Podcasts about market leaders

John Chambers led Cisco through the rise of the internet—transforming it into the world's most valuable company at its peak.On this week's Grit, the former Cisco CEO unpacks how he scaled the business from $70M to $50B+, pioneered M&A as a growth strategy with 180 acquisitions, and built what many called the best sales force in tech.Now leading his own venture firm, Chambers shares how he's backing the next generation of AI-native startups.Guest: John T. Chambers, Former Cisco Executive Chairman & CEO, JC2 Ventures Founder & CEOChapters: 00:00 Trailer00:45 Introduction01:45 Track record, relationships, trust13:21 Acquisitions every year17:32 Product-focused24:40 Family, dyslexia, and without shame30:46 Wang Laboratories35:59 Ready being CEO40:17 Reinventing your business50:08 Numbers don't lie54:09 Sales calls and making mistakes56:20 Adapting leadership style1:06:32 Best leadership year ever1:13:35 A busy, exhausting schedule1:22:07 Candid with me1:25:21 What “grit” means to John1:26:43 OutroMentioned in this episode: John Doerr, OpenAI, Wang Laboratories, IBM, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Apple Inc., Meta Platforms, FMC Corporation, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., John Mortgage, Don Valentine, Sequoia Capital, Alcatel Mobile, Lucent Technologies, Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T Inc., Rick Justice, Pankage Patel, Larry Carter, CNBC, Jim Cramer, George Kurtz, CrowdStrike, Randy Pond, Rebecca Jacoby, Mel SelcherLinks:Connect with JohnXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Welcome to the latest Bay Area Housing Market Update for May 2025!

Modern B2B sales success lies in shifting from scripted selling to strategic listening—by elevating discovery calls and building trust through thoughtful messaging, Leslie's approach turns reps into advisors and conversations into conversions.Dive into the latest episode of the B2B Go to Market Leaders podcast, where Vijay interviews Leslie Venetz, a B2B sales strategist and founder with deep experience navigating outbound sales in enterprise environments. Leslie unpacks her journey from learning the ropes in sales to helping SaaS companies refine their go-to-market strategies with bold, focused tactics.She emphasizes that real progress comes not from hustling harder but from selling smarter—prioritizing meaningful discovery conversations, segmenting accounts with care, and aligning messaging with executive-level pain points. Leslie's methods helped one team double their close rate and trim nearly two weeks off the sales cycle by simply reworking their approach to AE discovery.The conversation explores everything from the mechanics of outbound strategy to why building your personal brand on social media is essential, not just for visibility, but for attracting talent and creating credibility. Leslie challenges the myth of company loyalty and shares why, in today's landscape, your reputation is your leverage.Connect with Leslie Venetz on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramsbaConnect with Vijay Damojipurapu on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijdam/Brought to you by: stratyve.com

Matt Murphy transformed Marvell from a broad-based chip supplier into a $100B data infrastructure leader—powering the rise of AI, cloud, 5G, and custom silicon.On this week's Grit, the Marvell CEO shares how he refocused the company's strategy, led major acquisitions like Inphi ($10B) and Cavium ($6B), and positioned Marvell at the center of the next era of compute.He also reflects on lessons from his father, a longtime CEO, the discipline of running 90 miles a week, and how staying steady through industry cycles has set him apart.Chapters:00:00 Trailer00:47 Introduction03:00 Huge company, taking the long view10:28 Market cap shift to big tech14:44 The data infrastructure opportunity20:30 Massive economic opportunity31:33 Semiconductor industry and geopolitics40:46 Taiwan and Moore's Law 44:05 Getting hammered down 50%47:05 Silicon Valley51:15 All in despite risks55:37 The CEO checkbox1:01:22 Email from Matt, subject: Grit1:07:35 The higher you go1:15:44 Who Marvell is hiring1:20:14 What “grit” means to Matt1:24:40 OutroMentioned in this episode: Jim Cramer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), Maxim Integrated, Mattel, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc, Juniper Networks, Meta Platforms, Amazon.com, Inc., Cavium, Inc., Inphi Corporation, Aquantia Corporation, Mellanox Technologies, Nvidia Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, OpenAI, Anthropic, John Chambers, Facebook, Spotify, Airbnb, Google, Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, Intel Corporation, Robert Norton Noyce, Gordon Moore, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), Andrew "Andy" Stephen Grove, Bloomberg, Intuit Inc., Lip-Bu Tan, Sehat Sutardja, Whay S. Lee, Starboard Value, Rick Hill, Novellus Systems, Inc., Michael Strachan, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Apple Inc., Steve Jobs, Chris KoopmansLinks:Connect with MattLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

From a 350-square-foot home in South India to leading HubSpot, a $30B CRM powerhouse, Yamini Rangan's journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, Yamini shares how she's guiding HubSpot through a post-pandemic shift toward product-led growth, the hard-won lessons behind building go-to-market alignment, and why human-centric leadership is her edge in an AI-first world. Plus, her take on why data is the new battleground in tech.Chapters: 00:00 Trailer00:52 Introduction02:22 Fire in my belly10:06 Constraints12:19 Peak performance16:38 Helping while in sheer panic21:43 The general ethos30:14 Customer value36:08 Excited and scared47:25 Becoming CEO54:19 Feeling behind1:01:51 Very lonely1:05:34 Losing credibility1:08:42 Slowing down, sitting still1:12:31 No patience to finish a book1:15:39 Who HubSpot is hiring1:15:54 What “grit” means to Yamini1:16:45 OutroMentioned in this episode: Sequoia Capital, Carl Pieri, Brian Halligan, Zoom Workplace, Meta Platforms, Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, Salesforce, Blockbuster Video, BlackBerry Limited, Axon Enterprise, Netflix, Snapchat, Harvey, Dharmesh Shah, Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid, Sapiens: A Brief History of HumankindLinks:Connect with YaminiXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

In Part 2 of this series, Steve Brady, Market Leader of Transaction Advisory at Withum, welcomes back Joe Ehrlich, National Practice Leader of Private Equity, Family Office, and M&A, and John Kerns, Executive Managing Director for the Northeast Region—both of Brown & Brown. Steve, Joe, and John discuss the current state of the RWI market as it comes to coverage for cyber.

In this episode of the NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area Podcast, host Drew Hess, Principal at Layline, sits down with 2025 Chapter President Adam Voelker, Market Leader and Principal at Trammell Crow Company. From industrial to life sciences, Adam brings a purpose-driven approach to leadership—and in this conversation, he shares his personal and professional vision for the year ahead. You'll hear Adam's thoughts on collaboration across chapters, elevating NAIOP's Executive Development and YPG programs, and why building strong political action committees is essential to the future of Bay Area real estate. We also go beyond the boardroom—Adam opens up about his love for basketball, his go-to espresso habit, and how mentors shaped his leadership style.

David Rubenstein helped pioneer modern private equity—building The Carlyle Group into a $400B global investment firm from a modest D.C. office and a relentless fundraising streak. But beyond PE, his legacy spans presidential libraries, historic American artifacts, and a lifelong obsession with civic contribution.In this episode, David shares how he raised billions without a background in finance, why owning a baseball team was more than just a trophy purchase—and what building true generational success really means beyond wealth alone.Chapters:00:00 Trailer00:53 Introduction01:40 Family, wealth, class14:40 Happiness disparity and longevity19:25 I need more to give away more25:04 The relentless fundraiser 33:53 Kids and travel36:06 No track record, the great white buffalo38:59 Business and politics43:53 Fired from Washington45:52 Fundraising, presidents, podcast guests48:04 Private equity and sports53:44 Expenses — no charges55:49 Waking up with energy 57:26 Preserving copies1:02:05 Organizational architecture1:03:41 Bury me in my plane1:08:11 Not a big luxury spender1:10:32 What “grit” means to David1:10:50 OutroMentioned in this episode: Andrew Rubenstein, Stanford University, Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Procter & Gamble Company, Forbes 400, Duke University, University of Chicago, Harvard Corporation, Johns Hopkins University, California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Arianna Huffington, Xi Jinping, Hank Greenberg, Stephen A. Schwarzman, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, Baltimore Orioles, Fred Trammell Crow, Harlan Crow, National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), Arctos Partners LP, Anthropic, Magna Carta Libertatum, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln, US Constitution, National Archives, Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Mount Vernon, Monticello, Montpelier, Mark Cuban, Paul McCartneyConnect with David:X: @DM_RubensteinConnect with Joubin:X: @JoubinmirLinkedIn: Joubin MirzadeganEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comkleinerperkins.com

David Cushman, HFS Executive Research Leader, sits down with Paul Roehrig, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Ascendion, to discuss how to time your move on enterprise AI, why software development is the ideal starting point, and how AI is freeing us to rethink work after decades of production-line thinking. Key discussion highlights include:When and how to time your move on enterprise AIWhy software is the pivot point to start accelerating AI adoptionHow AI creates the opportunity to break free from outdated ways of thinking and workingSee why HFS named Ascendion a Horizon 3 Market Leader in our Generative Enterprise Services Horizons Report: https://www.hfsresearch.com/research/

Heather Harlos, Global Programs Enablement & Go-to-Market Leader at Proofpoint, joins Partnerships Unraveled to break down the strategies that truly empower partners and remove friction from the sales process.In this episode, Heather shares why Proofpoint made the uncommon decision to position its channel programs under sales instead of marketing and why it's paying off. She and Alex dive into the critical role of marketplaces in partner enablement, the balancing act of making marketplaces partner-inclusive, and how AI and automation are shaping the future of channel strategy.Key takeaways include:The shift from traditional channel tiers to behavior-based partner incentivesHow Proofpoint is enabling partners to sell and implement solutions without vendor involvementLessons from consumer marketing that can transform SMB channel strategiesWhy friction is the #1 killer of partner-driven revenue and how to eliminate itIf you're looking to build a high-impact, partner-led channel program, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.Connect with Heather: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherharlos/_________________________Learn more about Channext

Welcome to The Savvy Dentist Podcast with Dr. Jesse Green, where we explore the intersection of dentistry, business, and personal growth to help you create a practice and a life you love.  In this episode of The Savvy Dentist Podcast, Dr. Jesse Green we have Australian Business Royalty … Bob Ansett. Bob Ansett is a renowned Australian entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Budget Rent a Car in Australia. Born in 1933, Bob grew up in a family deeply connected to business and innovation. He took Budget from a small operation in 1965 to a nationwide success, revolutionising the car rental industry in Australia through exceptional customer service and innovative marketing. His leadership and commitment to customer satisfaction made Budget a household name before he eventually stepped away from the company in the late 1980s. Bob is the son of the legendary Australian aviation pioneer Sir Reginald Ansett, the founder of Ansett Airlines. Reginald built one of Australia's most iconic airline companies, which operated for over 65 years before ceasing operations in 2001. His entrepreneurial spirit and determination were key influences in Bob's career, shaping his approach to business and leadership. Despite their shared passion for innovation, Bob carved out his own path, distinguishing himself in the car rental industry rather than following directly in his father's footsteps. Beyond his business achievements, Bob Ansett has been an influential figure in Australian corporate culture, advocating for strong customer service, ethical business practices, and employee empowerment. He has authored books on business and leadership and continues to inspire entrepreneurs with his insights on resilience and adaptation. His legacy, like his father's, is one of pioneering spirit and a commitment to excellence in service and business. [02:53] - Starting his first business. The challenges, and the triumphs. [07:41] - Bob suggests that you NEVER say ‘no' to a customer! [09:19] - The story and journey of one of Australia's greatest airline companies. ANSETT AIRLINES. [11:21] - How your resilience can be your greatest business driver. NEVER give up. Never quit. [13:38] - When everyone around you thinks you're ‘nuts'... how to find the confidence and drive to push through. [22:05] - Innovate … then innovate again … then innovate some more … [26:56] - Navigating the tough times in business. Bob endured 4 separate recessionary periods. Success leaves clues …

Amplitude helped define the modern analytics stack, powering digital products with deep behavioral insights. But in a world shifting toward agentic interfaces and vertically integrated AI, even a category leader has to evolve.In this episode, CEO Spenser Skates shares how he's rethinking AI within the constraints of a 13-year-old codebase, why analytics remains Amplitude's competitive edge—and why taking the company public early was a risk worth taking. Links:Connect with SpenserXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Steve Brady, Market Leader of Transaction Advisory at Withum, sits down with Joe Ehrlich, National Practice Leader of Private Equity, Family Office, and M&A, and John Kerns, Executive Managing Director for the Northeast Region—both of Brown & Brown. Together, they explore the evolving role of cyber insurance and its growing impact on deal-making. 

The Four Pillars of a Known and Trusted Brand  Shep interviews Marcus Sheridan, co-founder of PriceGuide.ai, co-founder of The Question First Group, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. He talks about his new book, Endless Customers, and how brands can build trust and differentiate themselves from competitors.   This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:    Why is building trust important in business?  How to get more customers?  How can businesses stand out at the beginning of the buyer's journey?  Why is it important for businesses to adapt to buyers' changing behaviors and needs?  How has the shift to online research influenced how businesses approach customer interactions?  Top Takeaways:    The more you know what your customers want, the better you can serve them. Your customers' questions help you understand what they want, including their fears and concerns.     Becoming a teacher in your industry helps you establish yourself as an expert and builds trust with your audience.    Using content to showcase unique aspects of a business can be a game-changer. Demonstrating processes, sharing behind-the-scenes looks, or providing valuable insights into products can capture the attention and trust of potential customers.    Trust will always be critical in business. Continuously working towards being credible and trustworthy in the eyes of your customers will future-proof your business.    Marcus shares The Four Pillars of a Known and Trusted Brand:    Pillar #1. You've got to be willing to talk about what others in your industry aren't willing to talk about.  Pillar #2. You've got to be willing to show what others in your space aren't willing to show.   Pillar #3. You've got to be willing to sell in a way that nobody's willing to sell.   Pillar #4. You've got to be more human in this time of AI and technology.    Plus, Marcus shares actionable tips on applying the four pillars in your business to make your brand stand out. Tune in!  Quote:   "80% of the buyer's journey is done before they fill out that form on your website or call you. If you want to win during that period, you can't be like everyone else."      About:    Marcus Sheridan is a communication expert, keynote speaker, co-founder of PriceGuide.ai, and the co-founder of The Question First Group. He is the bestselling author of They Ask, You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer. His latest, Endless Customers: A Proven System to Build Trust, Drive Sales, and Become the Market Leader, is now available on Amazon.    Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flexport was a breakout success—reimagining global trade with tech at its core. But when the freight market cooled and efficiency overtook service, things started to unravel. Founder Ryan Petersen stepped aside, handing the CEO role to former Amazon exec Dave Clark. Months later, he was back at the helm.In this episode, Ryan explains what went wrong, how he's rebuilding Flexport—cutting $300M in costs, restoring customer focus—and why promoting from within beats chasing outside stars. He also weighs in on Trump's proposed tariffs and what they could mean for the future of global trade.Chapters: 00:00 Trailer00:31 Introduction02:07 Meeting smart people, seeing the world03:40 Eroded margins09:52 Charismatic and overconfident15:32 Not an overnight decision20:08 The founder has returned23:10 Redoing the hiring26:38 No substitute for passion31:00 Working for and with my brother37:28 Working with forwarders42:14 Being a founder can be lonely47:49 Life's work54:06 The right person for the job1:00:55 19 countries1:04:57 Blowing people up1:07:24 Work and being a good dad1:08:34 Not doing it for money and loving money1:17:52 Import and export tariffs1:22:57 De minimis1:25:54 Panama and the Suez Canal1:36:50 Going public1:42:24 Who Flexport is Hiring 1:42:42 What "grit" means to Ryan1:43:06 OutroMentioned in this episode: Founders Fund, Amazon, Toyota Motor Corporation, Slack, Brex, Pedro Franceschi, Henrique Dubugras, United States Customs and Border Protection, ImportGenius, Michael Kanko, Y Combinator, Paul Graham, Intel Corporation, Shopify, Geely Holding (Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.), The Volvo Group, Intuit TurboTax, David Petersen, BuildZoom, TechCrunch, Google, Figma, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Jimmy Carter, Panama Canal Authority, United States Navy, Coinbase, Uber, AirbnbLinks:Connect with RyanXLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire 1 person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world have the hustle and grit to deliver. www.InsightGlobal.com/LearningLeader Bio: As an owner of IMPACT, Marcus Sheridan has established one of the country's most successful digital sales and marketing agencies. He is the author of the international best-seller They Ask, You Answer… His new book is called Endless Customers: A Proven System to Build Trust, Drive Sales, and Become the Market Leader. Notes: The 4 Pillars of a Known and Trusted Brand: Say what others won't say Show what others won't show Sell how others won't sell Be More Human than others are willing to be 75% of all buyers prefer a seller-free sales experience. Create great self-service tools to help your buyers make buying decisions. The buyer's journey - They want to know what it will cost. So, tell them. Have a client story for every objection. Collect them. Tell those stories. The story of Steve Sheinkopf and Yale Appliance… ($37m to over $100m). “That means obsessing over their questions, fears, worries, and concerns. Answer every single question honestly and transparently, right there on your website, for everyone to see.” “Tackle topics your competitors are afraid to touch. Break the unwritten rules of your industry. When you focus solely on empowering your buyers with the information and experience they crave, something incredible will happen: You'll earn their trust. And when you earn their trust, you earn their business. Do this consistently, and you'll capture the market's attention, transform your company, and see numbers you never imagined.” The 5 Components of Endless Customers: The Right Content The Right Website The Right Sales Activity The Rich Technology The Right Culture of Performance Path Finders - Help others come up with solutions. Your favorite mentor didn't tell you the answers, they helped you figure it out on your own (by asking you questions). The #1 thing that will dictate your income is your ability to communicate. As Morgan Housel would say, “Best story wins.” It is worth it to work on this skill. The excuse that you don't have enough time is lame and not true. Focus on becoming a better writer and speaker. It's too important not to. Piece of feedback most often given - Say that, but in half the words. Be concise. Be willing to say what others won't. And the idea of going direct. Go Direct – Viral essay written by LuLu Cheng Meservey. Going direct means crafting and telling your own story, without being dependent on intermediaries. Marcus called me by my name (both Hawk and Ryan) a lot during our conversation. It felt natural and flowed well. It worked. This is taught in sales training and can feel manipulative if not done well. Listen to how Marcus used my name enough to make me feel special, but not too much that it felt like a sales tactic to get me to like him. Book title = "I want. I wish." I want Atomic Habits. I wish I had "Endless Customers."

In this episode of The Capital Table, Steve Brady, Market Leader of Transaction Advisory at Withum, speaks with Travis Loomis, Senior Manager and M&A Advisory Lead at Withum, as a follow-up to their recent pavilion session at DealMAX 2025. Steve and Travis discuss how operating partners go beyond the basics to unlock growth potential, such as driving revenue expansion, enhancing customer experiences, and enabling digital transformation.

Guest: Pedro FranceschiPedro Franceschi is the co-founder and CEO of Brex, a fintech company reshaping how businesses manage their finances.Originally from Brazil, Pedro went from teenage hacker to leading one of the most well-known names in modern financial technology—building a platform trusted by startups and enterprises alike.In this episode, Pedro shares what it took to launch “Brex 3.0,” why he moved to a single-CEO model, and how tough structural changes set the stage for leaner, faster growth.Chapters:00:00 Trailer00:46 Introduction01:45 Startup roller coaster05:21 Founders know how to have fun07:12 Belief barrier evolution12:00 Early state of life in Brazil13:23 Controlling variables15:32 Screen time19:23 Making small decisions23:27 Learning raises the bar26:15 People manager38:49 Getting underwater42:05 Growth accelerated47:51 Vision from the top down52:13 Leadership organization54:01 AI software engineering physics54:43 People complain about change59:42 Believers and non-believers1:04:09 Equity and bonus controversy1:08:40 Big swings and going public1:14:15 Control in unpredictability1:18:04 Living in a pixel1:19:52 Meditate, sleep, diet, exercise1:24:36 Mental health and stress1:33:12 Who Brex is hiring1:33:49 What "grit" means to Pedro1:34:39 OutroMentioned in this episode: Silicon Valley, Facebook, Meta Platforms, Inc., Mark Zuckerberg, Mastercard, Rio de Janeiro, iPhone, Bill Gates, Tim Urban, Jony Ive, Apple Inc., LinkedIn, Salesforce, Brian Chesky, Airbnb, Anthropic Claude, Cursor, Codeium Windsurf, Cognition Labs Devin, Vercel, Retool AI, Amplitude, Spenser Skates, Elon Musk, Tesla, Inc.Links:Connect with Pedro:XLinkedInConnect with Joubin:XLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comThis episode was produced by Kleiner Perkins and edited by IQvideo.The trailer and distribution for this episode were handled by Atomik Growth.Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Before Zscaler was a $32B cloud security giant, it was just 10 engineers—half in Bangalore, half in a borrowed U.S. office.As founder and CEO of Zscaler, Jay Chaudhry bet $50M of his own money on one radical idea: secure the internet in the cloud.Born in a Himalayan village with no electricity, he built Zscaler into one of the world's top cybersecurity giants.In this episode, Jay breaks down why 50% of the Fortune 500 trusts Zscaler, why he still interviews candidates, and how he's incubating the company's next big AI bet.Chapters:00:00 Trailer00:42 Introduction01:21 His fifth company04:26 Entrepreneurs' existential fear10:53 Customer engagement and new innovations12:46 No private jets, no business class19:34 “I never used money”23:38 Born and raised in India26:17 Hiring legends30:35 Walking on water35:09 “Dolphining”39:55 Areas of weakness42:11 Passionate even on the weekends44:56 Work during roller coasters47:35 The weight of the world is on your shoulders49:21 Leveraging AI56:20 OutroMentioned in this episode: Elon Musk, Microsoft, Bill Gates, BlackBerry, Steve Ballmer, Satya Nadella, Hewlett-Packard (HP), IBM, John Fellows Akers, Steve Jobs, NeXT, Inc., Linux, Cisco, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, Sundar Pichai, Ravi Mhatre, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Six Flags, AI (artificial intelligence), securityLinks:Connect with JayLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Trust the process, embrace resilience, and understand that challenges often lead to greater success.Dive into the latest episode of the B2B Go to Market Leaders podcast, where Eli Rubel shares his entrepreneurial journey from tech startups to service businesses. Eli details his transition from chasing venture-backed dreams to creating lifestyle businesses that align with his personal values. The conversation spans his decision-making process, the creation of Matter Made and NoBoringDesign, and his newest venture, Profit Labs. Eli emphasizes his "tricycle life" philosophy—prioritizing work-life balance while building profitable businesses.Connect with Eli Rubel on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elirubel/Connect with Vijay Damojipurapu on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijdam/Brought to you by: stratyve.comChapters:00:00 - From Waiting Tables to a $3M Exit: Eli Rubel's Origin Story 02:32 - How Eli Defines Go-To-Market: Influence, Trust, and Speed 06:45 - Leveraging Influencers to Accelerate Sales and Build Trust 09:53 - From Art School Dropout to VC-Backed Founder: Eli's Path into Tech 18:12 - The Glider Story: Pivoting to Product-Market Fit and a Surprise Acquisition 26:45 - How a Last-Minute Meeting Saved the Company from Shutdown 34:02 - Building MatterMade: From $40K/Month Dream to $4M+ Profit Agency 43:36 - Launching No Boring Design to Survive the Tech Recession 51:55 - Introducing Profit Labs: Financial Services for Agency Founders 59:22 - Final Advice: Trust the Process and Keep Putting in the Reps

Learn AI in 5 Minutes Per Day: https://www.theaireport.ai/In this episode of The AI Report, Liam Lawson sits down with Frank Greeff, former chef-turned-tech founder who built and sold Realbase for $180M, to explore how AI, founder relationships, and radical action are reshaping the future of entrepreneurship in the AI era.Frank shares the full story behind Realbase's growth—from a garage-based signboard company to Australia's #1 real estate marketing platform. He dives into the mindset behind building a company to acquisition, why most founders struggle post-exit, and how he's now leveraging AI to build a lean, billion-dollar business with fewer than 100 employees.From creating AI-powered org charts and automating operations to hosting $55K yacht events for 8-figure founders, this episode is packed with insights on scaling, brand-building, and creating leverage through people and systems. Frank also unpacks how he uses ChatGPT like a third co-founder, why resilience is more important than routines, and what the real differentiator will be in a world where AI does everything—human relationships.But it's not just about AI tools—this episode is a masterclass in modern founder psychology: why doing what “doesn't make sense” might be your greatest edge, how to stay in the game long enough to win, and how to align business with purpose at scale.Want to understand what the future of work, leadership, and founder-led growth looks like in an AI-native world?Tune in now! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights!Over 400,000 OpenAI, Apple & NASA professionals read The AI Report. We'll teach you how to leverage AI to make money/save time in just 5 minutes.Join our free community now: https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/aboutConnect with Frank: https://au.linkedin.com/in/frankgreeff(00:00) Intro(02:08) Realbase Origin: From Garage Startup to Market Leader(04:55) The $180M Exit to Domain: Behind the Deal(07:46) Launching The Founder's Table(09:58) Building a Network Like the PayPal Mafia(13:57) Why Top-of-Funnel Content is a Game Changer(18:34) What Successful Founders Actually Eat(23:31) Traits of Successful Founders in the AI Era(27:58) The #1 Trait Founders Need to Thrive with AI(31:36) Only 3% of Founders Are Truly Using AI(33:44) Frank's AI Org Chart Explained (Router, Agents, Managers)(36:30) Using AI as a Third Co-Founder(38:30) Designing a Lean AI-First Company(41:31) Hosting $55K Founder Dinners on Yachts(43:34) Why Relationships Are the Ultimate Moat in an AI World(45:04) Frank's New Business Vision

Guest: Zac Bookman, CEO and Co-Founder of OpenGovThirteen years after co-founding the government transparency startup OpenGov, Zac Bookman is still finding ways to surprise people. In 2023, Cox Enterprises bought the company for $1.8 billion — but as far as Zac is concerned, “we're just getting started.”“ I left the vast majority of my net worth in the company,” he says. “So I'm a believer. I'm all in.”The mission of powering “more effective and accountable government” has been stable since OpenGov's earliest days, and that mission has informed everything from hiring to M&A to the decision to sell. “These people buy and don't sell,” Zac said of Cox. “They're all in on the mission. And they're all in on taking care of employees. So I see a triple win: A win for employees, win for the investors, win for the customers, maybe a quadruple win for me and the management.”Chapters:(01:46) - OpenGov's mission (04:34) - Shrinking the product-market fit (07:34) - Super misson driven (08:59) - Why OpenGov almost shut down (13:08) - Zac's early career (16:16) - Picking (and losing) a CTO (22:50) - Growing upside-down (25:29) - The SPAC backstabber (31:26) - Why Zac didn't get fired (33:24) - Selling in 2024 (37:04) - Growth by acquisition (42:31) - John Chambers and PMF (49:32) - Zac's cross-country bike ride (56:25) - Expectations vs. reality (58:57) - The coup attempt (01:01:59) - Tiring work (01:05:47) - Going to the White House (01:09:40) - DOGE & disrespect (01:12:54) - “We're just getting started” (01:14:18) - Who OpenGov is hiring (and where) (01:15:13) - What “grit” means to Zac Mentioned in this episode: Joe Lonsdale, Cox Enterprises, OpenAI, the Department of Government Efficiency, Workday, H.R. McMaster, Stanford University, Formation 8, 8VC, the National Academy of Sciences, the Stanford Review, Kamala Harris, Marc Andreessen, Balaji Srinivasan, Coinbase, Earn, Ben Horowitz, Facebook, Steve Laughlin, Cisco, Laurene Powell Jobs, Glynn Capital, Acme, Allen & Company, Harry You, Joe Tucci, EMC, Bill Green, Accenture, Tyler Technologies, HP, Josh Kushner, GTY Technology Holdings, John Keker, Palantir, CKAN, Oracle, Kevin McCarthy, The American Technology Council Summit, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, Satya Nadella, Pat Gelsinger, Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Elon Musk, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore.Links:Connect with ZacLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

Rebecca Lindland believes Tesla (TSLA) remains a market leader in the autonomous driving space, noting its push for full self-driving in China. That drive for autonomous leadership comes with roadblocks. Rebecca talks about the differences between the U.S. and China creating headwinds for Tesla, including China's expansive grid of charging stations.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

On this episode of Tank Talks, Matt Cohen sits down with Michael Garrity, Executive Chair and Founder of Financeit, alongside recurring guest, John Ruffolo. Michael shares his unconventional journey—from growing up in remote Canada to navigating the world of venture capital, fintech, and regulatory battles. He reveals how he pivoted CommunityLend after facing regulatory roadblocks, ultimately transforming it into Financeit, which became Canada's largest point-of-sale lender for home improvement.We also dive into:* The hard lessons of scaling a fintech company* How Goldman Sachs' investment changed Financeit's trajectory (and the tough call that put the company up for sale)* Why Canada needs better fintech regulations and open banking policies* How tariffs, economic shifts, and political uncertainty are reshaping the fintech industry* The resilience required to build and scale a successful business in CanadaMichael Garrity's Journey from Politics to Fintech (00:01:00)* How growing up in Northern Canada shaped his entrepreneurial mindset* His unexpected path into venture capital and fintech* What he learned from early-stage investing and Canada's labor-sponsored fundsThe CommunityLend Pivot: How Failure Led to a Billion-Dollar Business (00:05:00)* Why Canada's financial regulators blocked his first fintech startup* The painful decision to pivot away from peer-to-peer lending* How FinanceIt found product-market fit and scaled rapidlyWinning in Fintech: What It Takes to Build a Market Leader (00:12:00)* The strategic acquisition of TD's home improvement lending business* How partnering with Goldman Sachs helped Financeit scale* The biggest mistakes founders make when raising capital from big-name investorsThe Future of Fintech & Canada's Economic Challenges (00:25:00)* Why Canada's regulatory environment is stifling innovation* How tariffs, inflation, and deglobalization are impacting Canadian businesses* Why open banking is critical for fintech growth in CanadaMichael's Advice for Founders & Leaders (00:40:00)* Why the best founders have grit and adaptability* How to navigate industry shakeups and market downturns* Why trust, relationships, and strategic pivots matter more than everAs Canada navigates economic uncertainty, fintech disruption, and regulatory battles, founders must adapt or risk being left behind. Michael Garrity's story proves that persistence, strategic thinking, and a willingness to pivot are the keys to building a billion-dollar business. Will Canada's fintech ecosystem rise to the challenge, or will regulatory roadblocks continue to hold it back?About Michael GarrityMichael Garrity is the Executive Chair and Founder of Financeit, a leading point-of-sale financing platform for home improvement projects in Canada.Michael is a seasoned fintech entrepreneur who has built and scaled multiple financial technology businesses. His journey began in venture capital and early-stage investing, where he worked on Canada's early labor-sponsored investment funds. He later co-founded CommunityLend, a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that faced regulatory challenges—leading to a high-stakes pivot that ultimately resulted in FinanceIt.Under Michael's leadership, FinanceIt grew into Canada's dominant home improvement lender, with billions in loan originations and major financial backers, including Goldman Sachs. Today, he continues to shape the industry while advocating for open banking and smarter fintech regulations.Follow Michael Garrity on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michael-garrity-7a87152Visit Financeit's website: https://www.financeit.io/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thetanktalkspodcastFollow Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

In this episode of the PPW pod, host Edmund Keith and Simon Baker engage with Tony Blamey, who shares insights from his extensive career in digital classifieds and his current role leading real estate businesses in Spain. The conversation covers market dynamics, the impact of recent acquisitions, and strategies for growth in the competitive landscape of real estate portals. Blamey discusses the differences between the Australian and Spanish markets, the importance of marketing and product features, and the role of AI in enhancing customer experience. The episode concludes with advice for young professionals and a look at the future goals for Fotocasa and Habitaclia.

Guest: Ben Chestnut, Former CEO and Co-Founder of MailchimpIf you find yourself selling your startup, then Mailchimp co-founder Ben Chestnut has some important advice for you: Get a dog. When Intuit bought Mailchimp in 2021 for $12 billion, the company asked Ben if he wanted to stay on as CEO, but he chose to “walk off into the sunset” and let the new owners take over. After that, he estimates it took 6 to 12 months before he stopped checking his email, social media, and calendar with the same level of stress a CEO might have. Adopting a dog, he discovered, forces you to “get OK with the voices in your head."“After the acquisition, that's all I do, I walk the dog,” Ben says. “And the dog was good therapy ... No judgments from a dog.”Chapters:(01:09) - Growing slow (03:06) - The long journey (07:48) - Is money a burden? (09:35) - Building globally in Atlanta (11:22) - Ben's upbringing (12:59) - The first 10 years (17:58) - Scaling to one billion emails (19:22) - Freemium (23:32) - No equity (26:00) - Deciding to sell (33:55) - “I'm a sunset guy” (35:29) - Stress and support (37:25) - Time with the parents (39:07) - Get a dog (42:24) - The voices in your head (46:03) - Serial and “Mailkimp” (53:00) - Hiring interviews (57:14) - Fitness routines (59:27) - Lights off (01:01:46) - AI & reinvention (01:06:30) - The worst days (01:09:15) - What “grit” means to Ben Mentioned in this episode: Intuit, Wolt, DoorDash, LinkedIn, Dan Kurzius, Salesforce, ExactTarget, Pardot, Constant Contact, Rackspace, Free by Chris Anderson, Wired Magazine, Charles Hudson, the Freemium Summit, Drew Houston, Dropbox, Evernote, Phil Libin, TechCrunch, Brian Kane, Catalyst Partners, Georgia Pacific, Scott Cook, Bing Gordon, Vinay Hiremath, Loom, Joe Thomas, Caltrain, Flickr, Saturday Night Live, Droga5, Cannes Film Festival, Strava, Twitter, LinkedIn, Nvidia, Glean, Rubrik, Amazon AWS, and Mechnical Turk.Links:Connect with BenLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Few people can claim two elite professional careers in one lifetime. Moving from California to Covington, Tennessee atan early age, Lisa toured the world as a flight attendant eventually assigned to professional sports teams' charters. Goldmedal winners, college basketball champions and NBA world champions, are on her aviation resume and yes, theTennessee Titans. Pivoting to real estate, Lisa earned her way up through the ranks and now leads one of the topcommercial estate companies with a global footprint. AMONG THE TOPICS: OSAKA, JAPAN HERE I COME. I DOKARAOKE BUT DON'T REALLY SING. I CAN GET YOU TO THE SUPER BOWL BUT CAN'T WIN IT FOR YOU, AND WY BEINGA WOMAN LEADER IS LIKE A COACH-PLAYER RELATIONSHIP.

Few people can claim two elite professional careers in one lifetime. Moving from California to Covington, Tennessee atan early age, Lisa toured the world as a flight attendant eventually assigned to professional sports teams' charters. Goldmedal winners, college basketball champions and NBA world champions, are on her aviation resume and yes, theTennessee Titans. Pivoting to real estate, Lisa earned her way up through the ranks and now leads one of the topcommercial estate companies with a global footprint. AMONG THE TOPICS: OSAKA, JAPAN HERE I COME. I DOKARAOKE BUT DON'T REALLY SING. I CAN GET YOU TO THE SUPER BOWL BUT CAN'T WIN IT FOR YOU, AND WY BEINGA WOMAN LEADER IS LIKE A COACH-PLAYER RELATIONSHIP.

Starting a business is tough. Ask any entrepreneur. It's 24/7, but as you grow your company, sometimes the systems that worked when you were very small no longer work when you have 20, 50, or 100,000 employees. So, that's when you bring in a professional like my next guest. Keith Davidson is in the studio. He's the Dallas market leader for CLA.

Guest: Blake Scholl, Founder & CEO of Boom Supersonic“Passion and drive trumps knowledge and experience,” says Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl. Long before he was running Boom — which earlier this year successfully tested the world's first privately-developed supersonic jet — he was enabling “the world's most obnoxious spam cannon” at Groupon, or designing a barcode-scanning game for retail shoppers.But eventually, Blake found the courage to be more audacious and do something closer to his lifelong love of aviation. He began educating himself about things he had never thought to learn, and tapping his LinkedIn network to get intros to the smartest people in the industry. “If you imagine yourself on like the day of IPO, 99 percent of what you needed to know to get to that day, you didn't know on day one,” he says. “So, why not take 99 percent to 99.5 percent, and work on the thing you really want to exist, even if you don't know anything about it yet?”Chapters: (01:07) - Blake on Boom's beginnings (01:52) - Breaking the sound barrier (05:23) - Concorde's legacy (09:36) - Navigating regulations (12:08) - Boomless supersonic flight (16:48) - The test flight (20:11) - Day-of nervousness (24:26) - Carrying passengers (26:55) - Cost & wi-fi (30:19) - “No middle seats” (32:35) - Hard tech (36:48) - What if Apple made a plane? (39:08) - Blake's career journey (43:29) - The risk of failure (49:12) - Finding the courage (52:49) - Balancing life with Boom (56:42) - Learning how to build a jet (01:00:20) - The power of LinkedIn (01:02:38) - Y Combinator Demo Day (01:08:24) - Richard Branson (01:11:38) - Dividing yourself (01:14:19) - Being a focused dad (01:20:05) - Exuberance vs. fear (01:24:15) - Hiring slowly (01:27:17) - What “grit” means to Blake Mentioned in this episode: Chuck Yeager, ChatGPT, the Apollo program, Elon Musk, SpaceX and Falcon 1, Boom Overture, Starlink, Boeing, Airbus, iPhone, Jony Ive, Uber, Airbnb, Anduril, United Airlines, American Airlines, Eclipse Aviation, Tesla, Scott Kirby, Mike Leskinen, Inktomi, Yahoo!, Amazon, Pelago, Google Ads, Kima Labs, Barcode Hero, Groupon, iPad, Eric Schmidt, Steve Jobs, Khan Academy, Sam Altman, Loopt, Virgin Atlantic, Paul Graham, Michael Seibel, Ashlee Vance, Bloomberg, Hacker News, Jared Friedman, Sen. Mark Kelly, SV Angel, Ron Conway, Virgin Galactic, Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream, Jeff Bezos, Jeff Holden, and How It's Made.Links:Connect with BlakeTwitterLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

Guest: George Kurian, CEO of NetAppFor almost 10 years, George Kurian has been CEO of the data infrastructure firm NetApp, overseeing its pivot to cloud services. After he  took the job — a surprise promotion dropped on him just days before it was announced — he had to learn on the job how the job could be.“ There are a lot more stakeholders that a CEO has to deal with than a chief product officer,” George says, referring to his previous role. “There's also a lot more external commitment ... It was a really all-consuming effort to get the company turned around.”He said the CEO job can be “fairly lonely” because you may want to be peers or friends with your team and your board — but in fact, they are sometimes your subordinates and your superiors, respectively.“ We wouldn't be here without others having contributed significantly on the journey,” George says. “[But] there are times when you have to step back and say, ‘I see a pattern that my team is not seeing,' or ‘Do I think that we can do a better job than we are doing?'”Chapters:(01:10) - Commuting to Sunnyvale (04:49) - Growing up in India (08:04) - Protect the child (09:33) - Raising kids in Silicon Valley (12:44) - Money motivation (15:04) - NetApp's renaissance (21:39) - Writing new chapters (23:15) - Culture shifts (26:38) - Coming to NetApp (29:41) - Surprise! You're the CEO (32:41) - Making sacrifices (35:04) - Work vs. family tension (37:18) - Doubt & lonely decisions (42:38) - The data wave (45:27) - Enterprise AI (51:36) - Starting your own company (53:33) - Navigating difficulty (56:28) - Who NetApp is hiring (57:11) - What “grit” means to George Mentioned in this episode: EMC, OpenAI, DeepSeek, CalTrain, the San Francisco 49ers, Princeton University, Subway, Vons, Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud, Stanford University, Brian Cox, Oliver Jay, the Quakers, Jay Chaudhry, zScaler, Manmohan Singh, Oracle, IBM, Sun, Amazon, Microsoft, Glean, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, McKinsey, Akamai, Cisco, Gwen McDonald, and the San Francisco Friends School.Links:Connect with GeorgeLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

The latest in business, financial, and market news and how it impacts your money, reported by CNBC's Peter Schacknow

Guests: Winston Weinberg, CEO & co-founder of Harvey; and Ilya Fushman, partner at Kleiner Perkins“If you think about pretty much any job out there in the world, we will have some sort of [AI] copilot,” says Kleiner Perkins partner Ilya Fushman. “The question is, who are the right folks to build it, and what's their vision?”For Harvey CEO & co-founder Winston Weinberg, the vision is clear: Silicon Valley cannot and should not try to disrupt the legal profession by automating the job of lawyers. Instead, he says, they need to have “respect for the industry” before designing AI solutions that speed up specific tasks.“These industries are incredibly complex,” Winston says. “Legal is one of the oldest professions known to man. There are firms that are over a hundred years old. There are firms that are hundreds of years old, and having a brand that says, ‘We are partnering with the industry to transform it' versus ‘We are just going to steamroll the industry' is really important for us.”Chapters:(01:16) - The zeitgeist switch (02:58) - What is Harvey? (06:10) - Chief Law Officers (07:58) - Agentic workflows (09:43) - Ilya's investment thesis (12:48) - Collaborating with AI (16:05) - Task automation (20:52) - Why is it called Harvey? (23:14) - Respecting the legal industry (26:43) - Winston's past jobs (28:47) - First steps (32:13) - Scaling the company (35:02) - Scaling yourself (37:19) - Who works for Harvey (40:50) - Making mistakes (43:15) - Making sacrifices (45:51) - Growing too fast (50:50) - Setting priorities (54:54) - Harvey's competitors (57:38) - Internal virality (01:00:46) - Testing Harvey's limits (01:03:29) - Who Harvey is hiring (01:04:01) - What “grit” means to Winston Mentioned in this episode: ChatGPT, the Fortune 500, Microsoft Copilot, Gabe Pereyra, Activision, Excel, Counsel AI Corporation, Suits, Harvard University, Netflix, Dell, O'Melveny & Myers, Hueston Hennigan, Meta, Reddit, Jason Kwon, Anthropic, Marissa Mayer, Eric Schmidt, Google, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Glean.Links:Connect with WinstonTwitterLinkedInConnect with IlyaTwitterLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

In a world where digital isolation is at an all-time high, how can you build authentic relationships that truly stand out? In this episode, I continue my conversation with Scott Grates, bestselling author of Referrals Done Right, to uncover the power of human connection in a disconnected world. Topics Covered: The rise of loneliness and its impact on modern business relationships Why influencers like Mr. Beast and Joe Rogan have millions of followers—people crave connection The importance of being seen and valued in today's world How to ask better questions to drive more meaningful business relationships Why solving real problems is the key to success (Jeff Bezos' Amazon example) How to earn the right to ask for business instead of spamming people The contrarian approach to networking: focus on fewer, deeper relationships How to leverage social media to create value, not just noise Podcasting & content creation as a referral tool – How Scott uses his Love Living Local 315 podcast to grow relationships and business Why referrals aren't just about asking—they're about consistently providing value to connectors Want to connect with Scott? Visit scottgrates.com or find him on LinkedIn. Just don't spam his inbox! :)

Our “Path to Market” series continues with a new episode in which our Director Natasha Lytton and her co-host Micah Smurthwaite, Partner at Pipeline Ventures, delve into the intricacies of go-to-market strategies with seasoned CRO, Tim Bertrand. Tim shares his extensive experience scaling organisations like Acquia, Project 44, and HAProxy, offering actionable insights for founders and sales leaders on building sales teams, effective onboarding practices, the fundamentals of discovery and qualification in sales, and the nuances of pricing strategies for early-stage companies. Tim also discusses the significance of deal reviews and the evolving landscape of sales tactics, emphasizing the value of compelling events and robust qualification processes. The discussion also covers: - the dynamics of building sales teams; - identifying customer pain points; - the significance of practical sales methodologies like MEDDICC and BANT; - fostering cross-functional collaboration; - the role of open-source communities; - and more. Key takeaways: - Understand product intricacies; - Leverage economic buyers in sales cycles; - Align organizational culture with company values for success; - Make the right hire according to the company's growth stage. Overview: 00:00 Understanding Customer Pain Points 00:22 Introduction to Path to Market Podcast 01:00 Interview with Tim Bertrand: Scaling Startups 01:39 Tim Bertrand's Journey: Acquia to HAProxy 05:07 Advice for Founders on Sales Playbooks 08:11 Hiring the Right Sales Team 16:29 Onboarding Sales Reps: Best Practices 18:31 Effective Sales Execution and Discovery 23:29 Creating Urgency in Sales 23:34 The Role of Compelling Events 25:18 Evolving Sales Tactics 28:53 Effective Deal Reviews 31:03 Pricing Strategies for Startups 32:59 Building a Strong Sales Culture 35:58 Cross-Functional Collaboration 39:17 Open Source Business Models 43:05 Sales Methodologies for Founders 44:30 Hiring the Right CRO 45:47 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Summary:  Getting ahead begins with a sharp focus on recognizing problems and finding better solutions than anyone else. But staying ahead requires something more: the ability to adapt, evolve, and lead as the stakes grow. Today's guest didn't just solve a problem; he built a system so indispensable it's reshaped how an entire industry operates.  Kent Collier is the Founder and CEO of Octus (formerly Reorg), a credit intelligence and data provider for the world's leading buy-side firms, investment banks, law firms, and advisory firms. Kent's experience as a research analyst at firms like Millennium Partners, Catalyst Investment Management, Assurant Asset Management, and Babson Capital refined his expertise in high-yield distressed debt and special situations. As a passionate innovator in data science and generative AI, Kent has put Octus at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies that fuel decisive actions across financial markets.  In this episode, Kent shares how Octus evolved from a niche solution into a category leader in data intelligence. He explains how AI is transforming workflows and shaping the future of data management. Kent also discusses the discipline required to scale effectively and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Highlights:Spotting a gap in the marketplace and founding Octus (2:50)Company scale and customer base (4:36)Kent describes what sets Octus apart from competitors in the field (5:50)Market runway and growth projection (7:33)Kent discusses the decision to rebrand the company (9:16)Bridging Kent's work in finance with technology (10:47)Initial challenges when founding the company (11:50)Kent describes his management style (13:40)How the team at Octus is implementing AI (16:13)Kent's short-term predictions for the private equity market (19:42)Octus' expansion opportunities (22:13)Kent's approach to M&A (23:32)Kent talks about the Good Words Foundation (25:32) Links:Kent Collier on LinkedInOctus on LinkedInOctus WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

How do you stand out in a saturated, digitally dominated world? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Grates, TEDx speaker and USA Today bestselling author of Referrals Done Right, to uncover the power of relationships, consistency, and creating memorable customer experiences. Topics Covered: The challenge of standing out in today's digital world The Purple Cow and Blue Ocean Strategy approaches to differentiation Why the most competitive industries demand a unique customer experience The importance of consistency in building brand awareness and customer loyalty How relationships drive referrals and business growth Why asking better questions leads to better business opportunities How small business owners can compete against corporate giants The role of connection agents in today's marketplace Resources Mentioned: Referrals Done Right – Scott Grates' book on mastering referral-based growth Purple Cow by Seth Godin – Standing out in a crowded marketplace Blue Ocean Strategy – Creating uncontested market space Want to connect with Scott? Visit scottgrates.com or find him on LinkedIn (but no spam, please!).

Guest: Miki Kuusi, head of international at Doordash + CEO & co-founder of Wolt + co-founder of Slush tech conferenceBefore Miki Kuusi launched the Finnish delivery startup Wolt, which DoorDash acquired in 2022, he wasn't just another startup entrepreneur. From 2011 to 2015, Miki was the CEO of the hugely influential European tech conference Slush, which brings thousands of founders and VCs to Helsinki every winter. “You could argue that Slush was my university for things leading up to Wolt, and what I do today,” Miki says. “That's where I learned most of the core lessons that I put into action.” One thing he remembers thinking in those early days: Everything was going to be redefined by the internet.“I just wanted to get a shot at building one of these services of the next hundred years,” he says. “And that was the driving motivator for me. If the driving motivator had been money, I don't think we would be here today.”Chapters:(01:14) - Act 3 (03:36) - Unlocking local commerce (06:13) - Selling Wolt (09:27) - The competition (14:20) - DoorDash's and Wolt's origins (17:50) - “Maybe we're the idiots in the room” (22:44) - Difficult years (25:13) - Startups in Europe vs. U.S. (28:56) - Learning from DoorDash (31:51) - Market correction (35:24) - Delivery around the world (39:17) - “ Glorified recruiting companies” (42:31) - Convincing restaurants (44:11) - Slush (48:21) - The next mountain (54:13) - Ambition and concentration (59:58) - Family and distractions (01:04:34) - Email overload (01:07:07) - Time as currency (01:09:25) - Priorities and onboarding (01:15:49) - The power of culture (01:19:32) - Who Wolt and DoorDash are hiring (01:20:39) - What “grit” means to Miki Mentioned in this episode: Tony Xu, Uber, Lyft, Uber Eats, Postmates, Delivery Hero, GrubHub, DeepSeek, OpenAI, Anthropic, Kees Koolen and Booking.com, 83North, Supercell, DashPass, Wolt+, Microsoft Excel, Amazon, Parker Conrad and Rippling, Andreeseen Horowitz, Fortnite, WhatsApp, Barry's Bootcamp, and Slack.Links:Connect with MikiLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

With Daniel Den who became fascinated with marketing and sales almost two decades ago. Today he is the co-creator of the X Factor Effect methodology where he and his team have helped over 20,000 students and clients grow their businesses. Daniel teaches that “Different is the new Better” and his framework includes nine pillars for differentiating your business so that you can become a market leader or category king or queen. For several years, Daniel traveled the world full time with his wife and four children. They continue to travel often and now live in Florida. Daniel Den is the author of the new book "Ideas That Influence," that was built to help business owners discover their own WILDLY SUCCESSFUL MARKETING IDEAS!

Guest: Bobby Kotick, former CEO of Activision Blizzard; and Bing Gordon, general partner at Kleiner PerkinsIn 2020, when President Trump signed the executive order that would ban TikTok in the U.S., Bobby Kotick called his old friend Steven Mnuchin. The former Secretary of the Treasury told him that, if TikTok's U.S. operations were to be sold to an American company, Microsoft would be the only bidder.A couple calls later, he reached ByteDance founder and CEO Zhang Yiming, who said he'd rather sell to Bobby than Microsoft. Concerned about his ability to get the deal done solo, Bobby called Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and offered to make a joint bid. Nadella declined, but added, “ if the deal doesn't get done, we should sit down and talk about us buying Activision.” TikTok currently remains Chinese-owned, but three years later, Microsoft paid $75 billion for Activision Blizzard.Chapters:Mentioned in this episode: Harvard-Westlake School, Alison Ressler, Vivendi, Berkshire Hathaway, Bruce Hack and Arnaud de Puyfontaine, John Riccitiello and EA, Call of Duty, Bizarre Creations, Atari, Apple II, Commodore 64, Jean-Louis Gassée, Apple Lisa, Howard Lincoln, Philips, Magnavox Odyssey, Sutter Hill Ventures, Infocom and Zork, Toys-R-Us, Howard Hughes, E. Parry Thomas, Sun Valley, Thom Weisel, William Morris Endeavor, Guitar Hero, Davidson & Associates, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham, World of Warcraft, Medal of Honor, Steven Spielberg, Michael Crichton, Chris Roberts, Overwatch, Tencent, Time Warner, Jeff Bewkes, Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In, Lina Khan, Samsung, Elon Musk, James L. Jones, UFC, E. Floyd Kvamme, Toy Story 2, Procter & Gamble, Ron Doornik, John Lasseter, Xerox PARC, Shigeru Miyamoto, Satoru Iwata, Goldeneye 007, James Bond, Barbara Broccoli, Oculus, Apple Vision Pro, Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, Sam Altman, Mustafa Suleyman, Spotify, Candy Crush Saga, Disney, Phil Spencer, Clarence Avant and Motown Records. Links:Connect with BobbyTwitterLinkedInConnect with BingTwitterLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

Guest: Nick Kokonas, co-founder of the Alinea Group and former CEO of TockAs of October 1, 2024, Nick Kokonas is no longer an owner of the Alinea restaurant group, which he co-founded and ran for almost 20 years. When he bought a vineyard in Napa Valley prior to the exit, one of his sons remarked, “He's given up. Time to go out to pasture.”Nick admits that the work ahead of him is “not the same” as the high-pressure world of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Chicago. But he's started working with the magician Nate Staniforth on a new restaurant concept that will present diners with illusions and surprises over the course of a two-hour experience. “If you want to feel wonder and feel childlike again, go see a magician,” Nick says. “[But] there's so much bad cultural baggage ... what we wanted to do was create an experience that is not really about magic.”Chapters:(02:29) - Celebrity restauranteurs (07:14) - The next act (12:30) - Buying the vineyard (15:37) - Fear is motivating (17:59) - Opening night (22:03) - Tongue cancer (27:56) - “OK, let's fix this” (31:10) - Selling experience (38:32) - The table plate (42:40) - Feeling full (44:14) - Next Restaurant and Tock (49:33) - Being still (51:19) - Nate Staniforth's lottery illusion (56:57) - The magic restaurant (01:02:29) - Being misunderstood (01:07:44) - Working via email (01:11:43) - “Enemies” (01:18:23) - Who Nick is hiring and what “grit” means to him Mentioned in this episode: Mike Gamson, Shaquille O'Neal, Jeff Kaplan, Steve Bernacki, Robin Anil, Grant Achatz, OpenTable, American Express, The Big Lebowski, The New York Times, eGullet, Gourmet Magazine, Roger Ebert, Eddie van Halen, Goodfellas, The Devil Wears Prada, Batman, the Chicago Bears, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Bavette's and Brendan Sodikoff, Pablo Picasso, Chef's Table, Google, Brian Fitzpatrick, Finding Real Magic, David Blaine, Mark Cuban, Mark Caro, Chicago Magazine, John Mariani, Cat Cora, Homaro Cantu, Dave Portnoy, Pete Wells, and Eric Asimov.Links:Connect with NickTwitterLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

Host Ty Williams is joined by "Uncle" Dean Andrus and co-host Taylor Turnbull. Dean talks about managing lifestyle changes, distance from family, and the mindset of overcoming challenges. He has been at Sunrun for just over one year, but has already hit Franchise and is a newly promoted Market Leader in Thousand Oaks.

Guest: Rick Smith, CEO & Founder of Axon (formerly TASER)Being a founder-CEO is a “unique superpower,” says Axon's Rick Smith: People like him get a longer leash from the board to try things that outside CEOs might not.“My job is to push risk into the organization,” Rick says. “If there's a project with a 50 percent chance of success, a 50 percent chance of failure, but it's going to pay 100 to 1, any finance person will tell you, you should take that bet all day long.”One of those bets was the transition from running a weapons company called TASER into a broader public safety firm called Axon, which makes cloud-supported body cameras fro police, tactical drones, AI records management software and more. “If we never have a product failure, then we're not taking risks anymore and we're going to end up getting disrupted,” Rick says.Chapters:(01:09) - Tasers vs. guns (03:35) - Axon's growth (07:09) - Biggest surprises (09:33) - How TASER got started (13:11) - Reinventing the taser (17:24) - A humiliating launch (23:33) - Rick's family (26:14) - The Auto Taser failure (30:21) - The darkest days (34:26) - Hans Marrero (37:25) - Family and burnout (42:49) - Rick's family (45:49) - Pivoting the business (51:37) - Axon body cameras (53:46) - Axon's current products (58:08) - Re-educating the cops (01:02:09) - Pushing risk (01:05:44) - Competing with the gun (01:10:16) - Exponential stock plans (01:14:17) - Who Axon is hiring (01:14:46) - What “grit” means to Rick Mentioned in this episode: UnitedHealthcare and Brian Thompson, Harvard University, human-machine interfaces, Star Wars, Timecop, Star Trek, Jack Cover, Project Apollo, Ed Owen; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Tom Smith, Rodney King, the Sharper Image, Steve Filmer, Phil Smith, Silicon Valley Bank, Emil Michael, Bob Kagle, Benchmark, Norwest Ventures, Molly Wuthrich, Josh Isner, The Terminator, Ferrari, Richard Branson, Burning Man, Steve Jobs, Brenda Smith, Hadi Partovi, Amazon AWS, Microsoft, DraftOne, Ambience Health, OpenAI, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Brown, Computer Aided Dispatch, Elon Musk and SpaceX, and Luke Larson.Links:Connect with RickTwitterLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

Guest: Emilie Choi, president & COO of CoinbaseAfter the collapse of FTX in 2022, “the whole industry was tarnished,” recalls Coinbase COO Emilie Choi. “Politicians came out criticizing crypto, saying it was a fraud.”But unlike FTX, Coinbase was a public company in the U.S. So when the SEC served it a Wells notice, announcing its intent to charge the company with violating securities laws, the executive team took an unusual step: They went on the offensive, publicly calling BS on the agency.“Well-regarded CEOs from TradFi, they were like, ‘You don't do that,'” Emilie says. “'You don't antagonize your regulator.' ... It was a combination of chutzpah and maybe desperation that we were like, ‘We have to go tell our story, because if we don't, nobody else will.'”Chapters: (01:14) - Working with founder CEOs (04:12) - Mission first (07:16) - Reviewing candidates (09:48) - Unusual hiring (11:22) - Crypto after FTX (16:29) - Operation Choke Point 2.0 (19:19) - Grin and bear it (21:24) - Channeling negativity (24:21) - Going to war with the SEC (26:20) - Donald Trump and Gary Gensler (28:38) - Was it worth it? (31:19) - Shipping challenges (34:03) - OKRs and personal goals (36:41) - Brian Armstrong and structure (40:56) - The COO guidebook (43:30) - Removing bureaucracy (46:50) - Investing in crypto (49:41) - After Coinbase (53:03) - Constantly on (54:53) - Favorite interview questions (56:28) - Who Coinbase is hiring (58:28) - Standing for something Mentioned in this episode: Google Chat, executive coaches, Mark Zuckerberg, LinkedIn, Jeff Weiner, speed reading, Warner Bros., Elizabeth Warren, Sam Bankman-Fried, Wells notices, Paul Grewal, Chris Lehane, Airbnb, OpenAI, FOIA requests, Balaji Srinivasan, Dan Romero, Kevin Scott, Microsoft, Patrick McHenry, Ritchie Torres, Fairshake PAC, A16z, Ripple, Stand With Crypto, Dogecoin, Robinhood, Charles Schwab, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Paul Ryan, Faryar Shirzad, Kara Calvert, Elon Musk, Earn.com, Ben Horowitz, Bain Capital Ventures, Claire Hughes Johnson and Scaling People, Directly Responsible Individuals, Fidelity, BlackRock, Yahoo!, Stewart Butterfield, Brad Garlinghouse, Alibaba, Flickr, cognitive tests, and Loom.Links:Connect with EmilieTwitterLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

Sally Warren joins host Ty Williams on this episode of Electric People. Sally shares her successful journey into solar from her previous career. Sally has an incredible mindset and consistency. Sally is a newly promoted Market Leader.

Guest: Sarah Franklin, CEO of LatticeAs the CEO of a growing company, Lattice's Sarah Franklin has learned that one of her most important contributions is taking a leap of faith. “You have to have the courage to be the first one to do it,” she says,” and to show that it can be done, and to pave the way so that then your team feels trust.”Sarah cautions, though, that sometimes courage is deciding to stop and go a different direction. As agentic AI becomes more common, the people building companies like Lattice should look to the “cautionary tales” of how social media and mobile phones have changed society, she says.“We can have the courage to say, what are the outcomes that we want to prevent? Or what are the outcomes that we want to make sure happen? This all takes, courage, because it's all unknown.”Chapters:(01:14) - Schooling in Mexico (04:09) - Raising brave children (10:28) - Sarah's upbringing (13:29) - The pursuit of money (16:23) - Measuring success (19:28) - Learnings, not regrets (22:55) - Make an impact (26:44) - Pitching Trailhead (32:56) - Elevating a B2B company (35:27) - How to colonize Mars (38:39) - Marketing, the Salesforce way (44:21) - Dolphining and truth-tellers (50:56) - Renewed purpose (56:30) - The challenges of being CEO (01:00:18) - Pave the way (01:03:25) - “Humanizing AI” (01:06:57) - Handling controversy (01:11:04) - Who Lattice is hiring and what “grit” means to Sarah Mentioned in this episode: FaceTime, Salesforce, Marc Benioff, Mahatma Gandhi, Instagram, the Fortune 500, Java, Jerry Maguire, National Parks, Nike, Michael Jordan, Apple and “Think Different,” Sara Varni, Scott Holden, Andy Kofoid, Databricks, Datadog, Behind the Cloud, Oracle, Microsoft, Elon Musk, Amazon AWS, George Hu, Mike Rosenbaum, Cheryl Feldman, Zac Otero, Guidewire Software, AI agents, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and LinkedIn.Links:Connect with SarahLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

No one wants to be a one-hit wonder. Briefly outperforming the market isn't enough — what matters is learning how to continue moving the needle in your portfolio with a strategy that's sustainable. Alissa Coram, executive editor of multimedia at Investor's Business Daily, joins the “Investing with IBD” podcast to discuss how she doubled her portfolio within a year, her buy rules, sell signals and how to fit active trading into a busy lifestyle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest: David Heinemeier Hansson, CTO & co-owner of 37signals and creator of Ruby on Rails 37signals CTO David Heinemeier Hansson has organized his life around his passions: Writing, racing sports cars, and coding. “ Why aren't we all doing that?” he wonders. “Why aren't we all trying to optimize our life in such a way that much of it is enjoyable?”Part of the problem, David argues, is that it's impossible to find a creative or productive flow inside of mainstream work culture. Open offices, managerial over-hiring, and sloppy scheduling prevents people from reaching a flow state.“40 hours a week is plenty than most people,” he says. “... So many people today are focused on just adding more and more hours. They're not thinking about how those hours are spent.” Chapters:(01:19) - 24 Hours of Le Mans (06:48) - Amateurs in sports car racing (10:54) - Flow and meditation (15:25) - Mundane bulls**t (18:14) - Optimizing for flow (21:09) - Calendars and open offices (24:30) - Full-time managers (29:06) - Small companies (32:20) - Selfishness and work (40:21) - Taking other people's money (45:43) - Temptation (49:49) - Moderately rich (55:19) - “The day I became a millionaire” (58:56) - The hassle (01:03:58) - Achieving the dream (01:08:34) - Shopify and Tobias Lütke (01:14:50) - Trade-offs and downsides (01:18:43) - The impact of Ruby on Rails (01:22:02) - “I love being wrong” (01:25:37) - DEI and illegal drugs (01:29:49) - Not hiring (01:30:35) - What “grit” means to David Mentioned in this episode: TikTok, Minecraft, Mario Kart, Formula One, NASCAR, Lewis Hamilton, the NBA, Tesla Model S, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Steve McQueen, Jason Fried, Tetris, Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber, Elon Musk and Twitter, the Dunbar number, Zappos, Google, Adam Smith, Stripe, Meta, Jeff Bezos, Basecamp, Zapier, 1Password, GitHub, SpaceX, private jets, Aesop, the Pagani Zonda, the Porsche Boxster, Lamborghini, Coco Chanel, LeBron James, Hey, Steve Jobs, Michael Arrington and TechCrunch, Y Combinator, Dr. Thomas Sowell,Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn, Grit by Angela Duckworth, and LEGO. Links:Connect with DavidTwitterLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

On this special episode of Grit, we look back at some of the coolest stories and best advice our guests have shared in 2024. Chapters:(00:49) - David Risher on his Amazon easter egg & moving on (07:02) - Jason Kilar on bouncing between relevance & irrelevance (15:13) - Eoghan McCabe on "re-founding" the company he started (22:59) - Mark Fields on battling with Trump & running to the fire (29:41) - John Hanke on intensity and balance (38:00) - Rony Abovitz on whether losing he's bitter about losing Magic Leap to COVID (47:42) - Mark McLaughlin on sacrificing personal time (57:39) - Taylor Francis on building culture Listen to all of these episodes:#201 CEO Lyft, David Risher: The Ride#214 Former CEO Hulu & WarnerMedia Jason Kilar: No Labels#191 CEO & Co-Founder Intercom, Eoghan McCabe: Second Beginning#209 Former President & CEO Ford, Mark Fields: All Cylinders#203 CEO Niantic, John Hanke: Buried Ships#212 Founder Magic Leap & SynthBee Rony Abovitz: Underdog#202 Chairman of Qualcomm, Mark McLaughlin: The Right Pitch#189 Co-Founder Watershed, Taylor Francis: Worthy MissionsConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm