Podcasts about Go to market

Tim and Tyler talk to Brent Smith, CEO of New Leaf Symbiotics, about their "behind the scenes" go-to-market strategy and his take on the fragmentation and M&A landscape in biologicals. — This episode is presented by Corteva R&D. — Links New Leaf Symbiotics - https://newleafsym.com New Leaf on AgList - https://aglist.com/partner/newleaf-symbiotics

Ian Bergman sits down with entrepreneur and author Alistair Croll, Founder of Fwd50 a to unpack ideas from his new book Just Evil Enough: The Subversive Marketing Handbook. They explore why product-market fit is no longer enough, how product-market-medium fit wins today, and why legitimacy—not features—decides who gets chosen in crowded markets.Croll shares a builder-friendly approach to go-to-market: crafting “zero-day” marketing moves, spotting weak signals, and exploiting asymmetries competitors can't or won't match. From Dropbox's built-in virality to IKEA's customer-assembled value chain and Taylor Swift's “Taylor's Version” legitimacy hack, Ian and Alistair map the playbook for standing out when anyone can “vibe-code” a product.You'll hear a timely framework for the era of a million tiny horses (niche winners), the shift from an attention economy to an outcome economy, and a clear ethical line—Don't Actually Be Evil—for running bold, subversive campaigns without crossing into fraud or harm.TakeawaysThink in mediums: Aim for product-market-medium fit; platforms have norms, mechanics, and governance you must design for.Compete on legitimacy: Make your offer incomparable so you're chosen, not just compared.Hunt weak signals: Look for early indicators that, if true, unlock outsized advantage.Exploit asymmetry: Build plays rivals can't respond to without breaking their own model.Disrupt the value chain: Merge, split, reorder, or reassign steps (à la IKEA, Talk) to create a new reason to choose you.Ship zero-day GTM: Treat distribution like product—engineer referral, incentives, and narrative into the build.Stay ethical: Subversive ≠ sinister. Set rules like “don't assume consent” and “don't commit fraud.”If this conversation sparks ideas, check out Just Evil Enough, and explore more resources at justevilenough.com. Subscribe and share with the innovation agitators on your team.For full show notes and resources visit: https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts

Before AI became a buzzword, a few true believers were already building.Since early 2022, Mati Staniszewski and his team at ElevenLabs have been among them, working to create voices that “actually represent emotions.”He shares with Joubin Mirzadegan how voice AI is transforming diverse fields, from delivering personalized healthcare for different age groups to amplifying creativity in filmmaking.Guest: Mati Staniszewski, co-founder and CEO of ElevenLabsConnect with Mati StaniszewskiXLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

What happens when early-stage founders realise their go-to-market strategy just isn't working? Do they double down on outdated advice or take a fresh look at how modern buyers actually engage?  In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Richard Lowry, founder of Springboard IQ, to unpack how he's helping startups rebuild broken GTM strategies in just seven days through a crowdsourced, operator-led model that challenges everything we think we know about growth. Richard explains how Springboard IQ brings together six active operators to co-create a go-to-market blueprint that's fast, focused, and grounded in the realities of today's market. This approach delivers practical strategy and design rather than execution, giving founders clarity on where to focus their time and energy. As Richard puts it, founders should save their passion for the demo because that's where it really matters. The conversation explores why technical founders often mis-hire sales talent, why relying on outdated accelerator advice can derail growth, and why many teams hit a “GTM wall” long before real scale begins. We also discuss why the future of GTM might look very different from the digital-first strategies of the past. As inboxes flood with automated outreach and AI-generated content, Richard believes human-led activation through curated events, community experiences, and even spontaneous moments of connection will define the next era of startup growth. It's a conversation that blends practical lessons, honest stories (including one involving a soup kitchen in Lisbon), and a call to bring the human element back to how we sell, connect, and grow. So, could a crowdsourcing strategy from active operators be the smarter way for startups to go to market? And in an era of AI-saturated noise, will the next big differentiator simply be showing up in person? I'd love to hear your thoughts after you listen.

هل النجاح بيتحقق يوم الإطلاق؟ولا بعدين لما تعرف تحافظ على الزخم وتتعامل مع أول عملاءك؟في الحلقة الخامسة من سلسلة Go-To-Market من بودكاست ابتكار المنتجات الجديدة،هناخد جولة ورا كواليس يوم الإطلاق — اليوم اللي كل تعبك بيتجمع فيه في لحظة واحدة.لكن زي ما هتعرف في الحلقة، النجاح الحقيقي مش في “الشرارة”...النجاح في اللهب اللي بتعرف تحافظ عليه

TrulySignificant.com welcomes back tech futurist Shane Tepper of Revelation. Shane provides the inside story on the gaps within companies including go to market intelligence systems. Hear about solutions that Revelation solves and how to drive visability, broader pipeline of leads all in an accurate forecasting methodology. How do you plan to optimize AI and human creativity? Listen carefully to Shane Tepper and redefine what it means to be a creative. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/success-made-to-last-legends--4302039/support.

What's product-market fit like when you give people the power to do what they never thought was possible?On this rerun of Grit from April 2024, Victor Riparbelli, co-founder and CEO of Synthesia, shares how his platform gave billions a new way to create video without cameras, and explores a future where video and audio replace text as the primary way to share knowledge and content.Guests: Victor Riparbelli, CEO and co-founder of Synthesia and Josh Coyne, Partner at Kleiner PerkinsConnect with Victor RiparbelliX: https://x.com/vriparbelliLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorriparbelli/​Connect with Josh CoyneX: https://x.com/josh_coyneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacoyne/​Connect with JoubinX: https://x.com/JoubinmirLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

Welcome back to our new miniseries Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts, sponsored by our friends at Pipe. In episode 5, hosts Alex Johnson and Luke Voiles (CEO of Pipe) sit down with Lacey Ford, CMO at ABC Fitness, to unpack how vertical SaaS companies go to market (through the lens of fitness tech, of course). ABC Fitness is a vSaaS platform focused on serving businesses in the fitness and health industry, from massive, multi-location gyms to independent personal trainers, studios, and boutiques. Given the breadth of different businesses that ABC Fitness serves, across multiple countries, it's easy to see just how important a strong go-to-market strategy is for the company.  (Not to mention, gyms are becoming a third place community – one where Gen Z is driving growth, and wearables, biometrics, and AI are all raising expectations). This is a true B2B2C motion where owners are hands on and tiny moments at the front desk (or a declined payment) are greater than the sum of their parts.  Here's how Lacey maps it across segments: enterprises move through consultative cycles, studios want speed with clear time to value, and coaches live in a PLG flow inside ABC Trainerize.  Big picture, Lacey brings it home to the operating cadence: put the customer at the center, get the right people in early around a shared narrative and shared metrics, and close the loop.  Do that, and go to market and retention become the same muscle (pun intended). And remember to subscribe to catch our LAST episode! Thanks for listening!  This episode was brought to you by Pipe. Pipe helps vertical SaaS platforms unlock fast, flexible capital, right inside their product. Learn more at pipe.com/fintechtakes. Sign up for Alex's Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don't forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson Follow Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-voiles/ Follow Lacey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceyaford/ Learn more about Pipe here.

On this episode, Dots Oyebolu speaks with Erik Huberman, Founder and CEO of Hawk Media. Erik has built and scaled one of the most recognized marketing consultancies, helping over 4,700 brands generate nearly $3 billion in revenue. Named in Forbes' “30 Under 30” and Inc.'s “Top 25 Marketing Influencers,” Erik shares how marketers can apply the “Hawk Method” — awareness, nurturing and trust — to drive measurable growth in today's crowded landscape.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.03:12 Gen Z values individualism and customization above broad generalizations.06:36 Social media fuels unrealistic expectations and comparison culture.09:21 Influencer marketing thrives because people seek third-party validation.12:40 Word of mouth remains the most powerful marketing driver.16:09 The Hawk Method: awareness, nurturing and trust build brands.20:34 Data-driven decisions: “stop using yourself as a case study”.24:02 ROAS metric fails without factoring in purchase cycle length.27:30 AI marketing tools reveal low-hanging fruit and fix problems.30:39 Building lasting business relationships matters more than quick results.Resources Mentioned:Erik Hubermanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman/Hawk Media | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/Hawke Media | Websitehttps://www.hawkemedia.com"Forbes' “30 Under 30”https://www.forbes.com/profile/erik-huberman/Inc.'s “Top 25 Marketing Influencers”https://www.inc.com/dave-kerpen/25-marketing-influencers-who-will-help-you-dominate-2016.htmlInsightful Links:https://www.shopify.com/ca/blog/go-to-market-strategyhttps://shopoteque.com/b/5-key-components-of-a-successful-go-to-market-strategy-for-e-commerce-tipshttps://coschedule.com/marketing-strategy/marketing-strategy-examples/red-bull-marketing-strategy Thanks for listening to the “Marketing Leadership” podcast, brought to you by Listen Network. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. We appreciate the enthusiasm and support from our community. Currently, we are not accepting new guest interview requests as we focus on our existing lineup. We will announce when we reopen for new submissions. In the meantime, feel free to explore our past episodes and stay tuned for updates on future opportunities.#PodcastMarketing #PerformanceMarketing #BrandMarketing #MarketingStrategy #MarketingIntelligence #GTM #B2BMarketing #D2CMarketing #PodcastAds

Make your product irresistible, and everything else will follow.That's the philosophy of Grant Lee, co-founder and CEO of Gamma, an AI design platform with an 'anti-PowerPoint approach', used by over 50M people.This week on Grit, he also shares why enduring businesses aren't one person shows, and how their deliberate hiring process shapes and strengthens company culture.Connect with Grant LeeXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

In today's crowded SaaS market, having a great product simply isn't enough. understanding why human psychology still wins in B2B SaaS sales is very crucial. Many companies generate significant interest, such as leads, web traffic, or downloads, but still struggle to convert that attention into reliable revenue. The real issue isn't a lack of data; it's a misunderstanding of how B2B buyers actually make decisions.In this episode of Grow Your B2B SaaS, Joran Hofman hosts Jessica Pely, co-founder of Loyee.ai and former fintech CTO, to discuss why great products alone do not win in SaaS. Jessica emphasizes the need to align go-to-market strategies with real buyer behavior. Her approach combines behavioral science, data, and AI and delivers a clear takeaway: sustainable growth comes from better targeting based on behavioral signals and executing with focus.Key Timecodes(0:00) – Cold Open: Signals vs. Noise in Go-To-Market, Sales Overconfidence in B2B SaaS(0:49) – Guest Intro: Jessica Pely – LOI AI, Behavioral Economics Meets SaaS(1:30) – Origin Prompt: Behavioral Targeting in SaaS Sales(1:43) – PhD to CTO: Rational Biases & Enterprise Sales Strategy(2:58) – Founding LOI AI: Identifying Pain-Driven Accounts & Buyers(3:13) – Conversion Struggles: Interest ≠ Paying Customers in SaaS(3:38) – Targeting Models: Spray-and-Pray vs. Signal-Based Go-To-Market(4:56) – Chasing Logos: How Social Bias Derails SaaS Sales Focus(5:05) – Psychology in B2B Sales: Biases from Both Sides of the Table(5:21) – Buyer Biases: Status Quo, Risk Aversion, Loss Aversion(6:50) – Adoption Dynamics: Early Adopters vs. Most-in-Pain Accounts(8:23) – Sales Overconfidence: Deal Cycles, Forecasting & Coaching(8:30) – Sponsor Break: SaaStock Dublin – Founders, VCs, Meetings(9:39) – AI in Sales: Misconceptions & The Human Element(9:58) – 3 AI Use Cases: Automation, Insights, Autonomous Decisioning(11:17) – AI as R&D: Hire AI Like a Junior, Align with GTM(12:54) – Garbage In, Garbage Out: Build Your Sales Knowledge Base(13:43) – ICP vs. TAM: Best-Fit Profiles & Signal-Based Markets(15:15) – Customer First: Twin Companies & Lookalike Targeting(16:02) – Competitor Displacement: Migration Targeting via Pain Points(16:47) – Too-Broad Signals: Salesforce ≠ Clear Jobs-To-Be-Done(17:37) – JTBD + Job Ads: Scraping for AE Needs & Verification Pain(19:27) – Early-Stage Focus: Iterate, Learn, Focus on Fit(21:00) – AI for ICP Scoring: Cut Through Noise with Fit + Pain(22:38) – Qualitative Signals: Culture, Pricing, Sales Motions & ML(23:48) – Operating Rhythm: Reassess ICP Quarterly(24:29) – More Data Isn't Better: Limit GTM Signals to 10–15(25:45) – Human vs. AI Outbound: 2x2 Matrix for Outreach Strategy(28:33) – Growth Principle: Focus Over More – Execute Deeply(29:01) – Future of SaaS Sales: Automation + Human Differentiation(30:02) – Stage-Based GTM: Scaling from 0 → $10M ARR(31:24) – Document Everything: Train AI, Onboard Faster

Inscríbete a la próxima edición del curso Go To Market: https://www.growthrockstar.com/go-to-market—En este episodio converso con Daniel Undurraga, co-founder de CornerShop.Desde los primeros intentos con ClanDescuento hasta la adquisición de CornerShop por Uber, Dani cuenta la historia completa de lo que significa crear una empresa que todos quieren comprar.Desde detectar el momento exacto para construir el negocio, vender y volver a empezar.Temas clave del episodio:• Cómo nació CornerShop y qué problema quería resolver• La historia de ClanDescuento y su conexión con Rocket Internet• El timing en los negocios• Lecciones de escalar en varios países al mismo tiempo• El impacto de la IA en el futuro de los negocios y los marketplaces• Consejos para founders latinoamericanos que recién empiezan—Dónde encontrar a Daniel:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielundurraga/Dónde encontrar a Dylan:• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanrosemberg/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanrosemberg/• Sitio web: https://www.growthrockstar.com/• Blog: https://blog.growthrockstar.com/—Capítulos:00:00 - Intro01:54 - Quién es Daniel Undurraga y qué es CornerShop03:20 - Los primeros pasos como emprendedor07:28 - Timing y factores de éxito en un negocio13:10 - Rocket Internet y el nacimiento de ClanDescuento21:18 - La venta de ClanDescuento y el camino hacia CornerShop27:22 - Por qué nació CornerShop y cómo encontró su foco35:20 - Los primeros clientes y el enfoque del producto42:18 - Cómo se dio la adquisición de CornerShop por Uber48:52 - Lanzar en dos países al mismo tiempo55:10 - Qué se siente vender tu empresa58:36 - La transición hacia el mundo de la IA1:04:40 - Nuevos negocios y oportunidades con IA1:09:52 - Efectos de red y defensibilidad1:11:23 - IA y moats1:13:57 - IA en marketplaces1:18:44 - Libros y recomendaciones de lectura1:20:53 - Consejo para founders latinoamericanos1:22:58 - Problemas del ecosistema startup latino—Dylan puede ser inversor de las empresas mencionadas en los episodios.

Scaling a business globally comes down to leaders who align teams and drive them forward together.Snowflake serves over 12,000 customers, and early executives Chris Degnan and Denise Persson share how they scaled the company while keeping the unlikely pairing of sales and marketing perfectly aligned through hypergrowth.They join Joubin Mirzadegan to share insights from their new book, Make It Snow, revealing how they built Snowflake's ‘go-to-market engine' and fostered a customer-first culture across every function.Guests: Chris Degnan, former CRO and advisor to the CEO at Snowflake, and Denise Persson, CMO at Snowflake.Connect with Chris Degnan LinkedIn​Connect with Denise PerssonLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

Are you hiring your first go-to-market team, or looking to scale your B2B SaaS sales organization? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with William Spengler, founder of Frederick Fox, to discuss the realities—and pitfalls—of building a high-performing sales team for SaaS startups.Will reveals why most early sales hires fail, how the staffing industry is undergoing disruption, and his blueprint for assembling a scrappy, effective team in a marketplace crowded with resumes and inflated claims. The conversation ranges from the challenges of hiring senior versus raw talent, the tactical necessity of reference checks, the evolving role of AI in recruiting, how to avoid cash crunches even when revenues are up, and why clarity in your hiring process is the foundation of success. If you're ready for a brutally honest, actionable guide to hiring and scaling (without the fluff), this episode is for you.Key Takeaways00:00 Effective Sales Strategy & Hiring04:56 Real Estate-Style Recruiter Model08:51 "Reality Check: Starting a Firm"11:47 Competitor Research for Business Growth15:04 Defining Critical Hiring Needs20:49 Experience Over Elbow Grease22:14 Streamlining Interview Processes28:25 Incentivizing Sales with High Commissions29:57 "Finding High-Performing Sales Talent"36:37 AI Tools in Recruiting: Limitations40:02 The Limits of AI Interviews42:33 Building an Effective GovTech Sales Team45:24 Verifying Sales Candidate References50:14 "AI Systems & Sales Strategies"Tweetable QuotesQuote: "I would say start to target their top salespeople. That's really what recruiters do. We do the research, we cold call, we email them and we sell your value proposition." — William Spengler How to Attract Top Talent: “A player is going to pick up on that confidence and is going to want to join you. If you're going to go, if you're going to talk to Lebron James and you're not confident, they're not going to take you seriously." — William Spengler Viral Topic: The Traits of Top Sales Talent: "I always think that's a red flag when a really good salesperson is paycheck to paycheck, that it's sort of a red flag." — William Spengler "It's not just about hiring someone with a shiny resume or a smooth pitch because they all seem to have that." — Jeff MainsThe Secret to Unstoppable Leadership: "It's not strategy, not charisma. It's not even luck. It's relationships. — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsBuild for Clarity, Not Convenience:Ensure all stakeholders align on what the business truly needs from a hire before you start searching for "unicorns."Check the Hype at the Door:Don't just trust claims and shiny resumes. Take the time to verify past performance, especially for sales roles.Know Your Numbers—And Theirs:Ask candidates detailed questions about past targets and results, and verify them. Top performers are always eager to share real numbers.Prioritize Process Discipline:A clear, concise hiring process beats endless rounds every time. Do more work upfront—it pays off with better hires.Scale Operations Before Sales Explode:Investing in back office, accounting, and compliance early prevents massive headaches and cash crunches when you scale rapidly.Bet on Talent That Bets on Themselves:Seek out salespeople willing to trade high base salaries for high upside. These are often the true A-players.Guest...

Avant même de franchir la porte d'un magasin, nous avons tous le réflexe de sortir notre smartphone. Recherche sur Google Maps, lecture des avis, vérification des horaires… Le digital n'est plus un à-côté : il conditionne désormais chaque acte d'achat. Dans ce monde hybride où online et offline s'entremêlent, une question s'impose : comment une enseigne peut-elle encore être choisie par le consommateur ?Pour y répondre, je reçois Anne-Laure Louis-Carroz, Global Director of Go-To-Market & AI Marketing Programs chez Uberall. Ensemble, nous décryptons la profonde transformation du commerce local à travers quatre grands axes :L'évolution des comportements d'achat : l'explosion des recherches mobiles “near me”, l'influence des réseaux sociaux et des plateformes d'IA sur les parcours clients, et l'importance de la confiance comme nouvelle monnaie du retail.Les innovations technologiques : du SEO au GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), l'impact des avis en ligne, la montée en puissance des agents IA capables de piloter le “magasin digital” en temps réel.La LPO – Localisation Performance Optimization : une nouvelle grille de lecture stratégique qui articule visibilité, e-réputation, engagement et conversion pour transformer la présence digitale en performance business locale.Les perspectives à horizon 2030 : le zéro clic et l'Answer Engine Optimization, le rôle du vocal et des assistants conversationnels, l'hyper-personnalisation des expériences et la montée en puissance de la pertinence locale face à la simple proximité géographique.Un épisode pour comprendre pourquoi le futur du commerce ne se jouera pas seulement à proximité, mais dans la pertinence de chaque interaction locale.Bonne écoute, toujours sans coupure !Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

What does it take to reinvent entire industries, over and over again?This week on Grit, Sebastian Thrun, the “godfather” of self-driving cars and massive open online courses, reflects on a career pushing the boundaries of technology across mobility, education, and AI.With Joubin Mirzadegan, he shares why he believes autonomous driving could become the biggest lifesaving technology in history, and how a wake-up call led him to found Udacity to truly democratize higher education.Guest: Sebastian Thrun, CEO of Stealth Startup, founder of Google X and UdacityConnect with Sebastian ThrunXLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

What does it take to master B2B marketing with empathy and precision?This special Hard Corps Marketing Show takeover episode features an episode from the Connect To Market podcast, hosted by Casey Cheshire. In this conversation, Casey sits down with Cole Field, VP of Marketing at Beryllium InfoSec. Cole offers a thoughtful and tactical breakdown of how marketers can move beyond isolated tactics and create more unified, human-centered B2B strategies.He shares why attributing success to individual efforts can create unnecessary tension, and how aligning sales and marketing unlocks better outcomes. Cole also explains the power of empathy in mapping the customer journey, the role of automation in streamlining efforts, and how Account-Based Marketing (ABM) is simply good, focused marketing when done right.Throughout the conversation, Cole highlights actionable strategies for improving team alignment, defining an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), and approaching B2B marketing with clarity and intention.In this episode, we cover:Why attribution battles can derail marketing effortsThe importance of empathy in understanding customer journeysRedefining ABM as aligned, effective marketingAligning sales and marketing for shared success

The B2B SaaS market is experiencing a significant slowdown with growth rates dropping, while traditional marketing channels deliver diminishing returns in an increasingly saturated landscape.• Marketing benchmarks show companies growing faster than 20% spend 10-15% of revenue on marketing, while slower-growing firms spend only 7-9%• Digital channels like SEO (search engine optimization), PPC (pay per click), and email are seeing declining performance metrics despite increased spending• Today's B2B buyer completes 80% of their journey independently, yet companies still allocate 70% of go-to-market resources to sales• "What's old is new again" – smaller, intimate events and personalized interactions are outperforming scalable digital tactics• Successful companies balance brand marketing (awareness) and demand generation (conversion) equally• Effective positioning requires elevating problems to the executive level by articulating significant business impact• AI isn't changing what we should measure but enables better personalization at scale across industries and personas• The brand versus demand debate represents a false dichotomy – both work synergistically to drive growthThe rules of B2B marketing are being rewritten before our eyes. In this revealing conversation with marketing benchmark expert Omar Akhtar and go-to-market guru AJ Gandhi, we unpack the surprising reality that most B2B SaaS companies are facing: we're effectively in a recession. Growth rates have plummeted from over 30% to just 11-20%, while traditional digital channels deliver diminishing returns despite increased spending.What's behind this troubling trend? Market saturation, poor tool integration, rapid commoditization, and fundamental shifts in buyer behavior all play a role.The most compelling insight? Companies growing faster than 20% annually are investing 10-15% of revenue in marketing, with a balanced approach between brand awareness and demand generation.Whether you're managing a marketing team, leading sales, or driving overall growth strategy, this episode offers critical benchmarks and tactical approaches for navigating today's challenging landscape. AJ Gandhi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjaigandhi/AJ Gandhi is a distinguished Go-To-Market (GTM) leader and executive community builder. He currently serves as a Board Member for Plum Acquisition Corp.  Additionally, he is a Limited Partner at Stage 2 Capital and GTMfund.  AJ is also a co-founder of the GTM Leader Society.  Just recently, AJ served as Chief Growth Officer for Marlin Equity Partners and held significant roles at Salesforce, Ring Central, Bain & and McKinsey.  AJ is an alumnus of UC Berkeley and Harvard Business School.Omar Akhtar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarbilalakhtar/Omar Akhtar is the Founder and Principal Analyst at Benchmarker, leading research on marketing excellence for B2B tech. Previously, he was Head of Research at Altimeter, a Prophet Company, where he advised Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft, Salesforce, Adobe, and Netflix, on marketing, data, and content strategies. Omar got his undergraduate degree in economics from Ohio Wesleyan, and then got a Masters in Journalism from Columbia.Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/Email us with any feedback for the show: sparkofages.podcast@position2.com

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, scaling enterprise sales teams presents unique challenges and opportunities. As the Chief Revenue Officer of Motive, Adam Block brings a wealth of experience in building high-performance sales organizations. In this episode, we explore effective strategies for scaling enterprise sales teams in the AI era.                   Scaling Enterprise Sales: Key Insights ·         Building a robust playbook for enterprise sales success ·         Implementing effective hiring and onboarding processes ·         Leveraging AI and technology to enhance sales efficiency ·         Developing a strong sales culture and team dynamics The Power of People in Scaling Sales One of the core themes Adam emphasizes is the importance of hiring and developing top talent. He outlines: A comprehensive interview process, including panel interviews Assessing candidates' resilience, accountability, and discipline Creating a "farm system" for developing sales talent internally Develop Clear Playbooks Adam outlined three crucial elements of effective sales playbooks: Product knowledge - Understanding what you sell and how it impacts customers Clear expectations - Outlining exactly what's expected in each role Unified approach - A consistent philosophy for engaging prospects Boosting Seller Efficiency and Pipeline Growth Adam provides practical strategies for improving sales performance, including:                          ·         Focusing on pre-hello activities to secure initial conversations ·         Utilizing AI for account research, territory planning, and meeting assessments ·         Balancing technology with human touch in the sales process The Role of AI in Modern Sales While AI is transforming many aspects of sales, Adam cautions against over-reliance: ·         AI tools for enhancing productivity and insights ·         The continued importance of human connection in sales ·         Balancing AI automation with personalized outreach This episode offers a comprehensive look at scaling enterprise sales teams, blending time-tested strategies with cutting-edge AI applications. Whether you're a sales leader looking to grow your team or a sales professional aiming to enhance your skills, you'll find actionable insights to elevate your sales game. Key Moments 00:00:00 - Effective Sales Strategies for Market Contact 00:00:42 - Introduction to Adam Block and Motive 00:04:32 - Adam Block's Guilty Pleasure: 80s Music 00:07:19 - Scaling Enterprise Sales Organizations 00:15:36 - Finding and Assessing Top Sales Talent 00:20:58 - Panel Interview Process for Sales Candidates 00:32:46 - Boosting Seller Efficiency and AI Integration 00:47:50 - Closing Thoughts and Career Opportunities at Motive About Adam Block Adam oversees Motive's global Revenue and Go-To-Market functions, including sales, business development, strategy, operations, sales engineering, and partnerships. Prior to Motive, he served as Vice President over the Public Sector, Healthcare, Manufacturing, High Tech, and Life Sciences teams at Medallia, the leading enterprise experience platform. During his tenure, Medallia went public and was later acquired for $6.4B. Before Medallia, Adam was Vice President, Sales and Marketing for TenMast software (now MRI software) and previously served as Partner and Vice President of Sales at Zeta Marketing, an internet marketing startup. Adam earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and Management from the University of Kentucky. Follow Us On: ·         LinkedIn ·         Twitter ·         YouTube Channel ·         Instagram ·         Facebook Learn More About FlyMSG Features Like: ·         LinkedIn Auto Comment Generator ·         AI Social Media Post Generator ·         Auto Text Expander ·         AI Grammar Checker ·         AI Sales Roleplay and Coaching ·         Paragraph Rewrite with AI ·         Sales Prospecting Training for Individuals ·         FlyMSG Enterprise Sales Prospecting Training Program Install FlyMSG for Free: ·         As a Chrome Extension ·         As an Edge Extension  

This week on The Business of Open Source, I spoke with Quentin Sinig, who has been the first “business” hire at three open source companies; Strapi, Kestra and now Pruna.ai. We covered a lot of ground in this conversation, which was especially interesting because it spanned three open source companies so we were able to talk about patterns Quentin saw at all of them, as well as how the ecosystem is changing now. We talked about the need to find product-market fit, particularly in the AI era — Quentin says that AI companies need to find product-market fit constantly, because the ecosystem is changing so quickly. Quentin mentioned hearing from an advisor earlier in his career that you can't focus on both usage and revenue — but that in some ways you are forced to focus on both, especially now. When I asked how you decide which of the two goals you should throw more resources behind, he couldn't say… it's such a case-by-case decision that there isn't an easy formula for deciding. Lastly, I had a burning question: What actually does go-to-market mean? And what does it mean to be a “Head of Go To Market?” Quentin says that to a large extent it's a euphemism for sales, but there's a little more to it than just that. In his mind, Go-To-Market is a much less siloed function than sales. It's about getting the entire company aligned, in the expectation that ultimately that will lead to sales. But it's not just about forcing prospects down the funnel or cold calling, either. Want to talk more about the specifics of go-to-market for open source companies, with people who have been there? You should join Open Source Founders Summit, an in-person conference for leadership in open source companies. The next edition will be May 18th and 19th, 2026 in Paris. And curious about my consulting options? Check out how I help open source companies here. 

What kind of founder builds a billion-dollar company around something anyone can use for free? Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, joins Joubin Mirzadegan to reflect on two decades of building the platform that now powers over 43% of all websites through cycles of doubt, decline, and reinvention.He also shares how Automattic aligns employees with its mission to democratize publishing and commerce through paid sabbaticals and remote work.Guest: Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and founder and CEO of AutomatticConnect with Matt MullenwegXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

We're doing something different in this episode. We recorded it at HubSpot's INBOUND conference, and rather than having just one single episode guest, we interviewed marketing and RevOps leaders from 5 very different companies—each with their own specific approach to attracting, converting, and retaining customers.You'll hear how companies structure their go-to-market motions across:- Inbound marketing and demand generation- SDR/AE handoffs and deal stage workflows- Self-serve vs. high-touch enterprise sales- Attribution tracking and reporting- Event-based field marketing and referral programs- Long-cycle sales driven by print and local ads

This episode of the OnBase Podcast delivers a masterclass in building modern go-to-market strategies with ABM at their heart. Host Paul Gibson talks with Robert Norum about why a focused, account-based approach is no longer optional for B2B organizations—it's essential. Robert breaks down the journey from traditional, volume-based marketing to a sophisticated, tiered ABM model that aligns the entire organization.The conversation uncovers the most common challenges businesses face when adopting ABM, from securing leadership buy-in to managing expectations and moving beyond outdated MQL metrics. Robert provides a clear roadmap for success, emphasizing that ABM is not just a marketing tactic but a company-wide directive that unites sales, marketing, and customer success into a single, powerful growth engine.Listen to the full episode to gain the confidence and clarity needed to make ABM your primary GTM strategy.Key TakeawaysABM is the Go-to-Market StrategyFor enterprise organizations, ABM should be the central GTM strategy, not just another marketing program.Focus is EverythingAn account-based approach forces you to concentrate your budget, resources, and people on the accounts that truly matter..Alignment is Non-NegotiableSuccess depends on creating a "SWAT team" across sales, marketing, and customer success, all working toward shared account goals.Pilots Can Be a TrapTreating ABM as a short-term pilot is a recipe for failure; it requires long-term investment and commitment from the top down.Measure What MattersMove beyond MQLs and vanity metrics. Focus on moving the dial within target accounts, expanding your footprint, and creating real pipeline opportunities..Quotes"ABM is the glue that has the potential to really connect organizations and break down silos across different teams"Best Moments (04:37) – The Evolution of ABM: Robert discusses how ABM grew from a one-to-one approach for large enterprises to a scalable, multi-tiered strategy.(09:05) – The Case for Focus: Why concentrating on high-value accounts is the most critical decision a B2B business can make today.(20:12) – The Biggest ABM Challenge: The most common mistake companies make is diving in without defining what ABM means for their organization and getting leadership buy-in.(24:17) – The End of Silos: How an account-based approach fosters an equal partnership between sales and marketing.(30:50) – Winning Over Leadership: Strategies for building a compelling business case for ABM and getting the C-suite excited.(42:40) – The Role of AI: How AI will accelerate ABM, but human intelligence remains essential to brief, interpret, and quality-check the output.Resource RecommendationsBooks:Account-Based Marketing: The Definitive Handbook for B2B Marketers by Bev Burgess.Shout-OutsJon Miller - MarTech entrepreneur,Co-founder at Marketo and EngagioMarta George - Head of EMEA AMB Programmes, Ping Identity.Lianne O'Connor - Global Field & ABM Marketing Director, Fluke Corporation.Andy Johnson - Founder and Director of Client Strategy, HUT 3.Charlotte Graham-Cumming - CEO, Ice Blue Sky Corporation.About the GuestRobert Norum is a B2B Marketer with over 30 years experience. He has worked in magazine publishing, IT distribution, marketing agencies and for the last 20 years as an independent marketing consultant. During this time he has worked on brand, demandgen, channel, ecommerce and sales enablement. For the last 10 years he had specialised in ABM working with a number of leading agencies and directly for wide cross-section of global brands. Since 2017, he has delivered the ABM Essentials training course for B2B Marketing training over 750 marketing professionals in the process. Robert has also been the ABM and Demand Strategy Expert on Propolis since its launch.Connect with Robert.

What does it really take to scale a SaaS from a tiny Barcelona startup to a global leader protecting brands like major clubs and top electronics companies? In this candid conversation, Laura Urquizu (CEO, Red Points) shares hard-won lessons on going from SMB to enterprise, hiring fast in NYC (and fixing the fallout), balancing long-term strategy with short-term execution, and why the best CEOs become “irrelevant” day-to-day as teams outperform.We dive into go-to-market, NRR as the north star, fundraising mistakes after a big round, building in the U.S. from Europe, and the AI behind Red Points (95% automated detection, 30M checks/day). If you're a founder, operator, or investor, this one's a masterclass in scaling under permanent uncertainty.Support the show

The apps and websites we use every day depend on systems most of us never see.Jay Kreps joins Joubin Mirzadegan to share how Confluent became the ‘central nervous system' for companies like Expedia and eBay, letting them respond to business operations instantly.They also break down why the myth of AI-driven efficiency falls short, and why building truly transformative companies takes far longer than most people expect.​Guest: Jay Kreps, Co-Founder & CEO of ConfluentConnect with JayXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

In this episode, we're joined by Offer Yehudai, CEO at Arya - a subscription platform helping couples around the world reignite passion and intimacy through curated products, educational videos, and expert guidance.With 15+ years of experience building marketplaces and keeping apps free, Offer co-founded Inneractive, scaled it to an acquisition, then led at Fyber and Digital Turbine before switching gears to tackle one of the most universal human needs: connection.Offer will share real-world insights on go-to-market strategy, paywall experiments, monetization tactics, retention strategies (like hitting 87% usage retention by month-12), and how to apply a product-driven mindset across both apps and subscription businesses.Whether you're an indie founder or a scaling studio, this session is packed with actionable strategies for launching, growing, and sustaining a successful product in today's competitive landscape.You will discover:✅ How to design paywall experiments that actually move the needle✅ Go-to-market strategies for launching and scaling apps✅ Web vs App: when and how to go beyond the stores✅ Retention strategies to turn early users into long-term customersLearn More:Arya is hiring marketers and product managers - check out https://www.arya.fyi/ if you're looking to join a mission-driven team!You can also watch this video here ⁠https://youtube.com/live/xHB1N14DBIMWant expert guidance to grow your app? Book a quick call with App Masters:https://appmasters.com/contact-us/Indie App Santa: https://www.indieappsanta.comGet training, coaching, and community: ⁠https://appmastersacademy.com/*********************************************SPONSORSArcads is the fastest and best indie-friendly platform to create authentic, AI-powered UGC-style video ads — all from just text input.- Emotionally resonant, human-like videos- Perfect for app demos, testimonials, and paid social creatives- Built for speed, built to convertWhether you're launching or scaling, Arcads makes it easy to test and iterate video ads.Try it now: https://www.arcads.ai/?comet_custom=appmasters*********************************************Everyone's talking about web2app funnels - the breakthrough strategy maximizing mobile revenue. But building them in-house takes months of development. web2wave eliminates the complexity with their innovative all-in-one platform✅ AI funnel generator✅ powerful drag-and-drop quiz builder✅ streamlined payments✅ comprehensive analytics✅ smart A/B testing✅ and moreLaunch high-performing web2app funnels in days, not months.Visit https://web2wave.com/ to create your web2app funnel for free.*********************************************Follow us:YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

On Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Tahera Zamanzada, SVP of Strategic Growth & Go To Market at Rhino AI. Tahera shares her 30-day roadmap for building AI literacy, clears up misconceptions around fear and replacement, and explains how she's helping leaders use AI as a co-pilot to accelerate transformation and unlock growth. This interview is part of our ⁠⁠⁠State of the Women Coverage Series⁠⁠⁠. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠Gail Letts!⁠⁠⁠ Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Tahera Zamanzada⁠, SVP of Strategic Growth & Go To Market at Rhino AI. Tahera shares her 30-day roadmap for building AI literacy, clears up misconceptions around fear and replacement, and explains how she's helping leaders use AI as a co-pilot to accelerate transformation and unlock growth. This interview is part of our ⁠⁠⁠⁠State of the Women Coverage Series⁠⁠⁠⁠. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Gail Letts!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's rapidly evolving sales landscape, the integration of product-led growth (PLG) and sales-led growth (SLG) strategies has become a crucial differentiator for successful companies. As the Chief Revenue Officer of Webflow, Adrian Rosenkranz shares invaluable insights on effectively blending these two approaches to create a unified go-to-market engine. This episode explores how Webflow has successfully combined PLG and SLG motions, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer experiences, streamline sales processes, and drive revenue growth. Adrian provides a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by this hybrid approach, offering practical strategies for sales and marketing professionals looking to optimize their go-to-market strategies.                              Key Takeaways Understanding the distinctions between product-led and sales-led growth motions Leveraging AI to enhance relevancy and personalization in customer interactions Implementing AI-driven content refreshes to improve discoverability and SEO performance Utilizing AI for sales enablement, including personalized onboarding and coaching Adapting metrics and KPIs to evaluate the effectiveness of blended PLG and SLG strategies As we navigate this AI-driven sales landscape, it's clear that the companies who can effectively blend PLG and SLG strategies while leveraging AI will have a significant competitive advantage. It's an exciting time to be in sales, and I'm eager to see how these strategies evolve. Innovative AI Applications in Sales and Marketing Creating AI-generated onboarding podcasts for new hires Developing custom GPTs for sales reps to streamline prospecting and communication Implementing AI-powered customer support to resolve cases faster in PLG motions Utilizing AI for content optimization and real-time conversion rate improvements The Future of AI in Sales As AI continues to reshape the sales landscape, Adrian emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity and personalization. He introduces the concept of a "Go-to-Market AI Engineer" role, dedicated to reimagining sales workflows and processes through AI integration. This episode provides a wealth of actionable insights for sales leaders, marketers, and revenue operations professionals looking to harness the power of AI and create a more effective, blended approach to growth. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and drive your organization's success in the AI-powered sales era. Key Moments 00:00:00 - Blending Product-Led and Sales-Led Growth Webflow successfully combines product-led and sales-led growth strategies. Few companies effectively blend these approaches into a single go-to-market engine. The key is solving for customer experience rather than separate teams, using AI to meet customers' needs faster and provide more relevant interactions across both motions.                                                       00:04:31 - AI's Impact on Marketing and Sales AI is automating relevancy in marketing and sales. Webflow uses AI to refresh content, optimize landing pages, and personalize outreach. They've built custom GPT models to assist SDRs and automate processes. AI enables faster, more personalized customer interactions across product-led and sales-led motions. 00:23:22 - Implementing AI in Go-to-Market Strategy Webflow hired a Go-to-Market AI Engineer to reimagine workflows. They use AI for sales enablement, coaching, and onboarding. The CRO created an AI-generated podcast to onboard the new CMO. AI helps scale knowledge sharing and provides faster feedback loops for sales reps.                                                                    00:39:15 - AI Impact on Metrics and Customer Experience                       Webflows CRO identifies the type of metrics they measure the sales team by and how they use AI to drive a better set of KPis that drive a better customer experience.            About Adrian Rosenkranz Adrian Rosenkranz is Chief Revenue Officer at Webflow, where he leads Sales, Marketing, Customer Success, Partnerships and Revenue Operations. He is helping grow Webflow into the leading AI-powered visual development platform for ambitious brands. Before Webflow, Adrian was Chief Operating Officer of Tableau Americas at Salesforce, where he scaled a multi-billion dollar enterprise business. A firm believer in innovation with purpose, Adrian is helping Webflow harness AI to drive smarter growth and better customer experiences, from go-to-market systems that learn and adapt to tools that amplify what creative teams can build. His focus is on unlocking leverage, not just automation. Adrian also serves on the board of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and previously advised Harvard Business School's Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator. He earned his bachelor's degree from Stanford University, where he was a Division I football player. Follow Us On: ·         LinkedIn ·         Twitter ·         YouTube Channel ·         Instagram ·         Facebook Learn More About FlyMSG Features Like: ·         LinkedIn Auto Comment Generator ·         AI Social Media Post Generator ·         Auto Text Expander ·         AI Grammar Checker ·         AI Sales Roleplay and Coaching ·         Paragraph Rewrite with AI ·         Sales Prospecting Training for Individuals ·         FlyMSG Enterprise Sales Prospecting Training Program Install FlyMSG for Free: ·         As a Chrome Extension ·         As an Edge Extension    

How is AI Transforming Go To Market for B2B SaaS? Inbound go-to-market for SaaS is undergoing a major transformation. What once relied on blog posts, lead magnets, and cold outreach is now powered by artificial intelligence. AI is no longer just a content assistant. It now fuels end-to-end workflows, drives strategy, qualifies leads, and personalizes outreach at scale. SaaS teams are deploying AI agents to track LinkedIn signals, automate follow-ups, and even manage outbound efforts. This evolution is unlocking new levels of speed and scale, but it also brings real risks if automation isn't carefully managed. In this episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS Podcast, Maja Voje breaks down how AI is reshaping inbound GTM. She shares what's working today, where teams should stay hands-on, and how to build AI-assisted systems without losing the human connection that still drives trust in B2B. If you're building or scaling a SaaS product, this is your playbook for doing it smarter with AI.Key Timecodes(0:00) - Boosting AI Content Performance & Automating Founder Workflows(0:53) - What Is AI's Role in SaaS GTM? [With Guest Maja Voje](1:48) - Is Everything Dead? Why AI Agents Are the Future of SaaS Workflows(2:55) - Multi-Agentic Workflows Explained: Tools, Agents & Human Oversight(4:28) - Why You Must Earn the Right to Automate with AI(5:27) - SaaS Automation Gone Wrong: Avoiding Enterprise Pitfalls(6:15) - AI Agents: Build or Buy? Key Considerations for GTM Leaders(6:38) - Mapping GTM Workflows: LinkedIn, DMs, Offers & Content Ops(8:00) - Real-Life AI Marketing Automations You Can Use Today(9:43) - How Many AI Agents Do You Really Need for LinkedIn & Lead Gen?(11:08) - Iterating AI Models Post-Training: Prompts, Builders & Feedback Loops(12:55) - AI Costs, Compliance & Rollouts: From POC to Scalable Deployment(15:07) - Data Security in AI: The Case for 'Least Privilege' Access(16:04) - Rule of Thumb: Don't Share Data You Wouldn't Give a Friend(16:13) - Sponsor Spotlight: SaaStock Dublin—Investor Matchmaking + Discounts(17:22) - Inbound Marketing with AI: LinkedIn Trends & Time-Wasters to Avoid(18:54) - External vs Internal Knowledge Bases: Training AI Without Garbage Input(20:31) - Why AI Design Often Fails: Creatives, Claude vs ChatGPT & Brand Gaps(21:53) - LinkedIn AI Strategy: Commenting, Publishing & Legal Risks in the EU(23:30) - AI-Powered Outbound Marketing: ICP Scoring, Lead Research & Social Selling(25:52) - Training Your Team on AI: Avoiding Content Quality Pitfalls(27:26) - Human-in-the-Loop Design: What to Automate vs Delegate(28:43) - The AI-First Founder Mindset: Culture, Talent & Psychological Safety(31:20) - AI Implementation Choices: From Prototypes to Governance Guardrails(33:29) - PR & Leadership: Why 'We Replaced 7 People with AI' Is a Bad Look(34:10) - 2-Year AI Roadmap: Think Strategically, Reflect Often, Stay Safe(36:20) - Going from 0 to 10K MRR: Learn to Sell, Test Pricing, and Stay Focused(38:53) - Bootstrapping with AI: Don't Waste Model Credits, Focus on ROI(39:32) - Scaling to $10M ARR with AI: Ecosystem Marketing & Creator-Led Trust(40:47) - Recap: AI Workflows, POCs, LinkedIn Automation & Strategic Thinking(42:35) - Connect with Guest Maja Voje on LinkedIn(42:58) - Subscribe to the GTM Strategies Newsletter on Substack(43:28) - Final CTA: Review the Show, Sponsor, Ask Questions, and Connect

Can a no-code giant reinvent itself in the AI-native era?This week on Grit, Airtable CEO Howie Liu shares what it means to “refound” a company, how speed comes from tearing up old playbooks, and why conversational AI is reshaping his product—and his company.Guest: Howie Liu, Co-Founder & CEO of AirtableChapters:00:00 Intro01:04 First startup & YC04:06 Salesforce acqui-hire07:31 Life-changing exit at 2211:07 Scaling too fast, layoffs14:04 Sparks vs. coasting growth19:33 Two years to launch24:04 Could AI Build It Faster?27:06 Vibe coding & AI startups36:47 Everyone can build software41:08 Refounding Airtable with AI51:04 Sprint vs. marathon58:15 Cap tables & control01:03:29 Always be hiring01:05:00 What grit meansLinks:Connect with HowieXLinkedInConnect with AirtableWebsite: airtable.comXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Alex Theuma speaks with Kieran Flanagan about his learnings from leading AI and GTM at HubSpot. Kieran shares his journey from leading HubSpot's inbound and PLG transformations to spearheading its AI-powered GTM initiatives, including: - Why integrating AI into your workflow is now essential for top performers. - The rise of new AI-driven roles like AI trainers. - The AI experiments at HubSpot driving 300–500% increases in booked meetings. - How startups can apply AI to GTM without breaking the budget. - A sneak peek at his upcoming SaaStock Europe keynote presentation. Guest links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieranjflanagan/ Marketing Against the Grain podcast - https://blog.hubspot.com/podcasts/marketing-against-the-grain Website - https://www.kieranflanagan.io/ HubSpot website - http://hubspot.com/       Check out the other ways SaaStock is helping SaaS founders move their business forward: 

Are you wrestling with how to scale your sales team without losing focus on what truly matters? Do you wonder how to maintain a customer-centric approach as your company experiences hypergrowth? Or maybe you're trying to figure out the right time and way to segment your go-to-market organization. This episode offers deep, practical insights on these pressing challenges, straight from one of cybersecurity's fastest-growing companies.In this conversation, we discuss: 

For Bill McDermott, work has never been just a job.On this Labor Day rerun of Grit, first published Jan 9, 2023, the ServiceNow CEO reflects on what he learned from his earliest jobs and how he carried those lessons from a deli counter in Long Island to the boardroom of an $80B software company.We cover:Why Bill bought a deli when he was in high school — and how he competed against 7-Eleven (04:00)Interviewing at Xerox and wanting it more than anyone else (08:17)Unwavering optimism and being a source of strength for others (12:34)How a love of work has shaped Bill as a person (16:44)Facing challenges and keeping a promise to his father (22:00)Enjoying the present and keeping an eye on the future (30:01)Leaving Xerox for Gartner and learning from a tough experience (33:29)Sloan Kettering and Father Michael Judge (39:22)Following the “original dream” vs. building something new at ServiceNow (44:59)Losing an eye and getting a pep talk from two Medal of Honor winners (51:15)Why Bill started and ended his book with quotes from two Kennedys (01:01:21)Connect with BillXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

What if the key to unlocking peak performance is not pushing harder but mastering the art of mental focus and well-being? I traveled to LA to be at Mastery Labs to unlock the secrets of high performance with Michael Gervais, a renowned expert in mindfulness and psychology. This is our annual Holiday episode of Ultimate Guide to Partnering and my gift to you, our amazing listeners, followers, and community. Michael shares how mental training can revolutionize personal and professional approaches to challenges, from his roots in elite sports to shaping corporate cultures. He explores the pivotal moments that sparked his passion, revealing how psychological skills like confidence and focus can be trained to thrive in any environment. This episode highlights actionable strategies for balancing well-being with ambition, applying insights from sports to business, and using mindfulness to direct focus effectively. With stories ranging from surfing competitions to Microsoft's cultural transformation under Satya Nadella, Michael offers a holistic perspective on performance psychology and sustainable success. Thank you for supporting Ultimate Partner and the Ultimate Guide to Partnering Podcast. Please tell your friends, subscribe, and leave us up to a 5-star Review, as it helps us get more amazing guests.

מהפכת ה-AI משנה את כללי המשחק עבור סטארטאפים ומחייבת אותם לחשוב מחדש על מדדי הצלחה. בבלוג שחיבר יוני אושרוב, General Partner ב-Entrée Capital, הוא מסביר כי בעוד שבעבר הגעה ל-ARR של מיליוני דולרים הייתה אינדקציה חזקה ל-Product Market Fit, היום חברות AI מגיעות למספרים האלה בקצב מהיר, אך לעיתים קרובות עם הכנסות לא יציבות המבוססות על מודלים גמישים. כאשר היתרון הטכנולוגי הוא כבר לא ממש יתרון, הפוקוס חייב לעבור לאיכות ההכנסות, לשימוש עמוק במוצר, ולבניית אסטרטגיית Go To Market חזקה, שהפכה לגורם המכריע שמבדיל בין הצלחה ארוכת טווח להתלהבות רגעית. קריינות: תומר לוי See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Spychalski, co-founder of The Kiln, joins to unpack the growing role of go-to-market engineering. From his early work creating content for Clay to founding one of the first GTM engineering agencies, Patrick explains how GTM engineering differs from RevOps, the core tools and workflows driving efficiency today, and why companies should focus on doing more with fewer - but smarter - systems.

In this episode of the B2B Go-To-Market Leaders Podcast, Vijay sits down with Maximilian Gartner, Head of Go-To-Market at Brightwave, to explore how GTM leaders can balance sustainable growth with predictable revenue, while staying rooted in authentic, founder-led perspectives.Max shares his journey from inside sales “boiler rooms” to leading GTM teams at high-growth companies, and how lessons from cold-calling, enterprise deal cycles, and sales leadership shaped his philosophy on customer-first GTM.They dive deep into:Why founder-led POVs are powerful in early stage, and how they must evolve as companies scale.The critical difference between predictable and sustainable revenue, and why ignoring sustainability leads to churn.Lessons from inside sales: why clarity and credibility in the first 10 seconds of a call are everything.A Brightwave GTM pivot that front-loaded product experience, shortened feedback loops, and tripled adoption.Why “knowing your customer” (KYC) at every level: user, manager, executive, is the ultimate GTM advantage.How doubt and imposter syndrome can be reframed as signals of growth.If you're leading sales, marketing, CS, or product, or simply curious about how GTM leaders scale customer-first strategies, this episode is packed with tactical insights and leadership lessons.Connect with Max Gartner on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximiliangartner/Connect with Vijay Damojipurapu on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijdam/Brought to you by: stratyve.com

How do you win when your competitors are the biggest companies in the world?This week on Grit, Dropbox co-founder and CEO Drew Houston retraces the path from a bus-stop prototype to competing head-on with Google, Apple, and Microsoft.He explains why grit is “learning to run toward discomfort,” and the moments he realized founders keep going “for the love of the game.”Guest: Drew Houston, Co-Founder & CEO of DropboxChapters:00:00 Trailer00:52 Introduction01:35 Towards full autonomy16:20 Coming back to school21:45 Golden ticket to California25:23 No one's born a CEO28:15 Y Combinator and a co-founder37:53 The craft of being a great CEO53:41 Metabolizing the stress1:10:14 Tactical advices and frameworks1:27:48 Who Dropbox is hiring1:29:35 What “grit” means to Drew1:32:10 OutroLinks:Connect with DrewXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

In this episode of The Marketing Rapport, host Tim Finnigan sits down with Nola Solomon, Founder and Tech Executive at Sage Quill. They explore how clear storytelling and strong value propositions drive better marketing outcomes, especially in B2B environments. Nola shares why companies must move beyond features and instead focus on the real problems they solve for customers. As the conversation unfolds, Nola explains how trust and internal alignment become the backbone of any successful go-to-market strategy. She stresses that building customer trust starts with deeply understanding their needs and speaking their language. The discussion covers the challenges of breaking down silos, keeping messaging consistent across teams, and making sure every role plays a part in delivering value. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Verisk Marketing Solutions or Verisk Analytics. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace legal or other professional advice. The Lead Intelligence, Inc. (dba Verisk Marketing Solutions) and Verisk Analytics LLC names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. VERISK MARKETING SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

What if your leads are actually hurting your business instead of helping it grow?

Typedef is building an inference-first data engine designed for the new era of AI agents and machine-to-machine interactions. With $5.5 million in funding, the company is reimagining data infrastructure for a world where both humans and AI systems need seamless access to data processing capabilities. In this episode of Category Visionaries, I sat down with Kostas Pardalis, Co-Founder & CEO of Typedef, to explore how the company is addressing the fundamental shift from traditional business intelligence platforms to AI-native data infrastructure that treats inference as a first-class citizen alongside traditional compute resources. Topics Discussed: Typedef's vision for inference-first data infrastructure in the AI era The transition from human-only to machine-to-machine data interactions Why infrastructure companies take longer to reach revenue but build deeper moats The evolution from pre-AI data platforms to AI-native solutions Design partner strategies for infrastructure companies Go-to-market approaches that combine bottom-up (engineers) and top-down (decision makers) strategies Category creation challenges in rapidly evolving AI markets The importance of open source and education in developer-focused go-to-market GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Start go-to-market activities during the design partner phase: Kostas emphasized that go-to-market isn't something you switch on after product development. "It's okay to go out there and talk about something that it's not very well defined or it might change, but actually it doesn't matter... go to market like just like everything else, it's an interactive process." B2B founders should begin building awareness, creating content, and engaging with potential customers even while their product is still evolving. Design partners must have real pain, not just time: The biggest insight about design partnerships is treating them like real customer relationships. "A design partner is still someone who has a problem that needs to be solved... no one is just donating their time out there... There still has to be value there." Don't approach design partnerships as charity work - ensure there's genuine mutual value exchange where your solution addresses real business pain. Product-market fit requires both product AND market innovation: Kostas challenged the common engineering mindset about product-market fit: "Many times, especially engineers, think that when we say product, market fit is that we have market, which is a static thing and we just need to iterate over the product until we find the right thing that matches exactly the market. No, that's not right." B2B founders must innovate on both the product and go-to-market sides simultaneously, including defining their target vertical and building appropriate sales motions. Infrastructure sales require dual-persona strategies: When selling to developers and technical infrastructure, you need both bottom-up and top-down approaches. "Even if you go to the manager and they love what you are saying, you still have to convince the engineers to use this thing... And they have a lot of leverage and vice versa." The bottom-up motion involves open source adoption and education, while the top-down involves traditional outbound sales to decision makers. Category creation doesn't guarantee category dominance: Having witnessed category creation firsthand, Kostas shared that defining a category doesn't ensure winning it. "It doesn't necessarily mean that because you define the categories that you are going to win at the end... Vercel was not actually the company that invented the category there." Focus on solving real problems and building sustainable competitive advantages rather than just being first to market with category messaging.   //   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 

Even with AI, sales still comes down to human connection. This week on Grit, Dan Lee shares how Nooks automates busywork like research and dialing for thousands of sales teams, letting reps focus on the conversations that close deals.He also shares his “do more with less” approach, why cold calls still convert, and how to maximize human impact alongside AI.Guests: Dan Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Nooks and Leigh Marie Braswell, Partner at Kleiner PerkinsConnect with Dan Lee: XLinkedInConnect with Leigh Marie BraswellXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

On this episode of The Goats of Growth, I sat down with Tanveer Bhangoo — former Go-To-Market leader, author of Pro Business Mindset, and the upcoming Bet on People. From being a first-generation athlete in Canada to leading in the tech industry, Tanveer's story is a blueprint for resilience, adaptability, and leadership done right. He breaks down why off-season preparation is just as important in business as it is in sports, how to build trust quickly in a new role, and why betting on people is the single most powerful move a leader can make. Tanveer also shares the daily habits that drive his performance, the role of humility in growth, and how he navigates scrutiny while pushing teams to win. What you'll learn:

From Dreamdata: "Things have changed over the last five years… and these are the core pillars you need to think about if you want to be successful as a company.Amidst intense budget scrutiny, disruptive AI, and failing lead-generation tactics, B2B marketers must overhaul their strategies to survive and grow by shifting focus from capturing existing demand to strategically creating it for the future.Speaking on a recent Attributed Podcast, Megan Bowen, CEO of Refine Labs, broke down the strategy that she believes is now essential for survival and growth.She argues that the "growth at all costs" era is definitively over, and in its place is a more sustainable, holistic go-to-market motion she calls the 'Brand. Demand. Expand.' framework. She explains the specifics of each pillar, including the key metric that makes brand performance measurable, a proven formula for reallocating ad spend, and strategies for turning existing customers into your best growth lever."

What if your tools shared context like your team does?This week on Grit, Shishir Mehrotra shares how the Coda and Grammarly collaboration unlocks context as a “superpower,” reflects on his early days at Google and YouTube, and hints at a future where tools anticipate intent and amplify how we work.He also shares how this paves the way for agent-based workflows and AI-native communication, beginning with Superhuman's email experience.Guest: Shishir Mehrotra, co-founder of Coda and CEO of GrammarlyConnect with ShishirXLinkedInChapters: 00:00 Trailer01:24 Introduction02:09 Zoo vs safari12:02 A TV ahead of its time21:25 Product decisions31:25 The data behind the algorithm37:26 The AI native productivity suite48:06 Agents are digital humans57:55 Pressure trade-off1:12:50 Insulated from judgment1:25:19 Who Grammarly is hiring1:25:51 What “grit” means to Shishir1:29:30 OutroMentioned in this episode: YouTube, Ray William Johnson, Spotify, Twitch, MTV, Chris Cox, Facebook, TikTok, Google TV, Centrata, Google Chrome, Android, Gmail, Microsoft, Super Bowl, Mosaic, Panasonic, Sony, Susan Wojcicki, Rishi Chandra, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, Comcast, LoudCloud (Opsware), Quest Communications, AT&T Southwestern Bell, Salar Kamangar, Patrick Pichette, Eric Schmidt, OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta Platforms, Sundar Pichai, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Hamilton, Reid Hoffman, Sam Altman, Tesla, Waymo, Airtable, Notion, Max Lytvyn, Alex Shevchenko, Superhuman, Duolingo, Luis von Ahn, Khan Academy, MrBeast, Facebook Messenger, Snap (Snapchat), WhatsApp, Google+, Meta LLaMa, Satya Nadella, Tim Cook, Daniel GrossConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Ivan Zhao joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how the company's minimalist design became a strategic edge in a world overwhelmed by bloated software. He shares why the AI agent still hasn't arrived, and how Notion's modular approach might be the closest thing to making it real.Guest: Ivan Zhao, co-founder and CEO of NotionMentioned in this episode: Fuzzy Khosrowshahi, Airbnb, Sequoia Capital, Linear, Figma, Apple, Things, Microsoft, BMW, Lumiere, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Rippling, Matt MacInnis, Inkling, Steve Jobs, Douglas Engelbart, Alan Kay, Bill Gates, OpenAI ChatGPT, Y Combinator, Andrej Karpathy, Toby Schachman, Simon Last, Spotify, SlackConnect with Ivan ZhaoXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

How did Tripadvisor become every traveler's starting point?Steve Kaufer joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how Tripadvisor became the internet's trusted travel companion, built on over a billion reviews and decades of trust. He also shares why early personalization fell short and how AI is finally doing what travel agents once did by understanding the traveler, but faster, smarter, and at scale.Guest: Steve Kaufer, co-founder of TripAdvisorChapters:(00:00) Trailer(00:45) Introduction(01:32) Early days of Tripadvisor(08:14) Catching the startup bug(18:42) Luck and timing(26:54) $200M: a combo of money and risk(37:37) I love creating stuff(40:45) Hardest part of being a public CEO(46:21) Never let a good crisis go to waste(51:54) An average traveler(55:49) Social proof vs artificial intelligence(1:02:59) Back in the saddle(1:09:54) Not for the faint of heart(1:12:16) What “grit” means to Steve(1:12:31) OutroMentioned in this episode: Google, Expedia Group, Barry Diller, Interactive Corporation (IAC), Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, OpenAI ChatGPT, IMDb, CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction), Amazon, Google Chrome, Give Freely, Honey, Rakuten, Macy's, American Cancer Society, Google GeminiLinks:Connect with SteveXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

In this week's throwback episode of The 20% Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dom Odoguardi, a GTM leader at Trellus who has been sharpening his entrepreneurial skills long before stepping into the startup world. From running social media and managing 94 interns in college to leading Sales, Marketing, and Community at an early stage company, Dom shares the lessons he's learned from both structured and chaotic environments.Key topics include:Growing up as a first-generation Italian American and the influence of early experiencesThe transition from selling pizza (no pineapple allowed) to managing large teamsHow real world experience shaped his perspective on Sales, Marketing, and EntrepreneurshipThe importance of demand generation and social sellingWhy cross-functional collaboration is the secret to early stage GTM successHis hot take: Social selling is actually marketingThis conversation is packed with advice for anyone navigating the world of startups, sales, and content driven demand generation.Please enjoy this week's episode with Dom Odoguardi.I am now in the early stages of writing my first book! It will cover my journey into sales, the lessons learned, and include stories and advice from top sales professionals around the world. I'm excited to share these interviews and bring you along on this journey!Like the show? Subscribe to the email: Subscribe Here

Guests: Garrett Lord, co-founder and CEO of Handshake; and Mamoon Hamid, partner at Kleiner Perkins.Handshake set out to democratize career opportunity. In the process, it unlocked something more: a high-trust expert network built on verified talent and earned trust.This week on Grit, Garrett Lord shares how what began as a platform for student job seekers is now partnering with leading labs, enabling experts to train real-world AI systems. He explains how owning verified domain talent has become their core strategic edge, bypassing middlemen and turning a decade of trust into lasting advantage.Connect with Garrett LordXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmailConnect with MamoonXLinkedInLearn more about Kleiner Perkins