and revenue growth. He brings experience as both an operator and investor, giving him a unique perspective on what boards and CEOs expect from revenue leaders. Connect with Bob: LinkedIn Resources mentioned: The Qualified Sales Leader by John McMahon Get the Force Management framework for building predictable revenue and aligning leadership teams around the metrics that matter: The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Key takeaways from this episode: 00:00 – What strong CRO–CEO alignment actually requires and why frequent communication grounded in shared goals and hard data determines whether the partnership works. 04:30 – Why unrealistic revenue targets quietly create hiring mistakes, missed forecasts, and morale problems long before leadership realizes it. 12:00 – Why looking at a single quarter of metrics can mislead leadership teams and how five-quarter trends reveal the real health of the business. 24:20 – Bob Ranaldi's simple test for whether a CRO is operating with an owner mindset or just protecting their department. 31:00 – What new CROs often get wrong in their first 90 days and why early wins matter more than sweeping changes. 40:00 – A look inside the three groups every CRO inherits in a sales organization and how early wins turn the middle group into champions. 54:00 – What the best CEOs do differently when building leadership teams and why great leaders hire people they can learn from. Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management
The Brutal Truth about B2B Sales & Selling - The show focuses on Hacking the Sales Process
Here is a FAQ Video on the Courses: https://youtu.be/0F7imrzjXWs Here is a deep dive into which course is best for you: https://youtu.be/JM_jgS8M-iU https://www.b2bRevenue.com - Get Your Free E-Book on How Companies make Decisions. FAQ: 1 YEAR ACCESS, PAY MONTHLY OR ANNUALLY NOT A SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK VIA ZOOM. 1 HOUR GROUP Q&A. UNLIMITED 1-ON-1'S ARE FREE AS LONG AS THEY CAN BE SHARED IN THE COURSE. 1-ON-1 ARE FULL ACCESS ON DAY ONE - NOTHING IS GATED OR TIME RELEASED. ALL CONTENT IS VIDEO BASED AND SELF PACED I RECOMMEND TAKE COURSE ONCE WITHOUT NOTES OR APPLYING IT SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE FIRST. THEN TAKE AND APPLY IT STEP BY STEP. YOU START WHEN YOU WANT AND GO AS FAST OR SLOW AS NEEDED. Email me additional questions: briangburns@me.com — SAMPLE EMAIL TO EXPENSE THE COURSE MGR, I have been listening to the brutal truth about sales podcast for X months and it speaks to the issues we face. They currently offer a course that includes video instruction, group Q&A and One-on-One coaching. I'm committed to my own personal development and would like your help in expensing the course. It would pay for itself if I closed only one new deal of $X value. Please let me know by Friday if I can move forward with this 1 year course. Thanks, ME Here are some student interviews from the courses: ———————————————————————————————————— Audible 30 day Free Trial: http://www.audibletrial.com/BrutalTruth
Business pain points in complex B2B deals often stem from misalignment between direct sellers, partners, and the wider customer ecosystem - not from the product itself. In this episode, we examine how B2B sales strategy, leadership skills, and customer centricity influence whether enterprise opportunities move forward or stall. On the B2B Sales Trends Podcast, Harry speaks with John Carey, SVP Global Channels at SAS, about how leading organizations structure collaboration between direct sales teams and partners to solve meaningful customer challenges. John shares practical perspectives on navigating channel conflict, clarifying ownership in hybrid sales environments, and building the trust and alignment required to execute complex enterprise deals successfully. You'll learn: – Why unclear ownership creates hidden business pain points in enterprise deals – Why clear account segmentation is the starting point for effective partner engagement – The leadership skills required to run a successful partner ecosystem – Why customer centricity must guide collaboration across the sales and partner ecosystem ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Why business pain points often come from partner misalignment 01:27 – John Carey on leading global channels at SAS 04:01 – The real pressure behind modern B2B sales strategy 05:50 – A real-world example of channel conflict in enterprise deals 10:09 – Customer centricity as the foundation of partner collaboration 15:05 – Sales enablement: segmentation and partner role clarity 30:15 – Leadership skills top performers use to close complex deals
Unternehmen investieren Millionen in CRM, Tools und digitale Transformation im Vertrieb.Und dann?Mehr Pflichtfelder.Mehr Meetings.Mehr Frust im Vertrieb.Genau darüber spreche ich im KOBcast mit Prof. Dr. Stefan Wengler.Die zentrale Botschaft ist unbequem – aber ehrlich:Digitale Transformation im Vertrieb ist kein IT-Projekt.Sie ist ein Führungsprojekt.Es geht nicht um noch ein Tool.Es geht um People. Process. Data.Wer analoge Prozesse einfach digitalisiert, bekommt nur schnellere schlechte Prozesse.Wer im CRM nur Daten einsammelt, aber keinen Mehrwert zurückgibt, verliert Akzeptanz.Und wer über Hybrid Selling spricht, aber keine Zeit, kein Geld und Vertrauen bereitstellt, betreibt Aktionismus.Im modernen B2B Sales entscheiden saubere Daten im Vertrieb darüber, ob CRM und KI echte Sales Excellence ermöglichen – oder nur Kosten produzieren.Diese Episode ist für dich, wenn du Vertrieb führst, eine Sales Transformation verantwortest oder wissen willst, warum gute Ideen im Unternehmen oft an Mut und Management scheitern.Denn eines ist klar:Bei digitaler Transformation im Vertrieb gibt es keine Abkürzung.Das lernst du in dieser EpisodeWarum viele CRM-Projekte im Vertrieb trotz Millionenbudget scheiternWie Hybrid Selling mitTools, Zeit, Budget und Vertrauen Ergebnisse bringtWarum Prozesse neu gedacht werden müssen – nicht nur digitalisiertWelche Rolle Mut im Management für echte Sales Excellence spieltWarum Daten im Vertrieb das Fundament moderner B2B Sales Organisationen sindHier ist Prof. Wenglers LinkedIn ProfilViel Spaß! Mehr unter www.koberaktiviert.deFeedback gerne hier: info@koberaktiviert.deEuerStephan
Learn the small shift that makes referrals repeatable. Check out our new video training: https://hey.salesschema.com/opt-in-mw-referral-engine?utm_source=podcast--Most agencies treat the RFP as the cost of doing business. Chris Rose has built a career out of sidestepping them entirely — landing clients like Hilton, Planet Fitness, and NBC Universal along the way.Chris serves as Executive Director of Growth at Cylinder Studios, a design and production studio within the Cheil Agency Network. Before that, he led new business at Movers and Shakers. We got into why RFPs are almost always poorly written, how to bypass procurement with preferred vendor status, what's changing with AI and pricing, and why the best pitch teams are smaller than you'd think.What You'll Leave With:- Diagnose before you pitch — co-write the brief with the client- Become a preferred vendor to bypass procurement- Smaller pitch teams win more- Production is the new strategy- Stay close to the work after you win itConnect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-rose22/Cylinder Studios: https://www.cylinderstudios.com/
The Brutal Truth about B2B Sales & Selling - The show focuses on Hacking the Sales Process
Here is a FAQ Video on the Courses: https://youtu.be/0F7imrzjXWs Here is a deep dive into which course is best for you: https://youtu.be/JM_jgS8M-iU https://www.b2bRevenue.com - Get Your Free E-Book on How Companies make Decisions. FAQ: 1 YEAR ACCESS, PAY MONTHLY OR ANNUALLY NOT A SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK VIA ZOOM. 1 HOUR GROUP Q&A. UNLIMITED 1-ON-1'S ARE FREE AS LONG AS THEY CAN BE SHARED IN THE COURSE. 1-ON-1 ARE FULL ACCESS ON DAY ONE - NOTHING IS GATED OR TIME RELEASED. ALL CONTENT IS VIDEO BASED AND SELF PACED I RECOMMEND TAKE COURSE ONCE WITHOUT NOTES OR APPLYING IT SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE FIRST. THEN TAKE AND APPLY IT STEP BY STEP. YOU START WHEN YOU WANT AND GO AS FAST OR SLOW AS NEEDED. Email me additional questions: briangburns@me.com — SAMPLE EMAIL TO EXPENSE THE COURSE MGR, I have been listening to the brutal truth about sales podcast for X months and it speaks to the issues we face. They currently offer a course that includes video instruction, group Q&A and One-on-One coaching. I'm committed to my own personal development and would like your help in expensing the course. It would pay for itself if I closed only one new deal of $X value. Please let me know by Friday if I can move forward with this 1 year course. Thanks, ME Here are some student interviews from the courses: ———————————————————————————————————— Audible 30 day Free Trial: http://www.audibletrial.com/BrutalTruth
In healthcare B2B sales, the deal is often shaped before ROI is fully debated. It begins when a buyer asks a simpler question: what could go wrong?Healthcare sales is methodical, slow, and process heavy. Health systems are not optimized for novelty or speed alone. They are optimized to avoid harm while maintaining continuity of care. Safety may not sound exciting, but for anyone selling into a hospital or large health system, it is often where deals gain or lose momentum.Buyers are not primarily asking how much upside a solution creates. They are asking how much risk it introduces. That does not mean upside is irrelevant. It means upside is filtered through a risk lens.
Why B2B deals stall isn't about competition - it's about buyer indecision. Consultative selling, value-based selling, and traditional B2B sales strategy fail when sellers focus on solutions instead of driving buyer decisions. Harry breaks down why sales momentum disappears even in engaged deals. Buyers don't go quiet because they lack information - they stall because they haven't resolved the consequences of change. When the cost of inaction isn't made explicit, doing nothing feels rational. For sales leadership teams, sales coaching cultures, and anyone serious about modern B2B selling, this is a reset on how to create urgency without pressure.
I’m going to ask you a question that might sting a little. As a sales professional, are you just friction with a friendly face? Think about it. A whole lot of salespeople are good people. They’re polite, fun to be around, and are good conversationalists. They are good at building relationships and getting along with people. They’re the type of people that buyers say they like. The problem is, those buyers who say that they like them often don’t buy from them. They stall. Ghost. Go dark and say things like, “Let’s circle back next quarter.” But they don’t pull the trigger on purchases. When push comes to shove, they justify not buying with words like, “We really liked you and thought you had a great presentation, but in the end decided to go in a different direction.” The truth is that they went in that direction not because of the relationship (they truly liked you). Not because your product isn’t competitive or that your solution wasn’t a fit (they were). And not because they thought your intentions were bad (you wanted the best for them) They decided not to do business with you because dealing with you over the course of the buying process was too much work. And by the way, buyers don’t experience your good intentions. They experience your process. So today, I’m going to give you a wake-up call and a fix. Because in the age of AI, people expect seamless, frictionless buying experiences. And they compare you—consciously or not—to the easiest experience they’ve had anywhere. Not just to your competitors. How Salespeople Become Friction for Buyers Let me paint you a picture. A buyer sits through a discovery call. You’re friendly. You build rapport. You ask good questions, and they ask hard questions. You end the call with, “Thank you for your time today. I’ll get with my team and send over answers to your questions.” They say okay, and you end the call. A week goes by, and they don’t hear from you because you moved on to the next thing on your list and forgot to follow up with your team and them. Finally, after a week and a half, they remind you that you haven’t provided any answers to their questions. Embarrassed, you jump on it and send over the answers. But it’s not your best work because you were under the gun and moving too fast. Three days later, you email: “Hey! Just checking in. Wanted to see if I answered your questions.” The buyer is busy. They’ve got a million things going on, and they’re irritated because you didn’t give them the complete answers they were looking for. And now your email is another item piled onto their overflowing plate. They don’t respond. So you send another email: “Bumping this to the top of your inbox.” (Trust me, overwhelmed people just love it when you bump stuff to the top of their inbox.) You create even more irritation. Then you call and leave a voicemail: “Just following up on the answers I sent you.” You’re thinking: I’m being persistent. I’m doing my job. They’re thinking: You made me follow up on you to get the answers I needed, then you failed to give me what I want, and now this is suddenly urgent. From their perspective, no matter how nice you’ve been, you are friction. Your delay slowed down their decision-making process, the conversation was left open-ended, and now all they have are loose ends, and you’re driving them nuts. The Hard Truth About Relationships in the Age of AI Here’s the brutal truth: Relationships are vitally important. Trust matters. But relationships only carry you so far if buying from you isn’t easy or pleasurable. You can be likable and still be a drag. You can be “a great person” and still be the person the buyer avoids—because every step with you along the decision-making process comes with friction. And the thing about friction is that it shows up in small ways that feel normal to you but are exhausting to your buyer. Here are just a few examples: Meetings that end with no decision map or next steps Follow-up messages that add no new value Slow answers to simple questions Stakeholders have to push you The buyer is repeating the same story over and over because you are not listening and taking notes Your failure to follow through when you say you will Proposals that are generic marketing documents rather than valuable insight, value bridges, and recommendations AI Just Set the NEW B2B Sales Bar This problem is getting worse right now because of AI. And I don’t mean this in some hypey, “AI is changing everything” way. I mean, AI is retraining buyers. Buyers are being conditioned to expect frictionless experiences: instant answers, clear options, smart recommendations, and smooth paths from questions to answers to decisions. So when they hit your sales process, and it feels like walking through mud, they notice. They may not say it out loud, but their behavior says it for them. They stall faster. They ghost faster. They lose patience faster. This is a big part of what I talk about in my bestselling book, The AI Edge. Your edge isn’t that you use AI to crank out more activity. Your edge is that you understand the expectation shift and use AI to help you reach that new bar. In the age of AI, the new bar is FASTER with less FRICTION. For this reason, you need to combine your gift for connecting with people and developing relationships with leveraging AI to: make progress faster, follow up faster answer questions and provide clarity faster give insight faster understand your buyers’ organizations and problems faster deliver proposals and recommendations faster help your buyers feel trust and certainty faster. All with less friction for your buyers. How to Conduct a Sales Friction Audit To gain insight into how buyers may view you, take a hard look in the mirror and run a Sales Friction Audit. This takes five minutes, and it will tell you exactly what’s killing your deals. Score yourself 1 to 5 on these seven areas: Clarity: After every interaction, does the buyer know exactly what happens next? Speed: Do you respond at the speed of the buyer’s curiosity or the speed of your internal process? Effort: Are you reducing the buyer’s workload or adding to it? Progress: Do your meetings create decisions and movement, or just conversation? Packaging: Do you make it easy for the buyer to share your insights, information, and recommendations internally to their team? Certainty: Do you reduce uncertainty and risk, or do you create more? Reliability: Do you do what you say, when you say, without reminders? Now, after you add this all up, if you don’t like the number, don’t get defensive. Change your mindset. Because the fix is simple: Stop trying to be liked and start making it easier to work with you. Because if you are just friction with a friendly face, in today’s marketplace, you are going to get crushed by competitors who are friendly, competent, fast, and frictionless. But I want to be crystal clear: Frictionless doesn’t mean spineless. It doesn’t mean you turn into a people-pleasing slave to your buyer’s every whim. It certainly doesn’t mean handing out discounts like candy to make buyers happy. It means you run a sales process with structure, discipline, and competence, and that you understand that the buying experience and how you sell matter more than what you sell. Two Easy-to-Implement Ideas for Eliminating Friction in Your Sales Process Here are two easy actions you can implement immediately to reduce friction in your sales process. End Every Meeting with a Map and Next-Step Commitment The map is clear on who does what, by when, and what done looks like. Too many sales calls end with vague commitments. “I’ll send you some information.” “Let’s reconnect next week.” “Think about it and let me know.” That’s not a map or a next step. Those loose ends are friction. A map sounds like this: “Here’s what happens next. I’m going to send you a detailed proposal by Wednesday at noon. You’re going to review it with your team on Friday. We’ll reconvene on Monday at 2 PM to give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. Will this work for you?” A map is clear, specific, and has no ambiguity. You are leading the process and driving it forward to a conclusion. Turn Proposals into Recommendations Don’t dump choices on the buyer and say, “Let me know what you think.” Give options AND your recommended path. “Based on what you’ve told me, here are three options. Option A is the safe play. It has the lowest risk but only a moderate impact. Option B is my recommendation because it solves your core problem and gives you room to scale. Option C is the aggressive play. It’s also a higher investment with the highest potential return and the highest risk. Here’s why I’m recommending Option B . . .” In a world filled with uncertainty, your confident, assertive, expert advice reduces friction and helps your buyer make faster decisions. How AI Can Give You the Edge for Removing Friction Now here’s where AI comes in. If we’re honest, most sellers use AI to write emails. That’s fine, but it’s not the edge. The edge is using AI to remove friction for the buyer and to shorten the distance from interest to decision. Generate decision-ready call recaps: outcomes, risks, open items, next steps, deadlines Speed up the process of understanding your buyer’s organization and beef up your industry-specific business acumen Create a one-page business case that the buyer can forward internally, along with stakeholder-specific FAQs Record your meetings so that you never forget anything the stakeholders tell you and use those recordings to speed up the process of crafting personalized proposals and expert recommendations. Wake Up B2B Salespeople. The World Has Changed. The bottom line is that the relationships you build are crucial but not enough, because people do business with people they like, trust, and who remove friction from the buying process. They reward sellers who engineer a buying experience that feels seamless. But if you are just friction with a friendly face and buying from you feels like a slog, buyers will do what people always do when something feels too onerous. They’ll avoid it, delay it, or take the path of least resistance and buy from your competitor. The world has changed. Buyers have been retrained by frictionless experiences everywhere else in their lives. And they’re bringing those expectations to you. So be the seller who’s both likable and easy, who builds relationships and eliminates friction, who uses AI not to spam harder but to sell better. That’s the AI Edge. And remember, when you are tired, worn down, and feel like you can’t take another objection, when all you want to do is quit and go home, always stop and make one more call. https://www.amazon.com/AI-Edge-Strategies-Unleashing-Competition/dp/1394244479
In this episode of the Inquisitor Podcast, host Marcus Cauchi talks with LinkedIn expert Graeme Riley, a platform user since 2004 and business development consultant since 2012, to cut through the noise and get practical about what actually works on LinkedIn. Graeme shares why most people are using LinkedIn wrong, how the platform's algorithm has evolved, and what separates the salespeople who consistently hit their targets from those who burn out in 18 months. Topics covered include: building a LinkedIn strategy tied to revenue goals, curating your ideal client network, optimising your profile for today's audience, the right content mix for dwell time and reshares, the difference between free, premium and Sales Navigator accounts, and why most companies are wasting their investment in the platform. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or leading a sales team, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you actionable steps to stop being a well-kept secret. Find Graeme Riley on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamkeithriley/
Kimberly Gordon, Senior Vice President of Marketing at People.ai spoke about the evolving roles and standards redefining B2B SaaS sales and marketing in this episode of the SalesStar Podcast:Key topics covered:How martech and salestech is impacting B2B SaaS sales and marketing team structuresEvolving standards and roles redefining B2B sales and marketing Generative AI and the future of salestech, martech
This is from our video, Example of a Cold Call for Logistics and Freight Services. Watch the video here https://youtu.be/sagwYgVmVaE?si=677u1DD6n0H8V6N1
The Brutal Truth about B2B Sales & Selling - The show focuses on Hacking the Sales Process
Here is a FAQ Video on the Courses: https://youtu.be/0F7imrzjXWs Here is a deep dive into which course is best for you: https://youtu.be/JM_jgS8M-iU https://www.b2bRevenue.com - Get Your Free E-Book on How Companies make Decisions. FAQ: 1 YEAR ACCESS, PAY MONTHLY OR ANNUALLY NOT A SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK VIA ZOOM. 1 HOUR GROUP Q&A. UNLIMITED 1-ON-1'S ARE FREE AS LONG AS THEY CAN BE SHARED IN THE COURSE. 1-ON-1 ARE FULL ACCESS ON DAY ONE - NOTHING IS GATED OR TIME RELEASED. ALL CONTENT IS VIDEO BASED AND SELF PACED I RECOMMEND TAKE COURSE ONCE WITHOUT NOTES OR APPLYING IT SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE FIRST. THEN TAKE AND APPLY IT STEP BY STEP. YOU START WHEN YOU WANT AND GO AS FAST OR SLOW AS NEEDED. Email me additional questions: briangburns@me.com — SAMPLE EMAIL TO EXPENSE THE COURSE MGR, I have been listening to the brutal truth about sales podcast for X months and it speaks to the issues we face. They currently offer a course that includes video instruction, group Q&A and One-on-One coaching. I'm committed to my own personal development and would like your help in expensing the course. It would pay for itself if I closed only one new deal of $X value. Please let me know by Friday if I can move forward with this 1 year course. Thanks, ME Here are some student interviews from the courses: ———————————————————————————————————— Audible 30 day Free Trial: http://www.audibletrial.com/BrutalTruth
Companies go upmarket, hit three slow months, and decide the strategy “doesn't work.” In this live episode, Yann (co-founder of Userled, former Salesforce enterprise seller) breaks down what enterprise deals actually look like up close: long stretches of silence that aren't rejection, stakeholders who shape the decision without ever joining a call, and why “activity” can feel busy while the deal goes nowhere. You'll also hear the less glamorous side: what founder life feels like when momentum disappears, why some teams survive the hard quarters (and others don't), and how hiring for energy changes everything. Yann shares how Userled changed their ICP, survived two brutal quarters — then closed more in October–November than the rest of the year combined. We enjoyed this conversation. Hope you will too.
Learn the small shift that makes referrals repeatable. Check out our new video training: https://hey.salesschema.com/opt-in-mw-referral-engine?utm_source=podcast--Most agency owners assume nobody can sell as well as they can. Lori Cox built an agency, sold it, and then took a BizDev leadership role — and says she's actually sharper at sales now that she's not running the whole show.Lori brings 20+ years of B2B marketing and revenue experience. She built and sold a full-service healthcare-focused agency, then moved into VP of BizDev at Knack Collective, where she works with global tech companies on partner-led go-to-market strategies. We got into the systems that made her agency sellable, why most partnership pitches go nowhere, and how the inbound/outbound mix has shifted heading into 2026.What You'll Leave With:Systems before salespeoplePartnerships require intention and attentionDiversify your pipeline, not just your client baseNon-owners can be better salespeopleAI is changing the job, not replacing itConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-cox-mba/Knack Collective: https://knackcollective.com/
Most B2B companies don't lose because they lack opportunity. They lose because they try to be everything to everyone.In this episode of Content Amplified, Amie Milner, EVP of Marketing and Sales Enablement at Abstrakt, breaks down how a focused niche attack strategy fuels predictable pipeline growth—and why specialization, not scale, drives stronger close rates.Amie shares how Abstrakt grew into an $80M business by narrowing its focus, aligning sales reps to specific industries, and telling one powerful story instead of a hundred diluted ones. If you've ever struggled to say no to a prospect, clarify your ICP, or align marketing with sales development, this conversation will sharpen your thinking.Because when you stop casting randomly and start targeting intentionally, momentum follows.What you'll learn in this episode:Why one strong case study can outperform dozens of generic proof pointsHow to identify your most profitable niche using revenue fit, service fit, and stickinessThe difference between casting a wide net in digital—and staying hyper-focused in outboundHow to align SDRs and sales reps to industries where they naturally winWhy exclusivity can strengthen your pitch and improve close ratesWhen to say no to a prospect (and why it protects both sides)How to expand into adjacent industries without losing focusGuest Bio: Amie MilnerAmie Milner is the EVP of Marketing and Sales Enablement at Abstrakt, a B2B business growth company serving more than 2,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.Over the past decade, Amie has worked her way up from SDR to executive leadership, building Abstrakt's sales enablement department from the ground up and leading marketing, digital strategy, and sales development under one unified vision. Her unique vantage point across marketing, outbound sales, and enablement allows her to create alignment most organizations struggle to achieve.Amie specializes in industry-focused growth strategies, outbound pipeline development, and building predictable revenue systems for small to mid-sized businesses.Connect with Amie:Amie's LinkedIn profileAbstrakt's WebsiteText us what you think about this episode!
In this episode, host Brad Banyas interviews Collin Stewart, CEO of Predictable Revenue, to discuss the evolution of outbound sales, the role of AI in sales outreach, and the importance of understanding product-market fit. Colin shares insights from his new book, 'The Terrifying Art of Finding Customers', emphasizing the need for more authentic relationships in sales and the iterative process of product development. The conversation highlights the shift towards relationship-first prospecting and the long-term thinking necessary for business success.About Collin Stewart:Collin Stewart is a seasoned entrepreneur and sales expert with over a decade of experience in B2B sales development. In 2012, he co-founded voltageCRM, an experience he often cites as a pivotal learning moment. Despite building a high-quality tool, the venture struggled because it lacked true product-market fit. This "failed" startup served as the catalyst for his deep dive into customer development and outbound sales methodology, leading him to co-found Carb.io in 2013, which successfully scaled from zero to $1 million in revenue in just a matter of months.Today, Collin serves as the CEO of Predictable Revenue, where he helps B2B organizations build repeatable, scalable sales development teams and robust go-to-market strategies. He is also the host of the Predictable Revenue Podcast, having interviewed hundreds of industry experts on the nuances of modern sales. Expanding on his years of hands-on experience, Collin authored The Terrifying Art of Finding Customers, a practical guide designed for "sleep-deprived founders" navigating the chaos of early-stage growth. In the book, he demystifies the process of securing the first critical customers by emphasizing the importance of active listening, validating product-market fit, and bridging the gap between customer development and a repeatable revenue engine.Collin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collinstewart/Collin's Newsletter: https://foundersedition.co/Collin's Podcast: https://predictablerevenue.com/podcasts/Grab a copy of his book: https://www.amazon.com/Terrifying-Art-Finding-Customers-Sleep-Deprived/dp/1774586134
Astrid Lefèvre, met 20 jaar ervaring in wholesale & B2B, vertelt wat er vandaag écht toe doet in de Benelux-markt. Hoe bouw je relaties met winkels op? Wanneer is het te vroeg voor een agent? En hoe blijf je trouw aan je merk terwijl je wél verkoopt?Van Chloé tot Collectors Club: Astrid heeft het allemaal gedaan. Ze deelt niet alleen strategische inzichten, maar ook rake observaties over waarom veel merken zichzelf klein houden uit angst of gebrek aan opvolging.Deze aflevering wordt mede mogelijk gemaakt door Landing Partners: Experts in performance marketing voor mode- en lifestylemerken. Laat jouw merk digitaal groeien met hun strategieën. Contacteer Anthony of David voor meer info of ga naar www.landing.partners
You're very familiar with Amazon. Have you ever thought about selling on Amazon…B2B? Amazon can be an incredibly powerful platform for B2B sales, as well. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Carolyn Lowe, CEO & Founder of ROI Swift. They help brands scale smarter & faster on Amazon. Check out the full episode here
Cross-functional teams in B2B sales decide whether complex deals move forward or fall apart. In this episode, we explore how high-performing sales teams, stakeholder collaboration, and shared accountability shape modern B2B sales strategy at scale. In this episode, host Harry Kendlbacher sits down with Bassem Salameh, Head of Network North Europe at Ericsson, to unpack what truly drives performance in complex B2B environments. Together, they explore why alignment between sales, technical, and delivery teams is no longer optional - and how leaders can build high-performing sales teams that move as one.
What happens when you're an expert… but nobody in your new industry knows who you are?In this episode of LinkedIn Riches, I sit down with Eric Ward, a former SaaS founder and CTO who exited after 24 years and decided to build an entirely new consulting business from scratch - in an industry where he had zero LinkedIn connections.Eric didn't try to “look busy” on LinkedIn. He didn't spray cold pitches. And he didn't rely on hope.Instead, we used a focused LinkedIn strategy to help him build credibility, start real conversations, and land his first client in under 60 days - all while learning exactly what his new market wanted.If you're a consultant, coach, or small business owner trying to break into a new niche (or feeling invisible on LinkedIn), this conversation will hit close to home.WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:03:20 - Why Eric chose to niche down after exiting a SaaS company10:12 - The 19-hour airport delay that changed his business direction15:34 - How we positioned Eric's LinkedIn profile to attract his ideal prospects18:22 - Why story-driven content builds trust faster than authority posts22:52 - What Eric learned from his first booked LinkedIn sales calls26:48 - How continuous improvement beats "set-it-and-forget-it" outreach29:34 - Why LinkedIn success feels like pushing a snowball at firstThis episode is a real-world LinkedIn case study - not theory, not hype - showing how patient, intentional LinkedIn lead generation actually works when you're starting from zero.(Note: You can also watch this episode as a video here.
The Brutal Truth about B2B Sales & Selling - The show focuses on Hacking the Sales Process
Here is a FAQ Video on the Courses: https://youtu.be/0F7imrzjXWs Here is a deep dive into which course is best for you: https://youtu.be/JM_jgS8M-iU https://www.b2bRevenue.com - Get Your Free E-Book on How Companies make Decisions. FAQ: 1 YEAR ACCESS, PAY MONTHLY OR ANNUALLY NOT A SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK VIA ZOOM. 1 HOUR GROUP Q&A. UNLIMITED 1-ON-1'S ARE FREE AS LONG AS THEY CAN BE SHARED IN THE COURSE. 1-ON-1 ARE FULL ACCESS ON DAY ONE - NOTHING IS GATED OR TIME RELEASED. ALL CONTENT IS VIDEO BASED AND SELF PACED I RECOMMEND TAKE COURSE ONCE WITHOUT NOTES OR APPLYING IT SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE FIRST. THEN TAKE AND APPLY IT STEP BY STEP. YOU START WHEN YOU WANT AND GO AS FAST OR SLOW AS NEEDED. Email me additional questions: briangburns@me.com — SAMPLE EMAIL TO EXPENSE THE COURSE MGR, I have been listening to the brutal truth about sales podcast for X months and it speaks to the issues we face. They currently offer a course that includes video instruction, group Q&A and One-on-One coaching. I'm committed to my own personal development and would like your help in expensing the course. It would pay for itself if I closed only one new deal of $X value. Please let me know by Friday if I can move forward with this 1 year course. Thanks, ME Here are some student interviews from the courses: ———————————————————————————————————— Audible 30 day Free Trial: http://www.audibletrial.com/BrutalTruth Listen to The Sales Questions PodCast: https://itun.es/i67d3Ry Listen to The B2B Revenue Leadership Show: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/b2b-revenue-leadership-show/id1174976428?mt=2 Twitter: @briangburns LinkedIn: Brian G. Burns Facebook: Brian Burns YouTube: Brian Burns SALES PODCAST
Stop Chasing Maybes: The Perfect Fit Client Method for B2B Sales SuccessOverviewIn this transformative episode, Julie Riga sits down with Nicoleta Hajek, founder of Pro Sales and the voice behind Empower Sales by Nico, for her very first podcast appearance. Nicoleta reveals her powerful Perfect Fit Client Method - a simple yet revolutionary approach that helps SME founders and technical teams build repeatable B2B sales systems. Together, they explore the three-part framework (FIT, IMPACT, URGENCY) that helps entrepreneurs stop wasting time on "maybes" and start selling with confidence and clarity.Stop Chasing Maybes: The Perfect Fit Client Method for B2B Sales SuccessGuest: Nicoleta Hajek, Founder of Pro Sales & Voice Behind Empower Sales by NicoHost: Julie RigaAbout This EpisodeJulie connects with Nicoleta Hajek, a purpose-driven sales strategist who helps SME founders and technical teams transform their sales approach from transactional to relational. Nicoleta shares her signature Perfect Fit Client Method, teaching entrepreneurs how to verify leads, run discovery calls that build trust, and connect value to real business impact while avoiding the time-draining trap of chasing "maybe" clients.Guest BackgroundNicoleta Hajek is the founder of Pro Sales and the inspiring voice behind Empower Sales by Nico. Based in France, Nicoleta specializes in helping SME founders and technical teams build repeatable B2B sales systems that eliminate guesswork and create predictable revenue. Her philosophy centers on less than 10% theory and over 90% practice, ensuring clients master concepts through real-world application.Fun Fact: Nicoleta lives in France, where her favorite food is cheese with a glass of red wine.The Perfect Fit Client Method: FIT, IMPACT, URGENCYFIT - Understanding AlignmentWhat triggered this search right now?What outcomes do you want in the next 90 days?What happens in your business if this stays the same?IMPACT - Quantifying ValueWhat does this problem cost you per month?Where does it show up? (delays, rework, downtime)What metrics do you want to move?URGENCY - Determining TimelineWhy now and why not in six months?What happens if you delay?What deadline matters for you right now?Key InsightsThe 20-Minute Qualifying Call: Nicoleta's method cuts qualifying down to 20-30 minutes to verify FIT, IMPACT, and URGENCY before investing deeper time.Not All Customers Are Your Customers: Understanding that some clients aren't the right fit saves time and preserves energy.Active Listening as a Sales Superpower: The best salespeople listen more than they talk. Ask open-ended questions and truly hear what clients need.Value Beats Features: Clients buy transformation, not specifications. Connect your solution to their transformation, not product features.Memorable Quotes"If one is missing (FIT, IMPACT, or URGENCY) then it's a maybe. And maybe is a tax on your time.""The number one mistake we make every single day is that we talk about our product, our features, our specifications. But what value proposition means is that I identify your three problems, and I transform you into a problem-less person.""Have faith in you, have faith in your product, and listen carefully to your customers to really understand the problems and the transformation you can create for them."Key TakeawaysQualify Early, Qualify Fast: Use FIT, IMPACT, URGENCY in 20-30 minutesListen More, Talk Less: Let prospects speak 80% of the timeNot Everyone Is Your Client: Focus on those you can truly serveBuild Relationships, Not Transactions: Authenticity closes dealsConnect with Nicoleta HajekWebsite: www.empoweredsalesbynico.com LinkedIn: Active and sharing valuable B2B sales insights Free Call: Book a complimentary call to explore sales transformation#Leadership #SalesSuccess #PurposeDriven #Transformation #BusinessGrowth
This is the audio from our video on The Best Way to Use Voicemail Messages in Sales. Watch the video here https://youtu.be/5lod5XOH7Nk?si=st3Fren4HJJc-ol3
Time is flying, and if you haven't started building your B2B sales pipeline yet, this is your wake-up call but only if you leverage it strategically. Focus on proactive lead generation, reset boundaries, and get clear about your sales process so your network actually supports your revenue goals. In this episode Jess challenges the popular adage that "your network equals your net worth." While your connections are valuable, relying solely on warm contacts can lead to a dangerous plateau - and the dreaded "free consulting" trap. If you are a coach, consultant, or service provider tired of "picking your brain" coffee chats that never turn into revenue, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: The "Network" Myth: Why relying only on warm contacts is limiting your growth in the current B2B landscape. The Free Consulting Trap: How to stop doing busy work and start focusing on revenue-generating activities. Cold vs. Warm Leads: Why you need a balance of both to build a sustainable pipeline. Setting Boundaries: Practical advice on how to retrain your network to support your business goals (without being rude!). Tools for Growth: How resources like the Expert Services Directory can boost your visibility to both warm and cold prospects. Make this your "Sales New Year." It's time for some tough love, honest stories from the frontlines, and actionable strategies to get you booked. Key Quotes; "We are five weeks into this year. And I know that it seems like we've got endless infinite time and possibilities to do whatever we like, but we actually don't. Most people will work 48 weeks of this year, which means that if you're somebody who's working 48 weeks this year, you only have 43 left to create the sales results that you're looking for this year. And if you work fewer than 48 weeks in the year because you are doing other excellent things like taking summer holidays off or traveling or spending time with family, you have fewer than 43 weeks left of this year to be able to create the sales results that you want. And I think that's motivational /terrifying." 00:02:0600:02:55 Defining Your Network "And for the purpose of today's episode, I'm going to define network as being your social or professional contacts. And I think that's really important because over the years I've realised that, you know, sometimes people can be unclear about definitions." 00:15:3600:15:53 "Essentially, as business owners, we've been kind of conned into the mentality that if we just give real free value all of the time, that people buy from us, but it's not happening." 00:28:4200:29:03 The Real Reason Businesses Dipped: "I think that actually it was a really good demonstration of the fact that people had not implemented sales skills, techniques and or processes into their business last year." 00:04:1700:04:29 The Limits of Warm Networks in Business "Warm contacts and warm networks will only get you so far." 00:06:2100:06:26 The Real Danger of Ignoring Cold Leads "Because if you do not, the risk is not that you might end up in a position where you don't have any cold leads and you don't have any sales calls and you don't have any pipeline because all of your warm leads have been used up. You will experience that issue and when it hits, you will be in a position in your business where you are quite likely to already be investing in expensive kit or where you may have brought associates on to do some delivery who you need to pay." 00:07:5800:08:31 Maximising Lead Generation with the Expert Services Directory "When you join and list yourself on the directory or list your business on the directory, we do proactive marketing to decision makers around the UK so that they can get in touch with you about your services." 00:13:1600:13:16 Key Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Cold & Sold Bundle: Secure your spot at Converting Corporates 2026, get a year's inbound leads, plus access to the popular Cold to Closed course (8 sales calls in 4 weeks, anyone?) .https://smartleaderssell.thrivecart.com/cold-and-sold-bundle/ Episode sponsored by The Expert Services Directory: A key resource for coaches / consultants / trainers and done-for-you service providers to generate inbound leads. Access The Expert Services Directory here https://bit.ly/ExpertServicesDirectory and use code PODCAST for a special bonus. If you've enjoyed listening to 'Is being a great networker costing you B2B sales?' check out these episodes. Three things you can learn about the B2B sales process... from my wedding https://bit.ly/SellingtoCorporate078 Three exciting ways to optimise your B2B sales process (and land more corporate clients!) https://bit.ly/SellingtoCorporate092 If you would like to sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay in touch with the latest B2B sales tips and techniques click https://sellingtocorporate.com/newsletter/ Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Jessica Lorimer disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.
On the Wide World Segment, Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys are joined by Kyle Hegarty, Managing Director of Leadership Nomad and author of the new book Sales Punks – The Rebel's Guide to Re‑Writing the Rules of B2B Sales. Kyle takes us inside what he calls the current “sales recession”—a moment where targets are slipping, pipelines are slowing, and traditional sales playbooks are failing even as buyers spend more time researching independently. Kyle explains why buyer behaviour has fundamentally changed, why many sales teams haven’t kept up, and how Singapore businesses can grow smarter, not louder. Sales Punks argues that B2B selling is splitting into two distinct paths: Surge in self‑service buying, where customers want frictionless, low‑touch purchasing; and Rising need for high‑skill, consultative salespeople who can guide clients through complexity, risk, and internal decision‑making. Drawing on his work with sales teams across the US, Europe, and Asia, Kyle shares what companies must do now to rebuild sales capability for 2025 and beyond—from rethinking talent and training to redesigning the buyer journey itself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
B2B sales leaders lose deals not in the RFP-but long before it arrives. In this episode, we unpack why RFPs fail in B2B sales, how sales leadership must rethink RFP strategy, and what outcome-based selling looks like in complex enterprise sales environments. RFPs trigger pressure, speed, and reaction - but that instinct is exactly what kills win rates. Host Harry Kendlbacher sits down with Patrick Oestreich, a senior commercial leader preparing to assume a CEO role, to break down how elite B2B sales teams approach RFPs with discipline, clarity, and leadership judgment. This episode is a masterclass in B2B sales strategy, qualification, and modern sales leadership - especially for teams operating in procurement-driven, enterprise environments.
Most B2B deals don't end in “no”. They die quietly. No decision. No movement. No momentum. In this episode, Marcus Cauchi speaks with Carl Schmidt, one of the original researchers behind *The Challenger Sale*, about what's really broken in modern B2B selling, and what replaces it. Buyers now do most of their thinking before they ever speak to a salesperson. Buying committees have doubled. Information is everywhere. Confidence is not. This conversation explores why traditional sales approaches struggle in this reality, and why the best sellers are no longer pushing solutions. They're helping buyers make sense of risk, complexity, and internal politics. You'll hear: • Why decision confidence matters more than solution confidence • The fears that quietly kill deals • How sellers unintentionally strip buyers of agency • Why “no decision” is the real competitor • What framemaking looks like in real sales conversations If you're a founder, CEO, sales leader, or an aspiring top performer, this episode will change how you think about discovery, deal reviews, and what it really means to help a customer buy. This is not about tactics. It's about leadership in the buying process. Resources Mentioned: The Framemaking Sale by Karl Schmidt and Brent Adamson: https://amzn.to/4jHYYpU The Challenger Sale https://amzn.to/4qv7w63 Noise by Daniel Kahneman https://amzn.to/4pzcGwr More resources at theframemakingsale.com Contact Karl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-schmidt-q/
Estimated reading time: 11 Minuten Recruiting fühlt sich 2026 für viele Mittelständler an wie Vertrieb in einer neuen Disziplin: Der Markt ist in Bewegung, Kandidaten sind wählerisch – und gleichzeitig entstehen wieder Chancen, an richtig gute Leute ranzukommen. Der Haken: Mit „Wir schalten mal eine Anzeige auf der Website" gewinnt heute niemand mehr. Ich habe dazu mit Pia Tischer gesprochen. Sie ist Geschäftsführerin der coveto ATS GmbH – ein deutsches Softwareunternehmen, das seit 25 Jahren Recruiting-Prozesse im Mittelstand digitalisiert („Von KMU für KMU"). coveto wurde u.a. als „Recruiting Champion" und „Recruiter's Liebling" ausgezeichnet (Details). In diesem Beitrag bekommst du die wichtigsten Recruiting Trends 2026 – plus einen klaren Plan, wie du als Mittelständler Top-Kandidaten gewinnst: mit zielgruppengerechten Stellenanzeigen, schnellen Prozessen, Messenger-Bewerbungen (ja: WhatsApp geht – aber bitte sauber) und KI als Turbo, nicht als Autopilot. Recruiting Trends 2026: Der Markt ist heterogen – und genau da liegt deine Chance Erstmal die unbequeme Wahrheit: Es gibt nicht den Arbeitsmarkt. 2026 ist Recruiting je nach Branche, Region und Rolle extrem unterschiedlich. In manchen Bereichen bekommst du weiter kaum Bewerbungen. In anderen Bereichen ist das Pendel spürbar zurückgeschwungen: Unternehmen selektieren wieder stärker, Bewerber müssen wieder sauberer liefern – und genau das eröffnet Chancen für Mittelständler, die ihr Recruiting im Griff haben. Was ich gerade überall sehe Qualität schlägt Quantität: Viele Teams wollen nicht mehr „mehr Bewerbungen", sondern bessere Bewerbungen. Skills-based Recruiting gewinnt: weniger „perfekter Lebenslauf", mehr „passt der Skill-Mix – und lernt die Person schnell?" KI überall: nicht nur im Bewerber-Text, sondern in Prozessen, Auswertung, Kommunikation, Terminierung. Geschwindigkeit entscheidet: Wer schnell reagiert, gewinnt. Wer trödelt, verliert – auch im Mittelstand. Spannend: In einer Übersicht zu den Recruiting Trends 2026 nennt Stepstone als Top-Priorität die Verbesserung der Bewerberqualität (79 %). Außerdem rückt Skills-based Hiring stärker in den Fokus (77 %) – mit mehr Gewicht auf Soft Skills (76 %). Quelle. Und jetzt kommt der Teil, den viele vergessen: Recruiting ist heute viel stärker Marketing und Sales. Du brauchst Reichweite, Positionierung, einen klaren Funnel – und einen Prozess, der nicht bei der ersten Bewerbung zusammenklappt. Recruiting im Mittelstand: Warum du nicht „gegen Konzerne verlierst" Der Mittelstand hat im Recruiting einen unfairen Vorteil – wenn er ihn nutzt. Konzerne haben Budget, aber oft langsame Prozesse. Mittelständler haben kurze Wege, weniger Abstimmungsschleifen und können schneller testen, nachschärfen und entscheiden. Deine größten Trümpfe (wenn du sie sichtbar machst) Tempo: Du kannst innerhalb von Tagen entscheiden, nicht in Wochen. Nähe: Direkter Draht zur Geschäftsführung, echte Verantwortung, weniger Politik. Gestaltungsspielraum: Kandidaten wollen Wirkung – und die gibt's im Mittelstand oft früher. Agilität bei KI & Tools: Du kannst neue Systeme schneller einsetzen als ein Konzern. Aber: Diese Vorteile sieht ein Kandidat nur, wenn du sie konkret machst. Nicht als „familiäres Team", sondern als echte Beispiele: kurze Entscheidungswege, Projekte, Verantwortung, Entwicklung, Flexibilität. Stellenanzeige als Landingpage: Verkaufen wie im E-Commerce Eine Stellenanzeige ist kein Amtsblatt. Sie ist ein Verkaufsdokument. Jede Anzeige muss sich anfühlen wie eine Landingpage – mit klarer Zielgruppe, klaren Benefits und einem einfachen nächsten Schritt. Recruiting nicht mehr aus der Gießkanne 2026 funktioniert Recruiting nicht mehr „one size fits all". Du musst dir pro Zielgruppe beantworten: Wo erreicht ihr diese Menschen wirklich? Welche Sprache verstehen sie – fachlich und emotional? Was ist der schnellste, niedrigschwellige Weg zur Bewerbung? Beispiel 1: Gewerbliche Rollen (Produktion, Logistik, Pflege) Hier gewinnt oft nicht die schönste Karriereseite, sondern die einfachste Bewerbung: QR-Code, Messenger, kurze Formulare, schnelle Rückmeldung. Und bitte: nicht davon ausgehen, dass jeder private E-Mails liebt. Beispiel 2: Kaufmännische Rollen & Führung Hier kannst du stärker über LinkedIn, XING, Fachportale und Inhalte punkten: Projekte, Verantwortung, Entwicklung, Führungskultur. Aber auch hier gilt: klarer Prozess und schnelle Kommunikation. Beispiel 3: Azubis & Berufseinsteiger Azubis erreichst du selten über „klassische" Kanäle. Hier zählen Mobile First, kurze Wege, schnelle Antworten – und eine Anzeige, die wie ein Social Post wirkt, nicht wie eine Betriebsanleitung. Kanäle 2026: WhatsApp, QR-Code und „da, wo die Zielgruppe ist" Der Kanal entscheidet, ob dein Recruiting überhaupt eine Chance hat. Und nein: „Wir posten auf LinkedIn" ist nicht automatisch die Lösung – genauso wenig wie „Wir schalten auf Indeed". WhatsApp Recruiting: Ja, aber bitte professionell WhatsApp kann ein extrem starker Recruiting-Kanal sein – gerade für gewerbliche Zielgruppen, Azubis oder Rollen, die unterwegs sind. Wichtig ist die saubere Umsetzung: nicht über private Handys, sondern über eine Systemlösung (Cockpit, Autoresponder, Dokumentation). So bleibt es skalierbar und datenschutzkonform – Stichwort WhatsApp Business API (Überblick). QR-Code Bewerbung: Offline trifft Online QR-Codes feiern ein Comeback. Überall dort, wo Menschen sowieso bei dir vorbeikommen, kannst du Bewerbungen anstoßen: Empfang, Werkstor, Filiale, Fahrzeuge, Monitore im Wartebereich. Ein Scan – und die Person landet direkt auf deiner Job-Landingpage. Active Sourcing: Wenn du Kandidaten nicht mehr „abwarten" willst Gerade im B2B-Sales kennst du das: Wer nur auf Inbound wartet, verliert. Im Recruiting gilt dasselbe. Active Sourcing, Empfehlungen, Talent Pools – das sind deine Outbound-Hebel. Candidate Experience: Schnelligkeit ist dein stärkster Hebel Ein Thema kommt in fast jeder Beratung wieder: Bewerbungen sind da – aber es dauert ewig, bis ein Gespräch zustande kommt. Termin-Pingpong, Fachbereich hat keine Zeit, keiner fühlt sich verantwortlich. Und währenddessen hat der Kandidat längst woanders unterschrieben. Warum Januar und Februar dein Zeitfenster sind Rund um den Jahresstart ist im Recruiting besonders viel Bewegung. Viele Menschen schauen nach den Feiertagen wieder aktiv nach neuen Optionen – und Unternehmen schalten gleichzeitig viele Stellen. Wenn du in dieser Zeit langsam bist, ist dein Recruiting-Funnel sofort verstopft. Die 3 simpelsten Prozessregeln, die sofort wirken SLA für Antworten: Jede Bewerbung bekommt innerhalb von 24–48 Stunden ein erstes Signal. Kalender-Slots: Hiring Manager blocken feste Interview-Zeiten im Voraus (ja, wirklich). Ein Ansprechpartner: Einer hat den Hut auf – Recruiting ist 2026 kein „Nebenbei-Thema" mehr. KI im Recruiting: Turbo ja – Autopilot nein KI ist 2026 ein Megatrend – auf beiden Seiten. Bewerber nutzen Tools, Unternehmen nutzen Tools. Die wichtigste Leitplanke: KI darf unterstützen, aber sie sollte nicht „allein entscheiden". Nutze KI als Co-Pilot: für Zusammenfassungen, strukturierte Einschätzungen, Textvarianten, Fragenkataloge, Terminierung – aber nicht als automatische Absage-Maschine. Gerade in Europa solltest du bei automatisierten Entscheidungen sensibel sein (DSGVO Art. 22) und bei KI in HR-Prozessen auf Human Oversight achten (EU-Rahmen: AI Act). Und weil das gerade überall hochkocht: Ich war neulich auf einem KI-Event in London. Da liefen 20 KI-Agenten parallel, jeder mit einer eigenen Aufgabe. Ergebnis: Aus 1.010 angemeldeten Teilnehmern wurden 600 echte Leads – vollautomatisch, aber mit klarer menschlicher Steuerung. Das war für mich der Reminder: KI kann Recruiting massiv beschleunigen. Nur eben nicht, wenn du sie blind laufen lässt. Praktisch: 3 Pluspunkte + 3 Punkte zum Nachfragen Ein Ansatz, den ich sehr mag: Das System liefert dir drei Punkte, die für den Kandidaten sprechen – und drei Punkte, wo du im Gespräch genauer hinschauen solltest. Das ist schnell, fair und hilft dir, skillbasiert zu entscheiden. Skill-based Recruiting statt „Keyword-Fetisch" Natürlich sollten Lebenslauf und Anzeige sprachlich zusammenpassen. Aber: Wenn du nur nach perfekten Keywords filterst, verpasst du Potenzial. Im Mittelstand ist es oft smarter, Menschen zu holen, die 70–80 Prozent abdecken – und die restlichen Skills schnell aufzubauen. Auswahl: Vergleich zur Stelle, nicht Kandidaten-Casting Ein Klassiker im Recruiting: Man bekommt Kandidaten, die zu 60–80 Prozent passen – und dann wird endlos verglichen: „Der ist besser als der andere." Ergebnis: Niemand wird eingestellt. Frust im Team. Vakanz bleibt offen. Meine Faustregel Wenn jemand die Mindestkriterien erfüllt und menschlich passt: Entscheide. Und wenn es nicht passt: Stelle nicht „irgendwen" ein, sondern schärfe die Anzeige nach (Titel, Anforderungen, Benefits, Kanal) und geh wieder raus. Jobtitel testen und nachschärfen Ein unterschätzter Hebel im Recruiting: der Titel. Suchverhalten ist oft „Keyword-getrieben". Wenn niemand nach deinem internen Jobtitel sucht, findet dich auch niemand. Teste Varianten (z.B. „Account Manager" vs. „Sales Manager", „Teamleitung Innendienst" vs. „Leitung Vertriebsinnendienst") und schau, was Bewerbungen bringt. System statt Bauchgefühl: Warum ein ATS 2026 Pflicht ist Recruiting professionalisiert sich. Cloud statt Excel, Prozess statt Chaos. Und vor allem: Recruiting darf nicht mehr die rote Laterne im Unternehmen sein – also das Thema, das „irgendwer nebenbei" mitmacht. Worauf Mittelständler achten sollten Mobile Bewerbung (auch ohne Lebenslauf-Drama) Messenger/WhatsApp-Integration + sichere Team-Inbox Multiposting & einfache Karriereseiten/Landingpages Automatisierungen (Antworten, Terminlinks, Status-Updates) Transparenz (Pipeline, Time-to-Hire, Kanal-Performance) Quick Takeaways: Das wichtigste in 60 Sekunden Recruiting 2026 ist Marketing + Sales: Zielgruppe, Funnel, Geschwindigkeit. Stellenanzeigen müssen wie Landingpages funktionieren – nicht wie Amtsdeutsch. WhatsApp & QR-Codes senken die Hürde – wenn du es professionell aufsetzt. Blocke Interview-Slots im Kalender, bevor du die Stelle veröffentlichst. Nutze KI als Co-Pilot (Scoring, Fragen, Texte), aber entscheide menschlich. Vergleiche Kandidaten zur Stelle, nicht untereinander. Ein ATS macht dich schneller, sauberer und messbar besser. Anleitung: In 7 Schritten baust du ein Recruiting-System, das 2026 wirklich Kandidaten gewinnt – ohne Chaos, ohne „wir finden niemanden"-Ausreden. Zielgruppe festnageln: Wer genau soll kommen – und warum sollte diese Person wechseln? Stellenanzeige als Landingpage bauen: klarer Nutzen, klare Aufgaben, klare nächsten Schritte. Kanäle auswählen: LinkedIn/XING für White Collar, Meta/QR/WhatsApp für Blue Collar & Azubis. Bewerbung vereinfachen: Mobile, Messenger, kurze Formulare – weniger Hürden, mehr Kontakte. Speed-SLA setzen: Erstreaktion in 24–48 Stunden, feste Interview-Slots, klare Verantwortlichkeit. KI sinnvoll einsetzen: 3 Pluspunkte + 3 Fragen, strukturierte Interviews, Textvarianten, Terminierung. Messen & nachschärfen: Time-to-Hire, Kanal-Performance, Absprungquoten – und dann testen.
Is your outreach being ignored? Try the one channel your competitors have forgotten. In this episode of the CEO Sales Strategies Podcast, Doug C. Brown sits down with Wilson Zehr, CEO of Zairmail, to break down how direct mail is making a powerful comeback in high-ticket B2B sales. They explore how physical mail can outperform digital in both prospecting and follow-up—and how to do it in a way that's scalable, personal, and profitable. You'll discover: – Why direct mail builds trust and gets opened – The 70/20/10 formula behind winning campaigns – How to blend automation with personalization – When to use mail for cold vs. warm outreach – How direct mail fits into a modern outbound sales strategy If you're relying on 1:1 sales, long-cycle deals, or high-margin offers—this episode is your new playbook.
The Rental Boyz | An Equipment & Party Rentals Business Podcast
"Join Tina Tran in this video as she explains how to land bigger B2B clients like convention centers, expos, and corporate events. She breaks down how these clients actually choose their vendors and shares the key factors you need to focus on to position your rental business for larger, long-term contracts."Download The Ultimate Checklist for Free:
This is from our video on How to Cold Call into Different Industries. You can watch the video here https://salesscripter.com/cold-calling-into-different-industries/
In this episode, Gene Hammett interviews AJ Cassata, founder of Revenue Boost, about AI-driven lead generation in B2B marketing. AJ emphasizes the collaborative use of AI in sales, warns against full outsourcing, and explains his "10-80-10 rule." He discusses the effectiveness of outbound strategies like cold emailing and LinkedIn messaging, stressing the importance of personalization and audience segmentation. AJ recommends tools like Clay.com for automating outreach and concludes with key factors for successful campaigns, urging listeners to embrace AI while maintaining human oversight and persistence. Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 1:15 The Power of AI in Sales 2:57 Challenges in B2B Sales 5:10 Email vs. LinkedIn Effectiveness 8:35 Standing Out on LinkedIn 11:24 Leveraging AI for Personalization 14:18 Common Mistakes in AI Outbound 17:13 The Future of AI in Outbound 20:33 Enhancing Sales with AI 21:57 Key Takeaways for CEOs AI in Modern Sales — Collaboration Over Automation Gene speaks with AJ Cassata, founder of Revenue Boost, about using AI in B2B outbound sales. AJ explains that AI should be treated as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement for human judgment. He cautions against fully outsourcing sales and marketing to AI due to its tendency to "hallucinate" or generate inaccuracies. AJ introduces his "10-80-10 rule," where humans control strategy and final review while AI handles execution at scale. Why Outbound Sales Still Works AJ breaks down why outbound sales, cold email, cold calling, and LinkedIn outreach remain a highly effective and cost-efficient lead generation channel. He emphasizes the importance of testing different approaches and targeting specific industries or companies to generate high-quality leads. The conversation compares email and LinkedIn outreach, noting LinkedIn's higher response rates but lower scalability versus email's broader reach and lower engagement. Personalization, Empathy, and Common Mistakes The discussion turns to practical outreach tactics, with AJ stressing the importance of deep personalization through prospect research and industry understanding. He advises focusing messaging on the prospect's needs rather than promoting services. AJ outlines common AI-powered outbound mistakes, including low outreach volume, generic messaging, and poor audience segmentation, reinforcing that tailored messaging is critical for resonance. Tools, Strategy, and Keys to Success AJ highlights tools like Clay.com that support AI-driven lead research and personalized outreach. He discusses AI's evolving role in sales, particularly for tasks like scheduling and qualification, while underscoring the continued need for human oversight. As the episode concludes, AJ shares five key drivers of outbound success: list quality, messaging, offer strength, outreach volume, and email deliverability. He encourages leaders to experiment, iterate, and remain patient when leveraging AI-powered outbound strategies to grow their sales pipeline. Key Takeaways AI is a force multiplier, not a replacement. AI delivers the best results when paired with human strategy, oversight, and decision-making rather than fully automating sales and marketing functions. Outbound sales remains a high-ROI growth channel. Cold email, cold calling, and LinkedIn outreach continue to produce quality leads at a lower cost compared to many inbound or paid marketing channels. Strategy should follow the 10-80-10 rule. CEOs should stay involved in setting direction and reviewing outcomes while leveraging AI for scalable execution in the middle. Personalization drives performance. Outreach that demonstrates understanding of a prospect's business and challenges consistently outperforms generic, AI-generated messaging. Volume and focus both matter. Effective outbound requires sufficient outreach volume paired with clear segmentation and targeted messaging to avoid diminishing returns. Technology enables scale, not shortcuts. Tools like AI-powered research and personalization platforms can accelerate outbound efforts, but poor inputs still lead to poor results. Human oversight reduces AI risk. AI can hallucinate or make incorrect assumptions, making review and refinement essential before deployment. Five factors determine outbound success. List quality, messaging clarity, offer strength, outreach volume, and email deliverability must all work together for consistent results. Iteration beats perfection. Sustainable outbound success comes from continuous testing, learning, and refinement rather than one-time campaign execution. Leadership mindset matters. CEOs who embrace AI experimentation while maintaining accountability and patience are better positioned to build predictable, scalable pipelines. Resources & Next Steps Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level? Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team's performance. Explore More: training.coreelevation.com Listen to the Full Episode: Growth Think Tank Podcast
The Brutal Truth about B2B Sales & Selling - The show focuses on Hacking the Sales Process
Here is a FAQ Video on the Courses: https://youtu.be/0F7imrzjXWs Here is a deep dive into which course is best for you: https://youtu.be/JM_jgS8M-iU https://www.b2bRevenue.com - Get Your Free E-Book on How Companies make Decisions. FAQ: 1 YEAR ACCESS, PAY MONTHLY OR ANNUALLY NOT A SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK VIA ZOOM. 1 HOUR GROUP Q&A. UNLIMITED 1-ON-1'S ARE FREE AS LONG AS THEY CAN BE SHARED IN THE COURSE. 1-ON-1 ARE FULL ACCESS ON DAY ONE - NOTHING IS GATED OR TIME RELEASED. ALL CONTENT IS VIDEO BASED AND SELF PACED I RECOMMEND TAKE COURSE ONCE WITHOUT NOTES OR APPLYING IT SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE FIRST. THEN TAKE AND APPLY IT STEP BY STEP. YOU START WHEN YOU WANT AND GO AS FAST OR SLOW AS NEEDED. Email me additional questions: briangburns@me.com — SAMPLE EMAIL TO EXPENSE THE COURSE MGR, I have been listening to the brutal truth about sales podcast for X months and it speaks to the issues we face. They currently offer a course that includes video instruction, group Q&A and One-on-One coaching. I'm committed to my own personal development and would like your help in expensing the course. It would pay for itself if I closed only one new deal of $X value. Please let me know by Friday if I can move forward with this 1 year course. Thanks, ME Here are some student interviews from the courses: ———————————————————————————————————— Audible 30 day Free Trial: http://www.audibletrial.com/BrutalTruth
A SEAT at THE TABLE: Leadership, Innovation & Vision for a New Era
Winning sales isn't as easy as it used to be - especially in a challenging economic environment with a never ending stream of new competitors coming onto the scene.It's no longer enough to have a standout product, a great team or even massive funding (although it doesn't hurt). Now, anyone in B2B sales needs a lot more in their toolkit in order to succeed. Meet Margo White, a dynamic strategist and author with over 22 years of experience transforming how traditional industries sell, communicate, and evolve. In this episode of A Seat at The Table she'll tell us:Why precision beats volume - and how to build a system that turns chaos into actionable data.Understanding the deal psychology that is foundational to winning corporate contracts.How identity is what motivates people to buy - not logic or even emotion.This episode is part of our new Sales Power series, where you'll learn the power moves that separate sales leaders from everyone else.I can't wait to sit down with Margo and find out how to fire up my sales game!USEFUL LINKS:"Survivors, Inventors" - Book Description and Free Download of the first 50 Pages >> https://prospectingbroker.com/survivors-inventors-book/ "Survivors, Inventors" Hardcover on Amazon >> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSZ65F7MMargo on Instagram >> @prospectingbroker (https://www.instagram.com/prospectingbroker/)Visit A Seat at The Table's website at https://seat.fm
In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with Jayesh Kumar, Co-Founder at Aonami. Discover how legacy systems are being disrupted, the challenges of digital transformation, and why true innovation means building solutions that give time back to people. Four Key Takeaways: The Problem with Legacy Systems [6:10]Banks and healthcare institutions are bogged down by dozens of outdated, patchwork systems, making innovation slow and compliance difficult. Meeting Clients Where They Are [14:54]True disruption comes from understanding a client’s current state and building solutions that fit their unique needs, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach. The Human Side of B2B Sales [20:03]Selling transformative technology to large organizations is about building relationships and convincing multiple teams, not just one decision-maker. The Real Goal of Technology [28:47]The ultimate aim of innovation should be to give people time back, making work more productive, creative, and compassionate. Quote of the Show (34:23):"True disruption really happens not by doing a lot of work, but by doing less in a much smarter way. You should be building systems that start giving time back to people." – Jayesh Kumar Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Jayesh Kumar: LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jayeshrout Company Website: https://aonamitech.com How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Data integration in healthcare is redefining AI in sales and how sales enablement teams create real customer value. In this episode of B2B Sales Trends, we explore how modern sales leaders cut through dashboard noise, align sales and operations, and use AI to strengthen focus and trust - not replace human judgment. Harry Kendlbacher sits down with Robert Brandt, Vice President of Sales Operations at Medline Industries, to unpack how healthcare buying behavior is evolving - and what it takes to keep sellers focused on value instead of fire drills. This is a grounded, real-world conversation about customer perception, data integration, and the future of AI in B2B sales.
Send us a textHave you ever looked around the sales floor, watched a top performer, and thought, "I need to do exactly what they are doing"? You try to copy their jokes, their cadence, or their spreadsheet obsession, only to find it feels clunky and awkward. On this week's episode, Scott and Mike discuss why trying to be someone else is the fastest way to set off a prospect's "BS alarm."Instead of imitation, the duo argues for adaptation. The goal isn't to become the person next to you; it's to identify your own unique "Superpower"—a mix of self-awareness and feedback—and lean into it. Whether you are a "spreadsheet person" or a "storyteller," your success comes from consistency and authenticity, not mimicry.Key Takeaways:The Danger of Imitation: While it is good to want to improve, trying to change your fundamental personality to match a peer usually fails because it lacks genuineness.Defining Your Superpower: Your superpower is often identified through external feedback—what do people thank you for doing well? It requires the self-awareness to separate your daily "whirlwind" tasks from your core strengths.The "Friends" Theory of Sales: You can't sell to Joey the same way you sell to Chandler. A great sales rep reads the room and adapts their delivery without changing their core process.Scott's 4-Step Guide to Authentic Sales:Stay in your lane: Don't get distracted by how others sell.Play to your superpower: Know what you are best at and maximize it.Adapt without imitating: Learn from mentors, but put their tactics into your own voice.Consistency always wins: Once you find a process that fits your style, stick to it.Listener Challenge: Mike leaves us on a cliffhanger this week: If self-awareness and strength are superpowers, what is the opposite of a superpower? Listen in and drop your answer in the comments!Support the showScott SchlofmanMike Williams - Cell 801-635-7773 #sales #podcast #customerfirst #relationships #success #pipeline #funnel #sales success #selling #salescoach
The holiday season is in full swing, and as retailers vie for consumer dollars, some of the biggest ones are branching out to answer engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity. In this episode, we describe what that experience looks like now and what brands should do in response. We also look at the lasting implications of a high-profile legal case for CISOs and the state of AI in B2B sales.
The Brutal Truth about B2B Sales & Selling - The show focuses on Hacking the Sales Process
Here is a FAQ Video on the Courses: https://youtu.be/0F7imrzjXWs Here is a deep dive into which course is best for you: https://youtu.be/JM_jgS8M-iU https://www.b2bRevenue.com - Get Your Free E-Book on How Companies make Decisions. FAQ: 1 YEAR ACCESS, PAY MONTHLY OR ANNUALLY NOT A SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK VIA ZOOM. 1 HOUR GROUP Q&A. UNLIMITED 1-ON-1'S ARE FREE AS LONG AS THEY CAN BE SHARED IN THE COURSE. 1-ON-1 ARE FULL ACCESS ON DAY ONE - NOTHING IS GATED OR TIME RELEASED. ALL CONTENT IS VIDEO BASED AND SELF PACED I RECOMMEND TAKE COURSE ONCE WITHOUT NOTES OR APPLYING IT SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE FIRST. THEN TAKE AND APPLY IT STEP BY STEP. YOU START WHEN YOU WANT AND GO AS FAST OR SLOW AS NEEDED. Email me additional questions: briangburns@me.com — SAMPLE EMAIL TO EXPENSE THE COURSE MGR, I have been listening to the brutal truth about sales podcast for X months and it speaks to the issues we face. They currently offer a course that includes video instruction, group Q&A and One-on-One coaching. I'm committed to my own personal development and would like your help in expensing the course. It would pay for itself if I closed only one new deal of $X value. Please let me know by Friday if I can move forward with this 1 year course. Thanks, ME Here are some student interviews from the courses: ———————————————————————————————————— Audible 30 day Free Trial: http://www.audibletrial.com/BrutalTruth
Send us a textIt's that time of year. You're waiting for management to spin the "Bingo Wheel" and drop a new, terrifying number on your desk. "Congratulations, you grew 15% last year... now we need 25%." Panic sets in.This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott reveal why waiting for your quota to build a plan is a rookie mistake. They argue that you must create your sales plan before you receive your quota. Why? Because data gives you leverage. If you know your numbers better than your manager does, you turn a mandate into a negotiation.We break down the 3 effective ways to create a quota-based sales plan that puts you in the driver's seat:Start with a Data-Driven Breakdown: Don't look at the scary big number. Mike explains how to slice the data by product, time, and customer. Understand exactly where your growth came from last year so you know if a 20% increase is a pipe dream or a layup.Territory & Segment Prioritization (Assign Quotas to Clients): This is the secret sauce. You can't control corporate, but you can control your territory. We discuss "monetizing" your accounts by mentally assigning them their own quotas. We also introduce the "2x4 Method" (selling 2 products to 4 accounts, or vice versa) to visualize exactly where the new revenue will come from.Build a Pipeline That Matches the Strategy: A goal without a pipeline is just a wish (or a pipedream). We discuss how to ensure your pipeline math actually supports the new number, factoring in close rates and "sandbagging" buffers.Plus, we have a candid (and hilarious) conversation about "Sandbagging"—the sales rep's secret weapon. Is it ethical? Does every manager know you're doing it? (Spoiler: Yes, and they're doing it too).Tune in to stop fearing "The Number" and start building a plan that makes hitting quota a mathematical certainty.Support the showScott SchlofmanMike Williams - Cell 801-635-7773 #sales #podcast #customerfirst #relationships #success #pipeline #funnel #sales success #selling #salescoach
Most people think they need more certifications, case studies or complex funnels to win on LinkedIn. In reality, the thing that moves deals forward is much simpler and far more human.In this episode, I share a wild story from 1849 and connect it directly to what drives modern LinkedIn sales and lead generation. WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:⌚ 00:21 - The incredible story from 1849 that explains modern sales
This episode is sponsored by SearchMaster, the leader in AI Search Optimization and traditional paid search keyword optimization. Future-proof your SEO strategy. Sign up now for free! Watch this episode on YouTube! In this episode of the Marketing x Analytics Podcast, host Alex Sofronas interviews Mobeen Khan, an engineer with over 20 years of experience in B2B sales, mobility, and telecom. Mobeen discusses the rapid changes in the industry, the importance of aligning sales strategies with changing buyer behaviors, and the integration of AI and analytics in sales processes. He also shares insights on lead generation, product-led growth, and the importance of real-time customer engagement. Mobeen concludes with advice for entrepreneurs and companies on building scalable and flexible sales strategies. Follow Marketing x Analytics! X | LinkedIn Click Here for Transcribed Episodes of Marketing x Analytics All view are our own.
The Brutal Truth about B2B Sales & Selling - The show focuses on Hacking the Sales Process
Here is a FAQ Video on the Courses: https://youtu.be/0F7imrzjXWs Here is a deep dive into which course is best for you: https://youtu.be/JM_jgS8M-iU https://www.b2bRevenue.com - Get Your Free E-Book on How Companies make Decisions. FAQ: 1 YEAR ACCESS, PAY MONTHLY OR ANNUALLY NOT A SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK VIA ZOOM. 1 HOUR GROUP Q&A. UNLIMITED 1-ON-1'S ARE FREE AS LONG AS THEY CAN BE SHARED IN THE COURSE. 1-ON-1 ARE FULL ACCESS ON DAY ONE - NOTHING IS GATED OR TIME RELEASED. ALL CONTENT IS VIDEO BASED AND SELF PACED I RECOMMEND TAKE COURSE ONCE WITHOUT NOTES OR APPLYING IT SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE FIRST. THEN TAKE AND APPLY IT STEP BY STEP. YOU START WHEN YOU WANT AND GO AS FAST OR SLOW AS NEEDED. Email me additional questions: briangburns@me.com — SAMPLE EMAIL TO EXPENSE THE COURSE MGR, I have been listening to the brutal truth about sales podcast for X months and it speaks to the issues we face. They currently offer a course that includes video instruction, group Q&A and One-on-One coaching. I'm committed to my own personal development and would like your help in expensing the course. It would pay for itself if I closed only one new deal of $X value. Please let me know by Friday if I can move forward with this 1 year course. Thanks, ME Here are some student interviews from the courses: ———————————————————————————————————— Audible 30 day Free Trial: http://www.audibletrial.com/BrutalTruth
In this weeks' Scale Your Sales Podcast episode, my guest is Frank Sondors. Frank comes with over a decade of experience in B2B Sales, working for companies like Google, SimilarWeb, Black Crow and Whatagraph whether as an individual contributor and all the way leading large sales teams. Currently, he's building Salesforge.ai to give companies the ability to blend their current sales efforts with AI agents to maximize pipeline and drive down cost. In less than a year they've scaled up from $0 to $3M ARR. In today's episode of Scale Your Sales podcast, Frank shares how Salesforge scaled to $30M ARR in under a year by using AI agents to increase productivity and reduce operational costs. The discussion highlights the practical realities of AI adoption, from enabling small businesses to compete at a higher level to addressing the challenges of empathy, nuance, and system integration within larger organizations. This episode offers actionable guidance and real-world examples for sales leaders and executives shaping their digital transformation strategies. Welcome to Scale Your Sales Podcast, Frank Sondors. Timestamps: 00:00 AI-Driven Sales Scaling 04:32 Tech Transforming Speed and Context 09:45 Human vs. AI in Business 11:41 AI Follow-Up for Sales Insights 16:45 AI Agents and User Curiosity 20:20 Enterprise vs. SMB Pricing Comparison 23:00 Technology Adoption in Enterprise 26:13 Embrace Autonomous Systems Now 28:08 Side Project for Legacy Systems 32:21 Optimizing Costs Through Efficiency 34:36 Elon Musk: Controversial Tech Visionary published book: https://www.amazon.com/AI-SDR-Your-Edge-100M-ebook/dp/B0FTYKF39H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XJ4K6HRAF7ZZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.emcVRBDHC8e7fpXgNYI7sA.WU6gyafRCVrv8NuVAzOb1Gp6-bhEULZgLJSHEzz5eNA&dib_tag=se&keywords=frank+sondors&qid=1760378361&sprefix=frank+sondors%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1 https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksondors/ https://x.com/franksondors Janice B Gordon is the award-winning Customer Growth Expert and Scale Your Sales Framework founder. She is by LinkedIn Sales 15 Innovating Sales Influencers to Follow 2021, the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Customer Experience Nov 2020 and 150 Women B2B Thought Leaders You Should Follow in 2021. Janice helps companies worldwide to reimagine revenue growth thought customer experience and sales. Book Janice to speak virtually at your next event: https://janicebgordon.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/janice-b-gordon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaniceBGordon Scale Your Sales Podcast: https://scaleyoursales.co.uk/podcast More on the blog: https://scaleyoursales.co.uk/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janicebgordon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScaleYourSales And more! Visit our podcast website https://scaleyoursales.co.uk/podcast/ to watch or listen.
It can pay off to borrow sales strategies from outside your usual lane. My guest, Kam Dasani, entrepreneur and investor, brings B2C secrets into the B2B sales world and uses what he has stolen from consumer marketing to make smarter moves. In this episode, he breaks down the tactics that helped him grow faster and shows how you can use them to triple your pipeline.Meet Kam DasaniKam Dasani is a former Silicon Valley tech sales rep who went from earning 120K a year in B2B sales to building a seven-million-dollar business. He applied key B2C secrets he had stolen from consumer marketing, using directness, pre-qualification, and transparency to transform his B2B approach and accelerate growth.Today, he helps others build passive income through trading and investing while encouraging sales professionals to take smart risks, stay authentic, and focus on what truly drives results.Why B2C Secrets Belong in B2B Sales (00:01:19 – 00:03:59)Right off the bat, Kam goes into showing how stolen B2C secrets can transform B2B sales, especially with their marketing tactics.From Tech Sales to Entrepreneurship (00:04:07 – 00:06:12)Kam explains how he went from earning 120K a year in tech sales to building a seven-million-dollar business. His contrarian mindset and willingness to take calculated risks shaped the B2B sales approach he uses today.Identifying B2B Sales Gaps (00:08:10 – 00:16:54)Kam highlights common gaps in B2B sales, including weak training, fear of asking tough questions, and reliance on conventional tactics. He shows how embracing risk and applying stolen B2C secrets can overcome these challenges.B2C-Inspired Sales Process & Qualifying Leads (00:17:01 – 00:26:47)Kam shares how he leverages Instagram ads, direct messaging, and pre-qualification processes to improve lead quality. Using these B2C secrets in B2B sales allows him to build a stronger, more efficient pipeline.Results & Key Takeaways (00:29:15 – 00:34:12)Kam reveals the ROI from transparent, pre-framed sales calls and targeted campaigns. He emphasizes that allowing reps to be authentic, rather than forcing a strict “culture fit,” drives real results in B2B sales."Imagine if we could take some B2C secrets and apply them to B2B sales to fill your funnel and create far more opportunities than you have right now, increasing sales and generating more commission." - Kam Dasani.ResourcesFollow Kam Dasani on Instagram at @profitwithkam and connect with him on LinkedIn to stay inspired by his journey and strategies. Head to bluemangostudios.com to see exactly how my podcasting agency can help you create and grow a podcast that entertains, educates, and brings in quality leads.https://www.instagram.com/profitwithkamSubscribe on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7396352571981889536Sponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by HubSpot. With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation. Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course....
Send us a textHave you been in the same sales territory for so long that you think you know everything? This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott (and Bob A. Ganoosh, the technical guy) tackle a critical issue for seasoned reps: how to maintain genuine curiosity when calling on the same accounts for years. They argue that assuming you have all the answers is a fatal mistake that kills deals.They break down three essential, actionable strategies to refresh your mindset, deepen your customer relationships, and keep your pipeline flowing:Approach Every Meeting Like It's Your First: Forget what you think you know. Go in with humility and genuine curiosity, asking open-ended questions (the power questions like "how" and "why") to get to the root of your customer's current situation. Scott shares a humorous story about his standardized first date approach to highlight controlling the "controllables" while maintaining focus on the person.Keep Learning Outside Your Lane: To connect with a broader range of customers, you need more than just deep product knowledge. Mike and Scott advocate for expanding your interests outside your industry (like welding or pet grooming) to gain crossover knowledge and depth. The rule: The more you understand their reality, the better you can serve it.Reflect After Every Call (Deconstruct the Meeting): Don't let your brain forget crucial details! Take two minutes immediately after every meeting to deconstruct the conversation. Ask yourself: What did I learn? What do I still not know? and most critically, What should I ask the customer next time? This reflection process forces planning, provides continuity for the customer, and helps build evidence of success.Tune in to discover how injecting genuine curiosity can revitalize your sales approach and transform long-term client relationships.Support the showScott SchlofmanMike Williams - Cell 801-635-7773 #sales #podcast #customerfirst #relationships #success #pipeline #funnel #sales success #selling #salescoach