Podcasts about B2B

“How are we going to show up in LLMs?”  That's the new CEO question keeping B2B CMOs on alert. As AI-powered search reshapes how buyers find answers, B2B brands need a new organic strategy—Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). In this episode, Drew Neisser brings together two AEO trailblazers: Guy Yalif (Webflow) and Omer Gottlieb (Salespeak). Together, they tackle what it really takes to earn your place in AI answers. Forget keyword stuffing—this is about understanding how LLMs ingest, rank, and cite information, and how B2B marketers can respond now. You'll learn how to earn placement in AI-generated answers by mastering the four pillars of AEO: Content: Answer real buyer questions clearly and concisely.  Technical: Make your site machine-readable.  Authority: Earn credibility where buyers AND models are looking.  Measurement: Track share of voice across critical questions, then iterate. Also in this episode:  What LLMs want—but often can't find—on B2B websites  How to build a question-driven content strategy using sales calls, support tickets, and win-loss data.  Why share of voice (across buyer questions) is the new metric for AI visibility.  How to serve two audiences at once: humans and machines 

Happy October! If you've been following recent episodes of the Selling to Corporate ® podcast, you'll know I love a good trend prediction—and this year, one big shift has arrived faster than expected. So… what's stopping B2B sales growth right now? The #1 Hidden Trap: Negativity + Lack of Strategy Despite a booming B2B market (yes, companies ARE spending more, hiring external suppliers, and booking high-value engagements!), I'm seeing more consultants and sales professionals struggle to hit their revenue targets. Why? Here's what's happening: Negativity Echo Chambers: There's an overwhelming focus on everything feeling hard—market uncertainty, global events, peer groups venting frustrations. If your daily rhythm starts with news or LinkedIn doom-scrolling, your sales mindset takes a major hit before you even begin working. Peer-Led Accountability (Used Wrong): While supportive networks are great for encouragement, relying on peers for strategic decision-making or troubleshooting technical sales problems simply doesn't work anymore. You wouldn't ask your best friend to diagnose your heart problem, right? The same thinking applies to your sales process. Mistaking Knowledge for Results: Just knowing how sales “should” work isn't enough. The market is changing fast. What brought you success last year may fall flat this year. Continuous accountability, real strategy, and expert guidance keep the needle moving. The Good News: There's Huge Opportunity if You Shift Focus Even in this wild year, our podcast community has been sharing wins: Clients having their best month ever 30K speaking engagements secured 6-figure contracts signed with new clients in under 6 weeks High conversion rates for those who stay focused on actionable strategy It's not about ignoring the hard stuff—it's about how you show up for your business before the negativity sets in. Strategic action, consistent outreach, and real accountability are your best friends right now. What to Do Next If you want 2026 to look radically different (and better!) for your business: Get strategic support that's built for where you are and where you want to go, not just trending advice from peers or influencers. Consider how you're really spending your “sales” time each day. Are you letting outside noise dictate your results? Take a look at your goals for next year. Are they clear—and matched with a sales strategy that aligns? Opportunities Not to Miss: The Expert Services Directory is almost full in some categories. If you coach execs in London, we have just TWO spots left for the next 12 months. The final ever round of The C Suite ® program is open for enrolment until 31st October or until all 45 remaining spots are taken (whichever comes first). This is the program with a 96% market success rate, and it's created millions in revenue for participants in 20+ countries. Don't miss out—this is your final chance. Stay tuned—upcoming podcast episodes will feature case studies, breakthrough sales stories, and practical planning tips you won't want to miss. Let's make the most of what's left of 2025—and plan for a phenomenal 2026!  Key Quotes; Who Should Teach You B2B Sales? 00:00:4500:01:03 "If somebody has not worked in a business development and specifically a new business development management or new business development sales director type position in a corporate company, then they have no business giving you any advice on how to sell to companies." The Importance of Qualified Strategic Advice 00:29:5600:30:24 "But when we're not taking strategic advice from somebody who is qualified in their field to troubleshoot that advice, who's qualified in their field to be able to make changes and make appropriate and educated changes, rather than just telling them to do the same thing repeatedly without, you know, checking anything, that person continues to get lower results." The Panic Trap—Why More Content Doesn't Always Fix Your Business 00:38:4000:39:06 "So this is where people really panic and they're like, oh my gosh, well, if it's not working, if the market's awful, I'm going to start posting on social media every day. I'm going to create 10 hours worth of content a week. I'm going to be doing free webinars and I'm going to do a three part newsletter sequence with, you know, some kind of tech funnel that drips them into a paid product for 99 pounds or whatever it is. And that doesn't work and they don't see results." The Pitfalls of Peer-Led Environments 00:32:4900:33:21 "In a peer led environment, there is this vacuum of knowledge and motivation and innovation and ability to troubleshoot. So the negativity that can be there, combined with the lack of strategy and consistent application of that strategy and ability to troubleshoot it in the right way, that's caused real issues because it has created these kinds of echo chambers of "oh, well, everyone's doing badly." The Power of Celebrating Success 00:48:1700:48:39 "What really makes me sad is that there are people who've had an amazing year this year who don't want to talk about it. They don't want to say it publicly because they don't want to make other people who are in the weeds feel bad. And that's really awful because actually, if we don't start talking positively about, you know, this person's done this amazing thing, this person's achieved this awesome goal, this person's still standing at this level. All we hear is that negativity. So we assume everything's bad, and so they miss out on the opportunity to inspire a whole bunch of people."   Key Resources Mentioned in this Episode:   Click here for the direct link to The C Suite ® 2026: https://smartleaderssell.thrivecart.com/the-c-suite-2026-live/   If you want to learn more about The Expert Services Directory, click here: http://bit.ly/4f3ch1I   If you've enjoyed listening to How educating decision makers is screwing your sales process check out these other episodes that may be of interest.   Top B2B Trends and Insights to set yourself up for success https://bit.ly/SellingtoCorporate060   Why content doesn't work to sell to corporate clients https://bit.ly/SellingToCorporate135   Converting Corporates is the B2B sales event of the year for service based entrepreneurs, if you want to join the waitlist for 2026 click the link https://smartleaderssell.vipmembervault.com/cc2026waitlist   If you would like to sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay in touch with the latest B2B sales tips and techniques click https://sellingtocorporate.com/newsletter/   Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Jessica Lorimer disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.  

If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward• https://www.youtube.com/mapitforwardCheck out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshopsConsider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here:• https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingJoin our mailing list:• https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistInterested in our business advisory services for your small, medium, or large business? Email us here: support@mapitforward.orgLooking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 5th of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and it's future. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.The episodes in this series are:1. The Genesis of Saudi Specialty Coffee - https://youtu.be/eWjB9Zld8KU2. Discovering The Saudi Cultural Palate - https://youtu.be/B9mHKi1ivwI3. Running a Coffee Business in Saudi - https://youtu.be/zspRNIufC_U4. The Future of Saudi as an Origin Country - https://youtu.be/heJAB30BgCc5. How to do Good Business in Coffee - https://youtu.be/63BiqHbRp0EIn this final episode of a five-part series, Lee and Wayel discuss key strategies for building a successful specialty coffee business. Wayel shares insights on the importance of not competing with your customers, offering support and financial consulting, and maintaining high standards of quality. He highlights the challenges faced in the coffee industry, such as imitation products, and the necessity of collaborating with trusted distributors. The episode underscores the significance of creating a holistic premium experience for consumers and not compromising on quality. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge from Wayel's experiences and learn how to build a sustainable and respected coffee business.Connect with Wayel Al Wohaibi and Sulalat here:https://sulalat.com/enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wayel-al-wohaibi-b574a04/https://www.instagram.com/wesulalat/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

Collin Stewart is the Founder and CEO of Predictable Revenue, a sales outsourcing company that helps B2B businesses build repeatable, scalable sales development teams. Under his leadership, Predictable Revenue has become a recognized leader in sales consulting, delivering over 10,000 booked meetings and scaling outbound sales for more than 55 companies. Recognized for his data-driven, practical approach to solving sales challenges, Collin also hosts the Predictable Revenue podcast, which boasts over 400 episodes.  In this episode… Rushing to scale before confirming real market demand is a common startup trap. Founders may hire sales leaders too soon, invest heavily in marketing, and burn through cash without a proven customer pull. How can entrepreneurs mitigate this risk and develop a sales process that truly meets customer needs? Collin Stewart, an expert in outbound sales and customer development, learned this lesson firsthand. In his early ventures, he invested heavily in building tools without confirming that buyers cared, which cost him years of effort. Over time, Collin discovered that the key was starting with customer development interviews, asking the right questions, and carefully transitioning from learning conversations into sales. He now advises founders to validate product-market fit themselves before handing sales off, to avoid what he calls “founder suicide.” In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Collin Stewart, Founder and CEO of Predictable Revenue, about bridging the gap between customer development and sales. Collin shares why premature scaling is a startup killer, his framework for running effective customer interviews, and lessons from working with companies like Uber. He also discusses best practices for cold email deliverability, targeting strategies, and his favorite tools for modern sales teams.

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Yael Shemer was a community builder before she cofounded TULU. In this episode, she shares how she built her real estate tech startup from three buildings to over 400 globally in seven years. She discusses pivoting from B2C to B2B and managing the chaos of rapid scaling. You will also learn about her unconventional journey from environmental activist and waitress to tech founder, learning to leverage her authenticity and community organizing skills as strengths rather than viewing them as limitations.

Everyone's talking about AI, but let's be honest, most B2B brands still sound like copy-paste corporate speak. The scary part? While you're stuck writing “safe” content, your competitors are out there building cult followings.On this episode, Jason and Josh talk with Sandy Mangat, Head of Marketing at Pocus, about what it really takes to make people care. Sandy has worked in product, growth, and brand teams, so she's here to share the lessons you won't find in a playbook. From building a community people actually want to be part of, to cutting through the AI hype without sounding like a bot, this conversation is all about marketing that feels alive.Here's what we dig into:Why so many startups crash when product, growth, and brand don't align.The real secret to category creation (spoiler: it's not just slapping “2.0” on a slide).How to turn a community from “nice idea” into a genuine growth engine.The fine line between brand personality and just being unclear.Sandy's one-line marketing philosophy: everything is easier when you're famous.

If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward• https://www.youtube.com/mapitforwardCheck out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshopsConsider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here:• https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingJoin our mailing list:• https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistInterested in our business advisory services for your small, medium, or large business? Email us here: support@mapitforward.orgLooking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 4th of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and it's future. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.The episodes in this series are:1. The Genesis of Saudi Specialty Coffee - https://youtu.be/eWjB9Zld8KU2. Discovering The Saudi Cultural Palate - https://youtu.be/B9mHKi1ivwI3. Running a Coffee Business in Saudi - https://youtu.be/zspRNIufC_U4. The Future of Saudi as an Origin Country - https://youtu.be/heJAB30BgCc5. How to do Good Business in Coffee - https://youtu.be/63BiqHbRp0EIn this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Wayel delve into the historical significance of coffee in Jazan, recent government initiatives like Vision 2030, and the challenges and potential of Saudi coffee as a burgeoning origin. Wayel shares personal anecdotes, the importance of quality control, and comparison with Yemeni coffee. The episode emphasizes the growth of specialty coffee in Saudi Arabia and the vision for its future on the world stage.Connect with Wayel Al Wohaibi and Sulalat here:https://sulalat.com/enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wayel-al-wohaibi-b574a04/https://www.instagram.com/wesulalat/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

What sort of technology goes into building the latest arenas? This week, Technology Now explores the Chase Centre, home of the Golden State Warriors and a venue for all sorts of events from sports to live music. We examine the importance of technology in all aspects of design, from before fans leave their houses, to their connectivity, safety, and enjoyment at the venue. Brian Fulmer, Senior Director of IT at the Golden State Warriors, tells us more.This is Technology Now, a weekly show from Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Every week, hosts Michael Bird and Aubrey Lovell look at a story that's been making headlines, take a look at the technology behind it, and explain why it matters to organizations.HPE and Golden State Warriors Partnership:https://www.hpe.com/psnow/doc/a00115219enwhttps://www.hpe.com/h22228/video-gallery/us/en/v100003857/video?jumpId=in_videogallery_366db19b-247e-46f0-9acc-490ac791aefe_gaiwAbout Brian Fullmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfulmer/Sources:https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/63755510https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ancient-roman-gladiator-arena-concession-stand-shops-found/https://www.britannica.com/sports/polohttps://www.football-stadiums.co.uk/articles/history-of-floodlights-in-football/https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom

Ever think the “sexiest” franchise would be… drains? In this Franchise Unfiltered episode, Wes sits down with Jim Foley, Brand President of Zoom Drain, to unpack a focused service model that's creating massive opportunities in franchising. You'll learn why Zoom Drain is thriving with B2B and B2C demand, how “truck math” makes scaling predictable, and why plumbers actually refer business to Zoom Drain instead of competing with them. Topics we cover: -Why specializing in drains beats being a generalist -The referral flywheel with plumbers -How apprentices become six-figure technicians -Predictable growth using “truck math” -The power of consult-don't-sell in home services -Flat-rate pricing and a systemized playbook Whether you're exploring franchise ownership or just curious how an “unsexy” industry turns into big business, this episode breaks it all down. 7 Steps to Owning a Franchise: https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising

#287 Brand Marketing | In this episode, Matt is joined by Amrita Gurney, a veteran B2B marketing leader who has scaled some of Canada's fastest-growing startups and now works as a fractional CMO. At Float, she led bold offline campaigns, from billboards and buses to TV spots, that helped the company stand out against major banks and build lasting brand recall.Matt and Amrita cover:Why offline ads like billboards and transit campaigns are making a comeback in B2B marketingHow creative choices — bold colors, emotional messaging, and relatable personas — can make or break brand campaignsWhat B2B marketers should know about budget allocation, measuring recall, and balancing brand vs. performance marketingWhether you're running your first brand campaign or rethinking your spend mix, this episode will give you fresh ideas on how to stand out in B2B marketing.Timestamps(00:00) - – Intro (03:08) - – Amrita's background and career journey (04:28) - – Why Float invested in offline ads (06:08) - – Launching their first billboard campaign (08:08) - – Taking bold risks with creative (10:08) - – Human-centered messaging vs. product copy (12:08) - – Expanding into buses, subways, and airports (15:08) - – Testing (or not testing) creative concepts (16:08) - – What brand recall really means in B2B (18:08) - – Measuring lift from offline campaigns (22:43) - – Balancing brand vs. performance spend (24:43) - – Lessons from consumer marketing in B2B (26:43) - – How they chose cities and placements (29:43) - – Budget breakdown and allocation (33:43) - – Tracking TV ad performance (35:43) - – How long to run campaigns for impact (36:43) - – Advice for marketers considering offline ads (38:43) - – Closing thoughts and takeaways Send guest pitches and ideas to hi@exitfive.comJoin the Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterCheck out the Exit Five job board: https://jobs.exitfive.com/Become an Exit Five member: https://community.exitfive.com/checkout/exit-five-membership***Today's episode is brought to you by Knak.Email (in my humble opinion) is the still the greatest marketing channel of all-time.It's the only way you can truly “own” your audience.But when it comes to building the emails - if you've ever tried building an email in an enterprise marketing automation platform, you know how painful it can be. Templates are too rigid, editing code can break things and the whole process just takes forever. That's why we love Knak here at Exit Five. Knak a no-code email platform that makes it easy to create on-brand, high-performing emails - without the bottlenecks.Frustrated by clunky email builders? You need Knak.Tired of ‘hoping' the email you sent looks good across all devices? Just test in Knak first.Big team making it hard to collaborate and get approvals? Definitely Knak.And the best part? Everything takes a fraction of the time.See Knak in action at knak.com/exit-five. Or just let them know you heard about Knak on Exit Five.***Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more

Brett had a drug dealer's car for 13 days. By day 11, the death threats started coming. This is the reality of building ServiceUp, the "DoorDash for auto repair." Brett literally stole DoorDash's entire playbook—city launches, three-sided marketplace, everything—but discovered even if he got 90% right, 10% of B2C customers can end you. He raised from Tiger just as the firm exploded. The DoorDash partnership that seemed like salvation turned into their worst nightmare. But then they pivoted to B2B and saw their average order value grow 5x overnight."Work-life balance is BS. If you can work seven days a week, you'll fail faster, fix faster, and find product-market fit faster."Why You Should Listen:Why just 10% of your customers can destroy your business How to close funding in the middle of a macro crisisWhy work-life balance is BS if you want to build something bigHow stealing another startup's playbook can lead to 5000% growthWhy your worst customers might actually show you your best pivotKeywords:startup podcast, startup podcast for founders, ServiceUp, Brett Carlson, marketplace startup, B2B pivot, Tiger Global, auto repair tech, fleet management, startup growth00:00:00 Intro00:01:40 Failed auto shop becomes ServiceUp idea00:03:27 Pulling co-founder out of retirement00:09:30 Raising $2M seed from angels00:13:23 Building the MVP in Puerto Rico00:15:01 Early Bay Area operations and getting shops00:17:50 The drug dealer death threat incident00:21:17 Tiger Global loses $8B during Series A00:26:57 DoorDash partnership disaster00:28:36 Pivoting from B2C to B2B fleets00:30:00 Finding product-market fitSend me a message to let me know what you think!

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray is joined by Ricardo Ghekiere, co-founder of BetterPic. Ricardo takes us through his unconventional entrepreneurial journey, starting with running a coffee bar, dabbling in a variety of ventures, and eventually making his way into the tech space. He shares the fascinating story of how he acquired BetterPic for just one dollar, rebuilt the company from the ground up, and scaled it into a thriving AI-powered business that transforms selfies into professional headshots. Ricardo talks about navigating the challenges of transitioning from a B2C to a B2B go-to-market strategy, lessons learned from his first fundraising efforts, and his approach to metrics and profitability. We also get a sneak peek into BetterPic's expansion into the fashion industry, their recent $2.5 million seed round, and Ricardo's candid insights on scaling, pricing, and international growth. Stick around for actionable advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and a look at what's next for BetterPic and its new ventures. Show Notes: 00:00 Difficulty Attracts Talent 03:25 "Consumer-First, Expand to B2B" 08:53 Startup Secures $2.5M Funding 12:38 "Finding the Right Investors" 15:22 "B2B CRM Essential for Upselling" 17:49 Pricing Experiment Insights 20:09 Monthly Business Metrics Overview 23:52 Business Acquisition in San Francisco Links: SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/betterpic-raises-2-5-million-in-seed-round Ricardo Ghekiere's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-ghekiere/ BetterPic's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterpic/ BetterPic's Website: https://www.betterpic.io/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

Eli Ben-Sasson announces StarkNet's Bitcoin initiative: native BTC staking, 100M STRK token allocation for lending, and why zero-knowledge proofs are essential for Bitcoin to achieve Satoshi's original vision of peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries. Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder of StarkNet and Zcash, announces StarkNet's major Bitcoin news: native Bitcoin staking on StarkNet. Starknet has 100 million STRK tokens allocated for competitive Bitcoin lending rates and Bitcoin yield strategies. Eli explains why zero-knowledge proofs are the scalability solution Bitcoin needs, how StarkNet enables self-custodial Bitcoin DeFi, and why OP_CAT could be the nine lines of code that save Bitcoin from becoming just another store-of-value asset for the wealthy. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com # Notes: • Bitcoin staking now live on StarkNet • 100M STRK tokens for Bitcoin lending incentives • 500M+ STRK already staked in protocol • 21-day unstaking period for Bitcoin • $1M research fund for OP_CAT development • ZK-STARKs verify million transactions for one cost • RS7 launching Bitcoin yield strategies 00:00 Start 01:46 Bitcoin staking is now live 03:08 What is Bitcoin Staking? 06:07 History of Zero Knowledge Proofs 08:00 ZK & scaling 09:05 How scaling would work 10:57 Covenants (OPCAT, CTV) 11:55 STRK token 14:12 PoW vs PoS 16:09 Practical benefits from staking 20:26 Staking curve & rates 21:57 100M STRK tokens 24:14 Why start with lending? 25:29 Re7 Capital 28:31 Re7 function 36:08 Consensus for covenants -

Anthony Blatner, founder of Speedwork Social and host of LinkedIn Ads Radio, joins John Jantsch to uncover why so many businesses struggle with LinkedIn advertising. With years of experience helping B2B companies—from SaaS startups to Fortune 500s—Anthony explains the pitfalls of default campaign settings, the power of Thought Leader ads, and how to properly target the right professionals. Listeners will learn how to cut wasted spend, boost ROI, and finally make LinkedIn ads work. 00:00 Start 00:33 Meet Anthony Blatner 01:09 Why LinkedIn Ads Work 02:20 Best Industries for LinkedIn 03:20 Campaign Structure Secrets 06:04 Thought Leader Ads 08:26 Targeting Mistakes to Avoid 11:29 Budgeting for LinkedIn ROI 14:32 Retargeting & Lead Capture 16:14 Creative Best Practices 18:04 LinkedIn Culture Shift 18:31 AI Impact on LinkedIn Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!

In this episode of Builders Wanted, we're joined by Kevin Stang, Chief of Staff to the President of the US Professional Products Division at L'Oréal. Kevin shares his unique perspective on aligning purpose with performance, leading high-powered teams, and fostering innovation in the beauty industry. He highlights the importance of investing in talent, the role of 360 marketers, and the real-world insights and adaptability required to stay ahead of trends.-------------------Key Takeaways:Building strong customer engagement requires a 360-degree approach: balancing B2B and B2C strategies, investing in talent, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.Data should be paired with direct insights from salons and stylists to drive innovation and effective marketing.Speed and adaptability are crucial to keep up with cultural trends, but maintaining authenticity is key to lasting success.------------------- “ What would happen if you had an individual send you a video, you get approval by mid-morning and you're in the content center by the afternoon shooting the content, and it's up within 48 hours? That is the type of speed and change that we've really made internally to help take that story that that storyteller is creating and try to remove all of those operation or hierarchical barriers that exist in very modern or traditional groupings and try to put that at the forefront to allow fast speed and reaction.” – Kevin Stang-------------------Episode Timestamps:‍*(02:12) - The importance of people and talent development at L'Oreal‍*(08:47) - Turning data into actionable insights through field immersion‍*(14:25) - How TikTok and YouTube are transforming stylist training and brand engagement‍*(17:17) - The “storyteller” role in keeping up with trends and authentic content creation‍*(22:43) - Empowering stylists authentically without over-prescription‍*(35:01) - Quick hits ‍-------------------‍Links:Connect with Kevin on LinkedInConnect with Kailey on LinkedInLearn more about Caspian Studios‍-------------------SponsorBuilders Wanted is brought to you by Twilio – the Customer Engagement Platform that helps builders turn real-time data into meaningful customer experiences. More than 320,000 businesses trust Twilio to transform signals into connections—and connections into revenue. Ready to build what's next? Learn more at twilio.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

About this episode (#406): In this episode, Jack and Jeremy revisit the question: should AI be trusted to write and send first-line personalization in cold outreach? It's late Q2 2025, and AI tools are smarter than ever. But are they smart enough to handle something as nuanced (and reputation-sensitive) as email intros without human review? The guys go deep on how far the tech has come, what's still risky, and where it might actually make sense in your workflow. Key topics discussed in this episode: Why letting AI send unchecked intro lines is still a risky move How the quality of personalization has improved and where it still breaks Why buyer awareness of AI is making personalization harder, not easier The evolving role of the first line (and why the PS line might be safer) What makes a smart AI prompt and how to reduce hallucination risk Testing AI-generated personalization vs. handcrafted lines When AI might make sense for high-volume outbound vs. niche campaigns This episode is a no-fluff look at what AI can and can't do for outbound personalization in 2025. Jack and Jeremy break down the tradeoffs, the risks, and where smart filters and prompts can actually help without wrecking your reply rates. About the hosts: Jack Reamer founded SalesBread.com – the lead generation agency that brings B2B companies 1 lead per day by sending ultra-personalized LinkedIn messages and cold emails. Show listeners can book a free, 15-minute lead generation brainstorm session here: https://salesbread.com/contact/ Jeremy Chatelaine founded QuickMail.com – the most performant cold email platform to get replies, thanks to industry-leading features such as Deliverability AI and Advanced Stats. Start your trial today here: https://quickmail.com  

Discovery Calls, LinkedIn, Sales Navigator, and the Future of Sales w/ Brad Pearse. By focusing on curiosity and problem-solving, salespeople can streamline their approach and improve effectiveness. Listen as guest Brad, and Mark, break down the complex world of sales into three essential components: identifying the client's problem, understanding your audience, and determining how you can help them achieve their goals.  They emphasize the importance of asking "why" during discovery calls to gain a deeper understanding of your clients' needs and position yourself as a problem-solver rather than just a seller. Transform your LinkedIn profile from a static resume into a dynamic personal brand that resonates with informed buyers. Brad explores the potential of LinkedIn Sales Navigator and how strategic use of this tool can enhance your sales approach by providing vital buying signals and triggers.   

If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward• https://www.youtube.com/mapitforwardCheck out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshopsConsider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here:• https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingJoin our mailing list:• https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistInterested in our business advisory services for your small, medium, or large business? Email us here: support@mapitforward.orgLooking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 3rd of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and it's future. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.The episodes in this series are:1. The Genesis of Saudi Specialty Coffee - https://youtu.be/eWjB9Zld8KU2. Discovering The Saudi Cultural Palate - https://youtu.be/B9mHKi1ivwI3. Running a Coffee Business in Saudi - https://youtu.be/zspRNIufC_U4. The Future of Saudi as an Origin Country - https://youtu.be/heJAB30BgCc5. How to do Good Business in Coffee - https://youtu.be/63BiqHbRp0EIn this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Wayel delve into the unique coffee culture of Saudi Arabia. They discuss the traditional methods of coffee preparation, the differences across the Middle Eastern region, and the impact of the specialty coffee industry. Wayel shares personal anecdotes about his upbringing and the rituals of serving coffee, as well as insights into the specialty coffee market and Sulalat's approach to roasting and customer service. They also talk about the entrepreneurial spirit in Saudi Arabia and the involvement of business owners in the coffee industry. Stay tuned for the next episode where they will explore Saudi Arabia as an emerging coffee origin.Connect with Wayel Al Wohaibi and Sulalat here:https://sulalat.com/enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wayel-al-wohaibi-b574a04/https://www.instagram.com/wesulalat/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

Braedi DeLong (COO, The Sales Collective), on how understanding your B2B buyers can drive predictable growth. Braedi explained why the outdated “spray and pray” approach is no longer effective, and emphasized the need for targeted, intentional marketing. She expanded on the importance of clearly defining a realistic Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and understanding stakeholder dynamics.

Losing 85% of her company portfolio became the catalyst for radical reinvention. In this episode, we're joined by Neelima Grover, Founder and CEO of Q2IMPACT. She shares hard-won insights from navigating transformation, crisis and reinvention at the helm of a global consulting firm. Neelima explores how Q2IMPACT, after losing 85% of its business due to a governmental shift, pivoted to become an AI-first organization while continuing to serve global development and national security needs. She reflects on resilience, leadership and rebuilding from the ground up. Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.01:52 Q2IMPACT delivers reliable data that drives efficiency, productivity and ROI.04:36 The team sustains work in 96 countries through local hiring and partnerships.10:10 Maverick uses 27 years of data to generate predictive insights with AI.12:54 A policy shift erased 85% of growth plans, triggering major transformation.18:47 In crisis, choosing action and community over despair paved the way forward.22:01 Take a breath, stay clear-headed and move fast to manage financial impact.24:59 Build resilient teams that adapt and sprint through constant change.28:13 Closed doors lead to open ones — find the opportunity and act on it.Resources Mentioned: Neelima Grover -https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelima-groverQ2IMPACT LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/q2impactQ2IMPACT website -https://q2impact.com/This episode is brought to you by Content Allies.Content Allies helps B2B tech companies launch revenue-generating podcasts and build relationships that drive revenue through podcast networking. We schedule interviews with your ideal prospects and strategic partners so that you can build relationships and grow your business. You show up and have conversations; we handle everything else. Learn more at ContentAllies.com #B2B #BusinessLeaders #Leadership

Recorded IRL at Pavilion's GTM2025, Washington DC!Amanda McGuckin Hager has worn many hats in her career—sales, marketing, fractional consulting—and today she holds two big ones: CMO and CRO at TrueDialog. After starting out in sales and quickly realizing her heart was in marketing, Amanda built a path through Austin's B2B tech community, leading teams, experimenting with growth plays, and eventually taking on dual leadership of sales and marketing.In this episode, we unpack Amanda's journey, her approach to building strong cultures without “duds,” why she's protective of her CMO title, and how she's testing AI and search in practical, creative ways.Here's what we cover:Amanda's early pivot from sales into marketing (and why it stuck)What it really looks like to be both CMO and CRO at the same timeResetting a sales org from comp plans to quotas to team structureWhy fewer silos and more shared accountability reduce finger pointingHow to spot (and avoid) “duds” when building teamsThe role of fun and positivity in high-performing leadershipFractional marketing lessons: variety, freedom, and choosing clientsWhy Amanda protects the CMO title (even while running sales)Experiments with LLM optimization, long-tail queries, and AI toolsGuarding deep work time with “no meeting” blocks and shitty first draftsKey Links:Guest: Amanda McGuckin Hager: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda/Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/Recorded live from Pavilion's GTM2025: https://attendgtm.com/––Like WIB2BM? Show us some love with a rating or review. It helps us reach more

Most founders quit creating content too early. They get frustrated when posts flop, blame the algorithm, and let ego get in the way. The truth? Building a personal brand takes patience, self-awareness, and the willingness to look bad before you get good.Today, I sit down with Jared Gibson, co-founder of Outworks, to unpack the reality of building on LinkedIn in 2024. From why video content still matters even if reach is down, to how to send DMs that don't make prospects roll their eyes, Jared shares the no-fluff playbook for building trust and winning clients online.We dive into why executives are still scared to get on camera, how thought leader ads really work, and why the comparison game destroys more founders than it helps. Jared also shares what it's like scaling Outworks, hitting plateaus, and pushing through the mental challenges every entrepreneur faces.You'll learn:✅ Why ego is the enemy of building your personal brand✅ How to create content that enters the conversation in your buyer's head✅ Why video is still the fastest way to build trust (even if reach is down)✅ The right way to use DMs without sounding like a spam bot✅ How to survive the inevitable plateaus of entrepreneurshipIf you've been searching “how to build a personal brand on LinkedIn,” “why my LinkedIn content isn't working,” or “authentic LinkedIn strategy for founders,” this episode delivers the raw truth.Connect with JaredGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredoutworksGuest Website: https://www.outworks.io/ If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠Timecodes00:00 Introduction to Jaron Gibson and His Journey00:18 Transition to Entrepreneurship00:34 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn01:08 Founding Outworks and Its Mission01:44 Challenges and Strategies in Sales04:19 The Importance of Personal Branding05:08 LinkedIn's Changing Landscape06:40 Effective Content Strategies for LinkedIn10:03 The Role of Video in Personal Branding27:50 LinkedIn Outreach and DM Strategies37:12 LinkedIn Thought Leader Ads40:01 The Power of Paid and Organic Marketing40:57 Leveraging Thought Leader Ads41:12 Creating Specific Content for Target Audiences41:38 The Benefits of Profile Views and Connection Requests41:58 Building a Network with Thought Leader Ads42:12 The Value of Organic Content43:09 Being the Content: Authenticity in Marketing43:39 Repurposing Content for Multiple Platforms44:51 Coaching Clients on Content Creation45:37 Balancing Personal and Professional Content48:36 Overcoming the Fear of Video Content49:29 The Importance of Authenticity in Content59:47 The Scarcity Mentality in Social Media01:01:02 Taking Time Off from Social Media01:04:41 The Journey of Entrepreneurship01:12:31 In-House Marketing vs. Outsourcing01:17:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

StrongestLayer is building AI-native email security architecture designed for threats that defeat pattern-matching systems. The company pivoted from security awareness training after early customers discovered its phishing detection plugin caught advanced threats that legacy gateway solutions missed. In a recent episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Alan LeFort, CEO of StrongestLayer, to discuss why architectural generation matters more than vendor reputation in email security, and how they're using transparent proof-of-concept methodology to displace 20-year incumbents.   Topics Discussed: Why AI-generated attacks with n=1 datasets break signature-based detection architectures The convergence of legitimate marketing automation and phishing techniques (lookalike domains, intent signals, AI-personalized messaging) How 2% of attack types represent 90% of breach value, forecast to reach 17% of volume by 2027 Transparent POC strategy achieving 85% meeting-to-POC and 100% qualified-POC-to-technical-win conversion Stage-based ICP selection: targeting 1,000-10,000 seats for sub-6-month sales cycles with enterprise compliance requirements Harvard Kennedy School research: AI enables 88% employee profiling from public data, 95% cost reduction for targeted campaigns, and 60% click rates versus 12% baseline   GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Deploy transparent POCs as category displacement weapons: When attacking entrenched incumbents, StrongestLayer runs one-week POCs behind existing email security gateways with zero commercial pressure—just visibility into what's being missed. At a sub-1,000-seat company running behind a top-three market leader, they surfaced 80 advanced threats in one week. This approach converts 85% of first meetings to POC and 100% of qualified POCs to technical wins. The insight: In technical categories where buyers are sophisticated, removing evaluation friction and letting comparative performance speak eliminates trust barriers faster than enterprise reference selling. Stage-match your ICP to burn rate tolerance, not TAM: Alan deliberately excludes Fortune 500 despite universal email security need: "When their procurement team is bigger than your whole company, not a good scene." Instead, they target 1,000-10,000 seats—enterprises with SOC2/compliance obligations but without Fortune 500 security budgets or staffing. These accounts close in under 6 months. The framework: Define ICP by sales cycle length your runway can sustain, then expand segments as capital position improves. Your ICP should evolve with company stage, not remain static based on ideal long-term positioning. Trade IP opacity for velocity when architectural advantage compounds: Unlike security vendors protecting methodology behind NDAs, StrongestLayer publishes full product demos on YouTube and shares detection logic openly. Alan's thesis: "I'm going all in on velocity. I'm going to transparently share, get it in front of as many customers as we can." This works because their advantage is continuous AI model improvement velocity, not a static algorithm competitors could copy. If your moat is execution speed and iteration cycles rather than a single proprietary technique, transparency accelerates trust-building and shortens enterprise consideration periods. Quantify the shift from volume metrics to value-at-risk metrics: Rather than competing on total threat detection volume, StrongestLayer focuses on the 2% of attack types (BEC, advanced spear phishing) that represent 90% of breach value—and are growing to 17% of attack volume by 2027. They weaponize third-party research (Harvard Kennedy School) showing AI reduces targeted attack costs by 95% while increasing success rates from 12% to 60%. The pattern: Find authoritative external validation that the threat landscape is fundamentally shifting, making incumbent solutions architecturally insufficient regardless of brand strength. Bifurcate messaging by operational reality, not just title: Alan messages CISOs around risk buying-down and ROI, positioning email security as a solved problem that's becoming unsolved. For security operations teams, the pitch centers on eliminating 70% false-positive user submissions that waste skilled analyst time. Both personas use the same tools, but CISOs face board-level breach risk while SOC teams face daily toil from alert fatigue. The takeaway: Map distinct daily operational pains for each buying committee member rather than broadcasting unified value propositions that dilute relevance.   //   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

In this episode, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss the realities behind the AI hype cycle and how it's playing out in finance, from inflated ROI expectations to unscalable AI tools and organizational chaos, Paul and Glenn unpack what's working, what's failing, and why so many companies are stuck. With no guest this week, the duo shares their honest takes on the state of AI, its practical limits in financial workflows, and how companies are fumbling both bottom-up adoption and top-down implementation. This one's a mix of hot takes, technical insight, and just enough despair to keep things real.In this episode, you will discover:How bottom-up AI adoption is outpacing executive-led rollouts in finance.The problem with inflated expectations and what's really causing AI project failures.Why Excel tools powered by AI are promising, but limited by context windows.How governance and data issues are crippling enterprise AI strategies.What OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, and Microsoft's latest moves mean for the AI landscape.AI isn't a magic solution; it's a powerful tool that still depends on good data, realistic goals, and a bit of patience. Paul and Glenn make it clear that while the hype is loud, real progress takes thoughtful implementation and education. The future of AI in finance looks promising, but only for teams willing to do the work.Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance:Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today's Episode:[01:56] - AI Hype Cycle Meltdown[04:50] - AI Tools in Excel[07:33] - Bottom-Up vs Top-Down Adoption[11:33] - Why AI Projects Fail[14:38] - Change Management Gaps[17:23] - Context Window Limitations[20:30] - Learn the Basics of AI[23:11] - Oracle, Nvidia & OpenAI Deals[30:07] - Microsoft Adds Anthropic to Copilot[34:24] - Copilot Improvement & Wrap-Up

Healthcare providers waste $950 billion annually on manual workarounds caused by fragmented EHR systems and integration costs that don't scale. Shadowbox has developed a patented browser technology that functions as an API, enabling instant EHR data access without traditional integration expenses. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Gregory Stein, CEO of Shadowbox, to dissect how the company evolved from serving desperate lab diagnostics customers to building strategic partnerships with established healthcare IT players like HC1 to reach health systems.   Topics Discussed: How the 21st Century Cures Act information blocking provisions remain largely unenforced, allowing EHR vendors to maintain data monopolies through integration fees Shadowbox's technical architecture: a white-labeled browser that accesses the document object model and API endpoints to extract HIPAA-compliant data without custom integrations Market entry strategy—targeting financially distressed lab diagnostics providers who couldn't afford traditional integration costs The HC1 partnership model: splitting the market by use case rather than geography, with HL7/API integrations going to HC1 and rapid, low-cost deployments going to Shadowbox Sequential interoperability capabilities that enable multiple vendor touchpoints (prior authorization, eligibility verification, billing) from a single data extraction   GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Target customers facing existential financial pressure, not optimal market conditions: Shadowbox entered through lab diagnostics—a commoditized, low-margin segment hemorrhaging money where providers faced $5K-$50K integration costs per connection taking 3-6 months. Greg acknowledged labs are "the redheaded stepchild of healthcare" but their desperation made them willing to pilot unproven technology. The lesson: segments with severe unit economics problems become early adopter pools because status quo costs exceed perceived risk of new vendors. Build a partnerships function before you have market leverage: Shadowbox hired a partnerships-focused employee early to cultivate relationships with RCM vendors and lab information system providers already selling to target customers. Rather than waiting for customer traction to attract partners, they used partnerships to generate initial traction. Greg emphasized healthcare adoption requires credible references—partnerships provide instant credibility entrepreneurs can't buy. Map your ecosystem's existing vendor relationships and pursue co-sell arrangements before achieving meaningful ARR. Use early customer feedback to migrate upmarket, not pivot laterally: Shadowbox started with labs, expanded to imaging centers, but their true ICP emerged as health systems with 500-1,000 community providers on disparate EHRs where traditional integration economics break down. Greg noted: "health systems that have major outreach programs where it doesn't pencil out to have them on their EPIC system." The migration path moved from small, desperate customers toward larger organizations facing the same core problem at scale. Don't mistake initial ICP for ultimate ICP—use early segments as beachheads to validate technology before pursuing customers with better economics. Partner with horizontal competitors when you solve orthogonal use cases: The HC1 deal splits the interoperability market—structured, predictable integrations go to HC1's traditional approach while rapid deployments to fragmented provider networks go to Shadowbox. This isn't channel partnership but market segmentation by use case economics. Greg explained they bring "something complementary to and in some ways competitive" but combined create offerings competitors can't match. Evaluate whether your "competitors" actually serve different jobs-to-be-done within the same category, then structure partnerships around use case delineation rather than territorial splits. Leverage policy expertise as product moat in regulated markets: Greg's Capitol Hill background enabled Shadowbox to support the Coalition for Innovative Lab Testing's successful lawsuit blocking FDA regulation of lab-developed tests—directly protecting their customers' business models. This wasn't marketing but strategic positioning that demonstrates commitment beyond vendor relationships. In heavily regulated industries, founders with policy expertise or advisors who can shape regulatory outcomes create defensibility that pure technology cannot. Consider how industry advocacy amplifies customer loyalty while potentially expanding TAM through favorable regulatory changes.   //   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

Stop fraud in its tracks with cutting-edge AI solutions! In this episode of our Risk Management Show, we dive into financial security with Shai Gabay, CEO of TrustMe, a leader in eliminating social-engineered fraud. Shai shares his incredible journey from a young hacker to a military cyber expert and eventually the founder of a groundbreaking cybersecurity company. We discuss his research on the "1 million blind spot," the alarming rise in enterprise fraud, and how finance and security teams must unite to combat this growing threat. Discover why over 83% of enterprises faced fraud attempts last year, and why nearly half suffered losses exceeding $500,000. Shai reveals the structural gaps in B2B payment processes, the role of email vulnerabilities, and how cybercriminals exploit collaboration failures. He also highlights how AI can serve as your co-pilot in detecting anomalies before money leaves your organization. If you're a risk professional, Chief Risk Officer, or simply curious about cybersecurity's role in financial systems, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don't miss Shai's expert advice on leveraging AI to fight AI, transforming fraud prevention strategies, and building a unified approach to risk management. If you want to be our guest or suggest a guest, send your email to info@globalriskconsult.com with the subject line "Guest Proposal."

#176: If you're in the business world, especially B2B, you've gotta be on LinkedIn. Hard stop. But being on the platform and getting results are two entirely different things.  In this episode, Heike (pronounced Hi-kah) Heemann a LinkedIn coach, joins Pat for an in-depth look at how to use LinkedIn.  You'll learn:  What's actually working on LinkedIn right now — and what's just noise.  Heike explains why the platform is more search engine than social feed (hint: keywords matter) How to show up consistently without burning out  Why a bare profile screams “bare effort”  Additionally, she shares her playbook for building a credible presence: start where you are, post and comment with purpose, and get meaningful recommendations that prove you're worth hiring or doing business with. We also dig into how to network without being salesy, how to keep your personal brand professional but still human, and how to avoid AI boilerplate that recruiters spot a mile away.  If you need to level up your LinkedIn game – this episode's for you. Connect with Heike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heikeheemann/ Get in touch with Heike and get a FREE LinkedIn checklist!  Connect with Pat here: pmcgovern@ascedia.com Oh, before you go, please do us a favor. Take a minute and leave us a review. That's the energy that powers this supertanker!  Thanks, you're the best! Want more marketing insights? Take a look at our full lineup. This podcast is sponsored by Ascedia. A web development and digital strategy agency helping clients win in the digital space.

Madeline Temple is a global brand and communications strategist who has spent many years flinging herself into the unknown. It seems to be a theme in her life. That, and good hair. Fingers crossed both continue.She is a firm believer in taking calculated risks, both personally and professionally. Sometimes they don't work out as planned, but the stories have always been worth it.Madeline's calculated risks have provided real-world, international experience you can't find in a style guide or the latest marketing best-seller. She's experienced in branding, strategy, design, corporate storytelling, advertising, cultural trends, PR, content, social media, and research — both on the agency and client side in the US and UK; in B2B and B2C companies; and at Fortune 500 corporations, PE firms, and startups. She's been quoted in the Chicago Tribune and Wired magazine and has appeared on BBC Radio 4's flagship program Today in London.Currently, Madeline is VP, global brand, communications & content at Safeguard Global, the company that started the global EOR category and industry. Prior to this, she was Hillrom's VP, corporate marketing. There, she wrote the brand story that turned a $3 billion medical device maker into a medtech company acquired by Baxter in 2021.

When AI cranks out faster campaigns and copycat content, brand and creativity are your only edge.In this episode, Bruno Bertini, Chief Marketing Officer at 8x8, joins Adam Kaiser to share how his team launched ‘The Power of You' campaign, a bold brand play that put customers at the center and proved that AI can amplify creativity rather than dilute it.Bruno walks through the thinking behind the rebrand, why differentiation in SaaS can no longer rely on product alone, and how 8x8 used AI-powered production to create customer stories that were fun, emotional, and memorable, all while cutting through a crowded B2B space.In this conversation, you'll learn:Why 8x8 chose to differentiate through brand instead of productHow ‘The Power of You' campaign put customers in heroic roles while telling authentic storiesWhy AI lowered production costs and expanded creative possibilitiesHow brave marketing can help B2B teams build human connection and stand outJump into the conversation: (00:00) Introducing Bruno Bertini (01:55) Understanding 8x8 (04:38) Rebranding and differentiation through marketing (07:01) The Power of You campaign: Concept and execution (13:49) Customer reactions and AI integration (16:58) Campaign results and impact (19:29) Future plans and expanding the campaign (22:32) Advice for marketing teams: Be brave

I speak about the challenges of setting prices for B2C and B2B customers. I share why B2C is more price-sensitive and talk about Podsqueeze's shift to bigger B2B clients. I give examples from other SaaS companies—how some only show enterprise pricing and others adjust based on value or usage. I talk about Podsqueeze's new pricing strategy for enterprise clients and my lessons from past mistakes. If you want to connect or have questions, reach out on Twitter or LinkedIn.Twitter: https://x.com/wbetiagoLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiago-ferreira-48562095/Timestamps por PodSqueezeIntroduction and Episode Overview (00:00:01)  Podsqueeze's B2C Beginnings (00:01:35)  Transition to B2B and Hitting a Growth Plateau (00:03:07)  First B2B Sales Meetings and Pricing Challenges (00:06:21)  The Challenge of Serving Both B2C and B2B (00:07:53)  Example 1: Get Vocals' B2B-Only Flexible Pricing (00:09:20)  Example 2: Turnkey's Value-Based Pricing (00:12:04)  Example 3: SendGrid's Usage-Based Tiered Pricing (00:14:41)  Podsqueeze's Pricing Adjustments and Negotiation Issues (00:17:18)  Future Plans: Unlimited Enterprise Plan and Flexibility (00:18:26)  Conference Preparation and Closing Remarks (00:20:42)

Discover how Lyuba Meystelplatz built and scaled employee advocacy from scratch. This episode with Lyuba, Senior Social Media Strategy Manager at IDeaS Revenue Solutions, is a must-listen for anyone seeking to establish a thriving employee advocacy program. Lyuba shares her journey from pioneering manual programs with spreadsheets in 2012 to leading a sophisticated, data-driven initiative today.Learn how she navigated the challenges of no budget, secured crucial executive buy-in, and transformed leadership involvement into a powerful asset. You'll get practical, no-nonsense insights into measuring real success, from earned media value and multilingual content to impact across the sales funnel. Lyuba also reveals her proven tactics for keeping advocates engaged in the long term, ensuring your program's longevity and influence.This episode offers actionable strategies for senior marketers, employer brand leads, and social media managers looking to refine their B2B marketing and social media approaches. Stop guessing and start building a robust employee advocacy program that delivers measurable results.We're working on the 2026 Employee Advocacy Benchmark Report and want to ensure it addresses the challenges you're facing. To understand your biggest challenges, we'd love for you to contribute to the report. It takes just 6-7 minutes to complete the survey, and you'll have the chance to be quoted in the final report.Want to level up your employee advocacy game? Don't miss out! Grab your FREE copy of Bradley Keenan's book Employee Advocacy: 101 Cheat Codes and unlock the secrets to boosting reach, influence, and engagement.Assess your program's strengths with our Employee Advocacy Health Check.Subscribe to The Employee Advocacy & Influence Podcast for more expert interviews and actionable advice.

En este episodio he compartido los cuatro modelos de crecimiento en B2B: producto, ventas, marketing y cliente. Producto: funciona en fases iniciales, cuando tu solución es tan innovadora que se vende sola. Ventas: el más común, pero cada vez más limitado porque los compradores apenas pasan un 17% del proceso hablando con vendedores. Marketing: inversión a medio plazo, imprescindible hoy para atraer y retener, aunque no da resultados inmediatos. Cliente: el más potente ahora mismo, porque pone la confianza y la experiencia en el centro y alinea marketing, ventas y equipo técnico para crecer de forma sostenible. La clave es identificar de dónde viene tu crecimiento real y si ese modelo sigue encajando con el contexto actual de tu mercado. Si notas que te cuesta captar clientes como antes, quizás ha llegado el momento de replantear tu estrategia. Si quieres seguir profundizando en cómo hacer crecer tu empresa B2B de forma más rentable, suscríbete gratis en leticiadelcorral.com/gratis.

Going Long Podcast Episode 564:The Metropolitan Man Who's Hyper-Connecting the English Speaking World in Spain - Victor Horcasitas   Today Billy welcomes Victor Horcasitas to the guest seat - a dynamic, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and community builder based in Barcelona. Known as the "ExpatWhisperer," Victor is the publisher and CEO of Barcelona Metropolitan, the leading English-language lifestyle magazine covering international topics relevant to expats in Spain. The publication also offers strategic B2B and B2C marketing and advertising services tailored to Spain's English-speaking audience. And today he shares with you his story, along with some platinum advice!    ( To see the Video Version of today's conversation just CLICK HERE. )   In today's episode of The Going Long Podcast, you'll learn the following:   [00:24 - 03:00] Billy welcomes and introduces today's special guest, Victor Horcasitas. [03:00 - 09:52] Billy asks Victor to explain more about who he is in his own words. [09:52 - 19:22] Victor shares what it was that inspired him to move on from his successful corporate role to beat his own path, and tells the story of that journey. [19:22 - 30:28] Victor shares the interactions and opinions key members of his family, close friends and colleagues had about these grand strides and changes he was making on his entrepreneurial journey. [30:28 - 37:45] Billy asks Victor to explain to us exactly what he is doing today to serve others with his businesses and projects in his base of Barcelona. [37:45 -40:52] Victor shares advice for those of you who may be considering (but are unsure about) taking the plunge to follow a similar path as he did [40:52 - 43:54] Victor tells us the message he would like to hear from himself three years from now. [43:54 - 43:54] Billy sums up all of the things we've learned from Victor today, and asks him to tell us the best ways to get in contact with him. [43:20 - 37:38] Billy wraps up the show.   How best to get in touch with Victor Horcasitas: Website: https://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/  LinkedIn: https://es.linkedin.com/in/victor-horcasitas    If you're a corporate executive who wants to make your role optional, then grab your FREE ebook with Billy's proven 3 step process at:  www.makeitoptional.com What you can expect to get out of this ebook: Learn how to achieve corporate optionality Gain true control over your career Turn corporate skills into personal assets With 26 years of experience in corporate sales leadership, achieved optionality through multiple income streams, Billy has helped dozens of executives build their paths to take control of their time. This free ebook gives you everything you need to identify, plan, and take control of your career while building financial optionality, leveraging your skills, and start living your IDEAL day - today! Go to: www.makeitoptional.com Click the above link or just copy and paste the following directly into your browser to sign up and get your free ebook: https://www.makeitoptional.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p2olm  To see the Video Version of today's conversation just CLICK HERE.   How to leave a review for The Going Long Podcast: https://youtu.be/qfRqLVcf8UI     Be sure to connect with Billy!  He's made it easy for you to do…Just go to any of these sites:   Website: www.billykeels.com Youtube: billykeels Facebook: Billy Keels Fan Page Instagram: @billykeels Twitter: @billykeels LinkedIn: Billy Keels

If you think AI is about flashy tools or abstract futures, think again. In this solo Huddles Quick Take, CMO Huddles founder Drew Neisser shares a pragmatic look at how B2B marketing leaders are actually using GenAI to drive results today—and what still gets in the way. From nurturing “vibe coders” to prompt libraries to CFO briefings, Drew maps out four essential areas where GenAI is already reshaping the work of modern CMOs. Plus, he offers a sharp reminder: If you're not leading the charge, someone else will. What You'll Learn:  4 practical ways B2B CMOs are using GenAI now  The role of “marketing MacGyvers” in early adoption  Why GenAI rollouts fail without training and clear use cases  A smarter way to evaluate AI tools—without bloating your stack  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

Not every launch succeeds on day one, but the brands that endure find ways to win over time.That's why we're turning to Clue, the 1985 murder mystery comedy with three different endings. Despite bombing at the box office, it grew into a beloved cult classic. In this episode, we break down its lessons with the help of special guest Christine Royston, Chief Marketing Officer at Wrike.Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from building strategy before execution, balancing brand and demand, and embracing word-of-mouth to turn audiences into passionate advocates.About our guest, Christine RoystonChristine Royston is a visionary global marketing executive with a proven track record of scaling iconic technology brands, architecting go-to-market transformation, and driving category leadership in the enterprise SaaS space. As Chief Marketing Officer at Wrike, Christine leads the company's worldwide marketing strategy, fueling enterprise growth, brand acceleration, and customer-centric innovation at scale.With more than 20 years of experience across global B2B markets, Christine has built and led high-performing teams at some of the world's most recognized technology companies—including Salesforce, Dropbox, and Imperva—where she helped pioneer marketing strategies during moments of hypergrowth and IPO. She most recently served as Global Head of B2B Marketing at Udemy and as Vice President of Marketing at Bitly, where she was instrumental in repositioning both brands for business adoption and long-term growth.Christine's executive leadership spans Sales-Led and Product-Led Growth (PLG) models, across direct sales, freemium, and self-service go-to-market motions. Her ability to unify global teams, expand into new international markets, and launch cross-functional marketing engines has positioned her as a sought-after leader in growth-stage transformation and scaled enterprise performance.An expert in enterprise marketing strategy, customer lifecycle innovation, and multi-channel demand generation, Christine has driven business results across cloud computing, cybersecurity, financial services, and manufacturing verticals. She is also known for her passion for mentoring future marketing leaders and building diverse, inclusive, and impact-driven teams.Christine holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an International MBA in Global Marketing from the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business. She brings a global lens to every challenge, with leadership experience spanning the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Clue:Strategy matters more than star power. Even the best team can't save a weak story. Clue had an all-star cast, but without a clear throughline, it flopped at the box office. Christine draws a parallel to marketing: “Even if you have the best team in the world, without a great strategy, you're not gonna win. You've got to have a really fantastic strategy and a really great team to back it up, so that you can kind of play on everybody's strengths, but you're all pointed in the right direction.” Don't confuse talent or resources with strategy. Success comes from aligning everyone around a clear, shared story.Balance is everything. Clue was billed as both a mystery and a comedy, but leaned heavily into the silliness, confusing audiences who expected a tighter whodunit. Christine sees the same trap in B2B: “The movie was… touted as a mystery and a comedy, but it was definitely way more on the comedy side. And so thinking about that balance… and making sure that you're really being clear with your intent of messaging, your intent of the brand.” Great marketing requires a balance between brand, demand, clarity, and creativity. Overweighting one side leaves your audience uncertain about what you really stand for.Word of mouth is your secret weapon. Despite its failure in theaters, Clue became a cult classic through community and conversation. For Christine, that's a marketing playbook: “The fact that it did become this cult classic highlights the importance of word of mouth. How do you make sure you're getting in front of people who will be interested in your product, or interested in your movie, and making sure that you're leveraging communities [and] social as a way to get in front of people who maybe aren't going to go to the box office.” Buzz builds longevity. Beyond paid campaigns, you need advocates, communities, and conversations that keep your brand alive long after launch.Quote“ How do you differentiate yourself and do something a little different. Bring some humor into what is normally a pretty straight-laced B2B technology type of industry. I think people like a little fun in their day-to-day.”Time Stamps[00:55] Meet Christine Royston, Chief Marketing Officer at Wrike[01:01] Why Clue?[01:24] The Role of CMO at Wrike[03:05] The Origins of Clue, The Movie[14:04] B2B Marketing Lessons from Clue[28:10] Balancing Brand vs. Demand[29:50] Wrike's Brand and Content Strategy[33:21] AI's Role in Modern Marketing[35:11] Wrike's Survey on AI's Impact[40:20] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Christine on LinkedInLearn more about WrikeAbout Remarkable!Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What's holding B2B companies back from using video for growth? On the latest episode of Talking Too Loud, Ademola Adelakun, founder of A2 Media, joins Chris and Sylvie to break down video misconceptions, how to build a winning strategy, and why putting the customer at the center of your story changes everything.

This week, in episode 264, Mel Gravely brings closure to a story he's been sharing in pieces over the past year. You may recall that he bought a facilities maintenance company a couple years ago that he was convinced he could scale—only to discover that it was hemorrhaging money. Mel dug in, diagnosed the problem, fixed it, bought out his partners, turned the company profitable—and then decided to shut it down. Why close a business that's making money? Mel explains the surprising answer, along with three lessons he says he learned. He also joins Jay Goltz in a candid discussion of the painful flipside of hiring: When, and how, does it make sense to lay off employees? As Jay points out, it's far easier to find advice about adding people than about letting them go, even though it's a calculation many owners are facing today. Plus: A would-be entrepreneur preparing to launch a business with two friends admits he's feeling scared. He wants to know whether that fear ever goes away. Mel and Jay think he's asking the wrong question.

In this insightful episode of the Stuck In My Mind Podcast, host Wize El Jefe welcomes Tim Bradley—co-founder of Pennant Video and creator of the Video Marketing Trifecta—for a masterclass in modern video marketing, authentic storytelling, and building impactful campaigns that drive real business results. Whether you're a startup founder, B2B marketer, or any leader feeling “stuck” in the noisy world of digital marketing, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom, practical frameworks, and a fresh perspective on connecting with audiences in today's attention economy. A Marketer's Journey: Tim Bradley's Origin Story Wize El Jefe kicks off the episode with a warm welcome and immediately dives into Bradley's journey. Tim recounts his early days, growing up with a dad who always had a camera at family gatherings, sparking an early love for visual storytelling. From making stop-motion Lego movies in the backyard as a kid to entering the world of YouTube just before its Google-era explosion, Tim found himself at the intersection of creativity and technology right as digital video was transforming how brands communicated. Leading Creative Teams: Lessons in Fast-Paced Storytelling Tim shares lessons from leading a 25-person creative team, detailing how high-speed, high-stakes content creation in video marketing taught him the importance of intentional storytelling. Unlike long-form narratives, he explains, most marketing videos have just 60 seconds to grab attention, build trust, and empower decisions. One key takeaway? No single video can do it all. Instead, the secret lies in delivering the right story, with the right information, at the right moment along the buyer's journey. The ‘Aha' Moment: Why One Video Is Never Enough For many businesses, the common mistake is packing too much into one video—trying to appeal to every stakeholder, answer every question, and check every marketing box. Tim describes how this leads to bloated, unfocused videos that end up being more like boring PowerPoint presentations than compelling narratives. His solution was to develop frameworks (and learn to say “no” to client bloat!), ultimately leading to the creation of his flagship approach: the Video Marketing Trifecta. Introducing the Video Marketing Trifecta Tim lays out the Trifecta framework—a strategic, repeatable system that breaks down B2B video content into three distinct but connected pieces: Anthem Videos: These flagship “why we exist” stories live atop websites and at the center of major events, rallying audiences by tapping into beliefs, values, and mission. They're designed to speak to the audience's heart and reflect the viewer's aspirations back at them. Explainer Videos: Where anthem videos build emotional resonance, explainers serve the mind—clarifying “what do you do?” and “how do you do it?”, tailored for different roles, industries, or pain points. Endorsement Videos: The gut check and validation, where satisfied customers become storytellers. These testimonials are powerful trust-builders, showing prospects people like them succeeding with your solution. Together, these three content pillars differentiate, demonstrate value, and validate your brand, stitching together a buyer's journey that doesn't depend on just one magical piece of content. Solving Real Business Problems—Not Just Creating “Flashy Content” Tim makes a compelling distinction between flashy, high-production-value videos and genuinely effective content. The former might get attention, but if it isn't audience-first and aligned with real buyer concerns, it'll fall flat. Authentic storytelling, built on knowing your customer, using consistent frameworks, and grounding content in actual buyer needs, is where true ROI happens—especially in complex B2B sales that can last up to a year. Learning from Mistakes: Focus and Adaptability From failed attempts at all-in-one videos to wasting resources chasing every social channel, Tim is candid about how early missteps shaped his approach. Now, his focus is on being highly intentional—meeting audiences where they are, focusing efforts on platforms and moments that truly matter, and ensuring each piece of content has a clearly defined role. The Power of the Mid-Funnel: Unlocking Hidden Value One of the most powerful insights from the episode is Tim's emphasis on the neglected “mid-funnel.” While brands invest heavily at the top (awareness/advertising) and bottom (customer nurturing/thought leadership), the critical middle—where trust is built, decisions are made, and engagement happens—often gets overlooked. This is where the Video Marketing Trifecta shines, filling a gap ignored by many in-house teams, especially in long B2B sales cycles. Actionable Advice for Startups and Small Budgets Tim's advice isn't just for Fortune 500s—he breaks down how startups and small businesses can apply the same principles. With just a smartphone and some consistency, anyone can start building a valuable content library, learn from audience feedback, and invest resources more strategically over time. The key: Just start, keep learning, and don't wait for perfect equipment to tell your story. Creative Trends & The Role of AI The conversation examines the evolving role of AI in content creation and production efficiency. While Tim embraces AI tools for speeding up tedious editing and transcription, he cautions against letting shortcuts erode trust or authenticity. For podcasting and video alike, leveraging technology should enhance—not replace—the human connection. Myths, Trends, and What's Next Tim busts the myth of the “one-video-to-rule-them-all,” emphasizing that great video assets can—and should—be repurposed, remixed, and used across channels, events, and content calendars for maximum return on investment. In terms of trends, he urges brands to embrace “video first” strategies, invest in internal teams, leverage influencer and creator culture even in B2B, and make better use of existing assets through thoughtful repurposing. Practical Alignment: Syncing Video Strategy with the Buyer's Journey For businesses looking to better match their video strategy with real buyer journeys, Tim recommends having authentic conversations—with customers, sales teams, and industry partners—to surface pain points, objections, and opportunities for trust-building stories. Strong relationships, clarity on goals, and an audience-first mindset are more valuable than any piece of equipment or viral trend. For the Stuck Marketer: Don't Add to the Noise Closing out, Tim offers heartfelt advice to leaders feeling overwhelmed: Don't just contribute to digital noise for the sake of it. Engage with intention—prioritize value, make real connections, and let authentic stories cut through. To anyone who has felt like video “didn't work,” he encourages honest reflection on goals, creative approach, and whether the content was truly audience-driven. Final Takeaways & Resources For more: Listeners are encouraged to check out Pennant Video and download the ungated “Funnel Focused” playbook at pennantvideo.com for hands-on strategies. Whether you're redefining your approach to content, struggling with low engagement, or just getting started with video, this episode is a must-listen for demystifying B2B video marketing and building a brand people can trust. If you know a founder, marketer, or leader who's struggling to turn attention into genuine sales, this episode might be the missing piece they need. Stay clear, stay strategic, and stay wise—because the right stories, told in the right way, are what truly drive business results. Listen now for brilliant, battle-tested advice from a storyteller at the forefront of video marketing innovation!

Send us a textBefore he was building ad campaigns, Jack Hepp was building houses. Now he runs Industrious Marketing, helping local businesses grow through hands-on paid media advertising strategy. In this episode, Jack shares how getting fired early shaped his marketing career, discusses the mentors who sharpened his skills, and why clear pricing and clean strategy always win over smoke and mirrors, specifically in regard to local businesses and Google Local Services ads (LSAs). Episode Highlights: Jack Hepp's background in construction and mentorship shaped his approach to marketing, emphasizing responsibility, adaptability, and long-term thinking in paid media strategies.  He advocates for a “listen first” approach in client interactions, and stresses the importance of honest, constructive feedback. Jack discusses the value of Local Service Ads (LSAs) for certain industries, but warns they should be complemented with traditional campaigns for consistent lead generation. He prefers transparent, tiered pricing models based on ad spend, and emphasizes that clear scope, reporting, and communication are essential for building trust and setting expectations with clients. Episode Links: Jack Hepp on LinkedInIndustrious MarketingFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Our CEO Megan Bowen was a guest on Charles Gaudet's Predictable Profits podcast to talk about the outdated funnel and how to market in the AI era. From Predictable Profits: "If you're still trying to grow your business with traditional funnels and wondering why your capture, create, convert demand strategy isn't working, you're about to discover why those old-school tactics are completely dead. In this episode, I sit down with one of the very few people who actually gets it – Megan Bowen – and we dive deep into the evolution of buyer behavior from the analog buying era all the way through to where we are now in the AI era. We explore why 96% of the buying process now happens before prospects ever talk to your sales team, and Megan breaks down her game-changing framework that's helping B2B companies completely rethink how they approach demand generation. Trust me, you're going to want to have a pen and paper handy for this one because we're going beyond the surface-level funnel nonsense that everyone else is teaching.My guest today is Megan Bowen, CEO of Refine Labs, and she's someone I have tremendous respect for because she actually eats her own pudding. With over 20 years of experience building and scaling go-to-market teams across B2B industries – including companies that achieved IPOs and acquisitions – Megan co-founded Refine Labs in 2020 with a mission to completely change how B2B companies approach their go-to-market strategies. What I love about Megan is that her leadership philosophy isn't some theoretical framework from a business book – it's rooted in real-world experience as an individual contributor, people manager, and executive leader. She understands that without customers, you don't have a business, and she's laser-focused on creating the conditions for long-term relationships and meaningful results.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Volume-based funnel marketing fails because high-intent leads convert at 25% while low-intent leads convert at less than 1%Use “split the funnel analysis” to show the dramatic difference between lead quality and stop wasting budget on low-intent leadsBy 2030, nearly 100% of buying decisions happen before sales calls, making self-service information criticalPut pricing, social proof, and competitive advantages directly on your website to eliminate buyer frictionBrand marketing gets you into buyers' “day one consideration set” before they start searching for solutionsDark social is the invisible 6-12 month buying cycle where prospects research before visiting your websiteCreate content that actually solves buyer problems rather than just promoting your servicesTalk to your customers regularly to understand their evolving needs and grow beyond seven figures Growing your business is hard, but it doesn't have to be. In this podcast, we will be discussing top level strategies for both growing and expanding your business beyond seven figures.The show will feature a mix of pure content and expert interviews to present key concepts and fundamental topics in a variety of different formats. We believe that this format will enable our listeners to learn the most from the show, implement more in their businesses, and get real value out of the podcast. Enjoy the show.Please remember to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Your support and reviews are important and help us to grow and improve the show."

If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward• https://www.youtube.com/mapitforwardCheck out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshopsConsider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here:• https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingJoin our mailing list:• https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistInterested in our business advisory services for your small, medium, or large business? Email us here: support@mapitforward.orgLooking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: support@mapitforward.org or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 2nd of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and it's future. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.The episodes in this series are:1. The Genesis of Saudi Specialty Coffee - https://youtu.be/eWjB9Zld8KU2. Discovering The Saudi Cultural Palate - https://youtu.be/B9mHKi1ivwI3. Running a Coffee Business in Saudi - https://youtu.be/zspRNIufC_U4. The Future of Saudi as an Origin Country - https://youtu.be/heJAB30BgCc5. How to do Good Business - https://youtu.be/63BiqHbRp0EIn this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Wayel discuss the Saudi specialty coffee market and the unique challenges faced in catering to different cultural palates.Wayel shares his journey from tasting specialty coffee abroad to establishing a successful coffee brand in Saudi Arabia. They delve into the nuances of customer preferences, the impact of coffee auctions, the role of cultural and genetic differences in flavor profiles, and the importance of creating region-specific cupping forms. This insightful conversation also touches on the differing views of quality within the global coffee industry. Connect with Wayel Al Wohaibi and Sulalat here:https://sulalat.com/enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wayel-al-wohaibi-b574a04/https://www.instagram.com/wesulalat/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross was interviewed by Rich Brooks to debunk the myth that content marketing ends when you press publish. Together, they explore the essential strategies behind effective content distribution, including Ross's powerful framework: Repurpose, Remix, and Reshare. From leveraging AI tools like Distribution.ai to embracing video in B2B content strategy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help your content reach the audience it deserves. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Real Work Starts After “Publish” - Publishing is not the final step—it's the starting line. - Measure not by how often you publish but by how many people you reach and engage. - Most content dies in obscurity because it's never distributed effectively. 2. What is Content Distribution, Really? - The process of ensuring your content is discovered by the right audience. - Requires deep audience and channel research to deliver content in the right format at the right place. - It's about strategy, not just amplification. 3. The Three R's Framework: Repurpose, Remix, Reshare - Repurpose: Turn one content asset (e.g. webinar) into blog posts, newsletters, eBooks. - Remix: Reformat – video into audio, cut clips for social media. - Reshare: Continuously circulate evergreen content; don't assume one post is enough. - Modernize and refresh content similar to how Disney reboots classic stories. 4. Should You Lead with Video, Audio, or Text? - Best: Video – it's the most repurposable and personal format, even in B2B. - Next: Audio – podcasting creates parasocial relationships and trust. - Last: Text – still valuable, but easier to fake and less engaging. - Embrace the format that aligns with your strength—but don't ignore video if you're serious about future visibility. 5.  Using AI To Scale Content Distribution - AI is an accelerant: great marketers get greater, fast. - AI tools like Distribution.ai help apply your brand voice and create promotional content at scale. - Human review is still critical—AI is great, but human nuance still wins. 6. SEO Is Not Dead - "SEO is dead" is a myth. Search has evolved, not vanished. - Think beyond Google: people search on LinkedIn, Reddit, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram. - Optimize for discovery wherever your audience is searching. Resources & Tools:

Ready to discover a strategy for explosive business growth that few are talking about? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, host Vinay Koshy speaks with Marty Fahncke, an accomplished marketer, mergers and acquisitions advisor, and serial dealmaker who has scaled businesses to over a billion dollars in revenue and executed more than $450 million in M&A transactions. Marty doesn't just talk about growth; he's lived it, transforming small startups into industry giants and navigating both the buy and sell sides of deals across diverse sectors, including SaaS, consumer goods, health & wellness, and e-commerce. In this conversation, Marty pulls back the curtain on how acquisitions can be the secret weapon for B2B companies grappling with longer sales cycles, rising marketing costs, and economic headwinds. You'll hear how even fierce competitors became powerful partners, what signals make companies ripe for acquisition, and the surprisingly creative ways businesses can fund deals without draining their cash reserves. If you've ever wondered how to turn risk into opportunity or scale your business through strategic acquisition, this episode will challenge your assumptions and spark your curiosity. Don't miss Marty's actionable insights that could change the way you think about growth! Some areas we explore in this episode include: Marty's Shift from Marketing to M&A: How Marty transitioned into mergers and acquisitions and his early experiences.Acquisition as a Growth Strategy: The advantages of scaling B2B businesses via acquisitions rather than just organic growth.Current B2B Challenges: Market headwinds such as longer sales cycles, increased costs, and economic uncertainty.Creative Deal Structuring: The necessity of creativity and risk-taking in structuring acquisition deals.Targeting Businesses for Acquisition: How to identify acquisition opportunities up and down the supply chain and beyond.Relationship Building for M&A: The importance of networking with vendors, customers, and partners to uncover opportunities.The Role of AI in Valuation: Effects of AI on the value—positively and negatively—of SaaS and other tech businesses.Acquisition Funding Options: Various non-cash funding strategies like seller financing and asset-based lending.Merging Company Cultures: Approaches to blending organizations post-acquisition for the best results.Exit Planning & Valuation Drivers: Preparing for a sale, maximizing business value, and focusing on profits over revenue.And much, much more...

In this episode, Brandon and I wrestle with a tough reality: what happens when disagreement turns into dehumanization, and free speech no longer feels safe? I share how one of my posts spiraled into thousands of views and heated comments, leaving me questioning how we've arrived at a place where words can provoke violence, and why leaders often stay silent. Brandon brings a veteran's perspective on what's at stake when we forget the sacrifice that secured our ability to speak freely. This isn't about politics-it's about leadership, humanity, and protecting the freedom to have hard conversations. -Chris Did you know... Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%. Business Health & Value Assessment Start Assessment Know Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps. Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes: A Lite Valuation Of Your Business Your Value Multiplier Per Your Industry Health Assessment Per Our PYB Methodology Business Value & Growth Roadmap Tailored For You Value Acceleration Strategies Spotlight on Floodlight: Your Secret Weapon for Sales & Scaling This isn't a paid plug. It's real talk from the front lines. If you've ever thought, “How do I get a VP-level sales leader or even a sales team without hiring full-time?” Floodlight has the answer. Fractional Sales Leadership They act as your outsourced VP of Sales, taking full responsibility for training, managing, and growing your sales team. No six-figure hire needed. Clients often close 20 to 50 percent more deals within six months, thanks to data-driven coaching, CRM setup, scripts, and performance reviews.More at floodlightgrp.com/sales Commercial Sales MasterCourse A self-paced, video-driven B2B sales course designed specifically for restoration teams. Perfect for building commercial revenue and getting free from TPA handcuffs. Covers mindset, prospecting, pipeline building, LinkedIn lead generation, and includes a $250 discount with code SALESBOOST.Details at floodlightgrp.com/courses Tailored Consulting & Coaching Floodlight's Propel Your Business methodology offers a full-circle roadmap: financials, sales, marketing, leadership, recruiting, productivity. All built for contractors. These aren't “life coaches.” They're former restoration owners who've lived the chaos and know how to scale out of it.Explore more at floodlightgrp.com Live Training, Tools & Strategic Partnerships Floodlight also delivers live onsite and virtual training, keynote speaking, and leadership tracks covering operations, project management, and strategic growth. Bonus: They've vetted tools like Xcelerate, Liftify, and Sureti. Floodlight clients get access to exclusive discounts on tech that actually moves the needle.See all partnerships at floodlightgrp.com/partners Why it matters for you as a listener You don't need to figure this stuff out alone. If you're serious about sales growth, operational clarity, exit readiness, or leadership development, Floodlight is already helping folks like you scale smarter. And you get it from industry insiders. People who've sat in your chair, survived the fires, and built systems that actually work.

Bridging the gap between Treasury, Accounts Receivable, and Accounts Payable represents the critical "last mile" in financial automation. John Rubenetti, President of B2B Payments at Deluxe, reveals how leading organizations are connecting these traditionally siloed functions to create seamless, intelligent financial ecosystems.The challenge isn't implementing individual automation solutions—it's connecting them. "The friction shows up in the handoffs," Rubenetti explains. When data and money flow through disconnected systems, finance leaders lose visibility and control. True transformation happens when organizations align technology, people, and processes to create end-to-end financial workflows.Many CFOs underestimate the complexity of integration. They may believe they understand departmental processes but miss critical dependencies or manual workarounds. Data quality becomes another stumbling block—if information isn't clean today, automation won't deliver promised insights. Rubenetti advises starting with a clear vision, taking a phased approach, and choosing partners who understand both the technology and change management aspects.The conversation explores how modern thinking must accompany modern tools. While dashboards provide visibility, embedding intelligence directly into workflows creates transformative value. Instead of merely reporting numbers, advanced systems prioritize actions, handle exceptions through AI, and trigger automated responses—shifting from static reporting to dynamic decision support.Rubenetti highlights three significant B2B payment trends: mid-market automation (where 70% still lack automated AP/AR processes), enhanced security (as "fraud thrives in manual processes"), and payment modernization. Despite technological advances, paper checks remain surprisingly prevalent, particularly among small and mid-sized businesses who value the detailed information that accompanies them.Deluxe has evolved far beyond its reputation as "the check company" to become a comprehensive payments and data organization. Their solutions now span the entire financial ecosystem—from treasury management to merchant services—helping businesses move money faster, safer, and more efficiently while maintaining the data integrity essential for strategic decision-making.Ready to complete your financial automation journey? Start by mastering the basics before pursuing flashier technologies. The foundation you build today will determine your success tomorrow.

Why do we make mistakes?  One reason has to do with our natural human tendency to use ‘fast' thinking in situations calling for ‘slow' thinking. If we can easily recognize those situations that call for slow thinking we'll go a long way to eliminating mistakes and improving our outcomes. Here's a solution. ****************************************************************************        Dave Kahle's goal is to provide sales leaders and small businesspeople with practical actionable ideas that can make an immediate impact on your sales performance.          Dave is a B2B sales expert, and a Christian Business thought leader.  He has authored 13 books, presented in 47 states and 11 countries and worked with over 500 sales organizations.  In these ten-minute podcasts, his unique blend of out-of-the-box thinking and practical insights will challenge and enable you to sell better, lead better and live better.        Subscribe to these ten-minute helpings of out-of-the-box inspiration, education and motivation. Dave's Substack page Subscribe to Dave's Newsletters Check out the website

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Brent Peterson speaks with Martin Balaam, CEO of Pimberly, about the critical role of Product Information Management (PIM) in e-commerce. They discuss how PIM serves as a single source of truth for product data, its importance in global e-commerce, and the impact of AI and agentic commerce on the industry. The conversation also touches on the differences between B2B and B2C approaches to PIM, the challenges of data management, and how Pimberly differentiates itself in the market. Finally, they explore the implications of tariffs on data management and the future of PIM in a rapidly changing landscape.TakeawaysPIM is essential for managing complex product data.Globalization requires businesses to adapt their product data strategies.AI optimization is crucial for effective e-commerce.B2B companies are adopting agentic commerce faster than B2C.Structured data is necessary for machine-readable formats.PIM helps reduce the number of SKUs needed for different marketplaces.Tariffs can significantly impact supply chain data management.Pimberly focuses on high complexity and conditionality in product data.The importance of capturing contextual information in B2C.PIM can streamline data management across various platforms.Chapters00:00Introduction to Pimberley and Martin Balaam04:14Understanding Product Information Management (PIM)07:23The Importance of a Centralized Data Source12:13Agentic Commerce and Its Future17:00B2B vs B2C: Data Needs and Challenges21:57The Role of PIM in Supply Chain Management25:17Conclusion and Future Outlook for Pimberley27:21TC - Outtro All AV version 1.mp4Follow Talk Commerce on your favorite platform:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerceBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkcommerce.bsky.socialApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-commerce/id1561204656Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Alx6N7ERrPEXIBb41FZ1nTwitter: @talkingcommerceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-commerceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingcommerceWebsite: https://talk-commerce.com/

In this episode of Franchise Marketing Radio, Lee Kantor interviews Cory Lyons, Brand President of Koala Insulation. Cory discusses the company's rapid growth since its 2020 launch, its dual B2C and B2B business model, and the importance of a franchisee-first culture. He shares insights on supporting franchisees, adapting to market changes, and the qualities they […]

In this episode of the Stronger Sales Team podcast, Ben Wright tackles the challenge of hiring and retaining top B2B sales talent during uncertain economic times. He highlights the need for adaptability and continuous learning as global markets slow, urging leaders to seek candidates who can thrive under pressure. Ben introduces three key strategies: testing for grit, assessing a salesperson's ability to connect, and verifying strengths through referee checks. His insights emphasise the value of resilience and relationship-building in sustaining sales success. The episode reinforces Ben's commitment to equipping teams to not only withstand adversity but excel in it.Key Takeaways: • Focus on identifying candidates who have demonstrated resilience and determination in various aspects of their lives, not just in their professional experiences.• Determine if the candidate is someone that customers would want to buy from, focusing on traits such as trustworthiness and relationship-building capabilities.• Use the critical question, “Would you hire them again?” during reference checks to gain objective insights into the candidate's suitability.• Recognize the challenge of hiring professionals who may not have faced difficult sales environments and find ways to assess their adaptability.• Encourage an ongoing commitment to training and development among sales teams to help navigate complex economic shifts.Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro2:00 Hiring5:00 3 Areas To Focus on With Hiring5:45 Recruiting For Skill6:55 Grit10:10 Would You Buy From That Person?12:55 Validating The Decision15:59 Recap17:08 OutroRate, Review, & Follow If you're liking what you're hearing, make sure you ‘follow' the show wherever you listen to your podcasts…so you never miss an episode! I'd also love to hear what you think, so drop us a review after you close that next deal…tell me what you're liking, and what you want more of so I can look to cover it in a future episode.