Podcasts about B2B

Want Kieran's AI Marketing Playbook for 2025? Get it here: https://clickhubspot.com/wcf Ep. 349 By 2027, will 95% of all B2B buyer journeys start on an LLM? Kipp and Kieran dive into the essential AI-powered marketing playbook for building a modern marketing plan from scratch in today's rapidly changing landscape. Learn more on how to win in AI search and boost your share of voice, why mastering short-form content is the new superpower for marketers, and how intent data and micro-audience campaigns can drive greater results than ever before. Mentions ChatGPT https://chatgpt.com/ Claude https://claude.ai/ Canva https://www.canva.com/ XFunnel https://www.xfunnel.ai/ Get our guide to build your own Custom GPT: https://clickhubspot.com/customgpt We're creating our next round of content and want to ensure it tackles the challenges you're facing at work or in your business. To understand your biggest challenges we've put together a survey and we'd love to hear from you! https://bit.ly/matg-research Resource [Free] Steal our favorite AI Prompts featured on the show! Grab them here: https://clickhubspot.com/aip We're on Social Media! Follow us for everyday marketing wisdom straight to your feed YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGtXqPiNV8YC0GMUzY-EUFg  Twitter: https://twitter.com/matgpod  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matgpod  Join our community https://landing.connect.com/matg Thank you for tuning into Marketing Against The Grain! Don't forget to hit subscribe and follow us on Apple Podcasts (so you never miss an episode)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-against-the-grain/id1616700934   If you love this show, please leave us a 5-Star Review https://link.chtbl.com/h9_sjBKH and share your favorite episodes with friends. We really appreciate your support. Host Links: Kipp Bodnar, https://twitter.com/kippbodnar   Kieran Flanagan, https://twitter.com/searchbrat  ‘Marketing Against The Grain' is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by Hubspot Media // Produced by Darren Clarke.

If you're constantly getting lowballed or ghosted at the end of the month, you're not alone. In this video, we break down real B2B sales negotiation tactics that helped close a full-price deal—despite a relentless buyer pushing for discounts across five separate calls. Learn: How to handle discount shoppers who negotiate for sport When (and how) to offer a discount without losing leverage The “exploding deadline” strategy that savvy reps use to keep deals moving The “jar” analogy for squeezing the most value in a negotiation WATCH THE FULL EPISODE: https://youtu.be/2G6SFXxE7Ig?si=xRT5oCQbjYfS7lEl RESOURCES DISCUSSED: Join our weekly newsletter - https://hubs.li/Q02NJQ8p0 Things you can steal - https://linktr.ee/30mpc_youtube Save $50 on any 30MPC course with code “YOUTUBE” - https://www.30mpc.com/courses

Is traditional sales outreach becoming less effective? And if so, what replaces it?In today's episode, I chat with Jean-Philippe Schepens van Thiel, founder of AxonJay, about how real-time data, predictive behavior, and AI-generated signals are fundamentally changing how we approach sales. If you've ever felt like your messaging is falling flat or that your timing is always off, this conversation is your blueprint for modernizing outreach.Meet Jean-Philippe Schepens van ThielJean-Philippe is the founder and CEO of AxonJay AI, a company helping B2B sellers harness the power of predictive signals to find the right opportunities at the right time. With over 15 years in data-driven sales and marketing, including a successful exit to Dun & Bradstreet, JP is now on a mission to help sales teams break through the noise and win deals with precision.Sales Outreach at an Inflection PointBuyers are bombarded by thousands of messages a week, most of which they delete without reading. Jean-Philippe believes we've hit a critical point in the evolution of sales, where volume no longer wins relevance and timing does. Instead of relying on old data and gut instinct, modern sales teams need to know when to reach out, what to say, and why it matters to the buyer right now.Build Your Sales CocktailJean-Philippe compares outreach success to making the perfect cocktail: timing, targeting, and content must all be in balance. One missing or outdated ingredient ruins the mix. Using AI, his company translates billions of daily data points into actionable signals then helps reps validate and fine-tune their approach using real-time context.Let AI Enhance, Not Replace, the Human ElementContrary to fear-mongering about AI replacing jobs, JP argues that AI will actually make sales more human. With technology handling research and signal aggregation, salespeople can focus on high-value conversations, empathy, and relationship-building.“It's not about more data. It's about the right data.”“Outreach isn't dead—but it's evolved.”“You need the right message at the right time.” “I want you to come to me with stuff proving.”Lessons from the FieldStop using last year's data to make today's decisions.Think beyond single signals and build context with a cocktail of signals.Use AI to filter your target list down to the 10% who are ready now.Personalize messaging with current, relevant activity not guesses.Combine automation with human feedback to improve results over time.ResourcesLearn more at Axonjay.aiConnect with Jean-Philippe via email (JP@axonjay.ai) or through the websiteImprove your outreach and sales game join our Sales Mastermind ClassThinking of launching a podcast? Check out Blue Mango StudiosSponsorship 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.2. 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

What if the secret to building a $140 million real estate business was as simple as sending one, four-page newsletter every month? Sandra Rathe proves that you don't need flashy tactics or a loud personality to win big. With her roots in accounting and a natural love of process, Sandra turned a shoestring, rollerblade-powered newsletter route into a powerhouse farming model that works in every market, even luxury.We get into the nuts and bolts of Sandra's method: What does each newsletter include? When does she open up and write from the heart? And what calls to action does she include? Sandra's story is a masterclass in choosing one thing: showing up for your community, and letting consistency do the heavy lifting. If you're looking to farm a neighborhood or just want a simpler, smarter way to grow your sphere, this episode is your playbook.Resources:Connect with Sandra RatheOrder the Millionaire Real Estate Agent Playbook | Volume 2Become your clients' go-to Airbnb expertAirbnb has launched a Real Estate Referral Program for agents just like you. When you refer clients to list their properties on Airbnb, you not only earn a referral fee, you also gain access to localized market data that helps you stand out in your market. It's free to join, includes a quick-start webinar, and gives you real-time insights on booking trends in your area. It's a win-win-win. Sign up at mreanotes.com/airbnb and don't forget to mention you heard about it on the MREA Podcast.Connect with Jason:LinkedinProduced by NOVAThis podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not  Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.WARNING! You must comply with the TCPA and any other federal, state or local laws, including for B2B calls and texts. Never call or text a number on any Do Not Call list, and do not use an autodialer or artificial voice or prerecorded messages without proper consent. Contact your attorney to ensure your compliance.

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training With clients increasingly expecting their agencies to leverage AI, are you waiting for client direction, or leading the way on how to use it? Today's featured guest has a unique vantage point on this shift. He runs a platform that connects clients with credible agencies while helping agencies showcase their expertise, giving him a front-row seat to what clients truly want and what agencies fear about AI. With hundreds of thousands of agencies on his platform, he's seen firsthand that the agencies standing out are the ones leading the AI conversation, not waiting for permission to start it. He'll share why educating your clients on the possibilities of AI is now a competitive advantage and how his company's new verification layer aims to bring trust and clarity to an increasingly crowded agency marketplace. Tim Condon is the Chief Revenue Officer at Clutch, the largest B2B service provider marketplace online, boasting over 300,000 agencies. Tim helps agencies showcase services, collect reviews, and attract qualified buyers. With a front-row seat to the challenges and wins of agencies across industries, Tim sees exactly how the best adapt—and how others risk falling behind. Tim has been on the show before with advice on how agency owners can separate from the pack and position their agencies for success. In this episode, we'll discuss: Is AI coming for your agency? Document your AI processes before it gets expensive. How you should be starting the AI conversation. The power of documented proof. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Is AI Coming for Your Agency? It Depends The elephant in every agency Slack channel: Will AI replace us? Tim sees a spectrum. Some agencies think they're immune (“We only serve local dentists, so we're safe.”), while others are already using AI to transform delivery, productizing what used to be manual labor into scalable SaaS products for other agencies. Most agencies are stuck in the middle - unsure where to begin and afraid to fall behind. Basically, if your clients are tech-savvy DIYers, yes, you're at risk. But 99% of clients aren't like that. They want the results AI brings, but they don't want to build or manage it themselves. Hence, those who adopt AI to streamline delivery and elevate their positioning—not those who ignore it or just dabble, will win. AI Isn't a Threat. It's Your Edge AI is already making agencies faster, leaner, and more profitable if they leverage it correctly: Custom GPTs for marketing, sales training, and operations Automated research and lead qualification Speeding up delivery while maintaining quality Tim shared an example of a San Francisco agency using LLMs to automate internal processes. It wasn't complicated: structured folders, an AI model to search and output organized results. Simple, but powerful. If your agency isn't at least experimenting with AI to remove repetitive manual work, you're falling behind—not because AI will replace you, but because other agencies will outpace you by using AI to do what you do, faster and cheaper. Document Your AI Processes Now (Before It Gets Expensive) AI pricing today is like Uber in the early days: cheap to get you hooked, but it won't last. AI's current affordability is saving agencies the equivalent of multiple salaries annually. Eventually, these tools will increase in price to reflect their true value. What can you do about this? Jason recommends documenting your workflows and data used to train custom GPTs or AI agents now. If pricing spikes or a model goes down, you can pivot to another provider without losing your institutional knowledge. Why Agencies Must Shift from Order-Takers to Advisors Most agencies fail not because they lack skills, but because they act like order-takers. As a clients, it's frustrating for Jason when agencies ask, “What do you want us to do?” instead of showing him what's possible. Remember that as agencies, your purpose is to solve problems for your clients. Clients (dentists, local businesses, even large brands) don't know what's possible with AI. They think it's just a fancy chatbot. If you step up to educate and advise clients on what's possible with AI, you become indispensable. Look to build systems that: Research prospects automatically before calls Automate competitor and market analysis Help clients leverage AI in their workflows Agencies that step into this advisor role, showing clients what's possible and taking accountability for delivering results, become irreplaceable. You're not just executing tasks; you're creating outcomes they can't create alone, and that's where real value lies. Don't Be Another “Nomad Agency.” Be the Real Deal Too many people who failed at running agencies pivot into teaching how to run an agency while living the “digital nomad” lifestyle, without having actually built sustainable businesses. This creates noise and mistrust in the marketplace, making it harder for real agencies to stand out. Most of the time, agency owners are accidental entrepreneurs—people who mastered a skill and were asked to help, not those who started for the lifestyle. If you're listening to this, you're likely the latter. To stand out, you need to showcase not just what you can do but what you've actually done. Your wins, client results, and case studies speak louder than lifestyle photos on Instagram. The Power of Specific, Documented Proof If you want to stand out from the fly-by-night agencies, talk specifics. Others mostly speak in generalities. Instead, credible agencies share specifics. If you can clearly articulate, “Here's the exact problem we solved for a client just like you,” then you instantly separate yourself from the pack. Tools like Clutch help because they use AI to pull themes from your reviews to match buyer intent, but your agency still needs to collect, showcase, and share detailed case studies and client stories. Documentation matters. If you're working with SMBs or mid-market clients, they want to see clear, verified results before investing. When you can present proof, it's hard for low-quality competitors to compete, no matter how flashy their pitch decks look. Start gathering your “receipts” now to future-proof your positioning. Verification Adds Trust in a Crowded Marketplace Tim's company Clutch now offers Clutch Verified as an additional trust layer. They don't just take your word for it; they check your business registration, credit history, and operating longevity to separate real agencies from “gaming-the-system” players. It's a powerful way to signal to potential clients, “We're credible, stable, and vetted.” For clients, it's a good indicator of who you'll be working with and for agencies it becomes a sales asset. When potential clients research you on Clutch, verified agencies are prioritized, giving you an edge over competitors. It's a practical, low-cost step to build trust and signal legitimacy, especially if you're competing for premium clients. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

In this episode, Leah chats with a woman who thought her business wasn't working. But once we dug into what she was actually doing… Leah shared the secret that a lot of women consultants need to hear. Listen in to hear a personal story, a real coaching conversation, and a surprising truth that might change how you think about effort in your business.   ---   When you're ready to break through to the next revenue level in your consulting business, here are three ways I can help you.   1. Connect with me on LinkedIn for weekly insights on landing better clients and charging for the value you deliver.   2. Get your copy of my Referrals on Repeat guide, and learn five strategies you can implement straight away to take control of the referral process and attract more of the right inquiries – no more sitting around hoping they'll happen. Get your free copy at smartgetspaid.com/referrals   3. Build a repeatable sales and marketing system that gets you better clients, better rates, and less stress in your consulting business. If you're ready to stop leaving your success to chance, learn the proven system women consultants are using to attract ideal clients consistently and get paid for their value. Plus, you'll get help from me and my team every step of the way. If you've been in business for at least two years, you're making at least $120k, and you want to implement a system that's designed specifically for B2B consulting businesses, email team@smartgetspaid.com with "BREAKTHROUGH" in the subject line and I'll get you the details.  

What if AI made switching platforms effortless—and what would that mean for SaaS? This week on Topline, Sam Jacobs, Asad Zaman, and AJ Bruno unpack the latest headlines around Databricks, Snowflake, and Ramp to explore whether AI is truly shifting the foundations of enterprise software. They debate the reality behind “vibe coding,” question whether AI is actually boosting productivity (or just slowing us down), and discuss why so much of today's AGI conversation feels overhyped. Plus: the rise of nano agents, the illusion of developer efficiency, and what jobs might look like in 2030.   Thanks for tuning in! New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday and Thursday.   Don't miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM executives. Elevate your 2026 strategy and join us from September 23 to 25 in Washington, D.C. Use code TOPLINE for 10% off your GA ticket.   Stay ahead with the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends with Topline Newsletter by Asad Zaman. Subscribe today.   Tune in to The Revenue Leadership Podcast every Wednesday, where host Kyle Norton talks with real revenue operators and dives deep into what it takes to succeed as a modern revenue leader.   You're invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!   This episode is sponsored by UserEvidence. Want to know what actually moves the needle on trust? Download The Evidence Gap, a data-backed report on the customer proof that drives real results. Get it now at userevidence.com/evidence.   Key Chapters: (00:00) - Welcome and Introductions  (02:00) - The Retreat Recap and Business Decisions  (04:30) - The Vanishing Switching Costs in SaaS and Cloud  (07:00) - Skepticism Around Kubernetes and Cloud Portability  (09:00) - Middle Market and SMB: Where AI-Enabled Switching Gains Traction  (12:00) - The Paradox of Switching Costs and Enterprise Inertia  (15:00) - The Ramp Phenomenon: Outpacing Incumbents with AI-Driven Finance  (18:00) - Future of Finance Teams: Human + AI Agents Collaboration  (22:00) - The Challenge of AI Hallucinations and Model Reliability  (26:00) - The Reality Check: AI Tools Slowing Developers Down  (29:30) - The Evolving Role of QA: More Fun or More Tedious?  (34:30) - Vibe Coding: Promise, Reality, and Use Case Limitations  (38:30) - Centralized AI Agents vs. Specialized Nano Agents  (42:30) - Envisioning 2030 Businesses: AI's True Impact Unfolds  (45:30) - Defining General and Super Intelligence: Myth vs. Reality  (50:30) - The AI Singularity and Moral Frameworks: Can Machines Learn Ethics?  (54:30) - The Grains of Sand, Rubik's Cube Permutations, and AI Complexity  (57:30) - Lighthearted Hot Takes: WNBA Enjoyment & Infinity Skepticism  (59:00) - Shoutouts to Masterminds, Meals, and Podcasts  (01:02:30) - Parting Thoughts on AI Adoption and CTAs for Listeners

Charlie & Colin expose how Bitcoin treasury companies mirror 1929 investment trusts, creating overleveraged positions that could trigger the next bear market through forced selling and debt spirals.Charlie and Colin dive deep into the dangerous parallels between today's Bitcoin treasury companies and the 1929 investment trust bubble. They analyze how companies like MicroStrategy use convertible debt to accumulate Bitcoin, why this creates systemic risk, and how forced selling could trigger a catastrophic unwind. From Ponzi-like dividend structures to the speculative attack strategy, they break down why this leverage-fueled boom might end badly.Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com**NOTES:**• 98 companies raised $86B in 8 weeks for crypto• MicroStrategy needs $300-400M annually for dividends• Q1 revenue only $111M vs dividend obligations• Public entities hold ~900K Bitcoin total• Investment trusts grew 11x from 1927-1929• 1929 trusts were 1/3 of all capital issuanceTimestamps:00:00 Start02:30 Lessons from 192907:22 Trusts vs BTC treasury companies12:50 Shorting MSTR20:51 Hear me out.. companies that make profits24:34 Don't say the P word!-

Learn how to stop wasting money per lead on bad CTAs If you're spending thousands of dollars per lead and wondering why your landing pages aren't converting, this episode is for you. The marketing world is obsessed with fancy ads and perfect audiences, but here's what I know - most of the time, your biggest opportunity is sitting right there on your landing page. In this episode, I sat down with Sahil Patel to uncover the shocking truth about why common call-to-action buttons like "Request a Demo" are killing your conversions, and reveal the simple changes that can double your results. We talked about how B2B sales is heading for a massive disruption, just like how Tesla and Carvana completely changed car buying forever. Sahil Patel runs a company called Spiralize and this guy has the proof to back up everything he says. He's tested over 1,500 different websites with millions of visitors, so when he tells you what works and what doesn't, you should pay attention. What I love about Sahil is he doesn't just talk about fancy theories - he breaks down website stuff into simple tips that you can use right now. He shares helpful advice on LinkedIn four times a week, and his superpower is showing businesses exactly why their websites aren't making money and how to fix them today. KEY TAKEAWAYS: "Request a Demo" is the worst-performing call-to-action button because it sounds passive and reminds people they have to talk to a salesperson. "Get Started" and "Get a Demo" are the highest-converting CTAs because they're action-focused and don't feel like you're asking for something. Your landing page headline must match your ad copy exactly - if your ad says "cat food" but your page shows "dog food," people will leave immediately. Younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) hate phone calls so much that B2B sales will shift toward self-service buying, just like Tesla and Carvana did for cars. You need at least 100 form submissions on each version of your test before you can trust the results and make changes. Shorter, more skimmable landing pages work better than long ones because people spend less than two minutes reading your page. AI can help you write faster first drafts of copy, but humans still need to refine it and create emotional hooks that connect with buyers. Having a therapist before you need one is critical for business leaders because running a company means living through constant ups and downs. Growing your business is hard, but it doesn't have to be. In this podcast, we will be discussing top level strategies for both growing and expanding your business beyond seven figures. The show will feature a mix of pure content and expert interviews to present key concepts and fundamental topics in a variety of different formats. We believe that this format will enable our listeners to learn the most from the show, implement more in their businesses, and get real value out of the podcast. Enjoy the show. Please remember to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Your support and reviews are important and help us to grow and improve the show. Follow Charles Gaudet and Predictable Profits on Social Media: Facebook: facebook.com/PredictableProfits Instagram: instagram.com/predictableprofits Twitter: twitter.com/charlesgaudet LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charlesgaudet Visit Charles Gaudet's Wesbites: www.PredictableProfits.com

Dan Hurwitz is a revenue and business transformation leader with a proven track record of scaling growth-stage B2B tech companies. He has led 12 Series A through C startups through GTM transformations, driving 5 successful exits, including acquisitions by Salesforce, Under Armour, and InMarket. Dan excels at building high-performance sales, marketing, and customer success teams, aligning GTM strategies with business goals, and accelerating revenue growth. Dan also consults early-stage startups through his company First Trax Advisors and hosts the podcast How to UnF**k Your Startup, offering insights to help founders navigate growth challenges.Want to learn more about Dan? Check him out here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dahurwitz/Want more content from Brandon? Click here - https://linktr.ee/getoveryourself_podcast

Every customer reaches a turning point. Something's not working the way it used to. And now they're ready for change. That's when your product appears as a possibility. But if you lead with features or force-fit personas, you'll miss the real energy behind their decision. That's why Bob Moesta starts with struggle. In this episode, he joins Drew to discuss how demand forms through struggling moments, not random needs, and why nobody buys any product randomly, ever. As the author of Demand-Side Sales 101 and a longtime builder and educator, Bob shares how to identify that momentum, map the forces behind a decision, and reframe sales and marketing as tools for understanding what buyers are really trying to solve. What You'll Learn:   Why buying decisions start with struggling moments  How to ask questions that surface energy, not just answers  The four forces shaping decisions: push, pull, anxiety, habit  How to spot what customers switch from and why  Why the buyer vs. user distinction matters in B2B Tune in to hear how demand really forms and how to spot it when it does.  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

EMBED AUDIO HERE Danielle spent over a decade crafting brands behind the scenes. What came next? Saying yes to her own vision—and learning how to juggle businesses, babies, and boundaries in the realest way possible. Danielle is a designer, creative director, strategist, educator, brand mentor and founder of award winning, California-based branding and packaging studio, Designsake. She started her career in publishing as a photographer, then transitioned to be a visual designer at Benefit Cosmetics where she created brand and product strategy, custom packaging, and global advertising campaigns for six years. In 2014, she launched Designsake and since then has partnered with numerous start ups and legacy brands in the beauty, health and wellness, food and beverage, lifestyle, cannabis, and B2B categories. Then in 2022, her and business partner Lauren Meeker, launched SARDINE, a bold yet wearable eyewear brand that is rich in flavor, high in wearability, and seasoned with style. Since launching, the brand has grown its presence nationwide to 100+ boutiques between US and Canada, has collaborated with coveted brands like Freda Salvador, and even popped up for the summer at the Soul Cycle's Barn in the Hamptons. Meet My Guest WEBSITE: Sardine.net WEBSITE: DesignSakeStudio.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're only showing up in one place, you're not showing up at all, which is why top sales reps are making multi-channel prospecting a priority and leveraging LinkedIn to get ahead.  "The reality of buying and selling is that everyone has different preferences, and as a salesperson, we need to use as many tools as possible. If you are only making calls or sending emails, you're missing [prospects] that don't answer calls or reply to emails," says Daniel Disney, one of the world's leading social selling experts and founder of The Daily Sales. In today's sales landscape, understanding and navigating the "Prospecting Maze" is no longer optional—it's essential. The Prospecting Maze: Why Single-Channel Fails The modern buyer isn't linear. They don't follow a step-by-step funnel. Instead, they're zig-zagging across digital touchpoints: social feeds, emails, websites, calls, review sites, podcasts, webinars, and peer referrals. A prospect might first see your company mentioned in a LinkedIn comment, hear about you from a colleague, get a cold call later that week, and convert after reading third-party reviews.  This is where multi-channel outreach gives you a powerful edge. And in the world of B2B, LinkedIn often becomes your competitive advantage. Why Using LinkedIn in Your Multi-Channel Prospecting Works Among your core outreach tools—phone, email, social—LinkedIn stands out. It doesn't replace cold calling. It reinforces it. Used strategically, it extends your credibility, warms up cold conversations, and drives responses other channels can't. Here's what makes LinkedIn a powerhouse in your multi-channel approach: Professional Credibility: A strong LinkedIn presence builds instant trust. Prospects see who you are, what you've done, and how you show up in your industry. Deep Prospect Insights: LinkedIn offers unmatched visibility into a buyer's job history, interests, content, and network. That context powers personalization that cuts through the noise. Soft-Touch Engagement: You don't have to push. LinkedIn allows you to comment, share, and message in a way that builds rapport, without asking for time or commitment right away. Message Amplification: Your posts and interactions can reach 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections. That passive visibility compounds your prospecting efforts. The LINK Framework: Your Multi-Channel Prospecting System You don't need to spend hours scrolling LinkedIn. In fact, you can see results in just 15 focused minutes a day — if you have a plan. That's where the LINK Framework comes in. It's a repeatable system for integrating LinkedIn with your outreach strategy and making every touchpoint count. L – Leverage LinkedIn for Insight Your first call sets the tone. Before you pick up the phone, use LinkedIn to gather quick intelligence such as your prospect's role, recent posts, company news, and shared connections. Example Cold Call Opener: “Hi [Prospect Name], this is [Your Name] with [Your Company]. I'm calling because I saw [Your Company] recently [published an article on X / celebrated a milestone / hired new talent], and it made me think about how other leaders in [their industry] are grappling with [specific problem that your solution solves].” I – Integrate Channels with Purpose Don't silo your outreach. Each touch should build on the last, referencing LinkedIn in your emails, following up calls with connections, and weaving consistent messaging across every interaction. Example Touch Pattern: Touch 1: Phone call + voicemail Touch 2: Immediately after your call, send a LinkedIn connection request Touch 3: Email referencing LinkedIn or voicemail Touch 4: Comment on their recent post or share a relevant industry article Touch 5: Second phone call Touch 6: LinkedIn message with relevant insight or asset N – Nurture Through Engagement Your prospects see who shows up. Stay in their world by regularly interacting with their content.

What does it look like for Christians to wisely engage with artificial intelligence? Is there a place in our discipleship to mobilize AI as we spread the good news of Jesus? Is AI a neutral tool that can be leveraged for good, or is it inherently evil or dangerous?  Dr. Jeff talks about all this and more with Shawn Ring, who is the Founder, CEO, CTO, and President of several technology-based businesses, domestic and international, with 25+ years of experience. Shawn Ring has a proven track record in building and scaling high-growth strategies, having led the creation and expansion of national brands and franchise systems, driving startup growth to over $130 million in annual revenue. His expertise extends to Mergers and Acquisitions, where he successfully managed the integration of more than nine technology companies. Shawn has also developed and executed multi-national strategies, including international banking and legal frameworks across Singapore, South Africa, Fiji, and the United States. As the founder of a service-based company, he built operations across 47 states, offering both B2B and B2C services. Shawn holds a BS in Information Technologies and an MBA in International Business and Cross-Cultural Leadership. To register for Summit Student Conferences, visit: Summit.org/students/ For additional free resources from Summit, go to: Summit.org/resources 

Join us for ⁠BookThinkers LIVE 2025⁠! Happening Novemeber 9, 2025!⁠https://www.bookthinkers.com/book-thinkers-live-2025In today's episode, we have the pleasure to interview Leslie Venetz, author of Profit Generating Pipeline: A Proven Formula to Earn Trust and Drive Revenue.Leslie is a globally recognized B2B sales expert, corporate trainer, and founder of The Sales-Led GTM Agency. With nearly two decades of experience, she's personally made over 250,000 cold calls, trained thousands of sellers, and delivered hundreds of keynotes and workshops across four continents. Her insights have reached over 100 million people worldwide and earned her honors like the 2024 Sales Innovator of the Year.In this episode, you'll learn how to reframe objections with gratitude, simplify outreach without sacrificing personalization, and build a sales process rooted in trust—not tricks. Leslie also opens up about what it really takes to write a sales book that actually works in today's market.We hope you enjoy this incredible conversation with Leslie Venetz.To Learn More about Leslie and buy her book visit: The Book: https://a.co/d/8GEB8A1Website/Socials: https://www.salesledgtm.com/http://www.youtube.com/@b2bsalescoachhttps://www.tiktok.com/@salestipstokhttps://www.instagram.com/b2bsalescoach/Chapters: 0:00 Intro1:36 Alison's book marketing journey to get her book to the right readers  7:55 Sometimes writing is about healing the broken parts inside of us  10:30 Writing to say “this is my truth”  17:35 Having a greater meaning in life  21:31 What part of your story matters to whom?  24:34 Impact vs Virality  25:46 Helping women find their identity  31:55 Substance & depth in good books  38:15 Writing a book with feedback from your audience  42:47 Where to connect with Alison________________________________________________Join the world's largest non-fiction Book community!https://www.instagram.com/bookthinkers/The purpose of this podcast is to connect you, the listener, with new books, new mentors, and new resources that will help you achieve more and live better. Each and every episode will feature one of the world's top authors so that you know each and every time you tune-in, there is something valuable to learn. If you have any recommendations for guests, please DM them to us on Instagram. (www.instagram.com/bookthinkers)If you enjoyed this show, please consider leaving a review. It takes less than 60-seconds of your time, and really makes a difference when I am trying to land new guests. For more BookThinkers content, check out our Instagram or our website. Thank you for your time!

When your audience thinks they already know your story, the boldest brands flip the script and earn their attention in the process. That's exactly what happens in Wicked, the smash-hit film adaptation that reimagines one of pop culture's most iconic villains. In this episode, we explore the marketing lessons behind it with special guest Allison MacLeod, Chief Marketing Officer & GM of US Education at Flywire.Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from reframing brand narratives, building fan-level community, and executing with bold, high-stakes detail that actually gets noticed.About our guest, Allison MacleodAllison Macleod currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer & Head of US Education at Flywire (Nasdaq: FLYW), a global payments enablement & software company. At Flywire, Allison leads global marketing and revenue operations, & US Education sales, relationship management & pre-sales. She played a key role in guiding Flywire to a successful IPO in May 2021.Allison brings nearly 20 years of experience with a background spanning marketing and revenue-focused roles. Prior to Flywire, she spent seven years at Rapid7 (Nasdaq: RPD), where she played a pivotal role in building and scaling demand generation, business development, and analytics. Before that, she held various digital and field-based positions at Forrester, including launching the marketing function in EMEA.Outside of work, Allison sits on the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council and serves as a strategic advisor to early-stage companies through F-Prime & Underscore VC.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Wicked:Reframe what they think they know. Wicked works because it flips a legacy story on its head. The same power lies in brand repositioning. “How do you really reframe what people think they know about you and your brand,” Allison says. Whether it's entering new markets or expanding product lines, your biggest unlock might come from telling your old story in a completely new way.Community is your flywheel. Wicked isn't just a show, it's a movement. Audiences don't just watch it, they live it. That level of advocacy isn't accidental. “How do you really cultivate that community, whether that's your clients, the advocacy, and make people… feel that deep passion for what you do,” Allison asks. In B2B, fandom might look like retention, referrals, or customer-led storytelling, but it starts with emotional connection.Be bold and unforgettable. Every production choice in Wicked is a masterclass in attention to detail. From the live vocals to the stunts, they took creative risks that resonated. “How do you be bold and unforgettable,” Allison says. The safest move in saturated categories? Standing out.Quote“I think that's sort of the lesson and the beauty in this, taking something that everyone already thought they knew, and they thought they knew the story… and completely reframing it. And I think that's where you just think of us as businesses, us as consumers… there's so much clutter. So the brands that stick out and do things differently, and even if it is trying the same channel but in a different way, there's so much power in that."Time Stamps[0:55] Meet Allison MacLeod, Chief Marketing Officer & GM of US Education at Flywire[01:05] Why Wicked?[02:29] The Role of CMO at Flywire[04:00] Breaking Down of Wicked[09:22] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Wicked[21:54] The Appeal of Villains and Taking Risks[23:37] The Power of Visual Design in Branding[24:54] Marketing Strategies for Global Brands[29:26] Flywire's Unique Differentiation Approach[40:03] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Allison on LinkedInLearn more about FlywireAbout 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.

In this episode of Confessions of a B2B Entrepreneur, Shenandoah Chefalo, the host of Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment, welcomes Tom Hunt, the Founder and CEO of Fame. What happens when a CEO admits they're figuring it out as they go? Tom candidly shares his blueprint for building a thriving 70-person remote company, emphasizing the power of trust over micromanagement and delving into the essence of trauma-informed leadership. Discover Fame's innovative strategies for fostering team cohesion, including empowering employee autonomy and unique initiatives like the 'Culture Club'. This episode offers practical wisdom for leaders on manager training, building genuine connections, and why embracing vulnerability can be your most authentic leadership strategy in the modern workplace.

If your brand doesn't spark a feeling, it's already forgettable. In a world where every product looks the same, the only thing that truly sells is vibe.B2B marketing is broken. Everyone's selling the same tools with the same bland copy—and in the AI era, product parity is only getting worse. So how do you stand out when sameness is the default? You build a brand people actually feel something about. In this episode, Kevin Branscum, VP of Brand Marketing at Typeform, breaks down how to inject personality, culture, and staying power into your B2B brand.We also discuss:Why most B2B brands sound like AI wrote them—and how to sound human againHow to borrow from the playbooks of fashion and luxury to build worlds, not just marketing campaignsHow to think beyond spreadsheets and bring real people—your customers and their customers—into the heart of your marketing

Most people will never learn what you're about to hear... In this one-hour masterclass, Kwame Christian sits down with Mike Inman — the #1 negotiation trainer who has coached over 8,000 B2B negotiations and closed more than $1 billion in deals. Mike shares raw, practical, and battle-tested advice you can use immediately to transform the way you negotiate. No fluff. No theory. Just one straight hour of negotiation strategies that actually work. If you've ever wondered how world-class negotiators stay calm under pressure, adapt to any situation, and win without destroying relationships, this is your episode. Connect with Mike negotiationtraining.com Contact ANI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠negotiateanything.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!

Casa CEO Nick Neuman argues Bitcoin needs self-custody adoption to survive long-term. Without transaction fees from edge users, mining could become unprofitable, risking network security and potentially forcing protocol changes.Nick Neuman, CEO & co-founder of Casa joins us to talk about why Bitcoin's future depends on self-custody adoption. Neuman argues that without users holding Bitcoin "at the edges" and generating transaction fees, mining incentives could collapse, potentially forcing changes to Bitcoin's 21 million supply cap or pushing institutions toward proof-of-stake alternatives.Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comNOTES:• Casa founded in 2018 to enable self-custody• Coinbase holds 2.8 million Bitcoin today• Transaction activity lower than 2018 levels• Bitcoin block reward halves repeatedly over time• Mining unprofitable without transaction fees• 2140 deadline for block reward depletionTimestamps:00:00 Start02:38 Self custody & Bitcoin survival07:25 Held at the edges11:26 Fees a& codes changes17:55 Memetic death spiral21:00 layer 226:12 Self custody adoption30:48 Changes to improve self custody33:35 Education-

Eli Rubel is a serial entrepreneur, best known as the "Agency Profitability Guy." Since 2020, his portfolio of agencies has produced over $9.8M in profits—all while maintaining part-time hours and full-time freedom. In this episode, Eli breaks down exactly how anyone can build (or scale) a service business—plus what it takes to turn it into a lifestyle asset that runs without you. On this episode we talk about: Eli's entrepreneurial roots: setting up a photo studio in his parents' garage, learning the lessons of low-wage jobs (room service at an hourly motel), and how early initiative shaped his career vision Starting and scaling agencies: from his first agency, Matter Made (a B2B performance marketing shop), to No Boring Design (brand/design for SaaS companies), and Profit Labs (helping agency owners boost profit margins) Why agency services are the ideal scalable side hustle: you can start solo as a freelancer, ramp up to replace (or surpass) your day-job income, and ultimately build a seven-figure company with qualified operators The proven roadmap for new agency founders: identify in-demand services (paid media, design, marketing automation, sales support, cold email, etc.), connect with industry experts, and model the playbook on what works—no need to reinvent the wheel Eli's personal story: pivoting from CEO of VC-backed startups and e-commerce turnarounds to building cash-generating, low-stress agencies that let him spend more time with family ("the tricycle life") The playbook: how Eli went from $0 to $40,000/month in personal net income within three months by leveraging his network, hiring great operators, and focusing on what he does best—relationships, vision, and assembling world-class teams The agency profit formula: stop doing the technical work yourself, hire/partner with people you trust, and empower them to do what you can't (or won't) Why AI is about to disrupt agencies—why you should “make hay while there's hay to be made,” but prepare for a new wave where niche expertise and AI/automation consulting become the next big opportunities How AI agencies (helping local businesses implement and automate with tools like HighLevel) could be the new “social media agency” gold rush for ambitious, young, or tech-savvy entrepreneurs Eli's advice: focus first on what's proven to bring in revenue, then use your earnings and freedom to pursue higher-purpose projects or passion businesses down the road Top 3 Takeaways Agencies Offer Scalable, Flexible Income: Proven models like paid media, design, and marketing are easy to start and scale—no reinvention needed, just execution and networking. Play to Your Unique Strengths: Don't force yourself to do what you hate—partner with those who are better at the technical work, and focus on your unique edge (relationships, vision, operations, deal-making). AI is the Next Massive Opportunity: Traditional agencies will be squeezed by AI, but that creates demand for those who can help small businesses adopt, automate, and run leaner-than-ever operations. Notable Quotes “Within three months we'd already surpassed my goal—$40,000 a month net income—and by three years, we'd produced $7M in profit.” “I have never deployed a single client dollar or been inside of a client's ad account since 2020. My superpower is assembling great people and letting them win.” “Soon, AI will put 80% of agency businesses out of business. But if you get great at implementing it for specific niches today, there are millions to be made.” Connect with Eli Rubel: Website: https://www.elirubel.com/

Most marketing videos these days feel like they came off the same assembly line—polished, generic, and kind of forgettable. With AI pumping out content by the second, it's no wonder everything starts to blur together. People aren't looking for perfect; they just want something that feels real, something that makes them pause for a second. But between chasing trends and trying to be everywhere at once, that human spark often gets lost in the shuffle. Tim Bradley is the co-founder of Pennant Video, an agency helping B2B brands tell better stories through video. With a mix of creative and strategy know-how, he helps companies stand out in tech, healthcare, and sustainability. Today, he shares his Video Marketing Trifecta—differentiate, demonstrate, and validate—as a guide for creating effective content. He stresses the need for real human connection and smart storytelling in an AI-saturated world. His focus is on using video across the funnel to build trust and clarity. Stay tuned! Resources: Boost brand engagement, rack up qualified leads, and outplay your rivals with Pennant! Connect with Tim Bradley on LinkedIn

Episode Summary: Welcome back to Construct Your Life! Today, I sit down with Bodhi Gallo, a marketing savant and successful business owner who has navigated buying, scaling, and selling businesses in the service industry. Bodhi shares his journey from corporate America to building a dumpster rental empire, highlighting the importance of smart marketing, hiring the right team, and understanding your numbers. He emphasizes that marketing isn't just about leads — it's about creating long-term value, building relationships, and executing a sales game that wins in competitive markets. Bodhi's no-nonsense approach is all about playing offense, staying consistent, and leveraging every opportunity to grow sustainably and profitably.Key Highlights: - Buying vs. Starting From Scratch: Bodhi shares why he prefers buying established businesses and how to find companies with recurring revenue and untapped potential, instead of starting from zero.- Delegation & Simple Models: Why dumpster businesses are easier to delegate, scale, and manage, especially compared to more complex trades like HVAC or roofing. Bodhi emphasizes mastering operations and keeping core functions straightforward.- Marketing as a Long-Term Play: The truth about brand building and lead generation — it's not a short-term game. Bodhi points out that smart branding campaigns (like memorable billboards) generate ongoing ROI and authentic referrals.- The Power of Word-of-Mouth & Ripple Effects: Why initial marketing spend might seem high, but the long-term returns from satisfied customers and referrals are the real winners.- Know Your Numbers & Be Offense: Bodhi stresses the importance of tracking every lead, understanding your profitability, and staying aggressive — especially during off-peak seasons.- Marketing Transparency & Client Communication: How building trust with clear communication, regular updates, and honest expectations differentiate great marketing firms from the fake ones.- Building a Profitable B2B Reed: Bodhi highlights the advantages of being a dependable contractor in B2B spaces, freeing you from constant lead chasing and creating stable, long-term relationships.Final Tips:If you're serious about growth, buy businesses with existing customers and recurring revenue — don't just start from scratch. Focus on mastery of marketing and sales, don't be afraid to invest in branding for the long haul, and always play offense. Stay consistent, track your metrics, and leverage every marketing dollar for maximum ROI. Remember, building a business is about smart delegation, long-term relationship building, and relentless focus on what moves the needle.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and keep building your empire!

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.Welcome back to another episode of Venture Unlocked, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the business of venture capital.In this episode, I sit down with Jack Altman, Managing Partner at Alt Capital. We unpack Jack's journey from Lattice CEO to venture capitalist. We dive deep into the nuances of venture investing, exploring how operators transition into investors, the importance of founder relationships, and the critical elements of successful early-stage investing. Jack shares candid insights about evaluating talent, providing tough feedback, and navigating the current AI technology landscape. His most compelling advice centers on the importance of backing founders you truly believe in, regardless of market fluctuations. As we discuss everything from fund strategies to valuation challenges, the conversation reveals the complex art of venture capital – a world where relationships, intuition, and long-term vision matter more than short-term metrics.Thanks for listening to another episode of Venture Unlocked. We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Jack. If you'd like to get Venture Unlocked content straight to your inbox, go to ventureunlocked.substack.com and sign up, or go to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and subscribe. Thanks again for listeningAbout Jack:Jack Altman is the founder and Managing Partner of Alt Capital, a $150 million early-stage venture fund he launched in February 2024 that has invested in Antares, David AI, Legora, and Owner, among others. Jack is also an investor in companies like Figma, Rippling, Writer, and Vanta. Prior to his career in investing, Jack co‑founded and led Lattice, an HR and people-performance platform that grew to serve thousands of global companies and reached a $3 billion valuation before he transitioned into his role as Executive Chairman. With a background that includes roles in corporate finance and business development, Jack honed his startup expertise at Teespring and Hydrazine Capital before building Lattice from the ground up. Now at Alt Capital, Jack combines his founder-to-investor experience to back innovators in B2B software and hard tech. He's launched initiatives like the Generate accelerator, offering expert mentorship and resources to AI-driven startups—underscoring his commitment to pragmatic, conviction-led investing.Alt Capital is an early-stage venture firm focused on backing exceptional founders across industries, predominantly B2B software and hard tech. With a $150 million debut fund launched in 2024, Alt Capital takes a founder-first, conviction-driven approach to investing—leveraging Founder Jack Altman's experience scaling Lattice into a $3B company to support startups through their earliest and most pivotal stages. Alt Capital prioritizes long-term partnership, practical guidance, and high-conviction bets over volume-based investing. In a short time, Alt Capital has already positioned itself as a go-to firm for ambitious founders building the next wave of category-defining companies.In this episode, we discuss:* Jack's Transition: Operator to Investor (1:47)* Early Surprises in Running a Venture Firm (4:05)* Types of Venture Capitalists and Motivations (6:37)* Brutal Honesty vs. Founder Friendliness (9:51)* Earning the Right to Give Advice (13:19)* What Makes a Good Venture Capitalist (18:22)* Evaluating Founders: Motivations and Outlier Traits (21:20)* Measuring Success in Venture: Feedback Loops and KPIs (26:53)* Big vs. Small Venture Firms: Different Models (29:47)* Venture as Different Financial Products (32:35)* AI, Market Size, and Valuation Inflation (34:13)* Underwriting and Fund Size Strategy (37:45)* Biggest Lesson Learned in Venture (43:19)* Final Thoughts and Takeaways (44:55)I'd love to know what you took away from this conversation with Jack. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you'd like to be considered as a guest or have someone you'd like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on X. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

This week, Sasha Orloff sits down with Will Hubbard, Founder & COO of Agree, about building an all-in-one platform that streamlines contracting, invoicing, billing, and payments. They explore Agree's rapid growth, recent $7.2M seed round, and how AI and user-centered design are shaping the future of finance tech. -- SPONSORS: Notion Boost your startup with Notion—the ultimate connected workspace trusted by thousands worldwide! From engineering specs to onboarding and fundraising, Notion keeps your team organized and efficient. For a limited time, get 6 months of Notion AI FREE to supercharge your workflow. Claim your offer now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://notion.com/startups/puzzle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Puzzle

Have a question for Darrell? Text the show here.Want to turn AI and digital disruption into your competitive advantage as a service-based business? Join the MindShift Inner Circle.Want help to market, grow, and scale your business? Schedule a free strategy session.More and more B2B tech companies are hitting the same wall: revenue that used to flow through referrals and word-of-mouth is drying up. I recently spoke with a company pulling 4,000 website visitors a month but only 5 leads in 6 months. Sound familiar?After 15 years running an agency that's generated over $300M for clients, I've seen firsthand why the old lead gen playbook isn't just outdated—it's working against you.In this episode, I break down:Why even giants like HubSpot lost 70% of their trafficThe real reason B2B pipelines are collapsingA smarter framework to rebuild leads without burning cash on ads that don't workIf your pipeline feels stuck and your sales team is starving for leads, this episode will show you exactly how to turn things around. Revolutionize your marketing with AI in a community of established founders and CEOs. Join the MindShift Inner Circle today and stay ahead of the curve! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us more than you know.

** Originally published on May 8, 2024 **Katie Berg coined a phrase in this episode that stuck with me so much I literally made stickers: F*ck it Energy. It's about saying yes to big, scary opportunities, chasing fear instead of avoiding it, and putting yourself out there even when you're not sure you're ready.And honestly? I think we could all use a little more of that energy right now - which is why I'm bringing this one back from the archives. Katie's story of building Klue's Compete Network from scratch and carving her own path in marketing is just as powerful today as it was when we first recorded.Should I bring Katie back for a follow-up? DM me, comment, or leave a review to tell me what you'd love us to cover next. – Jane-----------In this episode of Women in B2B Marketing, host Jane Serra sits down with Katie Berg, VP of Marketing at Klue, to dive into how she turned a scrappy idea into one of the most innovative owned media plays in B2B: the Compete Network.From starting her career in events marketing and taking a bold leap to work in Zambia, to building Klue's media hub that now fuels their category leadership, Katie shares the real story of saying yes to big risks, chasing fear, and creating content that actually lands.Jane and Katie dig into:How the idea for the Compete Network was born (on a run!) and why it stuckThe scrappy steps Klue took to build a media hub before owned media was “a thing”What it really takes to launch and scale multiple shows under one brandWhy consistency and format matter as much as the content itselfLessons learned from producing four podcasts at once - and what Katie would do differentlyHow teasers and “movie-style” launches helped Klue's shows break throughThe future of B2B media hubsWhy attribution alone isn't enough - and how qualitative feedback can be a marketer's gold mineWhy women need more “f*** it energy” in content creationKey Links:Guest: Katie Berg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiepberg/Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/––Like WIB2BM? Show us some love with a rating or review. It helps us reach more listeners.

Bonnie Tinder is the founder and CEO of Raven Intelligence, an independent B2B peer review site that amplifies the voice of the customer. She focuses on software customers, consulting partners, and software vendors, and helps identify the best partners for their needs. In this episode, she joins Bob Evans to talk about the shifting landscape of enterprise consulting, the rise of AI-driven delivery models, and what these changes mean for both firms and customers navigating digital transformation.Episode 53 | Smaller, Smarter, FasterThe Big Themes:The Traditional Consulting Model Is Quietly Collapsing: The traditional consulting model, built on large teams, playbooks, and high overhead, is no longer viable in the AI-native era. The shift is not a dramatic crash but a slow erosion of outdated practices. Customers no longer accept vague deliverables, bloated staffing, and unclear pricing. Instead, they demand speed, transparency, and clear outcomes.Smaller, Nimble Firms Are Positioned to Win: AI and generative tools are leveling the playing field for smaller consultancies. Bonnie argues that boutique firms — once at a disadvantage against the scale of major global consultancies — can now compete on an equal footing due to AI's democratization of data analysis, automation, and service delivery. These smaller firms often move faster, customize more effectively, and offer high-touch support without layers of bureaucracy.Transparency Is the New Currency of Trust: Bonnie criticizes large consulting firms for their persistent lack of transparency. Many resist public reviews, avoid accountability, and cherry-pick what gets showcased — raising red flags for discerning clients. She argues that in an era of instant data and shared experience, opacity is no longer acceptable. The future of consulting depends on a firm's willingness to open itself to scrutiny and prove its worth.The Big Quote: “The disruption isn't necessarily a slowdown in the need for consulting. It's just the shift in how technology is getting delivered. It's in what the value of the consultant is. It's no longer building codes and the architecture as much as it is the change management and the ability to help customers make good, fast decisions."More from Bonnie Tinder:Connect with Bonnie on LinkedIn or send a message via her Acceleration Economy Analyst page. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Discover three content types driving engagement on LinkedIn after the 2025 algorithm change. Boost visibility with this updated B2B content strategy.Learn about what content formats to post and LinkedIn expert Michelle J Raymond's strategic advice on leveraging LinkedIn for business growth through 2025. Key moments in this episode - 00:00 Recap of LinkedIn Algorithm Changes04:18 3 Essential Content Types for LinkedIn in 202506:10 Polls: The Engagement Booster08:01 LinkedIn Lives: Building Community in Real-Time10:27 LinkedIn Newsletters13:11 Creating a Repeatable Content Strategy19:08 Final ThoughtsFor all the details on the LinkedIn Algorithm change - https://b2bgrowthco.com/linkedin-has-changed-again-here-is-what-im-doing-about-it/CONNECT WITH MICHELLE J RAYMOND Michelle J Raymond on LinkedIn Book a free intro call https://socialmediaforb2bgrowthpodcast.com/ B2B Growth Co newsletter#LinkedIn #LinkedInAlgorithm #LinkedInMarketing #B2BMarketing

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper welcome digital transformation expert Tariq Munir to explore how AI and data are reshaping finance leadership. The conversation centers on the core message of Tariq's upcoming book, Reimagine Finance: A Guide to Leading in the Age of Data, AI and Digital, and how finance professionals can drive transformation without needing deep technical expertise. The episode emphasizes mindset shifts, the human role in AI adoption, and the practical use of digital twins and reasoning models in finance.Tariq Munir is a keynote speaker, writer, and digital transformation consultant with over two decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies. Formerly with PepsiCo, Tariq recently transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship. His work focuses on empowering CFOs and finance teams to lead enterprise-wide digital transformations. He's also the author of the forthcoming book Reimagine Finance, scheduled for global release with Wiley.In this episode, you will discover:Why mindset, not technical expertise, is the key to digital transformation in finance.How AI is changing leadership expectations and essential skillsets.What digital twins are and how they can optimize finance processes.The challenges of applying reasoning models in financial AI use cases.Why critical thinking and human judgment remain vital in an AI-driven world.Tariq shared his inspiring transition from corporate executive to digital transformation leader, making this episode a compelling listen for anyone aiming for future-proof finance in the AI era. His reflections on leadership, his vision for human-centered AI adoption, and practical strategies like digital twins offer essential insights for finance professionals seeking to embrace innovation, drive change, and lead with purpose in an increasingly data-driven world.Follow Tariq:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tariq-munirWebsite - https://www.tariqmunir.me/Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance: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:[02:23] - Writing "REIMAGINE FINANCE"[03:45] - Key Takeaways For Finance Leaders[06:02] - Career Shift And Current Update[09:56] - AI And The New Breed Of Leaders[14:57] - Balancing AI And Human-Centricity[20:21] - Jobs And Technological Change[28:42] - Challenges With AI Reasoning Models[36:00] - Fun Questions & Episode Wrap-Up

Chain.io is a vertical integration platform deeply embedded in the shipping and logistics space, helping connect massive freight companies with retail brands through the millions of messages required to track shipments and navigate customs. With $18 million in funding, the company has positioned itself as critical infrastructure for an industry that became front-page news during COVID. In this episode, Brian Glick shares hard-won lessons about building in a legacy industry, the realities of enterprise sales cycles, and why he never took himself out of the sales process. Topics Discussed: Building vertical iPaaS for logistics before the category existed in supply chain How COVID accelerated understanding of data movement as a strategic problem The challenge of selling complex integration technology to legacy industries Transitioning from founder-led sales while maintaining founder involvement Using podcasting as relationship-building infrastructure for 10-year customer lifecycles Building authentic employee thought leadership without formal programs The impact of AI on traditional integration and data movement businesses GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Don't fully remove yourself from enterprise sales—strategically deploy your founder advantage: Brian learned that completely stepping back from sales was a mistake. Instead, he discovered the power of strategic founder involvement: "As a founder I am an incredible asset to my team, but that doesn't mean I have to be on every meeting." He now enters deals at the beginning to build relationships, trusts his sales team to advance opportunities, then returns at crucial moments to help close negotiations. This approach maximizes founder value while empowering the sales team. Timing pain points matters more than pain intensity: Chain.io experienced a counterintuitive sales pattern during COVID—initial uptick as customers felt pain, followed by a downturn when pain became overwhelming. Brian observed: "A little bit of pain is good for sales... when it gets too much pain, people freeze up." B2B founders should recognize that acute customer pain creates urgency, but excessive pain paralyzes decision-making. The sweet spot is when customers feel enough discomfort to act but retain capacity to evaluate new solutions. Legacy industries require relationship-based, not scale-based GTM motions: After trying to build a "standard SaaS BDR SDR style go-to-market machine," Brian realized it was wrong for both his market timing and industry culture. He pivoted back to relationship-driven sales focused on live events and consultative engagement. For enterprise logistics customers making decisions that affect 40 countries, "nothing is simple and no decision is made by one person who's going to click a buy now button." Founders in traditional industries should think more like SAP than HubSpot. Use podcasting as relationship infrastructure, not lead generation: Brian launched his podcast "almost day one" as free marketing, but discovered its real value in relationship building for long sales cycles. He doesn't track metrics or measure ROI traditionally, noting: "I know that I've gotten a CIO of a major freight company... [who] sent me a screenshot of my podcast... and I know how much that one customer pays me is more than I've ever invested in the podcast." For B2B founders with complex sales cycles, content should build relationships rather than optimize for attribution. Build category understanding through customer education, not just problem-solving: When Chain.io launched in 2017, "that category did not exist in supply chain." Brian spent years helping customers understand that data movement was a strategic, first-tier problem rather than something "you tack on the end of some other project." Category creation often requires patient market education—founders must be prepared to invest in customer understanding before expecting rapid adoption, especially in conservative industries.   //   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 

Dana Cardinas loved podiatry, and she was damn good at it. But a surprise diagnosis of idiopathic ulnar neuropathy, followed by a shocking discovery of Stage 3C colon cancer, forced her to step away from the profession she adored. In this episode, Dana opens up about how she handled early retirement, battled cancer, and found purpose again through helping others and launching a new business, 1 Stop Promotional Products. From laughing down clinic hallways to launching a neuropathy support group that's changing lives in Colontown, Dana proves that purpose doesn't end with a job title. If you're a podiatrist, business owner, or just someone navigating life's curveballs, this conversation is for you. Please visit the Podiatry Legends Podcast website to read more and see photos.  If you're enjoying the Podiatry Legends Podcast, please tell your podiatry friend and consider subscribing.  If you're looking for a speaker for an upcoming event, please email me at tyson@podiatrylegends.com, and we can discuss the range of topics I cover. Don't forget to look at my UPCOMING EVENTS Do You Want A Little Business Guidance?  A podiatrist I spoke with in early 2024 earned an additional $40,000 by following my advice from a 30-minute free Zoom call.  Think about it: you have everything to gain and nothing to lose, and it's not a TRAP. I'm not out to get you, I'm here to help you.  Please follow the link below to my calendar and schedule a free 30-minute Zoom call. I guarantee that after we talk, you will have far more clarity on what is best for you, your business and your career. ONLINE CALENDAR Business Coaching I offer three coaching options: Monthly Scheduled Calls. Hourly Ad Hoc Sessions. On-Site TEAM Training Days around communication, leadership and marketing.   But let's have a chat first to see what best suits you. ONLINE CALENDAR Facebook Group: Podiatry Business Owners Club  Have you grabbed a copy of one of my books yet?  2014 – It's No Secret There's Money in Podiatry  2017 – It's No Secret There's Money in Small Business     Un-edited Transcript Tyson E Franklin: [00:00:00] Hi, I am Tyson Franklin and welcome to this week's episode of the Podiatry Legends Podcast. The podcast designed to help you feel, see, and think differently about the Podiatry profession. With me today is an old friend, well...not that old. We've only known each other for about 12 years. It is Dana Cardinas, and we met in 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee, at REM Jackson's top practices. But our friendship got bonded even more from about 2015 onwards, when we were at Dave Free's business Black Ops event, which people have heard that I go to on a regular basis. So Dana, how you doing today? Dana Cardinas: I'm so good. I'm so happy to be here, Tyson. Thank you. Oh my gosh, I'm so excited. Tyson E Franklin: I knew you'd bring the energy and I should mention to people that Dana lives in Texas, so there is a slight accent. Dana Cardinas: Yes, most definitely. And I apologize for my attire today. I literally just got out of the pool. It's hot and it's summertime and it was pool time tonight, so, yes. Tyson E Franklin: [00:01:00] So are you born and bred Texan? Dana Cardinas: Yeah, I was born and raised in central Texas. Yes. On a ranch. 300 acre ranch? Tyson E Franklin: I have seen photos of you driving tractors. Dana Cardinas: Yes. Yeah. So most recently convinced my dad to teach me how to drive the bulldozer. So finally was able to get on that machine after 50 something years. Tyson E Franklin: He wouldn't let you drive it? Dana Cardinas: No. He's very protective of that thing, so understandably he didn't want me to take it out any fences, but I did pretty good for my first go. Tyson E Franklin: So what we're gonna be talking about today, I'm gonna tell give people a bit of a rundown. We're gonna talk about what got you into Podiatry and also what got you out of Podiatry and what you're currently doing now, which I think is pretty cool. So yeah, let's go to that first question. Why Podiatry? How did you get into Podiatry in the first place? Dana Cardinas: So I always, my entire life, since I was wee little, I wanted to be a doctor. I didn't have a specific profession. I just knew I wanted to be a [00:02:00] doctor. But as I went through undergrad and spent time shadowing different professions I narrowed down things that I didn't wanna do. I knew I didn't wanna do certain things, and after I graduated from undergrad I needed, I just needed some time to figure out what was gonna be next. While I was studying for my MCATs, getting ready to, try to get into med school. And I worked in a large Podiatry practice in Carrollton, Texas. And I loved it. I absolutely loved it. And I started, just in their front office answering phones. I needed a job to pay bills, and I went from answering phones to being a medical assistant because I was very interested in what they were doing back there. And at one point, one of the docs pulled me aside and said, Dana, you need to do [00:03:00] this for a living because you're diagnosing and treating my patients. And really, you should be paid for it if you're gonna do it. And I, and we had a long talk about it, and I really picked his brain about why he wanted to be a Podiatry. Yeah. What did he get outta it? Why did he like it? And what was happening in Podiatry that I didn't see and what did I not know? I really wanted to know about it. Tyson E Franklin: That's a really good question though that you asked because Yeah. I do think sometimes when people are choosing careers or even when they're in Podiatry now and they may have only been in for a couple of years and go, oh, I don't know if I should keep doing this. They need to talk to people. Yeah. Even if they'd send an email and say, can we jump on a Zoom call with someone like myself, it's been in the profession for well over 30 years is reach out to those people and say, why are you, why did you stay in this profession for so long? When I feel like giving it away after two or three years. Dana Cardinas: Right. And he and that is key, honestly for any profession. Honestly. I think it's reaching out to people in your [00:04:00] profession and asking them, if you're burned out, find out, what's the other person doing that They love it so much, that they can help you. But this practice had seven docs in it. I talked to all of them and they all had such good things to say about the specialty. They loved it. And that from a doc that had been out for two years to, I wanna say, the one doc that started the group had been out for 30 something years. So at the time, so like they were in it, they loved it, they loved the business side of it, but they loved treating the patients. Just the whole aspect of it. Yeah. So that's when I said, okay I'm doing this because I really liked it. I just, I loved the idea that you could see a patient. And maybe fix their problem right away. Maybe it was just a simple ingrow toenail boom, you fixed it and they feel better. Or you could offer them something that wasn't [00:05:00] surgically, related like orthotics or just talking to them about improved running, anything like that could just make them feel better almost instantly. But then there was also that other side of it for me that really grabbed my attention was. Taking something structural that wasn't working right and fixing it so that they could function either without pain or more appropriately. So, that, that was a big draw for me. That was my draw. Okay. 'cause that was, I loved working with my hands. Again, I grew up. That way. I didn't grow up in the city. I grew up on a farm and we fixed things and so I, that was my track. And so that's how I got into Podiatry. So I applied to four or five different schools. And so I ended up going to Temple University of Philadelphia. Which blew my mind. I was not from a [00:06:00] size of a city that big, so that was like, a culture shock for this West Texas girl. But I loved it. I loved every bit of it. I just soaked it up. I traveled while I was there a ton, but I also made such great friends, but I really. I really just dove right in it, man. I dove right in it. I wanted to know everything about Podiatry and loved it. Went to residency back here in Texas, so a year in San Antonio, and then two years with lake Great Sam Mendocino in Houston. God rest that guy. But from that point knew that, okay, this is where I was supposed to be. Yeah. This is what I was supposed to be doing. And then ended up in practice in Grapevine, fantastic practice in Grapevine and we grew that practice to two locations actually. So we had one in Grapevine and one in Keller. So I joined Foot Ankle Associates of North Texas and then ended up [00:07:00] becoming a partner there about a year and a half after I joined. So yeah, it was awesome. Loved it. And that's Tyson E Franklin: where you were, right up through to you finishing? Dana Cardinas: Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. And I really didn't have plans of retiring when I did, yeah. I just didn't have an option. Tyson E Franklin: We'll get to that in a sec. But the one thing I noticed when I first met you too and why we've probably remained friends is I've always loved your energy. And if, and I'm sure people whether watching the video on YouTube or they're listening to the podcast, they can pick up your energy. Yes. And I would say that was a big part of what made you a good Podiatry too. You took that energy into the room. Dana Cardinas: I did. I who I am is exactly who I was when I walked into a patient's room. It didn't matter if you were three years old or 103 years old, you got the same me. And we smiled and we laughed and we talked about [00:08:00] your life not mine. And we talked about your kids and your family and I got to know you. And when some of my patients hit huge milestones in their treatment, whether that be my diabetic patients when we healed ulcers or we saved limb. Or my ankle fracture patients, when they could actually put their boots back on and go back to work. We would dance down the halls. Yeah, we would party down the hall. That's who I was. And that's, you got this when you came to see me, which was usually quite a mess, let me tell you that. It was fun. Tyson E Franklin: I just love it. And you worked for a couple of years at the practice that you ended up becoming a partner in, was that always part of your plan to become a partner or you never even thought about that? It took you by surprise that they wanted this loud text and, Hey, by the way, is everyone in Texas loud? Dana Cardinas: No. Tyson E Franklin: No. Okay. Most Dana Cardinas: of us are. Yes. [00:09:00] Yes. Most of us are. There are just some that are a little louder than others. But yeah. Yes. Tyson E Franklin: Are you one of the louder ones? Dana Cardinas: Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. Okay. Just checking. Just wanted to check, just see. So I'm prepared in December. Get ready man. Tyson E Franklin: So, so when they approached you by buying in the practice, were you sort of like, yeah, that's great. That's what I was hoping would happen. Or did it take by surprise? Dana Cardinas: I think timing wise took me by surprise 'cause it happened a little sooner than what I thought. But the way the three of us at the time, there was only three of us. We just were, we jelled so well together that it just seemed like a natural fit for that to happen. And so it, it was perfect timing. And I, in residency, you always heard, oh, you wanna be a partner in a practice, that's where you wanna head. And now looking back on it and talking to other, my residency mates that were not partners in a [00:10:00] practice because they chose not to go that route, that it didn't fit their lifestyle. So I would say anybody listening, you don't feel like if you're not a partner, you're not successful by any means. Yeah. It just might not be the track that it fits your life for us. In that particular moment, it was perfect. It was the right scenario for us to do that. And it worked out phenomenal. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah I think that's a really good point because I think some people meant to be business owners, like I was always meant to work for myself . I just always knew that was gonna happen. And the funny part is. Neither of my parents owned their own business. Nobody in my family that I even know had their own business. So why I was that way. I have no idea that was just me. Yeah. But I think there's certain people that they should never own their own business. They should stay as employees because they are really good employees. Yeah. And what, like you said too, it's a different level of pressure you get when you are actually the business owner that when you're an employee, [00:11:00] you go away on your four weeks holiday, you don't have to think about anything. Dana Cardinas: Yeah, right. Tyson E Franklin: Two weeks in America, you only get two weeks holiday in America, don't you? Dana Cardinas: It depends on how much you negotiate, man. Tyson E Franklin: But in general. In general, in America, two weeks is all you get. Dana Cardinas: Depends. Most of the docs that we, you know, when we brought in docs as associates, we gave them three weeks in the beginning. So I, that's pretty good. Tyson E Franklin: But yeah, two weeks in, in Australia. In Australia, mandatory, four, four weeks holiday. Dana Cardinas: I honestly, I'm not gonna lie, everybody should move to Australia. Numerous reasons just to like hear you guys speak all the time. But if you can get four weeks automatic man, sign me up. Tyson E Franklin: Being an employer, you used to sometimes go, god dammit, when people are on holidays. But as a society, I think it's a fantastic thing because you need to have those mental breaks away from your business. And this is a problem that business owners don't do, is they work from morning [00:12:00] till night. They don't take holidays, they do it year after year and they burn themselves out. And I think you've gotta have that break. Dana Cardinas: Right. And it's hard as a business owner to take the break. It's hard to walk away 'cause you're you get in this, in your mind that, I'm not making any money if I'm not there and if I've got to have the money so I can't take off. You just get into that cycle, but when you take the time away is when you have clarity and you can think, and then you usually end up making better decisions, which make you more money in the long run. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah I remember my first, we, I'd take a week off here and there but it wasn't until, I think it was 2012. I took my first three week break. Away from clinic, went overseas, went to America, did the trifecta of Disneyland, Las Vegas, and then San Francisco. Dana Cardinas: Oh my gosh. That's amazing. Tyson E Franklin: And I had a daughter with us and my wife and [00:13:00] we went with another family. Had such a good trip. I came back to work and nothing had changed. Everyone was still working, in fact. Right. They were probably enjoying me not being there better. And from that year onwards, I realized I can take time off. So I was taking two, three week holidays a couple of times a year. Never looked back. Right, right. So I think you gotta trust, you gotta trust your team. Dana Cardinas: Yeah. And that's it too, like. If you build a team that you've trained well, they know what they're doing. They know how to handle the situations, and they know how, like who to call when they don't know the answer. Like that situation's gonna come up. But when you've got that training in place. Oh, you can leave. Trust me. They want you to go, they want you to go. They do, but you're getting cranky and you're getting agitated and they want you out as much as you need to take a [00:14:00] break. Tyson E Franklin: Oh, yeah. But I totally get it. And I totally understand if someone is a solo practitioner and they feel that they can't do it. But I think if you're a solo practitioner, go back to one of my earliest episodes on this podcast. It was episode 10 with Andrew Snyder and it's running a successful solo practice. This guy is the most relate. He's been doing this for 30 years or something. Now. Love that guy. Solo practitioner. Tyson E Franklin: Has never employed another Podiatry. He goes to Disneyland more often than anybody else I know, right? Right. Tyson E Franklin: If you're a solo practitioner, go back and listen to episode 10 because it will change the way you think about having a solo practice. Dana Cardinas: Yeah. Oh yeah. A super good friend of mine that we went to residency together, he was a solo practitioner for, gosh. At least 10 years before he brought on an associate. Tyson E Franklin: [00:15:00] Yeah. Dana Cardinas: And in the beginning he was this, I can't take, I can't leave, but once he figured out, okay I've got someone local that can cover my call if I'm out, they can take phone calls for patients that, call in after hours or have an emergency, whatever it might be. So he had coverage for that. They didn't come in the office, but it was just a quick phone call if necessary. He, when he figured that out. He would take vacation about once every eight weeks. It might be a short little, like four day or thing. Yeah. But he was gone somewhere and his practice grew immensely. Just simply because he was getting that mental break because it, let's just get real, it's not easy, Tyson E Franklin: no. To Dana Cardinas: do what we do. It's Tyson E Franklin: not. And it's one of those things too. Every patient that comes through the door could be a potential lawsuit. [00:16:00] And that's something that's, and that's why we have insurance and that Right. But we choose this profession and Right. And you know that 99.999% of patients come in. That is never going to happen. Dana Cardinas: No, it's never gonna happen. Right. And majority Tyson E Franklin: of patients are nice. Dana Cardinas: Right. Majority or. There's always a potential that patient's gonna walk in your front door that you don't know is going to absolutely kill your day. Just kill it. It's over done. There goes the schedule. Forget it. You're not getting home till way late because that one person entered your office, but it's what we signed up for. Yeah, and honestly i'm not gonna lie, I don't think I'm not different than anybody else. I think we thrive on that a little bit. I think we do love that little bit of excitement it's like you get excited about walking in that door to the patient room of, okay, what kind of shit am I gonna see on this one? Yeah. Like, what crazy crap did this guy just do that I'm [00:17:00] gonna have to fix? And that was always my favorite. Tyson E Franklin: That's the thing I think in life in general you, everybody wants a certain amount of certainty, which you need. It makes you feel comfortable and secure, but you also need that little bit of uncertainty to keep life interesting. And I, yeah, and I feel when I hear someone's, oh, I'm bored with Podiatry, I wanna leave. It's the same thing, day in, day out, I'm going, we need to, you need to change things up. Yes. Tyson E Franklin: It's obviously what, however you are running your day, you've got too much certainty. You need a little bit of uncertainty to spice things up a little bit. And that doesn't mean just going walking into work and sack somebody and create chaos. It's just your approach to work. Dana Cardinas: Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: Hey, make it a little bit different. Dana Cardinas: I totally agree. And that might be why you're bored. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. Oh yeah. I like, if I wanted to, I could pick a certain part of Podiatry, keep doing that, and I would be bored, senseless. I needed different types of patients coming through with different types of injuries to make it interesting. Yes. But some days I did wanna just switch my brain off. Yeah, [00:18:00] I did wanna to use it. Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: So, okay, I'm gonna pivot slightly because you love Podiatry so much. Everyone must be listening to this. You hear your energy, your enthusiasm, you loved it, and why'd you leave? Dana Cardinas: So, in December about mid-December of 20 2015, and I thought I had carpal tunnel. I, my hands were just killing me at night. In, in, in here, in the us. The end of the year is always slamming busy because everybody's met their deductibles. They want everything done before the end of the year. Okay? And so we are all just maxed out. We've had surgery schedules full for three months or more. Patients are just like, I gotta get in, I gotta, again, I got it in. So we're busy and we make it happen. That's what we do. We make it happen. So I would go to bed at night and , wear these wraps on my [00:19:00] wrist because it just felt better. I kept thinking, all right, I gotta go get this checked out. My hands just really hurt. But the next day I was like, it's okay. It's not hurting as much. But by the end of a long surgery day, they were just, it was pain and it was pain, especially on my right that was going up to my elbow. And I was like, all right I just gotta go get this checked out. So get through December, I'm in the first week. January and I, it was fairly quiet, which was unusual, and I had one case booked on a Friday afternoon, and it was a tiny fifth toe arthroplasty. Literally anybody that does these on a regular basis, skin to skin, you're looking at max. Six minutes to me. Yeah. That was me, max. Boom. It's not hard. And it took me 20 minutes and I couldn't feel [00:20:00] what I was doing and I was terrified. And I, it had, I had another case, I would have canceled it. And I left, I got in the car and I called the office. Canceled all of my cases that were coming up. Put 'em onto one of the other partners and called my friend, who's a neurologist and said, I'm coming over something's wrong. And she was awesome. I had actually done surgery on her two, two years prior because she had some really cool ganglion cyst on her foot, which was amazing. But another story. And so she's yeah, come on over. She did a, what is that nerve conduction study? Yeah. On me. And she's Dana, how long have you had this? And I was like, this week, like today, like I today. And she's like, how did this not, how did you not see this happening? Because as she showed me at the time, and I'll show you my hands in the camera, all I had [00:21:00] lost the muscle mass on both of my hands. Along my thumb, especially along my ulnar side on my right, a little bit more or a little bit on my left. And the nerve conduction study showed that I had severe ulnar neuropathy on both sides. She's like, that doesn't just happen overnight. I'm like, I'm telling you. I had pain, but I could feel until today. And so, we did some further studies and over the next, the course of next two to three weeks and then really realized that what I had was not gonna be reversible. I had severe loss of my muscles in my hands, but also nerve damage. I didn't have an option, but I had to retire. If you Tyson E Franklin: had picked it up earlier, could you have prevented this from happening or was it inevitable that it was going to happen? Dana Cardinas: Well, it was inevitable [00:22:00] because I didn't know what I had at the time. Yeah. Which as we'll continue the conversation you'll hear. At she diagnosed me with idiopathic ulnar neuropathy. Because we went through all the tests, all the blood work tests, the MRIs of my neck, you name it, trying to find a reason for this to have happened suddenly , which we never came up with a reason. I ended up getting an ulnar release on my right side that helped the pain. And, but I was officially retired March 31st. Of 2016. So within 90 days I found out I had basically permanent neuropathy in my hands. That was with a sudden onset and I was retired, but out. Tyson E Franklin: How old were you then? Dana Cardinas: I was, at the time I was 46. Tyson E Franklin: Unexpected. Yeah. Dana Cardinas: Very unexpected. That was not on the [00:23:00] bingo card for that year, Tyson at all. Tyson E Franklin: It's, yeah, it's like those yeah, one of those things like death pill, you people bet on who's gonna pass away that year. You never would've thought in 2015 and we had caught up in October, 2015. Yeah, within six months you'd be retired. That'd be it. And I still remember the photo of us in 2015 where I had my cactus shirt on. Remember before, before we went out into the desert and you thought it was hilarious. Dana Cardinas: I just, that photo just popped up on my phone as a memory the other day. Yes. Tyson E Franklin: It is a great photo. Dana Cardinas: It's the best. Yeah. And Tyson E Franklin: I always tell people that too, that it's one of those things, just life in general, you don't know. What's going to happen. And it's, and you can't sit there in fear thinking, oh, is this going to happen? But every now and then you will be thrown a, a curve ball and it's how you bounce back. Dana Cardinas: Right. It's true. I I was not expecting the curve balls that would happen [00:24:00] after that. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah, for sure. I know there were more curve balls. Dana Cardinas: And they kept coming for a while. But, so here I am, I'm done. I had no idea what I was gonna do next. So tried a few things here and there, but it just didn't, that, it just didn't, wasn't supposed to pan out, to be honest. It just wasn't supposed to because. In January of 2018 I was having some pain in my abdomen, my lower abdomen like right lower quadrant pain, and I kept putting it off to, oh, it's probably gas. It's probably this, it's what we all do as physicians. Ah, I'm fine. It's whatever. Yeah. We think we know. And so, my wife Becky said, will you just go get it checked out? You are really complaining about it, you should actually get it checked out. So I go see the GI doc, explain what I've got going [00:25:00] on, and he was like, you know what? It sounds like it's nothing because I did have a history of like acid reflux and some GI stuff. And he is like, it's probably nothing but let's just do an upper or lower endoscopy and let's just see. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. And were you the, and were you the windy one in the relationship? Dana Cardinas: Yes, most definitely. Tyson E Franklin: And that's why always when you had that pain, first thing you think, oh, it's just gas again, right? Yeah. Dana Cardinas: Just gas, whatever. Yeah. And so, I won't ever forget January 8th, 2018, I have my scopes and as I'm laying in recovery, waking up, I hear the GI Doc tell Becky. The upper is fine. She has colon cancer though. She has a large tumor in her colon. And I was like, and I just remember laying there thinking what the, [00:26:00] I have cancer. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. Be thinking of the same thing. Dana Cardinas: I have cancer, like the real cancer. And so, Tyson E Franklin: the real one. Dana Cardinas: Yeah, like the real one. So I ended up he couldn't complete the colonoscopy because the tumor was too big for him to pass it. So, that, that day was a blur. And then the next day I called my friend, who was a colorectal surgeon that I sat on a board with at one of the hospitals. And said, cliff guess what? I need you. And he basically said, I'll see you in the morning. And then right after that phone call, I called my good friend who is an oncologist who I used to call. When I got those reports back, you know when you do biopsies in the office and it comes back melanoma and you're like, oh shit, melanoma on a [00:27:00] toe. I don't need to be seeing this. Yeah. This is not my, she was the one that I would call to say, Heidi, who's the best oncologist? Oncological surgeon that needs this. She was my sounding board when I got those strange things back, and so I called her and said, Heidi. Guess what? I need you. And she said, okay, I'll see you when Cliff is done with you. And they literally became my team overnight. And they talked to each other before I even got to the, his office the next morning. They had a plan in place for me. And so I had CT scans. The next day saw him. I've come to find out I had a very large tumor that was over 10 inches long, and it was almost 99% occluding in my colon. So likely had I gone another couple of weeks, a month I probably would [00:28:00] not be here. Yeah. Because Dana Cardinas: it, it would've just ended me. So, then. Fast forward after that, he did surgery. I lost 27 inches of my ascending and transverse colon, but he was able to reconnect re anastomosis both ends so that I did not end up with a bag, which I wasn't excited about, if I was gonna have to have one. But if it kept me alive, okay, fine. Me, I would've made a ton of jokes out of it, and it would've been like, Tyson E Franklin: Oh, you've carried around like a handbag. Dana Cardinas: Oh God, yes. It would've happened. Yeah. But for me it did not have to happen. So, once I healed from that, six weeks later started chemo, went through eight months of chemo that was probably the worst thing I've ever been through. Because now let's flash back a little bit. Yeah. On the neuropathy part. [00:29:00] Okay. We didn't know at the time in 2016 why I had neuropathy. But after I retired and before I found out I was diagnosed with cancer, I kept breaking out on these full body hives. And I don't mean like itty bitty tiny hives, hives, massive four six inches hives all over my body. I was going through the treatment of trying to figure out what environmental food, what allergy did I have that was causing this. But in talking with my oncologist, she put all of my picture together. And what I had was perine neoplastic syndrome, which is rare. But it's the cancer that I had growing in me that I didn't know I had. Was causing the hives that gave me the wonderful neuropathy and a few other things. And so that's so that Tyson E Franklin: there are all signs of something else was actually happening anyway. Dana Cardinas: Yes. I just didn't, I just didn't know that's, and per neoplastic syndrome is something that is diagnosed. After the [00:30:00] fact. It is rarely something that some physician would put together and say, oh, you have cancer because you have all these things happening. Yeah. It just doesn't work that way. Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: Real cancer. Dana Cardinas: Real cancer. Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: A another friend of mine exactly the same diagnosis around exactly the same time and that's why I, I. Way back. I wanted to get you on here way, way back. And I said the same thing to him. I wanted to get him on the podcast as well. And he's not with us anymore. Right? Tyson E Franklin: He didn't, he he got the bag and last time I saw him was actually on my birthday. I had to make him breakfast on my birthday. At his house? Yeah, at his house. 'cause he said, I want your favorite breakfast that you make. And I saw him then. He said, oh, they've told me I've got heaps of time. I'm gonna beat this. Everything's gonna be absolutely fantastic. And five weeks later he passed away. Dana Cardinas: Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: [00:31:00] And so, yeah, that, and that's why, Dana Cardinas: and I'm, I'm sorry, I'm sorry to hear that. Tyson, I, that breaks my heart, Tyson E Franklin: but Oh geez. That's why I think it's important to talk about this. Dana Cardinas: It's hugely important because I'm lucky. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. Dana Cardinas: I know I'm lucky. I, when I was diagnosed stage three C. So I only had one more stage to go before I was stage four, and I was lucky that it had not spread to any other organs. But that was that I'm lucky in two regards in educating myself on colon cancer because as I was diagnosed, yeah, once you get past that first initial part of it and you get a plan. Once you get a plan, it's almost, that's when you can breathe. You can't breathe until you get a plan. But once you know [00:32:00] the, these, X, Y, and Z need to happen, and this is when we're gonna do it. That's when I started researching and and finding out more about the diagnosis and what does it mean and what does treatment mean and what am I looking at here? What, where am I gonna be here? And so, I was lucky enough that, someone else who had a family member that was going through colon cancer. She this wonderful person connected me with her and through her I got connected with a wonderful organization called Colon Town. And Colon Town is an online um, resource for patients that are going through colon cancer, but it's also for the caregivers and the, your, the spouses, the friends, anybody who is either affected by it, is a patient, any of [00:33:00] that. You can go to colontown.org to get more information about it. But I dove into it and it's right now it is on online, on Facebook. It's private. So you, everything we discuss in there, you, nobody else is gonna see it. It's just us. They are working their way off to a separate platform. That's even better, to be honest. But so I dove into it. And it made me feel better because I could talk to other people that were just like me, that were going through exactly what I was going through. But what the crazy part Tyson is while I'm going through chemo and my dang numbness is getting worse because the chemo that we have to go on that keeps us alive. Its number one side effect is peripheral neuropathy. Okay. And cold sensitivity. Oh God, it sucked. Oh, so my neuropathy went off the charts. Like, Tyson E Franklin: I shouldn't, I shouldn't be giggling when you say that. I, but you Dana Cardinas: [00:34:00] can because you, I mean you, oh God. The stories. But I would have my, had I ended up with full facial numbness, my tongue was numb most of the time. My, my chest was numb. Just there wasn't much of me that wasn't numb except my butt. Go figure. So there were so many questions that would come up in this group about how to deal with neuropathy that I noticed I was answering them because it was what we treated. And I knew the answer and I knew what could help. 'cause I was helping myself. That I reached out, eventually reached out to the creators of Colontown because in Colontown there's these little neighborhoods. So if you're stage four, you're in a certain neighborhood, so you can just have those specific conversations. Or if you are a certain genotype, then you have those conversations in that trials group maybe. And so I said, Hey, can I start a group for neuropathy? And they were like, yes, please, because we all have it. [00:35:00] And so I started a group inside Colon Town that is only for neuropathy and I it. Warms my heart because we have, within that group now created some treatment processes for those that are now going through chemo with the certain drug that we have to take where we now ice our hands and our feet so that it's reducing the neuropathy that people are getting now. And we started that as a patient led. Research project basically, and it is now becoming standard of care and it's the most fucking awesome thing I think I've ever done in my life. Tyson E Franklin: I think that is absolutely fantastic and what I like about it is you've used your knowledge in your experience as a Podiatry to actually help this group of people. Dana Cardinas: Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: I didn't see [00:36:00] that Dana Cardinas: coming. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. Right. Dana Cardinas: Unexpectedly. I didn't see it coming. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. I always say everything's supposed to happen for a reason. Exactly. And sometimes I do question a lot of things that happen and I like to think there's a reason behind it. Yeah. My dad passed away when he was 49. I was only 17. I kept thinking, where's the reason? And that, yeah, Tyson E Franklin: there's certain things I changed in my life around that time afterwards that I wouldn't, probably wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now or had the career I had if. I hadn't got that kick back then. Yeah. I would've had a different path that I was on. So I think it's the same with you. You've had a few crazy things happen and now you're on this completely different path. So when did you get the the tick, the all clear Dana Cardinas: so I got the all clear? October of 2018. That we call it no evidence of disease. Yeah. Because I'm a stage three CI never get cured. I, I will forever, my whole life be monitored. [00:37:00] But I've been clear ever since. I just saw the, my oncologist, in fact, I retired, my friend she left me to go travel the world and so I'm working, I'm breaking in a new one, and I like her a Tyson E Franklin: lot. So how often needs to get checked? Dana Cardinas: So now I just graduated, so once a year. Woo. It's awesome. Tyson E Franklin: That is good news. Dana Cardinas: I know it is. Tyson E Franklin: So now, now you've got through all that and retired from Podiatry, your Helping ColonTown I, oh, by the way, I love that t-shirt. Was that your design? That t-shirt? Dana Cardinas: The. Tyson E Franklin: The one I read out before that says colorectal cancer awareness, because that shit matters. That shit matters. Yes. Tyson E Franklin: That's a great t-shirt. And then you've got, on the t-shirt, you've got all the names of what people who have had colon cancer, what they would call their poo. Dana Cardinas: Yeah, their poo. And Tyson E Franklin: I like dookie. I haven't heard dookie for a while. [00:38:00] Dana Cardinas: Oh my gosh. The stink pickle. That's my favorite one. Tyson E Franklin: That's my favorite one. I like the Corn Eyed butt snake that this is all by the way. People just let you know this is all on a t-shirt, which I think is very funny. Um, Code brown goat pellets nuggets. Dana Cardinas: I did, I asked all of my friends, okay, what do you call it? And I had my good friend Lauren, who is a graphic artist I said, okay, Lauren, here's all the name here. Here's what we call it. And I used the poop emoji and put it all in there. And he did a phenomenal job. Tyson E Franklin: In the show notes, I'm gonna put a copy of this shirt, the front and back because it is a hilarious shirt. And I think you give everyone a bit of a laugh too. I like the head of, they have put here turd. It's basic. It's basic. It's very basic. And somebody else did put shit. Dana Cardinas: Yes. Tyson E Franklin: Basics. I dunno what a shoey is. That's a little bit weird. In Australia shoe's called a [00:39:00] Completely a shoey is drinking a beer out of a, out of a jogger. That's called a shoey. Oh Dana Cardinas: No. A shoe chewy that, yeah, that's a stinky one. Yeah. Whoof, that's That's a big one. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. Ah, that's like shoe fly pie. Dana Cardinas: No, Tyson E Franklin: No, that's completely different. That's actually quite nice. Dana Cardinas: Good. That's awesome. Have you had Tyson E Franklin: that? Have you had shoe fly pie? I Dana Cardinas: did when I was in Philly. Yes. Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: Yes. That's pretty good in the I got it. Good. I got it from this town called Intercourse. Dana Cardinas: I, that's where I had it too. That's right next to Birden hand. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. Where the arm where the Amish. The Amish had the shop there. Yes. And they were selling shoe fly pie where I Dana Cardinas: had it. Yeah. That's awesome. Tyson E Franklin: And people don't think this podcast is education. Dana Cardinas: There's so much education here. Tyson E Franklin: Some people think this show's not educational. Dana Cardinas: Tyson, I could go on and on about poop. Tyson E Franklin: So now you have your own business. You've set up something else called One Stop [00:40:00] Promotional Products. And if people are looking for it, it's one. The number one. One stop promotional products.com. Dana Cardinas: Yes. Tyson E Franklin: People can go check it all out. Actually, Dana Cardinas: either way, you can put one, the number one or spill out one both ways. We'll get you there. Tyson E Franklin: Oh, cool. Okay. I wasn't quite sure. So OneStop promotional products.com. So this is your business that you're doing now. All promotional products? Yeah. You are servicing mostly America. Do you ship it overseas or anything like that? Dana Cardinas: No. Right now we're not doing anything overseas 'cause it's a little too crazy for that right now. Yeah. But we do we are. Mostly 95% B2B. And we love it. We love it. We have two airlines and 175 active companies that we work with monthly. Oh, cool. And adding more, we add more weekly. It's a lot of fun. Tyson E Franklin: Who? Yeah. Well, I'm gonna order something and pick it up when I come over. In December. Dana Cardinas: Oh my God. Oh my God. And I'm gonna put [00:41:00] a big stink pickle on it. I'm gonna say you that right now, Tyson E Franklin: but the get ready. So how did you get into this? What was the OO Obviously like you retired young. Dana Cardinas: Yeah. Tyson E Franklin: And you, did you end up selling the practice? Dana Cardinas: I sold my shares in the practice. So the other docs were still there practicing. Yeah. And so they were not ready to retire yet, obviously. No, they were still doing it. They were, they, we were all pretty much the same age, so they were still doing their thing. So I, I sold my shares and got out. Tyson E Franklin: Okay. And then being young, as you still are. In my eyes Dana Cardinas: absolutely Tyson E Franklin: is this, how, why you, we gotta do something else. And that's how this came about. Dana Cardinas: It was totally by accident, a hundred percent accident. I go going through the cancer thing. I didn't do anything that year. Obviously. Yeah. Dana Cardinas: But in 2019 my wife and I were. Talking about, well, you know, let's, let's do something for fun. I'm getting bored. I need to do something with my hands. I like building things. [00:42:00] And somebody said, Hey, what, why don't you get one of those cricket machines and make signs? And a cricket machine is like a machine that you can send a design to. And it'll cut it out for you and then you can, put the vinyl or whatever Yeah. On side. Okay. That sounds fun. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And so, I was just doing it for fun and our local Mexican food restaurant that we go to entirely too much. But I refuse to stop going. They were like family and they said, Hey, you're doing some fun stuff. Do, can you make t-shirts? Because their staff, their shirts were horrible. They were truly horrible. And I, that night, we said, you know what? We don't know how, but we'll figure it out. Yeah. Dana Cardinas: 'Cause they needed shirts, so we went home. We bought a cheap Amazon press. I watched about 10 YouTube videos and was like, screw it. Let's make some shirts. And so we literally did their, that year it was their Cinco de Mayo shirts and they all it said was [00:43:00] Margarita's Mexican restaurant on it. That's it, that's all it said. But we made them and they could not have been happier with them. And. Customer said, Hey, where'd you get your new shirt? And they said, Dana. And Becky. And then next thing you know, they, we got more business and more business. And it got to where we said we might need to figure out how to do this with more professional equipment. Yeah. And Dana Cardinas: so we upgraded to more professional equipment, as you can see behind me. Tyson E Franklin: Yep. You can see it all there. Dana Cardinas: And now we run two heat presses, two professional heat presses on a regular base daily and just added this fabulous two head embroidery machine behind me. So we didn't have to outsource that anymore. And so, we do apparel, no minimums in house, which is awesome. But then if you need things like pens or name badges or you name it, literally anything you can think of, [00:44:00] lip balm. Lip balm. Yes. Lip balm. Lip balm. Dana Cardinas: We work with wholesalers for that and so we can, we have access to over 2 million products, which is fun. Tyson E Franklin: I know when I was on the website having a look around there was, it was so much fun looking at everything. And I was think as a Podiatry business, and I've got some Podiatry. One particular Podiatry friend called Carly who just loves swag. But Tyson E Franklin: anything that's branded and got names on it. Right. Just, Tyson E Franklin: and I must admit, I've got so many t-shirts, I've got like 200 t-shirts that I won't part with half my t-shirts. I've picked up at events, podcasting conferences and I just love, I'm the same thing. I just love that sort of stuff. Dana Cardinas: Right. Well, and the so again. Something I didn't see heading my way was all the things that I learned at top practices in day freeze and reading Jim Palmer, all those things. That is [00:45:00] now what we do. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. Dana Cardinas: So we are that, that aspect of your business that keeps people top of mind. And that's the fun part because I have a little different spin on how we present products. I'm not gonna present you just a cheap cozy which a lot of companies will do because it's a cheap, cozy. Yeah. I'm gonna, if you are an electrician, I'm gonna present you something that is for your field that a customer is gonna want for the rest of their life they're never gonna get rid of. They're gonna keep it, and they're gonna call you over and over again. And that's why we keep getting business. Tyson E Franklin: Yeah that's a really good point. I've been to places where they'll have promotional products and it is cheap. I mean, You'll, you're trying, it's cheap. You're write with the pen and you've got RSI before you've written about the fourth word. 'cause it's just, there's so much resistance against the paper. Yeah. Or you'll bring something home [00:46:00] and your first time you use it, it just breaks. And to me, that makes a business look bad when they hand out crap swag. Exactly. Whereas if they hand a quality swag that you use again and again, then all of a sudden it, it actually puts that business in a positive light in your mind. Dana Cardinas: Right. And it keeps them top of mind. Yeah. Like, it truly does. Give them that up. Advantage over maybe somebody else. We and a lot of times I talk to customers, potential clients that say, okay, I want five different things. And I'm like, well, what's your budget? And they made me say, 500 bucks, $500. I'm like, all right, let's get one really good quality. Swag item. Yeah. For $500, let's not get a hundred of all these other little things, because all those other little things are gonna go in the trash. But this one really cool thing is gonna sit on somebody's desk and they're gonna look at it every day.[00:47:00] Tyson E Franklin: Yeah. I, well, I got stubby holders done stubby coolers. Your coozies as you call 'em over there 15 years ago before I sold the clinic. And I've still got a number of 'em here at home that I still use, and I've gone to people's places and I've seen them sitting with their stubby holders. Right. With a stubby in it. 15 years, after having them made. And they are still looking solid. They're still, yeah. Right. Dana Cardinas: Yeah. That's Tyson E Franklin: quality. Dana Cardinas: That's what we're all about. And that's one of our taglines is quality products only. That's the focus. Tyson E Franklin: I don't Dana Cardinas: want just walking around with a bunch of cheap shit. Let's go with some something good quality. Tyson E Franklin: Well think everyone listening to this, they that. To me that just applies to everything in life. Even your Podiatry business is provide a quality service. If you are gonna buy machinery, get the best that you can. Just get the best. Exactly. 'cause it will last longer. Give the patients the best. Whether it's covering [00:48:00] material or what you're getting the orthotics made of, just do, I think just always do the best you can. Dana Cardinas: Right, right. And if it costs a little bit more, explain to the patient or the customer who, whoever you're talking to. Tell them, okay, it's, it costs more because there's more going into this one. I've there's more time. The product's better. The craftsmanship is better. There's education behind it. It's not just, oh, I went online and ordered a pin from I don't know where, and I don't know who makes it and whatever. Spend the time and talk to your patients, especially because if there's something that you should be offering, but you're not because you don't think they'll buy it, they're buying it on Amazon, so why can't they buy it from you? But it's a better product if you're getting it from a reputable vendor or you know that, okay, this product is a better product than what they're getting on Amazon. Why can't they spend money with you versus Amazon? [00:49:00] Tyson E Franklin: It's true, and even the pen that I use most. This one is from a Podiatry clinic friend of mine, sole focus in Toowoomba. Nice. Dana Cardinas: Ooh. It is a, it is my God. SAT is my top seller. This is a Tyson E Franklin: beautiful pen to write with. And whenever I run out she usually sends me a few more. Dana Cardinas: I'll get you some. Tyson E Franklin: Just, they just really good pens. It just the feel of it. And because, and she got the whole pen done, like in her corporate colors, what her clinic is all about as well. And yeah. And she said the same thing. Wanted a quality pen, wanted something. When people write with it, they go, I want another one of these pens when they run out. And that's exactly what I do. But I do see it so she doesn't have to send it to me. I'll just pick some up next time I'm down there. So on. On that note, I want to thank you for coming on the podcast, sharing what got you into Podiatry, what got you out of Podiatry, which I think is just as important and what you're doing there. And like I said at the start, I just, I've [00:50:00] always loved your energy. Love chatting with you. You're so much fun to be around. Dana Cardinas: Thank you, Tyson. I, well, same is right back at you. I think as soon as we met. There was no doubt we were going to be destined to be lifelong friends because we laughed too much together. For sure. So, and before we get off, I will just say this if you are 45 or older and you haven't had a colonoscopy, please get one. They're not scary. All you do is poop the night, the day before and everybody poops. So it's, that's not scary. But get it done. And if you are not 45, but you're having symptoms force your doc to get you in to get it done you really just need to get it checked out. So, it'll save your life. Tyson E Franklin: That is fantastic. So I look forward to talking to you again soon. Oh, and I'll see you in December anyway. Dana Cardinas: Yes. Can't wait. Tyson E Franklin: Okay. Talk to you later. Bye. Dana Cardinas: Bye.

Ep. 174 features Evan Fisher from Sparket, which is a B2B platform helping operators reach new demographics through alternative betting markets and gamified slots. Hear him discuss: How he and co-founder Aaron built Sparket after work hours while still at Google and in finance Why Sparket is doubling down on alternative markets like pop culture and reality TV to attract underserved bettors New partnerships with Penn Entertainment and Wonder Nation, and what they signal about Sparket's momentum Their soon-to-be-granted patent for AI-powered market creation, filed back in 2020 How Sparket raised ~$2.5M through angel investors while avoiding institutional capital (so far) What winning “Startup of the Year” at The Starties meant to him and why it felt different from other industry awards His honest take on the mental toll of founding a startup, and how he manages the grind Why gratitude, yoga, and stepping away from the screen help him stay sane while building How Sparket is preparing for NFL season with Swift-Kelce-themed contests and slot-credit tie-ins   Catch the video version of this episode here.   Learn more

Most sales hiring failures aren't about the rep. They're about the missing structure.In this episode of the CEO Sales Strategies Podcast, Doug C. Brown sits down with David Sliman, CEO of Sales Performance, to explore why sales teams underperform—and how to fix it before your next hire.You'll learn:✅ Why KPI clarity is non-negotiable before hiring✅ How to build onboarding that drives early wins✅ The 4-part sales execution model that scales✅ Why great coaching requires structure, not pressure✅ How to create a system where top producers thriveIf your business depends on 1:1, high-ticket B2B sales—this episode will change how you build and lead your team.

When timeless advertising principles meet today's AI-saturated landscape, something surprising happens: the old rules still work.Especially when we're talking about the father of advertising himself, David Ogilvy. In this episode, we dive into his iconic book, Ogilvy on Advertising, with special guest Eric Williamson, CMO at CallMiner.Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from Ogilvy's approach: why specificity beats slogans, how research powers emotional storytelling, and why writing for humans is the real differentiator.About our guest, Eric WilliamsonAs CallMiner's Chief Marketing Officer, Eric oversees all global marketing functions from brand and events to demand generation. Eric's marketing team works very closely with channel and sales to drive pipeline and CallMiner's explosive growth. Eric has over 20 years of experience in both technology and consumer products marketing from both the vendor and agency side. Before joining CallMiner, Eric was VP Brand & Digital Marketing at Acquia — an open DXP platform built around Drupal — where he led brand, creative services, webops, editorial, and demand generation. Prior to Acquia, Eric was on the agency side of marketing working as SVP Digital & Social at MullenLowe, and before that as VP Digital Strategy at The Martin Agency. During his career Eric has worked with a variety of B2C and B2B brands including Google, Microsoft, Intel, GEICO, Walmart, P&G, Pizza Hut, Acura, Royal Caribbean, and Hyatt. He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University, and an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Ogilvy on Advertising:Start with the line, not the logo. Great B2B brands don't start with visuals, they start with voice. The sharpest creative begins on the page, not the mood board. “Copy first, research first, copy second, then worry about the visuals,” Eric says. In other words: write the line that earns attention before you pick the font.Write for humans. Most B2B copy dies in a sea of jargon. What buyers actually want is to feel seen. “It's really easy to fall into a place for a technology company to talk about your tech, talk about your features… and there's nothing emotional about that,” Eric says. The fix is to start by writing for humans. Emotion isn't a nice-to-have, it's your edge.Don't guess, ask. You don't need personas when you have real people. The best insights come from your customers, not your whiteboard. Eric says, “Just go talk to them…Why do they keep staying with you? What sort of thing that they worry about at night does this help solve for them?” The answers aren't in your funnel. They're in the field.Quote“ Write for humans because, ultimately, that's who you're selling to, that's who you're trying to influence. It's really understanding their emotions. What are their fears, what are their desires? Even in the B2B world, it's easy to forget that.”Time Stamps[0:55] Meet Eric Williamson, Chief Marketing Officer at CallMiner[00:58] Why Ogilvy On Advertising?[02:49] The Role of CMO at CallMiner[03:38] Origins of Ogilvy On Advertising[06:56] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Ogilvy on Advertising[21:29] Ogilvy's Predictions[37:23] CallMiner's Marketing Strategies[41:57] AI as a Solution[44:20] Advice for Marketing Leaders[45:38] Final Thoughts & TakeawaysLinksConnect with Eric on LinkedInLearn more about CallMinerAbout 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.

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Elizabeth McKusick, Marketing and E-Commerce Manager at PFERD North America, shares how her team is redefining what it means to support distributors in industrial manufacturing. From building a B2B e-commerce portal with a headless frontend to deploying a robust PIM strategy, Elizabeth details how PFERD enables partners to sell more with better data, more efficient ordering, and ongoing collaboration. Tune in for a conversation about smart platform rollouts, balancing personalization with automation, and why half-hearted e-commerce just won't cut it.

They didn't just launch a wine brand - they created a whole new category. In this episode, Kendra Kawala shares how Maker Wines went from cold outreach to category leader.Jim talks with Kendra Kawala, co-founder of Maker Wines, about how she turned B2B sales grit into DTC scale. From walking into wine shops cold to managing complex supply chains with 15 wineries, Kendra reveals the realities of launching a new product category — and why going B2B-first gave them an edge most DTC brands miss.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY'S EPISODEWhy Maker Wines isn't your typical DTC brandThe early grind of B2B-style salesManaging logistics across 15 partner wineriesWhat business school got right  and wrongChoosing the right co-founder for scaleOrder economics and conviction at launchApplying B2B thinking to consumer marketingIf you're launching something new — or want to scale smart — this is the episode you'll come back to twice.Resources:https://www.makerwine.com/Jim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookThe Shopify Growth School Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51) 

Matt Sciannella hosts Dale Harrison in a three part summer event series to cover the intricacies of Brand and Performance marketing. This is the first part of the second event, digging into Measurement and ROI.  Throughout the conversation, Dale systematically demystifies common misconceptions surrounding brand marketing efforts, particularly in the B2B sector, highlighting why measuring brand ROI can be challenging yet essential. The discussion also uncovers how digital marketing's data-driven approach has changed traditional ROI expectations and how this shift has influenced financial executives' demands for precise outcomes.Check out our events page to register for the third episode, happening live on August 21. Episode topics: #marketing, #demandgeneration, #brand, #B2BSaaS, #digitalmarketing #ads #brandmarketing #performancemarketing ______Subscribe to Stacking Growth on Spotify and YouTubeLearn More About Refine LabsSign Up For Our NewsletterConnect with the hosts:Matt SciannellaDale Harrison

What if the secret to skyrocketing customer loyalty and retention isn't digital at all, but something you can touch? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, host Vinay Koshy sits down with Mark Stern, CEO and founder of Custom Box Agency, to unpack how tangible, kinesthetic experiences are transforming the B2B customer journey. After a successful career as a Deloitte strategy consultant, Mark unexpectedly pivoted from corporate life into entrepreneurship, driven by a frustration with the impersonal nature of digital-only offerings. Mark reveals how sending physical “custom box” experiences not only sets customers up for success but turns them into passionate brand advocates who generate organic buzz. Their conversation dives into the real ROI of physical engagement, how clear customer journeys and micro-wins fuel retention, and why recognition is the ultimate hidden driver for long-term loyalty. If you're rethinking how to break free from retention plateaus, want to spark more excitement in your customer onboarding, or are just tired of stale, digital-only strategies, this episode will open your mind to a whole new set of possibilities. Tune in for actionable insights, real-world examples, and a fresh perspective on delivering predictable B2B success, one box at a time. Some areas we explore in this episode include: Mark Stern's Journey – Transition from Deloitte to founding Custom Box Agency.Value of Physical Experiences – Why adding tangible elements to digital offers matters.First “Box Zero” Campaign – How a high-ticket online summit led to the first successful custom box experience.Customer Journey vs. Customer Experience – The importance of mapping the journey before designing the experience.Journey Mapping – Breaking down customer journeys into acquisition, delivery, and retention stages.Gamification and Milestones – Using micro-wins and milestones to motivate customer progress.Strategic Box Use – Leveraging custom boxes for acquisition, onboarding, and ongoing engagement.Practical Examples – Real-life applications like 57 Hats and multi-year coaching programs.Recognition and “Jewels” – How awards and physical tokens drive retention and customer loyalty.Retention Gaps in B2B – Why businesses often overlook delivery and retention in their customer experience strategy.And much, much more...

In this episode of This New Way, Aydin sits down with Tom Crawshaw, founder of an AI automation agency, to explore how he built an AI SDR (Sales Development Rep) system that books over $200,000 in sales calls per month—completely automated and with no humans in the loop. Tom breaks down the tech stack, the flow of conversations, and why these two-way AI-powered chats sound so natural that they're almost undetectable as bots. He also shares how this system scales personalized customer conversations at a fraction of the cost, and how similar workflows can be applied to everything from e-commerce abandoned carts to B2B demo follow-ups.Timestamps:1:15 – Tom's background and pivot from email/SMS marketing to AI automation2:57 – Why AI enables true two-way conversations at scale4:06 – Building custom AI SDR agents vs. off-the-shelf chatbots6:09 – Live demo: Booking a sales call through the AI SDR workflow10:13 – How the system qualifies leads and handles objections12:04 – Tech stack breakdown: Go High Level, N8N, Twilio, and A2P verification17:02 – Under the hood: prompts, custom fields, and conversation logic23:00 – Automating what 1,000 SDRs would do manually27:04 – Costs: Running conversations at $0.25 each29:25 – Other use cases: abandoned carts, B2B no-show follow-ups, e-commerce34:00 – Context files: training AI on viral posts and high-performing copy38:14 – Prompt Cowboy: turning lazy prompts into viral-ready content40:29 – Where to follow Tom and learn more about AI SDR systemsTools & Technologies Mentioned:Go High Level – CRM platform used for SMS automation and pipeline managementN8N – Workflow automation tool connecting AI agents and custom scriptsTwilio – SMS and WhatsApp messaging infrastructureA2P Verification – Compliance process required for sending business SMS in the US and CanadaOpenAI / Claude – LLMs powering natural language conversationsPrompt Cowboy – Tool for turning simple prompts into fully structured, optimized ones for better AI outputSubscribe at⁠ thisnewway.com⁠ to get the step-by-step playbooks, tools, and workflows.

The future of payments won't be card-swiped or cash-counted — it'll be fast, digital, and deeply integrated.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Floris de Kort, CEO of Thunes, joins to unpack what it really takes to build a global payments network across 130+ markets, from wallets to banks to mobile rails.What's inside:- Why real-time payments still face real-world friction- How Thunes is turning compliance into a competitive edge- The rise of B2B payouts — and why corporates are driving the volume- Why MENA is now a proving ground for wallet innovation- The growing role of stablecoins in global financeIf you're building in fintech, infrastructure, or cross-border payments, this one's essential listening.

How do you know if you are investing in sales and marketing appropriately?  Because of my work with sales forces and sales systems, I've created a formula to measure the productivity of a salesperson, a sales team, and the company's sales and marketing efforts as a whole.  Using that, we've developed some benchmarks. See if you, your team, or your company is investing appropriately in sales and marketing. *****************************************************************************        Dave Kahle's goal is to provide sales leaders and small businesspeople with practical actionable ideas that can make an immediate impact on your sales performance.          Dave 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. Dave's substack page  Subscribe to Dave's Newsletters Check out the website How To Kreate Kahle's Kalculation

Did AI actually kill SEO? Or are recent traffic drops for sites like HubSpot a sign of something else entirely? In this episode, we're joined by Sam Dunning, founder of Breaking B2B and a leading expert on search strategy, to unpack what's actually happening in the world of SEO. We talk about how AI overviews are changing the way people find information, and what it all means for marketers and revenue teams.Sam shares when SEO still makes sense, when it doesn't, and what to focus on if you want to drive real pipeline today. We also dive into AI-generated content, the role of brand in LLM-driven search, and how to build a practical keyword strategy that works in 2025.(00:00) - Introduction (01:58) - Did AI kill SEO? (06:17) - When SEO doesn't make sense (10:05) - Does SEO still take forever to build? (12:24) - Should we just generate AI content? (15:39) - Buidling a Money Keyword Matrix (22:20) - Who should own the matrix? (24:45) - Quicker vs longer strategies (29:07) - Old school SEO in a world of LLMs (34:08) - Brand builders have a step up (36:21) - Common LLM hacks (43:00) - Measuring SEO in a world of LLMs (48:24) - Nothing's changed. Everything's changed. (50:29) - Wrapping up

New Sun Road is an energy tech company pioneering the acceleration of renewable energy deployment through their IoT and cloud-based platform. As a public benefit corporation, they focus on underserved communities while managing over 1,500 systems across diverse applications from wildfire mitigation with PG&E to remote telecommunications towers. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with CEO Adrienne Pierce to explore how they've built a platform that serves as the "brain" for distributed energy systems and their unique approach to go-to-market in the complex energy sector. Topics Discussed: New Sun Road's evolution from energy access solutions to comprehensive renewable energy platform management The company's IoT and cloud-based approach to monitoring and controlling distributed energy resources Their diverse customer base spanning solar installers, utilities, telecommunications, and remote communities The complexity of 6-18 month sales cycles in energy infrastructure projects Strategic pivot from sector-focused to partner-enabled go-to-market approach Operating as a public benefit corporation and its impact on team alignment and business development Navigating regulatory changes and their delayed impact on project timelines Thought leadership strategy around emerging technologies like vehicle-to-grid and networked microgrids GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Partner with domain experts rather than becoming one yourself: Adrienne explained their strategic shift: "We started with kind of a sector strategy where we're like, oh, we can do electric vehicles... But what we found was that it's very hard to be experts in all of these different sectors." Instead of trying to master every vertical, they focused on being the best at what they do—energy management technology—and partnered with domain experts in each sector. B2B founders should resist the temptation to become everything to everyone and instead find strong partners who can complement their core competencies. Focus resources on highest-impact activities in resource-constrained environments: Pierce emphasized the critical importance of opportunity cost for small organizations: "For small organizations, I think the biggest cost is opportunity cost. So if I'm spending my time chasing leads and doing lead gen and that's where my resources are going, then it may be at the behest of something that's more productive." B2B founders must ruthlessly prioritize activities that drive the most value and avoid spreading thin across low-yield activities, especially in early stages when every hour counts. Build for complex, consultative sales cycles with technical buyers: With sales cycles ranging 6-18 months, New Sun Road's approach centers on deep technical engagement: "We are at the heart of what the project is doing from a control and performance perspective, you know, there are a lot of things to just make sure that we're aligned on and develop a really strong partnership." B2B founders selling to technical buyers in complex infrastructure projects should invest heavily in technical credibility and relationship-building rather than traditional sales tactics. Leverage authenticity as a differentiator in purpose-driven markets: As a public benefit corporation, Pierce noted: "It has channeled and been a differentiator for what we're doing and how we're doing it... it's created an amazing team environment." When your market values purpose alongside profit, authentic commitment to mission can become a significant competitive advantage. B2B founders should consider how genuine purpose alignment can strengthen both team cohesion and customer relationships, but only if the commitment is authentic. Anticipate regulatory lag in heavily regulated industries: Pierce shared valuable insight about regulatory timing: "One thing about regulation is that there is lag. So you can change the regulation and it takes a while for it to trickle down and to have impact... when I look at changing regulation, I'm looking at, well, how is that going to impact 2026?" B2B founders in regulated industries should build regulatory change anticipation into their product roadmap and sales strategy, understanding that today's regulatory shifts create tomorrow's market opportunities.   //   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 

ZITADEL is pioneering the next generation of identity infrastructure, providing a developer-first platform that handles everything from basic authentication to complex multi-tenant B2B scenarios. With $11.5 million in funding and a unique open-source approach, ZITADEL has positioned itself as the "GitLab for identity" - offering both self-hosted and SaaS deployment options while maintaining flexibility through comprehensive APIs. In a recent episode of Category Visionaries, I sat down with Florian Forster, CEO and Co-Founder of ZITADEL, who recently relocated from Switzerland to the Bay Area to accelerate the company's go-to-market efforts and tap into the massive US opportunity. Topics Discussed: ZITADEL's comprehensive identity platform covering authentication, authorization, and multi-tenant scenarios The company's innovative dual-licensing approach combining AGPL open source with commercial offerings Florian's strategic decision to relocate his entire family from Switzerland to the Bay Area The evolution from per-user pricing to capability-based pricing models Building a global team across three regions: Europe for engineering, US for go-to-market, and Argentina for customer success Marketing strategy focused 80/20 on developers versus buyers Cultural differences between European and American go-to-market approaches Future vision for AI risk mitigation and behavioral analytics in identity management GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Embrace "cash or code" open source strategy: Florian introduced the concept of "cash or code" - users either pay for commercial features or contribute meaningfully to the open source project. ZITADEL's shift from Apache to AGPL licensing ensures that free users contribute back to the community while commercial customers get enterprise features and SLAs. This dual-licensing approach creates sustainable economics while building a strong community foundation. Rethink pricing to align with customer value creation: ZITADEL is moving away from per-user pricing because, as Florian explains, "we are the system that makes users useful. So if we hinder our customers on creating users in the first place, it kind of defeats the whole idea." Instead, they're shifting to capability-based pricing where customers pay for specific features like compliance notifications rather than user seats. This removes friction from customer growth and better aligns pricing with actual value delivered. Focus marketing efforts on developers, not just buyers: ZITADEL discovered that an 80/20 split between developer-focused and buyer-focused marketing works best. Florian notes that "targeting the developer ultimately leads to us being in the debate when somebody procures a system like ours." Developers do the initial evaluation and recommendation, so winning them over is crucial for getting into procurement discussions with buyers. Leverage geographic arbitrage strategically: ZITADEL operates across three regions - Europe for core engineering (quality engineers at $100-250K vs $250-500K in Bay Area), US for go-to-market, and Argentina for customer success and sales engineering. This approach optimizes for both cost efficiency and timezone coverage while maintaining quality across all functions. Adapt messaging for cultural differences: Moving from Switzerland to the US taught Florian that "in US marketing, things get overinflated quite severely, but the buyer knows that and automatically deducts some of it." Europeans tend to under-market solid products, while US buyers expect and discount for marketing inflation. B2B founders must calibrate their messaging appropriately for different markets and buyer expectations.   //   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   

Milan Media is shifting our live show format—we're going live once a month instead of weekly. But don't get it twisted… this isn't less content, it's more value. We're going all-in on higher-impact topics, real strategy, and no fluff.In this episode, Cristian and I are breaking down the top 5 marketing mistakes B2B companies are still making in 2025. We see this stuff every day—wasted budgets, poor targeting, stale LinkedIn strategies, zero follow-up—and we're calling it out.If you're in B2B marketing and trying to align your sales and marketing teams, get better leads, or finally build momentum online, you need to catch this.We're not here to sugarcoat anything—we're here to help you stop doing dumb sh*t and start executing what actually works. __________Subscribe For More Video Content :https://www.youtube.com/kylemilan__________Say Hi on Social:LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemilan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylejmilanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleJMilan/__________Connect For Business:MFG Tribe: https://milanmedia.comMFG Tribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/milanmedia/Technical Sales University: https://training.technicalsalesu.com/enroll

In Episode 87 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez is joined by Corey Morris, CEO of Voltage and author of *The Digital Marketing Success Plan*, to explore how companies can eliminate guesswork and wasted spend in digital marketing by implementing a strategic planning framework. Corey introduces the START process—a five-step framework (Strategy, Tactics, Application, Review, Transformation)—that guides marketing teams in aligning digital channels with business outcomes. Together, Erik and Corey examine common pitfalls such as budget duplication, 'CEO drive-bys,' and siloed KPIs, and reveal how a well-documented and agile plan can bridge the gap between marketing activity and business profitability. Whether you're running a Direct-to-Consumer ecommerce brand, managing an agency, or optimizing B2B campaigns, this episode delivers cross-industry insights for digital marketers ready to turn chaos into clarity and drive measurable ROI. Corey's Book - The Digital Marketing Success Plan Reach Corey at his website: Corey Morris.com

Guest: Vaughn English   Guest Bio: Vaughn English is a growth-focused sales leader with over 10 years of experience driving revenue across industries including digital marketing, 3D visualization, tourism, and insurance. He has a proven track record of building high-performing outreach strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and closing complex B2B deals. Vaughn specializes in leveraging CRM platforms, marketing automation, and creative campaigns to engage prospects and accelerate the sales cycle. From launching national tourism campaigns to scaling 3D content solutions for enterprise clients, he brings a consultative approach that aligns client goals with actionable solutions. Vaughn thrives at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and execution, consistently turning opportunities into lasting partnerships. ​ Key Points: Background and Path to Sales Started in theater; transitioned to sales due to communication skills and confidence. First job: selling DirecTV inside Costco, a challenging experience that taught resilience. Gradually moved into more prestigious roles, now at Fracture.   Role at Fracture Tasked with building the B2B infrastructure from scratch, including identifying the ideal customer profile (ICP), creating case studies, lookbooks, product menus, and developing marketing and outreach processes.   Finding the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) Initially targeted hospitality, but realized sales cycles are very long. Exploring design firms and higher education as more promising ICPs. Higher ed (e.g., Boston College) often needs ongoing art installations, recognition plaques, etc., making them strong repeat buyers.   CRM and Sales Technology Strong proponent of using CRMs despite challenges. Believes CRMs are essential for organizing contacts and outreach, launching automated email campaigns, and tracking sales activity.    Sales Outreach Strategy Focuses heavily on cold email campaigns. Personalized and well-researched. Uses intent data (from sources like ZoomInfo, Bombora) to identify companies showing buying signals. Example: campaign to Ben & Jerry's using their "Flavor Graveyard" as a custom subject line. Warm leads via email before calling; cautious about cold calling personal cell phones (though interviewer disagrees).   Team Dynamics and Management Style Small team (essentially 2 people); the other focuses on account management. Balances trust with light micromanagement, uses CRM visibility (e.g., BCCs, task tracking) to monitor activity, steps in when new leads aren't followed up quickly enough. Believes in hiring people he can trust to reduce the need for hovering.   Challenges and Learnings Struggles with ensuring consistent follow-up on new leads while handling large ongoing projects. Building out processes and infrastructure in real-time while scaling the B2B arm. Emphasizes that real ICP identification comes through direct conversations and testing. Guest Links: vaughn.english@fractureme.com Connect on LinkedIn     About Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders Download your free gift, The Salesology® Vault. The vault is packed full of free gifts from sales leaders, sales experts, marketing gurus, and revenue generation experts. Download your free gift, 81 Tools to Grow Your Sales & Your Business Faster, More Easily & More Profitably. Save hours of work tracking down the right prospecting and sales resources and/or digital tools that every business owner and salesperson needs. If you are a business owner or sales manager with an underperforming sales team, let's talk. Click here to schedule a time. Please subscribe to Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to https://podcast.gosalesology.com/ and connect on LinkedIn and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our website at https://gosalesology.com/. 

Analyzing MicroStrategy's new preferred stock strategy that requires $400M in annual dividends while their core business only generates $111M in revenue. Are Bitcoin treasury companies creating a bubble?Michael Saylor's controversial pentagram post and MicroStrategy's pivot to preferred stocks. With 145+ companies now adopting Bitcoin treasury strategies and institutions holding 10% of all Bitcoin, we explore whether this paper Bitcoin summer represents genuine adoption or a dangerous leveraged bubble waiting to burst.Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com**Notes:**• MicroStrategy owes $400M annually in dividends• Core business only generates $111M revenue• 145 Bitcoin treasury companies now exist • Institutions hold 10% of Bitcoin supply• Daily institutional buying 10x mining rate• Treasury companies bought 39K BTC/monthTimestamps:00:00 Start00:48 Bitcoin's "Defense Dept"03:04 Preferred stock pivot04:40 Where does the yield come from?07:29 Dividends can't come from company profits19:22 MSTR memes-