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Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Feeling swamped by marketing operations busy work?AI-powered automation can help you reclaim your time — but knowing what's real versus hype isn't easy.In this episode, Tarun Arora, a marketing tech veteran and founder of RevCrew, explains how AI goes beyond traditional rule-based automation by handling tasks that require human judgment. He shares how "agentic AI" systems act like virtual team members — making decisions, managing your tools, and only checking in when needed.You'll hear real-world examples, from inbox management and campaign optimization to audience selection, showing how AI can eliminate busy work and free you up for more strategic projects.Tarun also offers practical advice on where to start: focus on your biggest needs first, test real use cases, and remember — this is just mile one.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations ProfessionalsSupport the show
App Masters - App Marketing & App Store Optimization with Steve P. Young
Want to build an app people love? This product-led growth strategy is the key.In this video, we dive into real-world user testing tactics that helped a Rubik's Cube app go viral—all without a single dollar spent on paid downloads. Nico shares how a relentless focus on user experience, a laser-sharp 5-minute onboarding goal, and ASO (App Store Optimization) led to over 50,000+ glowing App Store reviews.You'll learn:✅ Why the first 5 minutes of user experience can make or break your app✅ Creative ways to collect real user feedback—without breaking the bank✅ How small onboarding tweaks doubled camera opt-ins✅ The exact moment to ask for reviews to maximize App Store impact✅ Proven ASO techniques that drove 53,000+ reviews organicallyWhether you're launching your first app or scaling a startup, these insights are pure gold. Watch the full session here:https://youtube.com/live/QKnRO_A_tkU?feature=shareBook a consultation call: https://calendly.com/appmasters-alok/30min Work with us to grow your apps faster & cheaper: http://www.appmasters.com/Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmastersacademy.com/*********************************************SPONSORSLooking for the best alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links?The Airbridge DeepLink Plan is a smart, straightforward alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links.With ready-to-use expertise and no-code migration in just three steps, switching to Airbridge DeepLinks is simple and easy.Keep your customer journeys intact with essential deep linking and analytics. Make the switch before the deadline.Go to appmasters.com/airbridge.*********************************************Follow us:YouTube: AppMasters.com/YouTubeInstagram: @App MastersTwitter: @App MastersTikTok: @stevepyoungFacebook: App Masters*********************************************
In this episode of McKinsey on Building Products, host Rikki Singh and Zeynep Ozdemir, CMO at Atlassian, discuss the critical role of marketing in product-led growth (PLG). They explore the alignment between marketing and product teams, the interplay between PLG and sales-led growth (SLG), and insights on leveraging data, fostering innovation, and navigating market expansion to drive success in product management. This conversation originally took place as part of the McKinsey Product Academy speaker series.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
En este episodio converso con Victoria Colombato, especialista en Product-Led Growth. Victoria fue la primera persona contratada en el equipo de Growth de Mural, el unicornio SaaS latino, que en 3 años pasó de $5M ARR a +$100M ARR.Con Victoria hablamos sobre qué significa realmente growth, cómo armar experimentos que muevan la aguja en serio y la importancia de tener una metodología clara que todo el equipo pueda seguir.Temas clave del episodio:• Cómo definir y medir el éxito en growth.• Metodologías efectivas de trabajo en equipos de growth.• Experimentación end-to-end: cómo ejecutarla bien.• Las métricas que realmente importan.• Por qué la activación es la clave para escalar tu producto.• El rol del fundador en la estrategia de growth.• Cómo evolucionó el equipo de growth en Mural.• Y mucho más...—Dónde encontrar a Victoria:• LinkedIn: /victoria-colombo• Su nuevo emprendimiento: https://www.tabularasa.lifeDónde encontrar a Dylan:• LinkedIn: /dylanrosemberg• Sitio web: https://www.growthrockstar.com/• Blog: https://blog.growthrockstar.com/—En este episodio cubrimos:00:00 - Introducción sobre Victoria02:06 - Conexión de Victoria con growth07:20 - Comienzo en Mural14:20 - Metodología de trabajo en growth24:20 - ¿Qué es growth?28:49 - Definir el éxito31:35 - Conversion to paid34:32 - PM Growth en Mural39:25 - Experimentos de growth en Mural50:05 - Evolución del equipo de growth56:53 - Activación1:03:48 - Viralidad1:06:02 - Experimentación end-to-end1:12:27 - Founder y growth1:15:27 - Tabula Rasa1:22:48 - Consumer apps con IA1:26:12 - Cierre—Dylan puede ser inversor de las empresas mencionadas en los episodios.
Clay is one of THE success stories of the last years. But in early 2022, after 5 years of building, Clay did close to 0 in revenue. Two years later, Clay did approximately 30 million in ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue). Kareem Amin, co-founder and CEO of Clay, shares the journey of building one of the most innovative AI-powered tools for go-to-market teams. From the early days of experimentation in 2017 to achieving hypergrowth and scaling to over $30 million ARR, Kareem dives deep into the challenges and lessons of building a product-led growth (PLG) company. He explains how Clay helps teams turn ideas into reality by leveraging AI for data enrichment and personalized outreach, and why focusing on customer feedback, community building, and iterative improvements were key to their success. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The Journey to Product-Market Fit: How Clay evolved from a no-code builder to a go-to-market tool for sales and marketing teams Why narrowing down the product's focus was critical to finding the right customers Building a Product-Led Growth Engine: The importance of removing friction in the user journey to drive adoption How Clay used community-driven growth and partnerships with agencies to scale Iterating Based on Customer Feedback: Why Kareem believes in focusing on the few customers who love your product to build momentum How Clay's Slack community became a key driver for product improvements and user engagement Lessons in Leadership and Team Building: How to balance flexibility and structure when scaling a team during hypergrowth The importance of hiring people who bring unique perspectives and foster a culture of learning The Future of Go-To-Market Teams: How AI and tools like Clay are reshaping sales and marketing roles Why the rise of GTM engineers is changing how companies approach growth ALL ABOUT UNICORN BAKERY: https://zez.am/unicornbakery Where to find Kareem: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemamin/ Clay (3.000 free credits): https://clay.com?via=73e581 Join our Founder Tactics Newsletter: 2x die Woche bekommst du die Taktiken der besten Gründer der Welt direkt ins Postfach: https://www.tactics.unicornbakery.de/ Chapters: (00:00:00) The early beginnings of Clay (00:08:08) Moving from developers to sales people (00:16:20) Kareem's advice for teams currently building (00:21:36) How Kareem approaches the launch of new features (00:25:39) How close was the team to ending Clay? (00:33:45) How to make momentum stay (00:45:17) Current mayor shift in go to market (00:52:06) The hardest part about hyper growth (00:57:16) How Kareem manages his schedule (01:01:52) The best early-stage team members (01:06:17) The hardest part about building a product-led-growth motion
Clay is one of THE success stories of the last years. But in early 2022, after 5 years of building, Clay did close to 0 in revenue. Two years later, Clay did approximately 30 million in ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue). Kareem Amin, co-founder and CEO of Clay, shares the journey of building one of the most innovative AI-powered tools for go-to-market teams. From the early days of experimentation in 2017 to achieving hypergrowth and scaling to over $30 million ARR, Kareem dives deep into the challenges and lessons of building a product-led growth (PLG) company. He explains how Clay helps teams turn ideas into reality by leveraging AI for data enrichment and personalized outreach, and why focusing on customer feedback, community building, and iterative improvements were key to their success. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The Journey to Product-Market Fit: How Clay evolved from a no-code builder to a go-to-market tool for sales and marketing teams Why narrowing down the product's focus was critical to finding the right customers Building a Product-Led Growth Engine: The importance of removing friction in the user journey to drive adoption How Clay used community-driven growth and partnerships with agencies to scale Iterating Based on Customer Feedback: Why Kareem believes in focusing on the few customers who love your product to build momentum How Clay's Slack community became a key driver for product improvements and user engagement Lessons in Leadership and Team Building: How to balance flexibility and structure when scaling a team during hypergrowth The importance of hiring people who bring unique perspectives and foster a culture of learning The Future of Go-To-Market Teams: How AI and tools like Clay are reshaping sales and marketing roles Why the rise of GTM engineers is changing how companies approach growth ALL ABOUT UNICORN BAKERY: https://zez.am/unicornbakery Where to find Kareem: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemamin/ Clay (3.000 free credits): https://clay.com?via=73e581 Join our Founder Tactics Newsletter: 2x die Woche bekommst du die Taktiken der besten Gründer der Welt direkt ins Postfach: https://www.tactics.unicornbakery.de/ Chapters: (00:00:00) The early beginnings of Clay (00:08:08) Moving from developers to sales people (00:16:20) Kareem's advice for teams currently building (00:21:36) How Kareem approaches the launch of new features (00:25:39) How close was the team to ending Clay? (00:33:45) How to make momentum stay (00:45:17) Current mayor shift in go to market (00:52:06) The hardest part about hyper growth (00:57:16) How Kareem manages his schedule (01:01:52) The best early-stage team members (01:06:17) The hardest part about building a product-led-growth motion
Wes Bush wrote the original bestseller on Product-Led Growth—and then watched everyone try to copy Dropbox and Slack without truly getting it. Now, he's here to break down exactly what goes wrong when early-stage founders jump into PLG, how to spot your product's “million-dollar free problem,” and how to fix the three biggest onboarding gaps that sabotage new users.He'll show you why some sales-led companies die when they try freemium, how to carve out a simpler “first strike” moment, and the reason you need bumpers (like an onboarding checklist) to guide people to success. If you're still using the “Request a Demo” button, this episode could totally transform your approach and give you a self-serve funnel that scales faster than any sales deck ever could.Why You Should Listen1. Make Users “Smell the Cologne” – Learn Wes's approach for letting users experience the core value before they buy.2. Turning Complex Setups into a No-Brainer – How to map out product, skill, and knowledge gaps so anyone can get started.3. Bowling Alley Onboarding – A framework to slash unnecessary steps, guide users to that “aha” moment, and cut churn.4. Freemium vs. Free Trial vs. Reverse Trial – How to pick the perfect model for your startup.5. Sales-Led to Product-Led – Why some founders fight this shift, and how to pull it off without blowing up your funnel.KeywordsProduct-Led Growth, PLG Strategies, SaaS Onboarding, Freemium Model, Free Trial Optimization, User Adoption, Customer Success, B2B SaaS Growth, Onboarding Framework, Go-to-Market TacticsTimestamp(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:27) What is Product Led Growth(00:04:37) When to use PLG(00:18:20) Why Simplicity is the key(00:20:15) Wes's Favorite Case Study(00:25:42) The Bowling Alley Framework for Onboarding(00:31:02) Free Trials Must Have Progression(00:36:28) Finding Those Ideal Limits on your TrialsSend me a message to let me know what you think!
Mergers and acquisitions are often seen as boardroom strategy – but it's becoming ever more important for product leaders to be key stakeholders in the process. In this live interview recorded at #mtpcon London 2025, Randy sits down with Vincent Jong, CPO at Dealfront, to explore the real, unfiltered lessons of product leadership during M&A.Vincent shares stories from inside two major integrations offering tactical insight into what product teams need to know, how to spot risk before it's too late, and why defining success early is critical. Featured Links: Follow Vincent on LinkedIn and his website | Join Vincent at Saas on The Beach event in May | Buy Vincent's book 'Product-Led Sales: Combine the Best of Product-Led Growth and Sales' | 'What we learned at #mtpcon London 2025' feature by Kent McDonald and Louron PrattOur HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Ever feel like your marketing data is giving you half-truths? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation with Dan McGaw, founder and CEO of UTM.io, we dive deep into the critical but often overlooked foundation of all marketing attribution: UTM parameters and proper data governance.We explore the real challenges marketing ops professionals face in implementing consistent UTM parameters across global organizations. Dan shares practical insights on how to transform your approach from the ubiquitous "UTM spreadsheet" to more robust systems that enforce taxonomies and ensure data quality. His advice comes with empathy for the marketing ops professionals caught between demanding VPs and busy campaign managers who "just want to get their job done."Whether you're struggling with attribution models, considering a CDP, or simply trying to bring order to chaotic UTM parameters, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's seen it all. Dan's parting advice? Start with a spreadsheet to solve 85% of the problem, then iterate until you're ready for specialized tools. It's a refreshing reminder that sometimes the simplest solutions lay the groundwork for sophisticated attribution strategies.Ready to bring order to your marketing attribution? Listen now and discover the power of proper data governance.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Connect Scattered Data with AI AgentsExplore how easy AI can be with Forwrd.ai for Marketing OpsBuild AI agents that can predict, forecast, segment, and automate the entire data processing workflow -- integrating, prepping, cleaning, normalizing, analyzing, and even building and operating your models. With Forward, you can get it done 100 times faster. Support the show
In this latest episode of the "Grow Your B2B SaaS Podcast," host Joran sits down with Pablo Asensio, founder of 8% Growth, to discuss how to master product-led growth (PLG) for SaaS companies. Pablo explains that PLG is a strategy that shifts away from traditional methods of relying on sales and marketing to acquire and retain customers. Instead, it positions the product itself as the main driver of growth. This approach allows users to see the product's value before committing financially, making it easier to grow revenue naturally. Key aspects of PLG include self-serve onboarding, viral loops, and in-product upsells. Successful companies like Slack, Dropbox, Calendly, and Miro have effectively used PLG to expand their user base.Key Timecodes(1:19) - Guest Introduction(1:32) - Defining PLG(2:50) - Key Elements of PLG(3:23) - When to Consider PLG(5:29) - Misconceptions About PLG(6:12) - Importance of Organizational Alignment(7:13) - Aligning Stakeholders(8:15) - Four-Step Framework for Alignment(10:37) - Viral Loops and PLG(12:52) - Moments to Ask for Referrals(14:53) - Common Mistakes in PLG(16:12) - Managing Expectations(17:29) - Misconceptions About Implementing PLG(19:06) - Tools and Frameworks for PLG(21:12) - Monetization Strategy(23:31) - Aligning Sales with PLG(25:25) - Best Practices for PLG Implementation(28:12) - Importance of Data(30:27) - When to Add a Sales Component(33:19) - Summarizing PLG Advice(33:54) - Advice for Growing SaaS to 10K MRR(35:29) - Advice for Scaling to 10 Million ARR(38:52) - Episode Summary(39:02) - Contact Information
Product-Led Growth en acción
In this short segment of the Revenue Builders Podcast, John McMahon and John Kaplan sit down with John Donnelly to discuss the critical intersection of value, technical expertise, and business outcomes in enterprise sales. They explore why many sales professionals struggle with discovery, how to shift from feature-based selling to value-based selling, and the role of champion building in complex deals. If you're in B2B sales or SaaS, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you close bigger deals and drive long-term customer success.KEY TAKEAWAYS[00:00:52] The importance of active listening in sales conversations.[00:01:24] Why enterprise sales still leans on feature-selling despite the focus on value.[00:02:57] Answering the fundamental customer question: "Why do I care?"[00:04:07] The most common mistake salespeople make in the discovery phase.[00:06:08] The power of balancing technical expertise with business outcomes.QUOTES[00:00:52] "If the person you're speaking with doesn't feel heard, you're not going to get very far."[00:02:57] "Customers don't care about your features unless they understand how it affects them."[00:04:07] "Sales is not a box-checking process. Rushing through discovery leads to missed opportunities."[00:06:08] "The best salespeople stand at the intersection of technical expertise and business outcomes." – John McMahonListen to the full conversation through the link below.https://revenue-builders.simplecast.com/episodes/no-shortcuts-accelerate-your-sales-process-with-john-donnellyEnjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox:https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0Check out John McMahon's book here:Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/1K7DDC4Check out Force Management's Ascender platform here: https://my.ascender.co/Ascender/Force Management is hiring for a Sales Director. Apply here: https://hubs.li/Q02Zb8WG0Read Force Management's eBook: https://www.forcemanagement.com/roi-of-sales-messaging
Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Join us for an enlightening conversation with Anna Tumanova, the Events Marketing Lead at Gorgias, as we unravel the complexities of managing large-scale events. With her impressive track record of orchestrating over a thousand events, Anna offers a unique perspective on how to elevate brand presence through strategic event marketing. From the grandeur of Gorgias Connect to small-scale dinners designed to test new markets, Anna reveals the secrets behind Gorgias's diverse event portfolio and their pivotal role in market expansion.Explore the meticulous details that go into making each event a success, from choosing the perfect venue in an unfamiliar city to the surprising impact of comfortable flooring on booth foot traffic. Anna shares her insights on how the goals of these events—be it lead generation, customer engagement, or brand enhancement—have evolved over time. Discover the financial wizardry behind budget allocations and how Gorgias tailors events to cater to various stakeholders, ensuring not just customer acquisition but also solidifying existing relationships.Peek behind the curtain to see how Anna and her team keep their event operations seamless and efficient. Learn about their process of using dedicated Slack channels for event requests, Asana for logistical management, and how tools like HubSpot and lemlist optimize marketing operations. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for marketing and MarTech professionals eager to automate and personalize event communications, drive engagement, and precisely measure success. Anna's expertise is sure to inspire and equip you with strategies to take your event marketing to the next level.RSVP for Anna's upcoming webinar series hereFind Anna on LinkedIn hereEpisode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals Connect Scattered Data with AI AgentsExplore how easy AI can be with Forwrd.ai for Marketing OpsBuild AI agents that can predict, forecast, segment, and automate the entire data processing workflow -- integrating, prepping, cleaning, normalizing, analyzing, and even building and operating your models. With Forward, you can get it done 100 times faster. Support the show
In this episode of Product Odyssey, we delve into the transformative power of Product-Led Growth (PLG) and its dynamic relationship with Sales-Led Growth (SLG).Join our host, Marcin Kokott, and seasoned product leader, Eli Geoffroy, as they share first-hand insights on transitioning from SLG to a hybrid growth model. From aligning teams and rethinking onboarding to empowering product-driven user experiences, they explore evolving without causing disruption.How can PLG coexist with traditional sales strategies in industries like hospitality? When is the right time to layer PLG into your growth playbook?Listen in for practical advice and lessons learned on navigating growth evolution and leading engineering teams – whether you have a technical background or not.
For additional resources for #eventprofs visit www.productionvaluematters.com In this episode of Production Value Matters, host Matthew Byrne interviews Jillian Ruiz, Head of Global Marketing and Events at Behavox. With nearly fifteen years of experience in strategic management and marketing of experiential events, Jillian shares insights on scaling event marketing in a high-growth SaaS environment, integrating product-led growth strategies, and developing effective content strategies that drive engagement.
Joe Hyrkin is the former CEO of Issuu, a content publishing platform for interactive marketing content. Issuu allows you to easily publish printable and PDF materials in various formats to websites and social media. It's a global product-led success story with millions of customers and a successful and sustainable business. Issuu was started by four Danish founders before the company was moved to Silicon Valley in 2013 when Joe was hired as the CEO. Joe ran the company for almost 12 years, growing it profitably most years to almost $30 million in revenue before it was sold in mid-2024 to Bending Spoons, an Italian holding company that is an active acquirer of software companies. Joe talks about working with their early venture capital investors with a practical and patient approach. In 2021, Issuu raised $20 million in debt to invest in marketing and address technology issues, which helped them grow faster before being acquired. Quote from Joe Hyrkin, former CEO of Issuu “From 2016 to 2020, we ran Issuu profitably, with what I like to call a ‘pro-grow' approach—profitable and growing. Then, we raised debt to grow faster to about $30 million in revenue. The final year before we sold, we got back to profitability. So we got to profitability twice. “By being profitable, you're committing to your customers that you're going to be around and that they will not have to go find some other solution. You're communicating to your team that this company can be counted on. In 2024 and 2025, everybody wants profitability, unless you're an AI company. “Not having a profitability plan actually creates a lot of risk. I'm not saying you always have to be profitable, but you always have to have a foundation to know how we get to profitability. It's a different way of thinking.” Links Joe Hyrkin on LinkedIn Issuu on LinkedIn Issuu website Bending Spoons website Podcast Sponsor – Cypress Growth Capital This week's podcast is sponsored by my friends at Cypress Growth Capital. For 15 years, Cypress has provided non-dilutive growth funding to bootstrapped SaaS founders, including many successful founders I've interviewed here on this podcast. The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com/newsletter.
Today, we're talking with Andy Boyd, CPO of Appfire, which provides a portfolio of over 100 collaboration solutions. In this episode, Andy details: His no-fail growth formula from driving product-led growth (PLG) at IBM Watson Learn from Andy's product-lead growth examples from his book, Enterprise Growth Playbook The ways he uses data to drive experimentation velocity and avoid decision paralysis How he's slingshotted his career by focusing on working with great people, rather than chasing titles or compensation - and why you should too! Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfboyd/ Website: https://andyfboyd.com/ Appfire: https://appfire.com/ Enterprise Growth Playbook: https://andyfboyd.com/enterprise-growth-playbook/ Chapters 00:00 The Data Dilemma: Product Decision-Making 00:15 Intro 01:16 The Introduction of Product-Led Growth at IBM Watson 02:19 Driving Monthly Active Users: Strategies and Successes 03:16 Understanding Growth: Product vs. Marketing 04:01 The Early Days of PLG at IBM 05:20 From Developer to Product Manager 08:13 Launching Growth Teams Across IBM 11:39 Key Learnings from Developer-Focused Projects 14:51 The Power of Simplicity in Growth Strategies 16:46 Writing the Enterprise Growth Playbook 20:21 The Silver Bullet Myth in Growth Strategies 21:22 The Magic of Compounding Growth 22:31 Data-Driven Decision Making 26:29 Transitioning to Appfire 28:23 Scaling and Hypergrowth at Appfire 31:42 Effective Customer Feedback Mechanisms 35:31 Career Advice: From IBM to Appfire 40:23 Outro Follow LaunchPod on YouTube We have a new YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@LaunchPod.byLogRocket)! Watch full episodes of our interviews with PM leaders and subscribe! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket combines frontend monitoring, product analytics, and session replay to help software teams deliver the ideal product experience. Try LogRocket for free today. (https://logrocket.com/signup/?pdr) Special Guest: Andy Boyd.
Esben Friis-Jensen is the Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at Userflow, a no-code builder for in-app onboarding and surveys that allows SaaS businesses to be more product-led. Userflow is 100% bootstrapped, and with just 3 people they have achieved 400+ customers and a 7-figure ARR (annual recurring revenue). Let's learn how they have been able to do this by having a product-led growth approach that focuses on the UI/UX of their product as well as building the strongest product possible. Show Notes [2:59] Do they just need a growth person, and how did the whole idea start? [5:35] Product-Led Growth facilitates the retention of direct customer feedback [8:13] What are the first big initial steps that he took to scale up his business? [11:43] You need to have a lot of integrity and certainty in what you're doing.You need to believe in the product that you're selling [14:15] How does he differentiate SEM from SEO? [17:12] What's the next big step that he took to 5x the business? [21:12] Esben walks us through how he refines value propositions [33:26] The more open your messaging is, the more different kinds of users you will have [42:44] How does his company maintain customer focus? [50:12] Esben's deliberate game plan for his business About Esben Friis-Jensen Esben Friis-Jensen is the co-founder of Userflow, a no-code platform for building onboarding guides and product tours.Before working on Userflow, he co-founded an application security platform called Cobalt. Additionally, he has a background as an Accenture consultant with more than three years of experience in test and deployment management of global IT implementations. Links Userflow Cobalt Monday Profile Esben's LinkedIn
Welcome to the final episode of The ProductLed Podcast for 2024! In this solo session, Wes dives deep into goal-setting strategies for 2025 using the game-changing "Impossible to Inevitable Framework." After hosting the incredible ProductLed Founders Strategy Summit, which drew hundreds of SaaS founders, Wes is ready to share with you the key insights from this event experience. Here's what you will learn in this episode: How to set a single, transformational goal for your SaaS growth in 2025How to craft a focused plan to achieve that goal and make your success inevitableHow to leverage proven techniques like the 80/20 principle, rituals, and strategic resources. Whether you're looking to scale your SaaS with PLG, identify the bottlenecks you're currently facing, or focus on one specific growth area in 2025, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you crush your targets. By the end, you'll walk away with a clear roadmap to not only set audacious goals but also ensure you achieve them. Jump to your favorite section: [0:00] The groundbreaking framework for SaaS growth in 2025 [2:22] The top goal-setting mistakes you're probably making [6:45] Why one goal can change everything [11:10] The 80/20 Path to Achieving Big Goals [15:22] Making Sure You Actually Achieve Your Goals [19:35] The Secret to Overcoming Roadblocks Faster [24:05] A Free Gift to Help You Plan Your 2025 Goals Links & Resources: Free Figma WorksheetLearn more about The Product-Led Playbook here Learn more about our #1 PLG program: ProductLed Academy, a done-with-you program to help you scale your SaaS with Product-Led Growth. Learn more about The ProductLed Implementer Program. A done-for-you program where one of our implementers will guide your team through your growth process.
SaaStr 781: How to Think About Product-Led Growth, Bootstrapping vs VC, and Early Exits with Jason Lemkin At the closing AMA (Ask-Me-Anything) of SaaStr Annual, SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin delves into key topics facing SaaS startups including bootstrapping, private equity (PE) opportunities, and achieving product market fit. With practical advice and real-world examples, the Q&A covers critical issues such as growth strategies, funding options, and the dynamics of venture capital. Additionally, Jason addresses the importance of sales, the potential pitfalls of relying on design partners, and the nuances of pricing strategies. A must-watch for any SaaS founder or entrepreneur looking to navigate the complexities of scaling their business in today's competitive market. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet. Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing.
In this episode, Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia interviews Zeb Evans, Founder and CEO of ClickUp.ClickUp, founded in 2017, has rapidly grown into a comprehensive productivity platform, consolidating multiple work tools into a single application. The company has raised $537.5 million in funding and achieved a valuation of $4 billion. ClickUp now serves over 14 million users and 3 million teams, including notable clients like Netflix and Spotify.As Founder, CEO, and CPO of ClickUp, Zeb leads both the company and product strategy, maintaining a hands-on approach to product development. He played a pivotal role in developing ClickUp Knowledge Management, an AI-powered tool that integrates data from various sources to enhance workplace productivity.In this episode, we explore ClickUp's journey from a startup to a major player in the project management space, the integration of AI in productivity tools, and Zeb's unique approach to product leadership. We also discuss how personal challenges have shaped Zeb's business philosophy and how ClickUp balances Product-Led Growth with Sales-Led Growth.What you'll learn:- How Zeb's narcolepsy and near-death experiences influenced ClickUp's development.- ClickUp's strategy for competing in the crowded project management space.- The implementation of AI in productivity tools and its impact on product teams.- Zeb's unconventional approach to product management and company structure.- How ClickUp balances Product-Led Growth with Sales-Led Growth in B2B SaaS.Key Takeaways
In today's rapidly evolving tech landscape, Product-Led Growth (PLG) has emerged as a pivotal strategy for companies aspiring to thrive. At the heart of a successful PLG approach lies an outstanding product—one that effortlessly captivates users and inspires them to share their experience with others.In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Ramli John (Founder of Delight Path), Dani Grant (CEO of Jam.dev), and Anuj Adhiya (Expert In Residence at Techstars) to delve into the transformative power of PLG, especially in conjunction with Artificial Intelligence (AI).Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterCheck out this episode's sponsor: Wix StudioConnect with Ramli, Dani, and Anuj on LinkedInCheck out Delight Path, Jam.dev, and Techstars
I am excited to have Wes Bush, the Founder of ProductLed and author of the bestseller Product-Led Growth: How to Build a Product That Sells Itself. He is the author of the new book, The ProductLed Playbook In this episode, Wes Bush, founder of ProductLed and author of Product-Led Growth, shares his journey into startups and the transformative power of product-led growth (PLG). Wes explores the shift from sales-led to PLG models, insights from Vidyard, and the keys to scaling SaaS businesses. He discusses freemium challenges, leveraging AI for better conversion, and mastering content marketing with books as lead magnets. Wes also dives into hiring for growth, metrics for PLG success, and creating standout content with a contrarian viewpoint, and much more! Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on iTunes Learn What do you see as the biggest benefits for companies adopting a product-led approach? What does a successful product-led team look like How can sales teams integrate with a PLG strategy? What is your favourite business book/ podcast? –Traction What is your favourite online tool? –Canva If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Stopped creating after the first book Timestamps Wes's Journey into Product Management (00:02:45) The Transition from Sales-Led to Product-Led Growth (00:04:30) Insights from Vidyard and Growth Challenges (00:07:15) Focus on One Growth Channel or Multiple Channels? (00:12:30) Recommended Ad Budgets and Key Considerations (00:15:00) Defining Product-Led Growth vs. Sales-Led Models (00:18:00) Examples of Successful PLG Companies (00:20:30) Freemium Model Challenges and AI Opportunities (00:23:00) PLG for B2B vs. B2C Companies (00:25:45) Content Marketing and the Role of Books (00:28:00) Using Books as Lead Magnets for SaaS Companies (00:31:30) Why Wes Turned Down Traditional Publishers (00:34:00) Content Team Integration with Consulting Practices (00:37:00) Best Channels for Growth and Future Trends (00:40:15) The Role of Contrarian Opinions in Content Strategy (00:42:45) Impact of AI on SEO and Search Trends (00:45:30) Reaching Younger Audiences Through TikTok and Social Media (00:48:00) Key Metrics for Measuring PLG Success (00:50:30) When to Hire a Head of Growth (00:53:00) Motivation Behind Writing the Product-Led Playbook (00:56:00) Differences Between Product-Led Growth and Product-Led Playbook (00:58:30) Wes's Links LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbush Product Led Playbook - https://www.amazon.com/Product-Led-Playbook-Self-Serve-Dominate-ProductLed/dp/1777119367 My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal 5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com
In this episode, Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia interviews Anthony Maggio, Vice President of Product at Airtable.Airtable, founded 12 years ago, has evolved from a user-friendly spreadsheet alternative to a robust enterprise-grade application development platform. The company has raised $1.35 billion in funding and achieved a valuation of $11 billion. Airtable now serves over 500,000 organizations, including half of the Fortune 500 companies.As VP of Product at Airtable, Anthony leads the product management organization, focusing on creating powerful, intuitive solutions that enhance user experience and meet customer needs. He played a pivotal role in developing Airtable Cobuilder, a groundbreaking AI-powered tool that allows users to create custom applications quickly and easily.In this episode, we explore Airtable's transition from a consumer product to an enterprise platform, the integration of AI in product development, and the launch of ProductCentral—a solution unifying the entire product development process. We also discuss why product teams are becoming more accountable for revenue and how Airtable connects Product-Led Growth with Sales-Led Growth for enterprise customers.What you'll learn:- Anthony's approach to scaling Airtable from a consumer product to an enterprise platform.- How Airtable Cobuilder revolutionizes application creation using AI.- Strategies for making product teams accountable for revenue.- The integration of AI into Airtable's product development process.- How Airtable balances Product-Led Growth with Sales-Led Growth for enterprise customers.Key Takeaways
Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Ever wondered how a career shift can lead you to the job of your dreams? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Hannah Nodus, the Product Manager of Marketing Ops Technology at Salesforce, as she shares her fascinating journey from tech consulting at PWC to her current dream role at Slack. Hannah opens up about the pivotal experiences and mentors, especially Peter Kirk, who shaped her professional growth and fueled her passion for Salesforce products. Her story is a testament to the serendipitous paths that can lead to a fulfilling career in marketing operations.Explore the dynamic world where marketing ops professionals seamlessly transition into product management roles. We delve into how foundational skills like problem-solving and technology integration are crucial in bridging diverse teams and functions. Hannah sheds light on the hybrid role professionals often play, balancing technical know-how with functional strategies to connect go-to-market plans with technology infrastructure effectively. Discover the importance of adapting to change and harnessing team strengths to drive business success.Gain valuable insights into how resources like Salesforce's Trailhead and professional communities can propel career growth. Hannah discusses the significance of a holistic understanding of the sales cycle and the power of lifecycle analytics in revenue operations roles. The episode also highlights the benefits of agile methodologies and the enriching experience of engaging with communities like marketing ops groups. Whether you're looking to excel in RevOps or seeking inspiration for your professional journey, this episode offers a blend of personal narratives and practical advice to help you thrive.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals MOps-Apalooza is back by popular demand in Anaheim, California! Register for the magical community-led conference for Marketing and Revenue Operations pros.Support the show
Wes Bush is CEO of ProductLed, a coaching and education company that has helped almost 500 serious SaaS founders to succeed with product-led growth strategies, tactics, and execution. These include freemium products and free trials, where the product itself creates the awareness, engagement, and enthusiasm to buy before any human intervention (aka “the required sales demo”). Wes has written two successful books, Product-Led Growth and The Product-Led Playbook, describing key ideas, frameworks, approaches, and examples for SaaS founders. In this expert episode, Wes shares his expertise for SaaS founders, including these topics: Defining product-led growth Transitioning from sales-led to product-led Common mistakes in product-led growth Identifying challenges and solutions for user experience Pricing strategies in product-led growth The future of product-led growth in SaaS Quote from Wes Bush, CEO of ProductLed “The PLG model you choose doesn't matter. Not a bit. Freemium, free trial, credit card up front, whatever. You can make any of those work. That's not the question. What matters in PLG is the actual outcome that we hope somebody will get from our product-led experience? “Does your free motion actually have a transformation in it where they can feel they will grow bigger, save time, and do cool stuff? Because if you don't have that, it's literally just, “Hey, look around, see for yourself, see what you can do in this product. That's not real value.” “What is your PLG outcome that creates that transformation for the user? There has to be tangible value for the user before they ever consider buying. That's what customers want when they buy software now–Show me value first before I think about buying from you.” Links Wes Bush on LinkedIn ProductLed on LinkedIn ProductLed website Free Product-Led Growth book Free Product-Led Growth audio book The Product-Led Playbook book The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.
"J'aurais payé pour pour être à Google."Françoise Brougher était une pionnière de la Silicon Valley aux côtés des autres “ingénieurs rebelles” dans les années 2000.Avec une faible aversion au risque, elle quitte un job dans une banque prestigieuse pour rejoindre Google en 2005, tandis que tout le monde la prenait pour une folle.Françoise a assisté à l'acquisition YouTube, aux premières opérations de monétisation et au développement de la plus grosse Tech au monde.Elle rejoint ensuite l'équipe de Jack Dorsay chez Square puis Pinterest et parvient à les propulser avec une approche “Product Led Growth” (stratégie basée sur la qualité du produit).En véritable mentor, elle aide ensuite d'autres entrepreneurs et rejoint notamment les boards de Sodexo, Qonto, Too Good To Go et Alan.Françoise se confie sur son impressionnante carrière aux US :Les premières années Google et la philosophie “don't be evil”Comment créer un produit parfaitLe fonctionnement et le problème des IPO aux USL'affaire Pinterest et la place des femmes dans les Big TechComment être un bon leaderUn épisode solide qui reprend les règles de l'art suivies par les plus belles sociétés américaines devenues références mondiales incontestables.TIMELINE:00:00:00 : Les coulisses de la Silicon Valley00:14:22 : Créer le produit parfait00:20:40 : L'importance de la clarté00:24:58 : L'état d'esprit de Google : déraisonnable et gentil00:34:40 : Développer les startup vedettes de la Silicon Valley00:46:54 : Réflexions autour du système financier aux US00:53:48 : L'affaire Pinterest et la place des femmes dans les Big Tech01:10:59 : Critique du "Founder's mode" : la juste attitude de l'exécutif01:20:36 : Les secteurs en vogue : l'espace et l'IA01:26:56 : Donner en retour : la culture du "give back"01:34:51 : Le climat politique aux USLes anciens épisodes de GDIY mentionnés :#419 - Stanislas Niox-Chateau - Doctolib : derrière la plus grosse marque de la French tech#421 - Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve - Alan - Aller jusqu'au bout de ses convictions et transformer l'essai#210 - David Gurlé - Symphony - Apprendre aux côtés de Bill Gates à son apogée, le succès fou et les apprentissages d'un entrepreneur méconnu#424 - Olivier Dellenbach - ChapsVision, eFront - Créer le Big Brother au grand cœur#354 - Alex Bouaziz - Deel - Fonder discrètement une décacorne valorisée à 12 milliards de dollars, pour devenir le plus gros DRH du mondeNous avons parlé de :PinterestSquareSMB : small medium businesses (PME)Product-led Growth (PLG)QontoToo Good To GoCasimir : gloubi boulgaCharles SchwabFounder modeSquarespaceThe Pinterest Paradox: Cupcakes and Toxicity (l'article sur Medium)‘Founder Mode' Explains the Rise of Trump in Silicon Valley (Article de Kim Scott)Gwynne Shotwell (directrice de l'exploitation de SpaceX)Waymo présentationUniversal HydrogenVelocity GlobalLes recommandations de lecture : Antifragile: Les bienfaits du désordreVous pouvez contacter Françoise sur Linkedin.La musique du générique vous plaît ? C'est à Morgan Prudhomme que je la dois ! Contactez-le sur : https://studio-module.com. Vous souhaitez sponsoriser Génération Do It Yourself ou nous proposer un partenariat ? Contactez mon label Orso Media via ce formulaire.
In this insightful episode, we welcome Ellen Burke, the demand generation manager at &open, a corporate gifting platform based in Ireland. Ellen shares her expertise on how &open is revolutionizing the corporate gifting industry by focusing on sustainability, thoughtfulness, and scalability. She discusses the company's approach to solving key problems in the corporate gifting space, their ideal customer profile, and effective client acquisition strategies. Ellen also provides valuable insights into website lead generation, the importance of engaging content, and the role of product-led growth in scaling their business. Listeners will gain practical tips on marketing strategies, staying updated with industry trends, and the significance of automation in marketing processes.
In today's fast-paced digital world, micro SaaS platforms are making waves and for good reason. As our guest describes it, micro SaaS is a streamlined version of Software as a Service that addresses specific problems with targeted solutions. Unlike traditional SaaS, which aims to cover a broad range of needs, micro SaaS focuses on niche markets, often created by solo entrepreneurs or small teams. This trend signals a shift toward more specialized, affordable, and user-friendly software that truly makes an impact. In this enticing yet intriguing episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS podcast, host Joran Hofman sits down with Alex Urquhart, the founder of Market Science, to discuss micro SaaS more specifically, how to build, launch, and scale a successful micro SaaS. Key Timestamps (0:49) - Importance of Understanding the Market (1:15) - Introduction of Guest: Alex Urquhart (1:44) - What is Micro SaaS? (1:56) - Defining Micro SaaS (2:36) - Examples of Micro SaaS (3:18) - Why Build a Micro SaaS? (3:23) - Benefits of Micro SaaS (4:14) - Positioning and Product Messaging (5:08) - Low Objections and Pricing (6:06) - Low Running Costs and Expectations (7:04) - Simplicity in Micro SaaS (7:09) - Skills Needed for Micro SaaS Success (7:39) - Grit and Tenacity in Micro SaaS (8:37) - Pivoting Quickly in Micro SaaS (9:32) - Product-Led Growth in Micro SaaS (10:26) - Validating Ideas in Micro SaaS (10:58) - Identifying a Niche for Micro SaaS (11:47) - Utilizing Personal Experience (12:37) - Finding Gaps in Established Products (13:39) - Simplifying Existing Solutions (14:30) - Importance of Repetitive Tasks (14:34) - Passion in Solving Personal Problems (15:11) - Research and Understanding the Market (15:17) - Building an MVP for Micro SaaS (16:23) - Testing MVP Viability (17:20) - Validating Before Building (18:05) - Generating Leads for Micro SaaS (18:49) - Outbound Strategies for Early Users (19:39) - Building Connections and Research (20:25) - Launching with Early Customers (21:16) - Community Engagement (22:10) - Sharing Knowledge and Building Value (23:00) - Building a Personal Brand (23:37) - Scaling Micro SaaS (24:19) - Challenges in Scaling (25:11) - Fast Followers and Competition (26:15) - Growth Loops and SEO (27:09) - Marketing and Ads in Scaling (28:02) - Supplementary Income Strategies (28:44) - Transitioning to Sustainable Income (29:34) - Proof of Concept and Testing (30:33) - Validating Demand Before Launch (30:53) - Common Mistakes in Micro SaaS (31:05) - Being Open to Pivoting (32:03) - Avoiding Rush to Automate (32:52) - Manual Processes and Validation (33:19) - Starting a B2B SaaS Company (34:12) - Being Manual in Go-to-Market (35:11) - Building a Personal Brand (36:12) - Community Involvement and Networking (37:07) - Scaling Towards 10 Million ARR (38:10) - Detaching and Hiring Right People (39:02) - Importance of Founder Presence (39:56) - Leading with Culture (40:15) - Summarizing Key Points (41:18) - Importance of Validation and Research (42:24) - Final Thoughts and Resources (42:50) - Contact and Closing Remarks
Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Unlock the secrets to making your tech investments genuinely work for you with insights from our esteemed guest, Tony Ferreira. With nearly two decades of experience in the marketing technology sector, Tony has transitioned from the agency world to leading marketing technology at Wrench Group. In our conversation, Tony challenges the misconception that simply acquiring new tools will miraculously solve organizational issues. Instead, he reveals how a strategic approach, emphasizing readiness and structure, is essential to truly leveraging technology investments within your organization.Throughout our discussion, we tackle the intricacies of organizational readiness and its critical role in implementing effective technology solutions. From miscommunication pitfalls to the perennial struggle of justifying tech investments as value-generating rather than costly expenses, we cover it all. Drawing from personal anecdotes and industry events like Adobe Summit, we highlight how aligning organizational structures with tech investments fosters a holistic business strategy, ensuring that every tool performs its best function. These lessons are especially poignant for businesses navigating the challenges of cost versus investment perceptions within their tech stacks.Finally, we focus on the vital elements of change management and decision-making in tech adoption. With real-world examples, Tony and I explore how a robust plan and clear communication strategies can overcome resistance and foster stakeholder buy-in. We delve into the complexities of decision-making authority and the cultural barriers to acknowledging 'successful failures.' By encouraging an environment ripe for experimentation and learning, organizations can transform tech adoption from a daunting task into an opportunity for enhanced efficiency and productivity. Join us for an episode filled with valuable insights and actionable strategies to maximize your tech stack through organizational readiness.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals MOps-Apalooza is back by popular demand in Anaheim, California! Register for the magical community-led conference for Marketing and Revenue Operations pros.Support the show
Today Jim is joined by one of the original masterminds of the product led growth strategy, Wes Bush of Productled.com. Wes and Jim get incredibly tactical as they go through step by step on how to decide if product led growth is a good match for your company and how to implement if it is.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY'S EPISODEWhat is Product Led Growth (PLG)Iconic Examples of Product Led GrowthEvaluating PLG for Your BusinessImplementing a Product Led StrategyIdentifying Your Ideal UserCrafting an Effective OfferAddressing Objections and Highlighting AdvantagesCrafting a Compelling OfferFrictionless Onboarding StrategiesOptimizing Pricing for ValueData-Driven Decision MakingImplementing Product-Led GrowthBuilding a People-Based Business Resources:Productled.comGrowth Marketing OS (Operating System) GrowthHitJim Huffman websiteJim's LinkedinJim's Twitter Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
Today, our guest is Michael Park, Product Coach and Advisor who previously served as CPO of BombBomb, a video messaging software company. Michael began his career in product design at Havoc, where he transitioned into product management and eventually became VP of product. Michael then served in leadership roles at Danielson Designs and Rendi, a customizable frames and signs company. Most recently, he spent nearly nine years at BombBomb, where he oversaw the product life cycle, managed a 20-person product team, and expanded the customer base from SMB to enterprise. On today's episode, LogRocket's VP of Marketing, Jeff Wharton, talks to Michael about his six lessons from scaling product from zero to $25M ARR; the nuance that comes with the “founder mode” discussion in relation to best leadership practices; and what a self-imposed sabbatical taught Michael about product leadership. Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotothepark/ LogRocket Profile: https://blog.logrocket.com/product-management/leader-spotlight-michael-park/ 6 lessons in scaling a product from zerp to $25M ARR: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/540b2e54e4b029a48854f368/t/6700497bffe76e24dde73b84/1728072060103/6Lessons.pdf Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:40 The challenges of digital product management 04:51 The evolution and popularity of product management 08:27 The importance of focus and consistency in product leadership 13:22 Hiring and team dynamics in product management 17:53 Transitioning from founder to product leader 24:46 Finding the right leadership for scaling 26:21 The Importance of the “bounce back” factor 27:09 Navigating Founder Mode 37:19 Balancing rigid and flexible product roadmaps 45:37 Outro Follow LogRocket on TikTok! Love LaunchPod and the rest of LogRocket's great content? Follow us on TikTok for interview clips, UX tutorials, and more! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket combines frontend monitoring, product analytics, and session replay to help software teams deliver the ideal product experience. Try LogRocket for free today. (https://logrocket.com/signup/?pdr) Special Guest: Michael Park.
In this episode, Madhukar Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer at SingleStore, shares his expertise on effectively integrating AI into marketing strategies. He discusses the challenges marketers face in an increasingly complex digital landscape and how to overcome fatigue from the rapid influx of new tools. Madhukar emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and leveraging AI to enhance creativity and decision-making. He encourages marketers to stay true to their unique perspectives while navigating change, providing practical insights for driving meaningful growth in their organizations.
Today we're going to talk about the innovative use of AI in driving product-led growth with Sonal Mane, Senior Director of Digital Customer Experience and Growth at Databricks. RESOURCES Databricks website: https://www.databricks.com Wix Studio is the ultimate web platform for creative, fast-paced teams at agencies and enterprises—with smart design tools, flexible dev capabilities, full-stack business solutions, multi-site management, advanced AI and fully managed infrastructure. https://www.wix.com/studio Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off. Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
In this week's podcast episode, Partho Ghosh, VP of Products at Uberall, shares his transformative journey from computer science graduate to product management leader, revealing the intricacies of implementing product-led growth (PLG) strategies. Having played a key role at Hootsuite, Partho now navigates the challenges of scaling at Uberall, bringing profound insights into how PLG drives significant company growth and development. This episode delivers a deeper understanding of the landscape of PLG, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in product management and business growth.Featured Links: Follow Partho on LinkedIn | Uberall | 'Definition of Product-Led Growth' feature by Wes BushOur HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
How is AI reshaping the landscape of product-led growth? Join us as we chat with Nicole Mace, the SVP of Product and User Experience at Pendo, who offers an insider's perspective on the AI revolution within product management. Featured Links: Follow Nichole on LinkedIn | Pendo | 'Six things we learned at the Pendomonium + #mtpcon roadshow London 2024' feature by Louron PrattOur HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
On today's episode, we have Emilia Kortrynska, Head of Marketing at UserPilot. In the discussion with Emilia, we talk about some incredibly interesting research that came out of UserPilot recently about how Sales Led Growth appears to beat Product Led Growth in many categories. Which to PLG evangelists like myself, really caught me off guard. But we discuss why quant data is only one piece of the story and why you need to balance quant with qual research and the benefits of research in general. PLG vs SLG research data If you're looking for a better way to tie research to your company goals, try out ResearchRepo for free If you're trying to get into product management and need experience to accelerate your path to product, sign up at Path2Product and start getting experience today Outline: 0:00-0:53 - Episode Introduction 0:53-2:35 - Emilia's Background and Intro 2:35-7:48 Emilia's Role In Research for Userpilot 7:48-10:59 Marketing's Role in User Research and PM Collaboration 10:59-13:00 Product-Led SEO 13:00-15:25 Research Feedback loop on usage and user segmentation 15:25-16:10 The fallacy of category creation in positioning 16:10-26:54 Sales Led vs Product Led Success Rates 26:54-30:07 How can we make research matter more at our company
Text us your thoughts on the episode or the show!Can marketing operations truly be considered a part of traditional marketing, or does it stand as its own unique discipline? Join us in this thought-provoking episode of OpsCast as we explore this question from multiple angles, diving into the essential roles and responsibilities that define marketing operations. Hear from Mike Rizzo as he delves into the origins of this contentious debate, intended more to spark conversation than controversy, and listen to Michael Hartmann and Naomi Liu as they share their differing viewpoints on the operational focus and technological intersections of marketing ops.In this episode, we dissect the distinct roles within marketing operations and sales operations, highlighting the unique skill sets required for each. By drawing on personal experiences and real-world examples from LinkedIn discussions, we unpack the challenges faced by marketing ops professionals and explore the intriguing possibility of career transitions between marketing ops and field marketing. We highlight the importance of early collaboration and proactive communication to improve efficiency and effectiveness within marketing teams, stressing the need for marketing ops to be seen as a strategic, rather than just supportive, function.Finally, the conversation shifts to the necessity of clear role definitions and effective communication of achievements within marketing operations. We underscore the strategic value that marketing ops brings to go-to-market planning and emphasize the vital role of celebrating successes to ensure recognition from senior leadership. As we look ahead to the upcoming Mops-Apalooza event, we share our excitement about the discussions that will further illuminate the critical role of marketing operations in today's data-driven landscape. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving field of marketing operations and why it deserves recognition as a cornerstone of modern marketing strategy.Episode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals MOps-Apalooza is back by popular demand in Anaheim, California! Register for the magical community-led conference for Marketing and Revenue Operations pros.Support the Show.
On this episode, Doug Winter, Founder and CEO at Seismic, talks about how he grew Seismic from a small startup to a major player in sales enablement. Doug shares the key moments and strategies that helped Seismic succeed, including important acquisitions and staying focused on goals.Specifically, Doug discusses:- How Seismic started and the tough decisions they made along the way.- Why they focused on big companies to find their place in the market.- The reasons behind their Series A funding and staying in San Diego.- Their approach to acquisitions and how competition played a role.- How buying Lessonly boosted growth for both companies.- The importance of company culture and people in making acquisitions work.- What they learned about the challenges of merging with competitors.- Why having clear goals is crucial for successful mergers and acquisitions.Resources Mentioned:Doug Winter - https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-winter/Seismic - https://seismic.com/Jackson Square Ventures - https://www.jacksonsquareventures.com/Lessonly - https://www.lessonly.com/ This episode is brought to you by:Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.comEach year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don't get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#salesenablement #businessscquisitions #leadershipgrowth #product #marketing #innovation #startup #generativeai #AI
Enterprise companies like Salesforce, Oracle and Cisco use sales-led growth to drive revenue and build relationships with potential customers. Early-stage startups can't afford to rely on traditional sales and marketing, which is where product-led growth (PLG) comes in. Instead of creating slick sales collateral and hiring aggressive go-getters, PLG presents the product itself as the primary driver for customer acquisition, expansion and conversion. "It's an end-user-based revenue motion," said Laura Schaffer, VP of Growth at analytics platform Amplitude. "So you're trying to ultimately drive revenue growth by focusing on the end user." I invited her on the podcast to talk about how founding teams with limited resources can build a robust PLG framework that gathers actionable data and drives engagement. "If you think of payment, it's just a kind of friction. Just like completing a signup is friction. Just like learning a new product is friction," said Laura. "Payment and pricing and charging is just another friction." Episode breakdown Introduction to Laura Schaffer and her background in sales and growth Defining Product-Led Growth (PLG) as an end-user based revenue motion Key components of PLG: Acquisition, Monetization, Retention Initial steps for startups adopting PLG with limited resources “There are bad, high-friction questions, and then there's good questions.” Identifying and prioritizing target personas based on user engagement Minimizing bias by focusing on user problems and using quantitative data Strategies for moving from freemium to paid versions based on engagement signals Using free tools like Google Drive and Amplitude for tracking and data collection Techniques for embedding personas into organizational culture for alignment Avoiding vanity metrics and ensuring engagement metrics are linked to value Laura's advice on maintaining focus and prioritizing effectively for growth Links Laura Schaffer, VP Growth, Amplitude Amplitude Amplitude glossary of common terms How to run painted door tests that don't piss off your users, CommandBar Elena's Growth Scoop [Substack newsletter] Product-led Geek [Ben Williams' newsletter] Follow Fund/Build/Scale on LinkedIn Subscribe to FBS on Substack Thanks for listening! – Walter.
Leah Tharin brings B2B SaaS to the product-led growth retention light. Advising organizations to bring growth, product, marketing, and sales in line, scaling to move down or upmarket. She works in the operational details and not the hypothetical clouds with her clients. In this episode, Leah explains the differences between product-led growth (PLG) and sales-led growth, highlighting the benefits of usage-limited freemiums in PLG strategies. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on core value and customer experience when designing freemiums. She advises on pricing strategies, recommending minimal price changes during the early stages and frequent experiments as the company matures. Why you have to check out today's podcast: Find detailed definitions of key business concepts like product-led growth (PLG) and sales-led growth (SLG) that offer valuable comparisons to help you understand their differences, as well as applications. Learn practical and actionable advice on pricing strategies, emphasizing the importance of initial pricing for early-stage companies and the need for frequent pricing experiments as the company grows. Deep dive into effective business practices, such as leveraging freemium models and understanding the importance of customer value in pricing strategies. "If you cannot convince people to use your stuff for free, then I think you should not have any price on your product." - Leah Tharin Topics Covered: 01:32 - Why she describe the relationship between pricing and value as stressful 03:09 - Defining a product-led growth 06:47 - Leah expanding the product-led growth definition to include interactive demos and automated marketing tools 08:49 - How companies adopt product-led growth to improve cost efficiency and compete with more agile, cost-effective competitors 11:22 - Sales-led growth defined 14:20 - What does a product-led growth focuses in getting into 20:02 - Understanding a Freemium product offer 24:10 - Why she prefers a Freemium model that is usage-limited 26:46 - An outcome-driven way of looking at the minimum viable product 29:31 - Leah's best pricing advice Key Takeaways: "Traditionally we talk about product-led growth in the terms of trials, freemiums, getting something for free forever until you buy it, and so forth. But I also talk about it in the context of getting an interactive demo where you understand what they now do inside of this demo." - Leah Tharin "...what we try to do in product-led growth is exactly this. It's not so much about how much the customer spends in the initial payment with us or like even the first couple of months, maybe even year. It is about the lifetime value, how fast we can escalate this of course as well because this is also a sign of customer value." - Leah Tharin "For commoditized markets, product-led growth, if it can be done, it's not always the right thing, but definitely the choice that you have to make. In new verticals with extremely complicated integrations, we tend to be more sales-led for sure." - Leah Tharin People /Resources Mentioned: Netflix: https://www.netflix.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com Hubspot: https://www.hubspot.com Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com Connect with Leah Tharin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtharin/ Website: https://www.leahtharin.com/ Connect with Mark Stiving: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/ Email: mark@impactpricing.com
Dave is joined by Natalie Taylor, Head of Marketing at Capsule. Natalie shares her journey from getting laid off to finding her dream job through LinkedIn, and how she's now building meaningful customer relationships through intimate in-person events at Capsule.Natalie and Dave cover:The “intimate dinner strategy” Natalie is running and how it drives growth for CapsuleChallenges to measuring influencer campaigns in B2B and her approach to choosing who to work withHer step-by-step process to a successful product launchTimestamps(00:00) - - Intro (05:21) - - Natalie's Marketing Career Path (09:28) - - Loving the Product Makes You A Better Marketer (12:22) - - Product Launches and Growth (14:21) - - Keys to a Successful Video Strategy (17:24) - - Coordinating Launch Projects with Marketing and Product (23:08) - - B2B Influencer Outreach (29:40) - - Influencer Measurement Challenges (34:45) - - Curated Dinner Strategy (38:20) - - Lead Generation and Outreach with Apollo (48:19) - - Transitioning to Product-Led Growth (53:39) - - Working with the CEO 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***This episode of the Exit Five podcast is brought to you by our friends at Knak. Launching an email or landing page in your marketing automation platform shouldn't feel like assembling an airplane mid flight with no instructions, but too often that's exactly how it feels.No more having to stop midway through your campaign to fix something simple. Knack lets you work with your entire team in real time and stops you from having to fix things mid flight. Check them out at knak.com/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
"8% of the male population is colorblind, especially to red and green. And so think about the stock market and how that reads, or any kind of financial or big data company and their prevalent uses of green and red. People see those colors in shades of yellows and beige. ...I think accessibility design is still up and coming. I think user experience as an industry is still in its infancy... incorporating it into corporate spheres, companies, what does that mean? I make it a business to help build toolkits on how to define what it is that we do." "Generally people put out surveys at the beginning of a workflow or when someone first drops into their site before login or after login. But where I find that type of survey being really beneficial is after they do something. So they come there with a certain thing in mind that they want to do. That is exactly when you should throw up those two questions: a rating scale or an open ended.""Nashville is a place of connectors: "Hey, you know what? I know this person, let me email them for you. There is that love here of meeting, meeting people organically.""Design principles are value statements that describe the most important goals that a product delivers for its users.""With with product led growth, focus on customer acquisition, your expansion and keeping your clients. There's four ways to do that. First: it's with user experience and an intuitive interface. Simplify the user journey. When someone's onboarding, consider how they quickly understand the value of the product just because of the interaction they're having with the first page or the first few pages, and then make sure that it's a consistent experience across all devices. "The second one is UI. You user interface is really the visual appeal of designing for attention. We touch on this with graphic design. It's bringing clarity and language to guide people through features. Think of things like feedback, how do you know this is working?""Another one that helps with product led growth is interaction design. Micro-interactions, you know, something that has minimal steps to complete the task or reduce friction and encouraging people to use the product later. A notification saying, hey, you forgot something! Those are all ways that, you know, kind of brings growth. You don't necessarily think about it.""The last one is showcasing something that you can use for free. But then explaining: 'hey there's these other features that you might like!' And being exploratory with that."
To understand usability and boost user engagement, one key concept you need to master is friction logs. In this episode, we cover ideas and recommendations for using them to unlock product-led growth with the help of Pulkit Agrawal, the co-founder of Chameleon. Pulkit shares his knowledge about what a friction log is, how to make them valuable and the careful considerations you need to consider when making decisions about both good and bad friction. Show Notes [01:47] Friction log is a stream of consciousness on a piece of paper. [04:07] User testing or a friction log. What's the distinction? [07:32] You don't need to explain every step, and not every step is equal! [08:18] What does Pulkit want everyone to consider when it comes to friction logs? [13:46] What better options do you have to consider when making decisions in both good and bad friction? [17:10] New patterns develop, and people's expectations change along with the market. [21:02] How can we improve the onboarding experience? [24:34] It is unnecessary to perfect the journey or the friction log. [26:58] Improve product experiences by combining qualitative and quantitative data! [32:39] Never deploy anything that might lead a customer or end user to see something they are not requesting or expecting. [37:17] Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing, so learn these factors Pulit is talking about. About Pulkit Agrawal Previously, Pulkit helped unemployed youth launch businesses in rural India, studied engineering at the University of Cambridge, and worked in data modeling and analysis in London. About Chameleon The most well-known product adoption platform, Chameleon, was created to let modern software companies rebrand and alter their user experiences. Teams can easily create, deploy, test, and iterate on in-product experiences, such as banners, tooltips, modals, walkthroughs, checklists, and more, using its no-code Builder. Profile Pulkit Agrawal on LinkedIn Chameleon Blog
In 2015, Sujan Patel faced a common frustration: sales teams failing to follow up with prospects. His solution? Build a tool so effective that it turned into a successful company, Mailshake.In this episode, Alice Heiman talks with Sujan Patel, co-founder of Mailshake, about his journey from solving his own sales problems to building a successful bootstrapped company. Sujan shares valuable lessons learned over the past ten years.Here's what you'll discover:How Sujan transitioned from marketing to sales and founded Mailshake.The importance of pivoting and targeting the right audience.Building a community early for successThe benefits of product-led growth.Advice for CEOs on staying focused and differentiating in a crowded market.A Problem-Solver's BeginningSujan Patel, co-founder of Mailshake, didn't initially set out to create a sales engagement platform. As a VP of Marketing at a SaaS company, he discovered a significant gap in sales follow-up and engagement. "I needed a simple tool to make sure the sales team follows up. Humans, step aside; software, let's go solve this problem," Sujan recalls. His background in marketing led him to develop Mailshake to address his own sales challenges. "I took over the sales team with no real background in sales," Sujan shares. He realized that effective follow-up and engagement were missing, prompting him to create a solution.Building a CommunityInitially targeting marketers, Sujan quickly realized that salespeople were the primary users who benefited most from Mailshake. "We changed all of our branding and copy to focus specifically on the sales use case," Sujan explains. This pivot was crucial for the company's growth and product-market fit. His strategy involved building a community and sharing his journey with potential customers. "I built about a 50,000-person email list and updated them weekly on my journey," he says. This approach not only created early traction but also fostered a sense of involvement among his audience.Scaling the Sales OrganizationAs Mailshake grew, Sujan transitioned from handling sales himself to building a sales team. "I hired a sales assist first, which effectively doubled our conversion rate," he notes. This move allowed him to focus on the company's vision while ensuring that customers received the support they needed. Mailshake's product-led growth strategy enabled them to scale without a massive sales team. "We went from a team of 15 sales reps to a lean, mean five people," Sujan highlights. By focusing on simplicity and ease of use, Mailshake maintained high customer satisfaction and retention.Sujan's Advice for CEOsSujan emphasizes the importance of knowing your differentiator in a crowded market. "You need to have one thing that is your differentiator or what you're amazing at," he advises. By staying focused on their strengths and continuously improving their product, Mailshake continues to thrive.Action Steps for CEOsUnderstand Your Market: Regularly reassess your target audience and be willing to pivot based on feedback and market demand.Leverage Community Building: Engage with your potential customers early and often. Building a community can create loyal advocates and provide valuable insights.Invest in Product-Led Growth: Focus on making your product so good that it sells itself. Simplify the user experience and provide clear value.Scale Thoughtfully: Grow your team and processes in response to demand. Ensure each addition to your team aligns with your strategic goals.Sujan Patel's journey with Mailshake highlights the power of innovation driven by personal frustration and a deep understanding of market needs. To learn more about his strategies and insights, watch the full episode of Sales Talk for CEOs below.Episode DetailsChapters01:00 Introduction & Background02:17 The Origin of Mailshake06:55 Bootstrapping & Finding Product-Market Fit10:03 Early Growth Strategies15:09 Transitioning to Sales-Led Growth18:25 Challenges in Outbound Sales22:02 Focusing on Specific Verticals25:04 Current Organizational Structure29:27 Product-Led Growth and AI Integration36:06 Recommendations for CEOs39:34 Conclusion & Final ThoughtsAbout GuestSujan Patel is the co-founder of Mailshake, a sales engagement software used by 62,000 sales and marketing professionals. He also owns 4 other SaaS companies under Ramp Ventures. Sujan has over 20 years of marketing experience and has led the digital marketing strategy for companies like Salesforce, Mint, Cafepress and many other Fortune 500 caliber companies.Social Links Check out Sujan's website: https://mailshake.com/Connect with Sujan on LinkedIn: (35) Sujan Patel | LinkedInCheck out Alice's website: Alice Heiman | Sales Consultant and Strategist for CEOsConnect with Alice on LinkedIn: (35) Alice Heiman | LinkedIn
Renegade Thinkers Unite: #2 Podcast for CMOs & B2B Marketers
Are you ready to see how a shift to product-led strategies could unlock new growth for your business? Dive into the dynamic world of Product-Led Growth (PLG) and discover how it's turning the tables on traditional B2B business approaches. This episode with Smita Wadhawan from SimplePractice is all about how marketing can lead a PLG motion, driving revenue and fostering customer loyalty through innovative product-centric tactics. SimplePractice has successfully harnessed the power of PLG to not just participate in their market, but to dominate it. Whether you're building a startup or transforming an established company, the insights shared here will give you the tools to elevate your marketing game and pump up your product-led growth. Get ready to be inspired, energized, and equipped to propel your company to new heights! For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegade.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/
Have you heard these myths about SaaS sales led growth strategies? Myth 1: Product led growth is the only way to scale. Myth 2: Cold emails are ineffective for SaaS sales. Myth 3: Scaling a SaaS business requires massive funding. I'll reveal the truth about these myths, but brace yourself for some eye-opening strategies. Hey there! In this podcast episode, Mario Martinez Jr. was interviewed by Joana Inch for the SaaS stories podcast, and he shares his journey from a service-based company to a SaaS organization, shedding light on the challenges and dynamics of the SaaS industry. He delves into the transition of FlyMSG from product led growth to sales led growth, offering valuable insights into the pivotal moments and strategic considerations that shaped our approach. Mario emphasizes the significance of adaptability and the willingness to pivot in response to market dynamics and customer behavior. By discussing the challenges of engaging with enterprise clients and the importance of personalization in sales and marketing efforts, he offers actionable insights for SaaS founders and sales leaders. If you're keen on enhancing sales and marketing alignment and implementing growth strategies, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of SaaS. So, grab your headphones and tune in to gain valuable insights for driving growth in the SaaS industry! It's better to have 50% of something than 100% of nothing. - Mario Martinez Jr. In this episode, you will be able to: Master Sales Led Growth Strategies: Uncover the secrets to accelerating your SaaS business through effective sales tactics and strategic growth planning. Unravel the Power of Sales Led Growth: Discover the distinct advantages of sales led growth over product led growth and how it can drive your SaaS business to new heights. Harness the Potential of LinkedIn for Sales Success: Unlock the potential of LinkedIn as a powerful tool for enhancing your sales efforts and expanding your SaaS business reach. Navigate the Art of Scaling SaaS Startups: Learn the art of effectively scaling your SaaS startup, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success in a competitive market. Embrace Personalization in Cold Outreach: Explore the impact of personalized cold outreach methods and how it can revolutionize your sales approach, leading to increased conversions and meaningful connections. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:08 - Introducing Vengreso and FlyMSG 00:02:31 - Vengreso's Pivot to FlyMSG 00:06:29 - Challenges in Marketing and Sales 00:11:44 - Product Led Growth vs. Sales Led Growth 00:14:47 - The Struggle with PLG and Success with SLG 00:15:41 - Understanding the Differences Between Group Licensing and Individual Sales 00:16:27 - Overcoming Marketing and Technological Debt 00:18:16 - Balancing Sales Led Growth and Product Led Growth 00:19:39 - Identifying the Pivot Point 00:27:39 - Securing Enterprise Clients and Funding 00:29:32 - Landing Enterprise Clients 00:30:14 - Engaging Enterprise Clients 00:35:06 - Providing Value 00:41:23 - Cold Email Approach 00:43:37 - The Power of Marketing and Sales Email Differentiation 00:45:23 - The Effectiveness of Omni-Channel Marketing 00:46:25 - The Challenge of Scaling People in SaaS 00:48:22 - Profitable Scaling in the VC Market 00:52:57 - Finding Purpose and Mission in Business Timestamped summary of this episode: 00:00:08 - Introducing Vengreso and FlyMSG Mario Martinez Jr. introduces Vengreso, the creators of FlyMSG, a free personal writing assistant and text expander extension. The podcast will feature insights from sales leaders and influencers to help grow sales numbers at scale. 00:02:31 - Vengreso's Pivot to FlyMSG Mario Martinez Jr. shares the story of Vengreso's pivot to FlyMSG. The company transitioned from a service-based model to a SaaS company, launching FlyMSG as a productivity tool that gained traction beyond the sales industry. 00:06:29 - Challenges in Marketing and Sales Mario Martinez Jr. discusses the challenges in marketing and sales, particularly post-Covid. He emphasizes the mismatch between the way buyers shop and the way salespeople sell, leading to the need for innovative solutions like FlyMSG. 00:11:44 - Product Led Growth vs. Sales Led Growth Mario Martinez Jr. explains the difference between product led growth (PLG) and sales led growth (SLG). He describes PLG as individual-driven decision-making with virality, while SLG is driven by corporate need and problem-solving. 00:14:47 - The Struggle with PLG and Success with SLG Mario Martinez Jr. delves into the challenges with PLG and the success with SLG. He highlights the importance of understanding the dynamics of each approach and how Vengreso navigated the shift from SLG to PLG. 00:15:41 - Understanding the Differences Between Group Licensing and Individual Sales The conversation delves into the nuances of selling group licenses and the challenges faced in convincing buying committees to invest in the technology. 00:16:27 - Overcoming Marketing and Technological Debt The challenges of marketing debt, technological debt, and the need to master various marketing channels are discussed, highlighting the Herculean effort required to address these issues. 00:18:16 - Balancing Sales Led Growth and Product Led Growth The conversation explores the challenge of balancing sales led growth and product led growth, and how shifting focus impacted the overall strategy and success of the business. 00:19:39 - Identifying the Pivot Point The pivotal moment in the company's journey is revealed, where the decision to pivot towards sales led growth was made, leveraging the company's strong brand presence in the sales training space. 00:27:39 - Securing Enterprise Clients and Funding The discussion highlights the success in securing enterprise clients and closing deals, leading to promising developments in securing funding for the company's growth. 00:29:32 - Landing Enterprise Clients Mario discusses the challenge of landing enterprise clients and the importance of engaging with multiple decision makers. He emphasizes the need for pointed messaging and shares the PBC sales methodology for effective cold sales emails. 00:30:14 - Engaging Enterprise Clients Mario explains that engaging with enterprise clients can take days to months, depending on the product and target buyer. He highlights the importance of personalization and value in outreach messages, as well as the use of multiple channels for increased buyer engagement. 00:35:06 - Providing Value Mario delves into the importance of providing value to sales leaders through personalized content. He emphasizes the use of valuable resources such as articles and training videos to address specific challenges, ultimately leading to increased buyer engagement. 00:41:23 - Cold Email Approach Mario discusses the difference between salesperson and marketer emails, emphasizing that sales emails for cold outreach should be plain text with minimal formatting. He highlights the need for experimentation and the use of pointed messages with one link in marketing emails. 00:43:37 - The Power of Marketing and Sales Email Differentiation Mario emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between marketing and sales emails, highlighting the need for nurturing and engaging leads at different stages of the customer journey. 00:45:23 - The Effectiveness of Omni-Channel Marketing Mario and the host discuss the effectiveness of omni-channel marketing, particularly the impact of email, LinkedIn, and SMS on engaging and reaching prospects in a cluttered digital space. 00:46:25 - The Challenge of Scaling People in SaaS Mario shares insights on the challenges of scaling personnel in a SaaS organization, highlighting the need to match the number of employees with client servicing needs and the importance of focusing on sales to drive growth. 00:48:22 - Profitable Scaling in the VC Market Mario provides valuable tips on profitable scaling in the current VC market, emphasizing the significance of achieving profitable growth and ensuring financial sustainability in the long term. 00:52:57 - Finding Purpose and Mission in Business Mario discusses the importance of having a clear exit plan, finding purpose, and staying inspired in the entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the significance of having a vision for the future. Unraveling the Power of Sales Led Growth Unraveling the power of sales led growth involves retooling and training team members to fulfill multiple roles within the organization. Providing stock options to early employees incentivizes their commitment and investment in the company's success. Maintaining a clear vision and motivation as a leader is essential for navigating the challenges of scaling a SaaS organization. Mastering Sales Led Growth Strategies Implementing sales led growth strategies is crucial for SaaS founders and sales leaders to drive sustainable business growth. Understanding the distinction between marketing and sales emails is key to crafting effective outreach campaigns and nurturing leads. Focusing on profitable scaling rather than growth at all costs ensures long-term success in the competitive SaaS market. Harnessing the Potential of LinkedIn Harnessing the potential of LinkedIn is crucial for engaging with enterprise clients and reaching key decision-makers within organizations. Personalization and tailoring messages to individual personas and needs are paramount for successful cold outreach on the platform. Employing an omnichannel approach, including phone, email, LinkedIn, and video, enhances the effectiveness of engaging with potential clients on LinkedIn. The resources mentioned in this episode are: Visit FlyMSG.io to download FlyMSG, the free personal writing assistant and text expander application mentioned in the podcast. Go to pvcsalesmethod.com to access the PVC Sales Methodology for creating effective sales cold outreach emails. Check out the article on sales referral at Vengreso for valuable insights on leveraging mutual connections for sales outreach. Consider using an omnichannel approach for engaging with prospects, including LinkedIn, email, phone, and other channels. Consider giving stock options to early team members to incentivize and retain talent, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment.
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Colby DeRodeff, cybersecurity leader, investor, and entrepreneur. Colby shares his journey from the dot-com era to co-founding Abstract Security and discusses the challenges and lessons learned in the cybersecurity industry. 00:30 - 02:11 - Colby DeRodeff Background 02:11 - 00:05 - Early Days at Excite 05:48 - 10:47 - Category Creation and Market Positioning 10:47 - 18:11 - Fundraising in Emerging Markets 18:11 - 25:46 - Lessons Learned and Customer Success 26:19 - 26:53 - Adding Value in Stages 26:53 - 27:51 - Freemium Strategies in Product Led Growth 31:16 - 35:26 - Challenges in Next Gen SIM Solutions 41:39 - 44:26 - Three Tips for Success in Cybersecurity Space To learn more about Colby DeRodeff please visit his Linkedin Profile To learn more about Abstract Security, please visit their website YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available on Spotify Apple podcasts Amazon Music IHeartRadio
On today's episode of The Goats of Growth, we have Tracy Sestili, Chief Revenue Officer of Intellimize! Struggling to bridge the CMO-to-CRO gap? Tracy, a former CMO herself, reveals how marketing expertise can supercharge your CRO role. Can a marketing background be the secret weapon for CRO success? Tune in to discover Tracy's insights on: Unlocking Growth: Collaboration, data-driven decisions, and the power of a user-friendly product. Scaling Revenue: Pricing, ICP, and the challenges (and rewards) of new market expansion. Product-Led Growth: Dominating your niche, lowering barriers to entry, and building brand advocacy. The Future of Sales: Adapting to change and the ever-evolving sales landscape. This episode is packed with actionable advice for marketing and sales leaders looking to drive explosive growth! Tracys Linkedin Profile 00:00 Introduction and Tracy's Background. 03:30 The Value of a Marketing Background in the CRO Role. 11:45 The Importance of Cross-Functional Collaboration for CROs. 25:15 Addressing Pricing, ICP, and Product Feature Issues. 28:59 Strategies for Scaling Revenue. 32:19 Challenges of Expanding into New Markets. 35:35 The Challenges of Product-Led Growth. 37:24 Dominating a Market before Expanding. 39:12 Creating a Seamless User Experience. 44:09 Balancing Growth and Efficiency. 46:08 Motivation: Doing Impactful Work. 48:38 Personal Goals and Hobbies. 53:01 The Future of Sales Teams in 2024.
The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
Adam Gross is one of the masters of product-led growth (PLG). Most recently, Adam was Vimeo's interim CEO. Before Vimeo, Adam was CEO of Heroku, which he joined after selling his startup, Cloudconnect in 2013. Additionally, Adam has held executive leadership roles at Salesforce and Dropbox, and has been an active angel investor & advisor to companies, including Buildkite, Cribl, and Tailscale. In Today's Episode with Adam Gross We Discuss: PLG Tactics from Dropbox, Heroku and Salesforce: What were Adam's biggest takeaways from his time at Salesforce? How did it shape his growth mindset? What did Adam learn about customer acquisition at Dropbox? What would Adam most like to change about growth today? Product-Led Growth: The Fundamentals: What is growth? What is it not? What do founders get wrong about growth? Why does Adam think PLG is not for everybody? What do most great PLG businesses have in common? How are value propositions segmented in PLG? How can startups transition from individual to enterprise clients? Why does Adam think startups doing paid acquisition sub $100M aren't actually PLG? The Secrets to Optimizing Growth Channels: What are the most common reasons fast-growing companies plateau? How does Adam advise founders on diversifying channels? What are the biggest mistakes founders make when scaling into enterprise? How should startups do effective product marketing in horizontal products? What is emotive & strategic marketing? How should startups balance both? How Angel Investing Changes How You View Companies: What are Adam's top 3 pieces of advice for founders? What does Adam mean when he says you are either hiring a poet or a librarian? What are the biggest mistakes founders make when hiring? What was Adam's biggest investment miss? What did he learn from it?