Podcasts about revenue growth

Building a great sales organization has always been difficult, and the pace of AI has only raised the stakes. Chad Peets and Chris Degnan join John McMahon and John Kaplan to share what they're seeing as founders race to build go-to-market teams in one of the fastest-moving markets in software. They discuss why companies overhire, how leaders should evaluate revenue quality, what separates "patriots" from "mercenaries" in the hiring process, and the operating principles that produce durable sales organizations. Chad Peets is the Managing Partner of RPT Partners and has spent more than 25 years helping software companies build world-class go-to-market organizations. Previously Managing Director at Sutter Hill Ventures, he helped hire more than 7,500 software sales executives, including more than 500 who joined Snowflake during its growth. Connect with Chad: LinkedIn Chris Degnan is a Partner at RPT Partners and the former Chief Revenue Officer of Snowflake, where he helped build the company's go-to-market organization from its earliest stages to more than $4 billion in revenue. He is the co-author of Make It Snow: From Zero to Billions: How Snowflake Scaled its Go-to-Market Organization. Connect with Chris: LinkedIn "Make It Snow" by Denise Persson and Chris Degnan Connect with RPT Partners: Website info@rptpartners.com More from Revenue Builders: Hiring to Ensure Success featuring Chad Peets What It Really Takes to Build a Billion-Dollar Revenue Engine featuring Chris Degnan Key takeaways from this episode: 00:00 – Why the best sales careers are built through mastery, not compensation. 10:48 – Why hiring for tomorrow's org chart often creates today's leadership problem. 12:12 – Why many AI companies are overstating revenue quality, and what leaders should look for instead. 25:58 – What leaders often overlook when separating long-term builders from short-term opportunists in the hiring process. 35:17 – A practical framework for evaluating whether a company is worth joining before you sign the offer. 41:37 – Why great technology and great sales organizations create a competitive advantage together. 45:14 – What the next generation of elite sellers will need to master to stay relevant as buying evolves. Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Dynamic pricing can be one of the most powerful tools available to visitor attractions but only when it's used well. Andy Povey is joined by pricing expert Adriaan Van Der Hek to discuss the practical realities of dynamic pricing, how it benefits both attractions and visitors, and why getting your pricing strategy right can drive higher revenue, better attendance and happier guests. Topics Discussed What dynamic pricing really means for visitor attractions The evolution of dynamic pricing over the past two decades Balancing revenue optimisation with guest satisfaction Using demand forecasting to influence ticket pricing Common misconceptions about dynamic pricing How attractions can introduce dynamic pricing successfully The role of technology and online booking platforms Managing peak and off-peak demand Pricing strategies for different attraction types Using data to make smarter commercial decisions Encouraging advance bookings through pricing Practical advice for attractions considering dynamic pricing   Show references:    Adriaan van der Hek - COO of HomeBuddy -  AI, SaaS, Data, Tech, Advertising, Dynamic Pricing, Operations, E-Commerce, Lead Generation https://contractor.homebuddy.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/homebuddycom/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajvdhek/   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.   Credits: Written by Sami Entwisle  Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwisle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop' — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth. Download your FREE copy here

B2B Sales Training isn't broken because sellers lack knowledge. It's broken because today's buyers demand a completely different way of selling. In this episode of the B2B Sales Trends Podcast, Harry sits down with Michael Aronowitz, SVP of Revenue Growth at VXI Global Solutions, to discuss why modern sales organizations need to rethink hiring, coaching, leadership, and seller development. Michael explains why buyers research sellers before replying, why preparation beats activity, and why coaching, not PowerPoint, creates high performing sales teams.

What does it take to leave a successful career, bet on yourself, and build a multi-seven-figure business from scratch? In this inspiring episode of the She Believed She Could™ Podcast, Allison Walsh sits down with Katie Love, Founder and CEO of Love Social Media, to talk about entrepreneurship, personal branding, social media marketing, and creating a business that supports the life you truly want. Before becoming a sought-after social media strategist, Katie was an NBC News reporter covering presidential elections, natural disasters, and major national stories. Despite achieving her lifelong career goal, she realized she was unfulfilled and decided to take a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. What started with zero clients, zero funding, and plenty of uncertainty eventually grew into a multi-seven-figure women-led agency serving hundreds of brands. Katie shares the lessons she learned while building her business during some of life's biggest transitions—including becoming a mother, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship during the pandemic, and creating a non-traditional family dynamic that allowed her husband to become a stay-at-home dad. Together, Allison and Katie dive into the power of founder-led brands, why authenticity is outperforming polished content, and how business owners can leverage social media to build trust, authority, and meaningful connections with their audience. You'll also learn practical strategies for creating engaging content, improving visibility online, understanding platform selection, increasing engagement, and turning your expertise into business growth. Whether you're building a personal brand, growing a business, or looking for the confidence to take the next step toward your goals, this conversation will leave you inspired to show up, be seen, and believe in what's possible. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How Katie Love built a multi-seven-figure agency after leaving her career in broadcast journalism Why founder-led brands are winning and how personal branding drives business growth The social media strategies that turn content into credibility, trust, and revenue How to create authentic content that stands out in a crowded digital landscape Katie's top tips for increasing engagement, visibility, and audience connection The content mistakes most entrepreneurs make—and what to do instead Why saves, shares, and community-building matter more than vanity metrics How to overcome fear, show up confidently online, and become the face of your brand Lessons on scaling a business, leading a team, and creating a life aligned with your values The mindset shifts that helped Katie navigate entrepreneurship, motherhood, and massive growth This episode is sponsored by AdventHealth for Women. Learn more about their Women's Health Navigation Team and how they're making healthcare simpler for women and their families at AdventHealthForWomen.com. Positioned for Partnerships™ Mini Course - Turn your platform into a revenue-generating brand opportunity—without needing a massive following. Learn how to position your brand, create a high-converting media kit, and confidently pitch partnerships so brands instantly understand your value. 

Seller productivity is being redefined in real time, and the divide is no longer about effort or experience. In this segment, Alex Varel shares a grounded look at how AI is already reshaping the role, from a RevOps leader training multiple agents in a single weekend to the expectation that sellers will augment their own output. The conversation highlights a growing reality for revenue teams: those who get hands-on with AI will operate at a different level, while those who don't risk falling behind faster than they expect. Alex Varel is EVP of Worldwide Sales at Cerebras Systems, where he leads global go-to-market efforts at the forefront of AI infrastructure. He has built and scaled high-performing teams across MongoDB, Zscaler, and Multiverse, driving growth through IPO, hyper-scale expansion, and emerging technology shifts. Connect with Alex: LinkedIn Resources mentioned: "The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell "AI Superpowers" by Kai-Fu Lee “Leonardo da Vinci” by Walter Isaacson "No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy “The Founders: The Story of Paypal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley” by Jimmy Soni Listen to the full episode: How AI Is Rewriting the Sales Playbook and Raising the Bar on Human Performance with Alex Varel Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

What if one of the biggest growth opportunities in your practice isn't finding new patients but reconnecting with the ones you already have? In this episode of the Raving Patients Podcast, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Ben Fish, Founder and CEO of EngageDent AI, to discuss how artificial intelligence is helping dental practices recover lost revenue, reduce no-shows, improve case acceptance, and strengthen patient relationships. Ben shares how AI-powered patient communication tools are transforming both inbound and outbound engagement, helping practices reconnect with inactive patients, recover unscheduled treatment, and ensure no opportunity slips through the cracks. He also explains why AI should be viewed as a tool that empowers teams rather than replaces them and offers practical advice for dentists evaluating AI solutions for their practices. If you're looking to improve patient retention, increase production, and future-proof your practice, this episode is packed with actionable insights.   What You'll Learn Where practices are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in unscheduled treatment How AI can reactivate inactive patients and recover missed opportunities Why patient trust is the key to reducing no-shows and increasing case acceptance The difference between AI replacing staff and AI empowering staff How AI receptionists can improve patient communication and capture missed calls Common reasons patients delay treatment and how AI helps overcome objections What dentists should look for when evaluating AI vendors How AI may transform dental practices over the next five years — Key Takeaways 01:44 $300,000 Is Hiding in Your Inactive Patient List 03:12 Meet Ben Fish and EngageDent AI 06:18 Where Practices Lose Revenue From Inactive Patients 10:42 Can AI Replace Front Desk Team Members? 15:09 Using AI to Improve Treatment Follow-Up 17:47 Real Practice Success Stories and Revenue Growth 21:50 Why Every Practice Needs Someone Answering the Phone 24:06 Winning Over AI Skeptics 26:31 How AI Reduces No-Shows 28:36 The Future of AI in Dentistry 32:30 Questions Every Dentist Should Ask AI Vendors 35:30 How Practices Can Prepare for an AI-Powered Future 37:14 Special Offer for Raving Patients Listeners 38:35 Final Thoughts and Takeaways — Connect with Ben Email: ben@engagedent.com Website: EngageDent AI Special Offer for Raving Patients listeners: Mention the podcast and receive a waived implementation fee plus a pilot program opportunity.   — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here. Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

What if a small-cap AI company reported 207% year-over-year Q4 revenue growth, approximately doubled revenue sequentially in a single quarter, operated at 91.3% gross margin, increased gross profit by 263%, and cut operating losses by 96% at the same time?That is exactly what Nextech3D.ai just delivered in its audited Q4 and full-year fiscal 2026 results released June 25, 2026. The company posted Q4 FY2026 revenue of $939,000, up from $306,000 in Q4 FY2025 and up from $468,000 in Q3 FY2026, representing 207% year-over-year Q4 revenue growth and approximately 101% sequential growth.The company, an AI-first event technology platform serving what management describes as a trillion-dollar-plus global industry, is entering a new stage of its business model transition. After restructuring, acquisitions and platform integration, Nextech3D.ai is now focused on a software-first, AI-supported event technology model designed to improve margins, reduce costs and scale more efficiently.WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW207% YoY, 101% Sequential: Q4 FY2026 revenue hit $939,000, up from $306,000 in Q4 FY2025 and up from $468,000 in Q3 FY2026.Sequential Growth Accelerated: Q3 to Q4 revenue growth was approximately 101%, compared to 20% sequential growth from Q2 to Q3.91.3% Gross Margin: Q4 FY2026 gross margin reached 91.3%, compared to 77.2% in Q4 FY2025.263% Gross Profit Growth: Q4 gross profit increased 263% year-over-year to $858,000.96% Operating Loss Improvement: Operating loss dropped to $290,000 in Q4 FY2026, down from $7.3 million in Q4 FY2025.85% Cost Of Sales Reduction: Full-year cost of sales was reduced by 85% year-over-year as the company continued shifting toward software-based offerings.AI Software Transition: Management says the company continues to transition toward a scalable, software-first, AI-supported event technology platform.STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONSThe global event industry, described by management as a $1+ trillion market growing toward $2 trillion over the next five years, has long operated with outdated workflows. Conference attendees still deal with lanyards, manual registration, limited matchmaking and fragmented event experiences. Exhibitors often spend $10,000, $25,000, $50,000 or even $100,000 on trade shows, only to leave with a pile of business cards and weeks of manual follow-up.Nextech3D.ai is attacking that inefficiency with an AI-powered event technology platform. According to management, the company now provides event tools including floor plan mapping, mobile apps, registration, ticketing, badging and AI matchmaking. Management says it has integrated acquired technology into an end-to-end platform built to compete more directly in the event technology market.CEO Evan Gappelberg described the quarter as a true inflection point:“This quarter does mark a true inflection point. We're not just growing. We're actually exploding out of a restructuring into a high-margin AI software company. 207% year-over-year growth, 90-plus percent gross margins on its own is fantastic, but the 101% sequential growth, that combination is extremely rare in public markets.”He also made clear that management does not view the current numbers as the full story. According to Gappelberg, the company is still in the early stages of its growth trajectory, with additional AI event technology demos expected in the coming months.INVESTOR TAKEAWAYNextech3D.ai just reported the kind of numbers that can change how the market looks at a small-cap AI company: 207% year-over-year Q4 FY2026 revenue growth, 101% sequential quarterly growth, 91.3% gross margin, 263% gross profit growth and a 96% improvement in operating loss.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Heidi Howell joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why organizations should think twice before cutting PR during economic uncertainty. They explore the connection between reputation, recruiting, employer branding, visibility, trust, and revenue growth.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is Heidi Howell, marketing director at CoreMedical Group. Heidi is a marketing executive who leads efforts to transform marketing into a revenue-driving function within healthcare staffing and human resources technology. She partners with executive teams to align marketing, sales, and operations through scalable systems, data-driven strategy, and growth-focused demand generation.Five things you'll learn from this episode: 1. Why public relations is often cut first and why that can be a costly mistake2. How reputation directly impacts recruiting outcomes and talent acquisition3. Why you should view recruiting as a revenue-driving function4. How PR keeps you visible to top clients 5. Questions leaders should ask before reducing PR investments Quotables“PR is not just about visibility; it's about trust, reputation, and staying known to the people who are ultimately going to be buying your services.” — Heidi Howell“Recruiting is our revenue. That's how we make money. We make money by placing great candidates at great jobs with great clients.” — Heidi Howell“When companies cut PR, they're cutting the very thing that keeps them visible.” — Heidi Howell"When budgets are being cut, trust becomes more valuable, not less." — Heidi Howell“In a down economy, trust becomes more valuable, not less. PR is one of the few functions built specifically to protect it.” — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest's contact info and resources:Heidi Howell on LinkedInCoreMedical Group websiteHow PR influences recruiting, retention, and workforce qualityratethispodcast.com/ontopofprAdditional Resources:Reputation management for AI search: Monitoring and response frameworkWarning signs your online reputation management is failingAxia's reputation management serviceListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:Job search and hiring tips with Nicole BalsamNavigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke KrugerSupport the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America's Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

In Part 1 of our Demand series, Before We Talk About Ticket Prices, Let's Talk About Demand, we explored what creates demand in the first place. Now comes the fun part. Once demand exists, how do you actually manage it?The team begins with one metric most organizations overlook: per capita revenue. More than almost any other number, it reveals how audiences are valuing an event and whether demand is strengthening, stagnating, or slipping away. The trend matters more than the number itself, making it one of the earliest indicators of where revenue opportunities exist.From there, the conversation gets practical, moving to scale plans, pricing structures, and the patterns hidden inside a seating map. Why do some houses fill in ways that leave money on the table? Why can a declining average ticket price signal a problem? And why does dynamic pricing work best? Get your foundation solid, then let pricing do its job.The episode closes with a challenge for leaders, and maybe the most freeing idea of all: you don't have to chase every show equally. The TRG team makes a simple case for putting your oxygen mask on first. Give your high-demand shows the attention they deserve, to earn every bit of revenue they can, and use that strength to support the rest.  Key Takeaways:Per capita revenue is one of the clearest indicators of audience demand.A smart scale plan comes first; dynamic pricing is the cherry on top, not the foundation."Little and often" pricing changes protect both your revenue and your loyal patrons.The right software frees your team to do what people do best: build relationships.Demand is a team sport; run it through weekly revenue pacing meetings to identify and respond to signals early. 

Most sales teams are using AI to do more. The best teams are using AI in Sales to do better. In this episode of the B2B Sales Trends Podcast, Harry sits down with Fred Schwark, Chief Growth Officer at Coderio, to discuss how AI is helping modern sellers become more prepared, more consultative, and more effective without losing the human connection that drives trust. From AI Sales Coaching and role play simulations to value based selling and objection handling, Fred shares how high performing B2B sales teams are using AI to enhance performance rather than replace people.

Many small businesses invest in marketing without knowing which activities actually drive revenue. Here is how an AI-powered gap analysis identifies inefficiencies and helps connect marketing performance to revenue planning. To learn more, visit https://www.northernmediaservices.com/ Northern Media Services City: Oswego Address: 274 Cemetery Rd Website: https://www.northernmediaservices.com/

Enterprise AI buying has moved quickly, but durable adoption still depends on context, security, workflow fit, and measurable business impact. Daniel Simon, Enterprise Account Executive at Glean, joins John Kaplan and John McMahon to discuss what it takes to sell AI in complex enterprise environments, why multi-threading matters more when buyers are evaluating broad organizational change, and how strong sellers build trust by tying use cases to productivity, governance, and ROI instead of relying on product excitement alone. Daniel Simon is an Enterprise Account Executive at Glean, where he works with large enterprises on AI adoption, knowledge discovery, and productivity across complex organizations. He brings experience selling enterprise technology into multi-stakeholder buying environments. Connect with Dan: LinkedIn Resources mentioned: The Qualified Sales Leader by by John McMahon  The Go-Giver by by Bob Burg  Key takeaways from this episode:  00:00 – Introduction 02:40 – What it really takes to move from product fluency to business impact in enterprise sales. 06:35 – Why many sellers mistake a strong champion for a qualified enterprise deal. 08:47 – A look inside how AI can expose qualification gaps without replacing sales fundamentals. 18:12 – What leaders often overlook about context as the real differentiator in enterprise AI. 30:51 – Why face-to-face engagement quietly creates leverage in a crowded AI market. 42:58 – Dan Simon's perspective on why consumption-based pricing raises the bar for customer success. 57:12 – Why AI will amplify strong sales discipline and expose weak execution. Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Your business is doing well. Revenue is growing. Clients are coming. You've built something real. But here's the question almost nobody is asking you: Are you actually building wealth? Not business revenue. Not cash flow. Personal, lasting, choice-creating wealth — the kind that means you get to decide how you spend your time, with whom, and on what terms. If the honest answer is "not really" — or "I'm hoping the business sale will sort that out" — you're not alone. But you are taking a risk that most high-achieving women don't recognise until it's too late. Mel Browne is an award-winning financial educator, ex-accountant, ex-financial advisor, and the author of five books, including the global bestseller Unf*ck Your Finances and her latest, Dare to Be Wealthy. She's also the founder of Her Wealth, Her Way — a conference that drew 700 women in its first year and is scaling to over 1,000. What You'll Discover in this Episode: Why growing revenue without growing personal wealth is one of the biggest risks women business owners take — and the structural shifts that close the gap The bare minimum financial foundations every business owner needs: paying yourself a real wage, automating super, and investing outside the business Why your business sale should be the "cherry on top, not the cake" — and how to stop banking your future on an exit that may not deliver The four numbers every business owner should know cold: leads, conversion rates, average sale, and retention — and why they matter more than follower counts How to develop what Mel calls a 'database gut' — enough financial literacy to trust your own instincts, even when professionals are advising you Mel's 'purpose and profit' framework — why building wealth isn't selfish, and how the more you earn, the more freedom and impact you create Mentioned in This Episode: Melissa Browne's Website: https://www.melissabrowne.com.au/ Melissa Browne's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-browne-5262b020/ Melissa Browne's Instagram: melbrowne.money Melissa Browne's Book: Dare to Be Wealthy is your unapologetic guide for women to build wealth on your terms. No jargon. No shame. No cookie-cutter plans. Just smart strategies, real stories, and a powerful mindset shift that will take you from 'I don't know' to 'I've got this'.

If you're ready to lead a team where accountability feels empowering, coaching fuels growth, and high standards drive results, this is your next step. Teach to Sell gives you the exact tools to lead with influence, guide clients and teams with clarity, and build a sales business that consistently produces No Broke Months. Whether you're scaling a team or refining your leadership skills, this book will show you how to create trust, alignment, and success through transformational leadership. Preorder Teach to Sell today and start mastering the leadership skills that move people—and results—forward. https://www.nobrokemonths.com/teach-to-sell-preorderWhat you'll learn in this episode Why your business should always have backup talent ready The 3 types of talent: potential, emerging, and proven Why proven talent, though costly, is worth the investment How to evaluate a candidate's record of success The cultural fit questions to ask in every interview Why “if it's not a hell yes, it's not a yes” is the golden rule in hiring To find out more about Dan Rochon and the CPI Community, you can check these links:Website: No Broke MonthsPodcast: No Broke Months for Salespeople PodcastInstagram: @donrochonxFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NoBrokeMonths/Facebook: Dan RochonLinkedIn: Dan RochonTeach to Sell Preorder: Teach to Sell: Why Top Performers Never Sell – And What They Do Instead

More revenue does not automatically create financial security. In this episode, Brian Thompson explores why so many entrepreneurs still feel anxious even when business is going well, and what actually builds business stability over the long term. Brian gets honest about the gap between revenue growth and emotional security, drawing from his own experience and years of working with entrepreneurs at every stage of business. If you have ever hit a goal and still felt like everything could fall apart, this episode will help you understand why, and what to do about it.   In this episode you will learn: Why revenue growth alone does not create financial security How scarcity mindset follows entrepreneurs into later stages of success The five systems that actually build business stability over time Why cash reserves, financial clarity, and consistent bookkeeping reduce anxiety How to start building resilience now without waiting for a specific revenue number Why business stability is about sustainable design, not just income growth   Financial security in entrepreneurship is less about hitting a number and more about building intentional systems that create resilience. Business stability comes from clarity, preparation, and the structures you put in place, not from revenue milestones alone. Whether you are early in your business or well established, this episode offers a grounded and honest look at the emotional side of entrepreneurship and the practical steps that actually help entrepreneurs feel more secure.   Resources + Links Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

Companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic are expected to pursue public offerings at valuations that could rival or exceed the largest companies in history. The “Henssler Money Talks” hosts examine what trillion-dollar IPOs could mean for investors, why valuation still matters even when the business is extraordinary, and whether public investors will be participating in future growth—or paying for it upfront.Original Air Date: June 6, 2026Read the Article: https://www.henssler.com/the-difference-between-a-great-company-and-a-great-investment 

More and more Kiwis are choosing to order in instead of eating out. Uber Eats is booming – its revenue growing 23% last year to $367.3 million. The service now reaches more than 84% of the country, covering 178 locations. Celebrity chef and health advocate Simon Gault told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's about convenience, and people are time poor. He says it's a bit like getting room service in a hotel – convenient and easy, but always more expensive, and it's what people are prepared to pay for. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marketing leaders are being asked to drive more growth with less budget, fewer resources, tighter timelines, and more pressure from every direction while AI is being treated like the shortcut to replace entire marketing teams. But AI will not fix bad strategy, weak alignment, poor customer understanding, or broken marketing fundamentals. In part two of this master class conversation with Matt Hummel, CMO of Pipeline360, the focus moves into what it really takes to become the kind of CMO AI cannot replace. Not by chasing every new tool, adding more MarTech, or hiding behind automation, but by understanding the business as a whole, building trust across departments, speaking the language of revenue, and creating alignment between marketing, sales, product, leadership, and the customer. To lead marketing in a volatile market where expectations keep rising and the old playbook is no longer enough, you need to know how to: • Make sales an ally instead of your bitter rival • Build shared pipeline ownership across marketing and sales  • Communicate risk without becoming defensive • Connect marketing decisions to the larger goals of the business • Set clearer expectations with your team and leadership • Understand resource constraints without using them as excuses • Stay close to customers while leading strategy • Create momentum without pretending there is an easy button The best marketing leaders are not just managing campaigns, tools, reports, and dashboards. They are translating complexity into strategy the business can trust. The reminder is clear: AI will not fix bad strategy. More MarTech will not fix bad marketing. The CMO AI cannot replace is the one who understands the business, earns trust, aligns with sales, leads the team, knows the customer, and gets back to real marketing when everyone else is hiding behind tools. (P.S. If you haven't, listen to Ep. 149 for part one of this masterclass episode) Beyond The Episode Gems: Connect With Matt Hummel on LinkedIn Listen To Troy On Matt's Podcast, Pipeline Brew: The Evolving Role of CMOs & Community Building Visit Pipeline360 website to learn more about how they solve B2B marketers' biggest headaches Buy Troy's Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy:  Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com  

Marketing leadership has become one of the most volatile seats in business. CMOs and marketing leaders are often expected to create immediate pipeline, prove instant ROI, fix deeper business issues they did not create, defend brand investment, align sales, understand customers, translate strategy across the organization, and still become one of the first functions questioned, blamed, or cut when growth slows. In part one of this master class conversation, Matt Hummel, CMO of Pipeline360, brings a clear reminder back to the table: great marketing starts with trusting the buyer, knowing the customer, and simplifying how you market. In a market obsessed with performance data, attribution, automation, dark social, buyer signals, and immediate results, more complexity does not automatically create better customer understanding. For aspiring CMOs, current CMOs, marketing leaders, founders, and business owners, this conversation is a valuable look at how to lead marketing without getting trapped in the pressure cooker. It challenges you to rethink what it really means to put the customer at the center, not as a tagline, not as another automation workflow, and not as another dashboard filled with signals, but as a deeper responsibility to understand the person, pressure, timing, risk, and decision behind the purchase. The conversation moves through buyer trust, brand versus demand, customer empathy, attribution, sales alignment, CMO pressure, market timing, and the difference between chasing pipeline and building LTV. It is also a reminder to get out of your lane, understand product, spend time with sales, listen to customers, and learn how the whole business works. Because the best CMOs are not just campaign operators. They are translators, mediators, trust builders, and business leaders who know how to connect marketing to revenue, customer experience, and long term growth. Beyond The Episode Gems: Connect With Matt Hummel on LinkedIn Listen To Troy On Matt's Podcast, Pipeline Brew: The Evolving Role of CMOs & Community Building Visit Pipeline360 website to learn more about how they solve B2B marketers' biggest headaches Buy Troy's Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy:  Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com  

Today's episode features Sahir Azam, Partner at Index Ventures and former Chief Product Officer at MongoDB, where he helped scale Atlas into a multi-billion-dollar platform. This conversation breaks down what actually separates top enterprise sellers, from intellectual curiosity to resource orchestration, and why those traits alone aren't enough without leadership building the right operating model around them. Sahir also explains how sales leaders create scale through enablement, accountability, and structured engagement, not just hiring more talent. For leaders trying to build repeatability in complex sales, this is a clear look at what it takes. Sahir Azam is a Partner at Index Ventures investing in AI infrastructure, and former Chief Product Officer at MongoDB where he led the Atlas transformation into a multi-billion-dollar platform. He brings a rare operator's perspective on building go-to-market discipline, scaling sales culture, and navigating the product-distribution balance that separates winners from founders who fail. Connect with Sahir: Index Ventures LinkedIn Get the Force Management framework for navigating product-go-to-market fit and building the sales discipline that separates scaling companies from those that fail: The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Send us Fan MailGuest: Anthony Nitsos, Founder of SaaS GurusA SaaS company doesn't become fundable because it's growing—it becomes fundable when the financial engine underneath that growth can withstand scrutiny.In this episode of SaaS Backwards, Anthony Nitsos, founder of SaaS Gurus, joins us to discuss what actually makes a SaaS company fundable. Revenue, customer growth, and cash in the bank are all important signals, but they do not always reveal whether the business is healthy, scalable, or ready for diligence.Anthony breaks down the difference between accounting and strategic finance, why ARR and NRR are often misunderstood, and how metrics like cash flow, CAC, and gross margin can give founders a clearer view of their company's health.Key takeaways:Why finance is forward-looking while accounting is backward-lookingThe five SaaS metrics every founder should understandHow ARR can be overstated through discounts, services, or transaction revenueWhy NRR is becoming more important to investors and acquirersHow strong financial infrastructure can improve fundability and valuation---Stalled pipeline? Lost deals? Diagnose your GTM gaps with a free, actionable checkup. 

Fixing Revenue Growth with Tom Gersic With over 26 years in enterprise software and AI, Tom Gersic has led go-to-market strategy for some of tech's most complex deployments. This year he founded YouEx.ai — an AI-native platform designed to become the single destination for every lead a B2B sales team generates, turning pipeline chaos into revenue.Links:https://youex.ai/https://www.instagram.com/teg.312Tags:podcast for creatives,creative podcast,podcast creator interviews,professional podcast,creative podcasts,podcast host interviews,creative podcast ideas,Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AAI),Artificial Intelligence (AI),B2B Sales,Business Development,Entrepreneurial Mindset,Entrepreneurship,Founder,Internet Sales,Software as a Service (SaaS),StartupSupport PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page

What you'll learn in this episode: Why being “60% right and 40% wrong” can still destroy a business The biggest mistake founders make during customer development Why product-market fit exists on a spectrum—not as a yes/no answer The customer development funnel that creates referrals naturally How to know when your product is ready to scale The danger of building based on your own assumptions instead of customer pain Why entrepreneurs struggle to balance confidence with humility The exact questions to ask customers before investing in growth How Uber Eats generated 33x stronger sales results than average clients Why slowing down can actually help you grow faster About Collin Stewart Founder, CEO, podcast host & failed musician How can he help you? Bootstrapped PR to millions in revenue Built a revenue team to 11 Grew 3 companies from $0–$1M as the only sales hire Hosts a podcast with 120+ episodes Nailed product-market fit but whiffed on building it (and learned a tonne from it) Connect with Collin Stewart: Predictable Revenue Founder's Edition The Terrifying Art Collin Stewart LinkedIn Predictable Revenue Podcast

Reengineering the Revenue Engine: Scaling Sales Leadership with Greg GrandIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Greg Grand, the Founder and CEO of G Squared Advisors, to dismantle the operational inefficiencies plaguing modern sales organizations. Greg, an electrical engineer turned revenue architect who has built $200M sales teams for giants like Google and Apple, shares his expert perspective on why traditional sales management playbooks are collapsing in the digital age. This conversation serves as a data-driven masterclass for founders, fractional leaders, and executives looking to future-proof their pipelines by integrating advanced AI workflows, establishing strict tech governance, and maintaining the irreplaceable human element of high-ticket B2B sales.The Augmented Enterprise: Architecting the Future of B2B Sales through AI GovernanceThe current corporate directive to roll out an artificial intelligence strategy has left many sales leaders paralyzed, resulting in a dangerous disconnect where over 75% of organizations acknowledge the need for a tech-forward playbook but fewer than 10% successfully execute one. Greg Grand explains that this adoption gap stems from an initial failure in leadership philosophy; companies routinely make the mistake of chasing the trendiest software tools rather than mapping their existing sales processes to identify true operational bottlenecks. When executive teams fail to take ownership of technological integration, sales forces organically slide into "shadow AI"—a high-risk environment where individual contributors deploy unauthorized apps that leak proprietary data and fracture client messaging. True scale is achieved only when leadership builds a standardized, vetted suite of AI tools that act as strategic coworkers, taking over administrative tasks like prospect data compilation, first-draft content creation, and meeting preparation.By automating the time-consuming administrative debt that typically consumes a sales rep's day, an organization can radically reallocate its human capital toward real-time relationship building and strategic accounts. For instance, rather than forcing a representative to lose hours digging through LinkedIn profiles and recent financial statements before a pitch, customized AI workflows can instantly analyze prospect data to generate hyper-personalized agendas and predictive objection-handling guides. This shift moves AI out of the realm of basic data automation and into a role of strategic empowerment, even facilitating continuous internal coaching through automated sales simulations and role-play modules. Frontline reps can safely test their pitch mechanics against sophisticated digital personas, sharpening their communication skills in a controlled environment long before entering high-stakes client negotiations.Transitioning into an AI-forward organization also creates unique authority-building opportunities for executive leaders looking to capture market share through strategic earned media. Greg notes that while software optimizes internal pipelines, external growth requires thought leadership initiatives—such as intentional podcast guesting—to plant long-term authority seeds that attract high-quality inbound leads over months and years. However, much like corporate technology stacks, media outreach demands rigorous filtering; leaders must look past clunky, unverified matching databases and focus strictly on high-quality programs where their direct industry peers are actively contributing. When automated operational efficiency is paired with an authoritative, human-centric media strategy, small and medium-sized businesses can successfully strip away the operational friction that stalls growth, allowing the executive team to eventually exit tactical operations entirely.About Greg GrandGreg Grand is the Founder and CEO of G Squared Advisors and a veteran revenue strategist with an extensive background in electrical engineering and high-tech manufacturing sales. Having engineered multi-million dollar business lines for global enterprises, Greg now serves as a fractional Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and consultant for small-to-mid-sized companies. He is the creator of the AI Sales Leader program, a specialized training ecosystem that helps modern corporate leaders combine structured execution frameworks with artificial intelligence to scale revenue.About G Squared AdvisorsG Squared Advisors is an elite strategic advisory firm that specializes in sales training, operational process engineering, and fractional sales leadership for mid-market businesses. The firm bridges the infrastructure gap facing rapidly growing sales teams by providing custom playbooks for account expansion, new business acquisition, and advanced technology adoption. Through their comprehensive corporate training programs, G Squared Advisors helps organizations build high-performing, self-sustaining sales engines that drive predictable enterprise valuation.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeG Squared Advisors Official Website: gsquaredadvisors.comGreg Grand on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/greggrandKey Episode HighlightsThe Process-First Mandate: Why successful AI integration requires mapping human sales workflows and identifying bottlenecks before purchasing software licenses.The Shadow AI Security Risk: Navigating the hidden liabilities of employee tool sprawl and establishing strong data governance with your legal team.AI as a Strategic Coworker: Utilizing tailored automation for real-time prospect research, messaging drafts, and instant presentation assembly.Automated Sales Role-Play: Leveraging artificial intelligence to simulate complex client objections and scale training across the frontline team.High-Value Media Authority: Shunning unverified pitching platforms to focus on high-quality podcast appearances that build long-term industry credibility.ConclusionThe conversation with Greg Grand highlights that artificial intelligence is not a threat to the human sales professional, but rather the ultimate vehicle for liberating their strategic capacity. By building a robust corporate framework around data governance and automated preparation, leaders can ensure their teams spend less time handling administrative tasks and more time securing high-value client relationships.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

In this episode of the Winning With Shopify podcast, Nick Truman sits down with Adam Pearce, CEO and Co-Founder of Blend Commerce, to break down what actually drives conversion rate optimisation (CRO) for Shopify brands.This conversation goes far beyond simple conversion rates. Adam explains how leading ecommerce brands improve revenue per session, customer lifetime value (LTV), UX, product pages, filtering systems, and retention strategies to drive long-term growth.If you run a Shopify store and want to increase sales without relying purely on more traffic, this episode is packed with practical insights.Guest: Adam Pearce – CEO & Co-Founder of Blend CommerceTest your CRO here: https://www.blendcommerce.com/winningwithshopifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampearcemarketingWhat you'll learn: • How Shopify brands increase revenue with CRO • Why conversion rate is often the wrong metric • The importance of revenue per session and LTV • How UX impacts ecommerce growth • Common CRO mistakes brands make • Why heatmaps and customer data matter • How brands like Dr. Squatch and Stubble & Co approach CRO • The role of retention in ecommerce profitabilityKey Takeaways:00:31 Increase Shopify Revenue 65% with CRO00:34 Overcoming Founder Pushback on CRO00:52 From Politics to Process in CRO01:22 Dynamic vs Static CRO Process02:41 Unlocking Conversion: The Power of Data-Driven Design03:51 CRO Agency as UN in Organizations05:25 Understanding Revenue Per Person Metric06:30 CRO Failure: Aesthetics Over Function07:32 CRO Failure: No Clear Growth Goals08:27 Conversion Rate Optimization: A Misnomer16:40 Use Heatmaps for Data-Driven UX18:30 Stubble & Co's CRO Filtering Strategy19:17 CRO is an Ongoing Business Process22:38 LTV as Your North Star Metric26:41 Educate Customers During Delivery Window32:47 Dr. Squatch's Aligned Marketing & UXEXCLUSIVE WWS OFFERS:Winning With Shopify listeners get 20% off the first three months of Seguno Email Marketing with code WWS20: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.seguno.com/winning-with-shopify-podcast⁠⁠Check out Yoast and get 15% off ALL monthly Shopify purchases for the first 6 months using code WWS15! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://yoast.com/winningwithshopify-exclusive/⁠⁠⁠⁠Get a short, tactical session with insights on things like tax reconciliation, returns, compliance, and more - all led by experts from the tools top brands rely on. Sign up now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://taxcloud.com/summer/⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the bootcamp and elevate your inventory game: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://info.brightpearl.com/winning-with-shopify-holiday-planning-bootcamp⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on socials:https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcasthttps://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopifyhttps://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopifyJoin our newsletter: https://wwspodcast.com/Proudly powered by Spec Digital, a world class SEO Agency and PPC AgencyBecome a sponsor: https://wwspodcast.com/pages/sponsorship

Over a year ago, CSI did a three-part deep dive on co-packaged optics after Nvidia dedicated an entire segment of its GTC keynote to the technology — naming Lumentum and Coherent as the primary beneficiaries. The analysis was right. They did not buy.That mistake is now worth talking about directly.Lumentum just reported fiscal Q3 2026 revenue up 90% year over year. Q4 guidance implies triple-digit year-over-year growth. Nvidia made a $2 billion investment in both Lumentum and Coherent, and separately announced a major fiber optic cable manufacturing expansion with Corning. Co-packaged optics products have not even begun shipping in volume yet — that catalyst hits in December 2026. The case for Lumentum continues to build.But this is CSI, and true conviction in a business means covering what could go wrong as well as what is going right. There is a significant dilution story unfolding that every Lumentum shareholder needs to understand before adding to a position.When the stock was trading at roughly one-tenth of its current price, Lumentum raised cash by issuing convertible notes — a type of debt that converts to equity when the stock reaches certain price milestones. The stock has now blown through those milestones. All of that convertible debt is now eligible to convert into stock at terms that are extremely favorable for the debt holders and extremely expensive for existing shareholders. The result: shares outstanding are expected to increase by approximately 20% over the next two quarters. Nick and Kasey explain the full mechanics clearly — why it happened, what it costs, and whether the revenue acceleration can outrun the dilution.Also covered: the Qorvo fab acquisition in North Carolina that adds indium phosphide manufacturing capacity in two to three years, and what operating leverage looks like when a company goes from negative margins to all-time highs in the span of a few quarters.What we cover:— Why CSI did the deep dive on co-packaged optics and still did not buy — the honest lesson— Lumentum fiscal Q3 2026: 90% revenue growth — what drove it and what comes next— Q4 guidance: triple-digit YoY growth before CPO products even ramp— Nvidia's $2B investment in Lumentum and Coherent — the supply chain signal— Nvidia and Corning fiber optic expansion — Nvidia's hands all over the supply chain— Co-packaged optics — the December 2026 catalyst that has not landed yet— Operating leverage in action: from negative margins to all-time highs— Convertible notes explained: why ~20% share dilution is coming in 2026— Qorvo North Carolina fab acquisition — InP capacity coming in two to three years— The bottleneck in laser module manufacturing and why Lumentum dominates itSponsored by fiscal.ai — 25% off any paid plan through May 14 only. Use our link: fiscal.ai/csiDisclosure: Nick and Kasey hold positions in Lumentum and Coherent. This content is for general information only and is not individual investment advice. All investing involves risk.chipstockinvestor.com

Angelica Iglesias from SalesFocus joins Pathmonk Presents to explain how sales outsourcing helps companies strengthen revenue operations without building everything in-house. She shares how SalesFocus supports industries such as energy, telecommunications, healthcare, and IT SaaS through inside and outside sales models tailored to different go-to-market needs. The episode also explores how AI referrals, search visibility, website optimization, CTA testing, email marketing, and CRM management contribute to lead generation and conversion. For marketers, founders, and revenue leaders, this conversation offers practical insight into building better sales systems, improving user journeys, and aligning marketing with the processes that ultimately drive business growth.

In this segment, Marcy Stoudt, Founder of Revel Companies, breaks down how AI is changing one of the most important responsibilities in sales leadership: coaching. This conversation focuses on a simple but critical shift. For years, managers struggled to observe real customer interactions and give meaningful feedback at scale. With AI, that constraint is gone. At the same time, leaders are dealing with constant meetings and cognitive overload. Marcy explains how top operators are using AI not just to increase productivity, but to create space to think, coach, and lead more effectively. For CROs and frontline managers, this raises the standard. The tools are here. The question is how you use them. Marcy Stoudt is Founder of Revel Companies, where she advises revenue leaders on AI adoption, talent strategy, and organizational alignment. With deep experience in executive recruiting and sales leadership, she helps organizations shift from treating AI as a technology decision to embedding it into how work gets done across teams. Connect with Marcy:  LinkedIn Website Get the Force Management framework for building and scaling predictable pipeline and revenue systems, with a focus on execution, alignment, and repeatability:  The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Pipeline generation breaks down when sales organizations rely on individual performance instead of building controlled, repeatable systems. In this episode, Greg Casale shares how his background in engineering shaped a system-first approach to sales, applying principles of process control, data capture, and structured training to reduce variability and improve consistency. The conversation explores why outbound phone remains a critical channel despite its difficulty, how over-automation has saturated the market and reduced conversion rates, and where AI fits as a tool to strengthen preparation and execution without replacing human interaction.  Greg Casale is the Founder and CEO of Reveneer Inc., where he leads a system-driven approach to outbound pipeline generation through embedded SDR teams. He began his career as a chemical engineer and brings a manufacturing and process control mindset to building repeatable, data-driven sales operations. Connect with Greg: LinkedIn Resources mentioned: Hyperbound TitanX Key takeaways from this episode:  03:00 – Why many CROs over-index on hiring instead of addressing the system driving performance 33:30 – What it really takes to build an outbound channel competitors can't easily replicate 49:00 – Why leaders risk losing differentiation when AI replaces human-driven sales behavior 01:00:00 – A look inside how top SDRs control conversations in the first 30 seconds of a cold call 09:33 – The mistake many CROs make when relying on fractional SDR models for pipeline generation 01:07:24 – Why cutting SDR capacity during downturns quietly weakens your ability to recover 18:11 – What leaders often overlook when measuring SDR success beyond meeting volume Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Strategic accounts expose where most sales approaches break down, especially when technical capability fails to connect to enterprise-wide value. In this replay segment, Jane Thompson unpacks what it actually takes to navigate complex, multi-division organizations, from building aligned champions to translating solutions into outcomes that matter at the board level. The conversation highlights why intellectual curiosity, multi-threaded engagement, and disciplined account mapping remain non-negotiable for sellers operating at the highest level. Jane Thompson is a sales leader at BigPanda with deep experience selling into complex, multi-division enterprise accounts and building high-impact strategic sales motions. Connect with Jane: LinkedIn Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

The Investing Power Hour is live-streamed every Thursday on the Chit Chat Stocks Podcast YouTube channel at 5:00 PM EST. This week we discussed:(00:00) Introduction(02:24) Alphabet's Impressive Performance(09:31) Apple's Revenue Growth and Challenges(15:00) Amazon's Strong Results and Market Position(21:35) Depreciation Trends in Big Tech(24:36) Reddit's Revival and Monetization Potential(29:48) Starbucks' Recovery and Market Strategies(32:55) Earnings Insights: Visa and American Express Growth(36:57) Real Brokerage and Remax Merger Analysis(42:18) Defense Budget and Autonomous Warfare Investments(46:02) Market Reactions to Earnings Reports(57:41) Consumer Trends: Fast Food vs. Grocery Performance(01:01:45) Future Watchlist: Companies to Keep an Eye On*****************************************************Subscribe to Emerging Moats Research: emergingmoats.com *********************************************************************Chit Chat Stocks is presented by Interactive Brokers. Get professional pricing, global access, and premier technology with the best brokerage for investors today: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/ Interactive Brokers is a member of SIPC. *********************************************************************Check out Value Spotlight: Stockwriteup.com *********************************************************************Fiscal.ai is building the future of financial data.With custom charts, AI-generated research reports, and endless analytical tools, you can get up to speed on any stock around the globe. All for a reasonable price. Use our LINK and get 15% off any premium plan: ⁠https://fiscal.ai/chitchat *********************************************************************Disclosure: Chit Chat Stocks hosts and guests are not financial advisors, and nothing they say on this show is formal advice or a recommendation.

Why has earning a conversation become the hardest part of staffing sales? In this featured session from the FDE+ Q1 Virtual Conference, Kortney Harmon sits down with Brad Bialy to unpack why today's buyers are more skeptical, distracted, and informed—and what that means for relationship-driven revenue.Brad challenges outdated sales playbooks and introduces a system-first approach to winning attention. He breaks down the reality of the 72-touchpoint journey, along with the role of trust, consistency, and buyer psychology. The result is a clear path for how top firms are aligning sales and marketing to earn—not chase—conversations and build meaningful engagement in today's skeptical market.Key Takeaways • Build systems, not just sales goals • Use marketing to support and scale outreach • Reduce risk to overcome buyer skepticism • Create clarity to stand out in a crowded market________________Follow Brad Bialy on LinkedIn: LinkedIn | BradSubscribe to the secrets of success hereFollow Crelate on LinkedIn: CrelateWant to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo hereSubscribe to our newsletter: The Full Desk Experience

AI is shifting from model development to real-world usage, exposing a new bottleneck that most sales teams are not prepared to understand or sell against. As inference speed, memory bandwidth, and infrastructure become the true differentiators, traditional software playbooks begin to break down. Alex Varel joins John Kaplan and John McMahon to unpack what it takes to sell in this new environment, where technical depth, curiosity, and adaptability are no longer optional. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping productivity, why ICPs must evolve weekly, and how elite sellers distinguish themselves by orchestrating value across increasingly complex buying groups. Alex Varel is EVP of Worldwide Sales at Cerebras Systems, where he leads global go-to-market efforts at the forefront of AI infrastructure. He has built and scaled high-performing teams across MongoDB, Zscaler, and Multiverse, driving growth through IPO, hyper-scale expansion, and emerging technology shifts. Connect with Alex: LinkedIn Resources mentioned: "The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell "AI Superpowers" by Kai-Fu Lee “Leonardo da Vinci” by Walter Isaacson "No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy “The Founders: The Story of Paypal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley” by Jimmy Soni Key takeaways from this episode: 00:00 – A look inside what it really takes to rethink computing architecture when speed, not scale, becomes the constraint 13:09 – Why many leaders underestimate how the shift from training to inference is redefining where competitive advantage actually lives 25:27 – The mistake many CROs make when applying legacy software playbooks to markets that require constant recalibration 21:33 – What it really takes to turn AI from a concept into a daily productivity multiplier inside a revenue organization 31:34 – Why most sales organizations quietly accept a broken productivity model and what changes when that assumption is challenged 34:26 – A look inside the evolving role of the AE as a multi-dimensional operator across technical, business, and interpersonal domains 49:41 – Why treating ICP as a static exercise leads to missed growth opportunities in markets that are shifting in real time Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

They discuss the secret draft-day interactions between the Rams and Bo Nix, alongside the Falcons' clandestine approach to selecting Michael Penix Jr. They evaluate the Atlanta Braves' recent on-field success and their impressive revenue growth through the Braves Vision platform. Pat Riley's perspective on the Hawks' roster and a lighthearted story about counterfeit concert merchandise are also featured. 01:50 - NCAA Tournament Expansion and Greed 05:35 - Bo Nix's Secret Draft Meetings 08:53 - Michael Penix Jr. Health Concerns 12:45 - Falcons Front Office Hires 17:13 - Concert Merch and Counterfeit Shirts 21:48 - Braves Success and Tariq Skubal 26:25 - High-Speed World Series Parade 33:46 - Pat Riley Praises Hawks' Roster 38:00 - Braves Vision and Revenue Growth

S and P 500 and Nasdaq slip from record highs, OpenAI may not be able to pay computing contracts in the future if its top line doesn't expand fast enough, Next Pints and Portfolios will be in San Mateo on Saturday May 16th from 11am to 1pm with EP Wealth Advisors Ryan Ignacio CFA CFP and Julie Chan-O'Rourke CFP

S and P 500 and Nasdaq slip from record highs, OpenAI may not be able to pay computing contracts in the future if its top line doesn't expand fast enough, Next Pints and Portfolios will be in San Mateo on Saturday May 16th from 11am to 1pm with EP Wealth Advisors Ryan Ignacio CFA CFP and Julie Chan-O'Rourke CFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar Podcast, Tim Melanson chats with Kerri Roberts, Founder of Salt & Light Advisors. Kerri shares her journey from a 20-year corporate career to launching her own HR consulting business, breaking down the real lessons behind tech overwhelm, pricing mistakes, and building a business that actually supports your life. Who is Kerri Roberts? Kerri Roberts is the founder of Salt & Light Advisors, a People Operations and HR consulting firm helping small to mid-sized businesses build strong, practical HR foundations. With over 20 years of experience in corporate HR and operations, she now helps companies clarify roles, expectations, and systems so their teams can succeed. Connect with Kerri Roberts: Website: https://saltandlightadvisors.com Website: https://kerrimroberts.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrimroberts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrimroberts Host Contact Details: Website: https://workathomerockstar.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkAtHomeRockStarPodcast X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/workathomestar Email: tim@workathomerockstar.com In this Episode: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:21 Big Leap to Entrepreneurship 00:57 Early Mistakes and Lessons 02:29 Essential Tools and Tech 05:03 Home Office and Self Care 07:07 Client Boundaries and Value 08:32 Project Pricing Over Hourly 12:40 Marketing Beyond Your Network 14:20 First Client and Contractor Shift 16:42 Pricing Reality and Revenue Growth 21:03 Money Systems Taxes and AI 24:46 Why Leave a 300K Job 29:06 Business Refinement and Alignment 30:51 Connect and Closing Questions 31:33 Rock Star Picks and Wrap Up  

Today, a segment from our episode on pipeline generation and building a repeatable revenue system with Christopher Vik, VP EMEA at Samsara and former CRO at Leapwork. In this clip, Chris breaks down why most pipeline generation efforts fail before they even start. He explains how preparation drives conviction, why reps avoid pipeline when they lack insight, and what leaders must do to build a culture where execution actually sticks. If you're trying to improve pipeline performance or develop more effective sellers, this is a perspective worth revisiting. Chris Vik is VP EMEA at Samsara and a former CRO at Leapwork and Go Autonomous, where he scaled go-to-market teams across new markets and high-growth environments. He is known for building structured revenue systems that connect pipeline generation, sales execution, and recruiting. Resources mentioned: Flip the Script by Oren Klaff Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff Get the Force Management framework for building and scaling predictable pipeline and revenue systems:  The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Ross Gerber, President and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki, talks with TITV Host Akash Pasricha about Tesla's Q1 results, Elon Musk's depressing tone, and the mysterious $2 billion AI hardware deal. We also talk with The Information's Erin Woo about "agent sprawl" at Google Cloud Next and The Home Depot's struggle to automate workflows, and we get into the "SaaS apocalypse" and insurers dropping AI coverage with reporter Laura BrattonArticles discussed on this episode: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/berkshire-hathaway-chubb-win-approval-drop-ai-insurance-coverageSubscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinformation The Information: https://www.theinformation.com/subscribe_hSign up for the AI Agenda newsletter: https://www.theinformation.com/features/ai-agendaTITV airs weekdays on YouTube, X and LinkedIn at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. Or check us out wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us:X: https://x.com/theinformationIG: https://www.instagram.com/theinformation/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@titv.theinformationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theinformation/

In this episode of Grounded and Aligned™, Karen Gombault speaks with Kirsten Schmidtke, founder of a revenue leadership consulting firm focused on B2B technology companies. The discussion examines why revenue issues are often treated as sales problems when they come from how leadership is operating. If your growth targets are not converting into consistent results, this episode looks at how leadership structure, priorities, and decisions affect revenue, especially in the context of AI, remote work, and shifting buyer expectations.Karen and Kirsten look at:The gap between individual sales performance and the ability to generate revenue through a teamHow low trust in forecasting leads to inefficient inspection processes and slower deal cyclesThe effect of multiple or unclear priorities on execution quality and consistency across teamsLeadership-created bottlenecks that restrict deal progression and reduce responsiveness in the sales cycleThe shift from managing activity to coaching for judgment and decision-making in complex sales environmentsRevenue variability is usually driven by how leadership operates, not the market. Clear standards, consistent execution, and fewer internal obstacles determine how reliable results are.Kirsten Schmidtke is the founder of Kirsten Schmidtke Coaching & Consulting, a revenue leadership consulting firm serving B2B technology companies. With 15+ years in enterprise tech, including AWS, she has generated over $100M in revenue and carried multimillion-dollar quotas. She works with CEOs and CROs to close the leadership execution gap that stalls pipeline, burns out sellers, and keeps revenue unpredictable — helping them find the one problem that, when solved, unlocks revenue growth.www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenschmidtke/www.instagram.com/kirstenschmidtke/Connect with Karen: Karen Gombault | LinkedIn

MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeJoin me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Michael Clark. We dive into the incredible story behind The Flower Letters, a subscription business started with his wife, Hanny Clark, that mails immersive, physical story letters to subscribers. What started as a small idea in April 2020 with World War II love letters has exploded into a multi-million dollar venture, projecting $8-10 million this year! Michael shares how they bootstrapped this unique concept, scaling to over 50,000 subscribers by focusing on daily profitability and smart advertising strategies, leveraging a prepaid option for cash flow. You'll hear why he considers this direct mail business, despite his FinTech background, the most complicated he's ever built, managing over 900 inventory pieces in-house. We also discuss their "long game" vision, transforming The Flower Letters into a mission-driven company with potential for TV shows, audiobooks, and more, while carefully integrating AI only for artistic elements. Questions This Episode Answers:How did The Flower Letters grow from 33 subscribers to over 50,000 with multi-million dollar revenue?What advertising strategy was key to their rapid customer acquisition and how did they manage a $30 CAC?How does a subscription business like The Flower Letters prioritize daily profitability and manage cash flow through prepaid options?Why is a seemingly simple direct mail business considered the "most complicated" venture by a FinTech entrepreneur, and how is its fulfillment handled?How do The Flower Letters leverage a "long game" strategy to build a mission-driven company with a growing catalog of stories and future content expansion?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 Rapid Growth and Business Model Overview03:02 The Origin Story: From Idea to Execution05:53 Marketing Strategies and Customer Acquisition08:46 Financial Insights and Business Economics12:06 Creating a Unique Customer Experience14:58 Operational Challenges and Fulfillment Process25:07 In-House Fulfillment and Customer Service27:58 The Importance of Storytelling in Business30:21 Creative Storytelling and the Role of AI36:38 Revenue Growth and Business Strategy38:59 Building a Sustainable Business Model42:47 Leveraging the Postal Service for Success44:45 Community Engagement and Pen Pal Ideas46:43 Launching a Podcast and Sharing Stories

This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain is joined by fellow Economist Tara Bayke to break down the growing risk of “profitless prosperity.” As the economy expands through 2026 and beyond, many businesses may see rising revenues but shrinking margins due to persistent cost pressures. From surging material and energy costs to labor challenges and AI investment, where should leaders focus to protect profitability? And what role will the Federal Reserve play as inflation pressures continue? Tune in for a timely discussion on how to prepare for growth while safeguarding your bottom line. Are you ready to grow profitably in the years ahead? Trends Report Free Preview → https://hubs.la/Q03ybVV00 Trends Report Free Trial → https://itrondemand.com/store/product/trendsreport-free-trial

Preparation does not become less important as sellers gain experience. It becomes more visible as a differentiator. In this replay segment with John Rowell, he breaks down of how disciplined pre-call preparation sharpens positioning, turns cold outreach into meaningful engagement, and allows reps to stay fully present in the moment. The conversation highlights why preparation is not just about information gathering, but about earning credibility, accelerating sales cycles, and creating the conditions for authentic customer conversations. John Rowell is the Co-Founder of Pinned Golf and a former enterprise sales leader with experience at EMC and Lacework. He brings a practitioner's perspective on applying enterprise sales discipline to startup growth. Connect with John: LinkedIn Pinned Golf Website Resources mentioned: Pin Golf's Caddie GPS Tablet Catch the full conversation, here:  Pinned Golf: Making the Shift from Sales to Entrepreneurship Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Most companies don't fail because of product, they fail because they never build a clear, repeatable sales system around a problem that actually matters. That shows up early when founders delegate sales too soon, chase broad markets without focus, and struggle to translate technical insight into customer urgency. In this conversation, Lou Shipley brings a career spanning door-to-door selling to leading and teaching at Harvard to break down what separates companies that scale from those that stall. He introduces frameworks like the “problem with the problem” and the “murder board,” while reinforcing a consistent theme: sales is not a downstream function, it is the organizing discipline of the business. For leaders trying to build a high-performance culture or evaluate their next move, this conversation clarifies what to look for and what to avoid. Lou Shipley is a three-time CEO, Harvard Business School professor, and author of Unlikely Entrepreneurs. He has led multiple startups and previously taught sales at MIT. Connect with Lou:  LinkedIn Website Resources mentioned: Unlikely Entrepreneurs: Wins, Losses, and Crucial Lessons on Building Great Companies by N. Louis Shipley and Patricia Favreau Key takeaways from this episode: 00:00 – How Lou Shipley built his sales foundation on 100% commission 06:00 – The 30-second mistake sellers keep making and how it kills deals early 10:33 – Why Lou Shipley believes emotional connection to the problem changes everything 25:55 – Why founders who delegate sales too early almost always get it wrong 33:33 – A behind-the-scenes look at how great teams pressure-test their strategy before the market does 40:22 – The three questions that instantly expose whether a company is worth joining 44:25 – Why narrowing your ICP is the fastest path to real revenue growth, not a limitation 58:33 – The real reason most companies fail before they ever scale Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Your biggest advantage in marketing right now isn't better ads. It's understanding what actually makes people buy — and it's probably not what your feed is telling you.Rage bait is everywhere. It gets views. It gets engagement. But it doesn't build trust — and it definitely doesn't drive real revenue in B2B.In this episode, we sit down with Jason Levin, co-founder of Memelord.com, to break down why meme marketing is quietly outperforming rage bait, how humor builds trust with high-value buyers, and the exact systems top marketers are using to scale meme-driven acquisition.The deeper insight: the best marketers aren't chasing attention — they're engineering relatability at scale.You'll learn how to operationalize memes across multiple accounts, why “remixing” is the real creative advantage, and how to turn humor into a repeatable growth engine.If you're thinking about distribution in 2026, this is a playbook most companies still aren't using.GuestJason Levin — co-founder of Memelord.com, an AI-powered meme marketing platform helping companies scale humor, distribution, and content velocity through AI-generated memes and multi-account social strategies.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjasonlevinX: https://x.com/iamjasonlevinWhat You'll LearnWhy rage bait drives views… but fails to convert high-value customersThe difference between attention farming and buyer-driven attentionHow meme marketing builds trust faster than traditional contentWhy humor is a lever — not a strategy replacementHow to run multiple niche meme accounts for different ICPsWhy remixing content beats originality in modern distributionHow AI is enabling meme velocity at scaleWhy relationships still outperform automation in closing dealsTimestamps00:00 - Introduction to Meme Marketing00:21 - Guest Introduction: Jason Levin from Memelord.com00:41 - Memes vs Rage Bait Marketing01:13 - Tactical Meme Marketing Strategies02:24 - The Importance of Branding and Trust03:27 - Rage Bait vs Smart Bait Philosophy05:01 - Why Meme Marketing Drives Revenue06:43 - Building Trust in B2B Through Humor08:13 - Niche Meme Accounts and High-LTV Distribution10:19 - The Problem with Rage Bait Culture in Silicon Valley15:00 - Inside Memelord.com: Product, Demo & AI Tools30:43 - Scaling Distribution, Verified Orgs & MeasurementKey Topics & Insights1. Rage Bait Gets Attention — But Not RevenueThere's a growing belief that anger = growth.But here's the reality:Rage bait attracts the wrong audience.It pulls in:Low-intent usersPeople looking to argueLow purchasing-power audiencesThe problem: High-value buyers don't respond to manipulation — they recognize it.And when trust is broken, conversion dies.The takeaway: Views are not revenue.2. Meme Marketing = Relatability at ScaleMemes work because they create instant recognition.Instead of forcing attention, they generate:Emotional alignmentShared pain pointsFast trust-building through humorWhen people feel understood, they convert faster.3. Humor Is a Lever, Not a StrategyMemes don't replace strategy — they amplify it.Smart marketing stacks multiple levers:Educational contentLong-form trust buildingPaid acquisitionHumor as distribution acceleration4. Remixing Is the Real Growth EngineModern content velocity comes from remixing, not originality.Instead of creating from scratch:Take what's already trendingApply your ICP's pain pointAdd context and distributionThis is how meme engines scale.5. Multi-Account Distribution StrategyScaling meme marketing requires fragmentation:Multiple niche accountsEach targeting a specific personaEach speaking in a tailored voiceThis creates parallel distribution channels instead of relying on one brand feed.6. Verified Org Arbitrage on XA key growth hack discussed:$1,000/month for verified orgAbility to spin affiliate meme accountsNetworked distribution across accountsThis creates ubiquity and compounding reach.7. Relationships Still Close RevenueEven in a world of automation:ConversationsTrustLong-term relationshipsstill outperform pure distribution hacks.8. Measurement Shift: Branded SearchInstead of tracking vanity metrics:Focus on branded search growthUse Google Search ConsoleMeasure demand creation, not just clicksThis becomes the true signal of market pull.9. The Meme Stack Is Becoming a SystemMemelord.com represents a shift:Trend detectionAI generationMulti-account publishingRapid iteration loopsMemes are no longer content — they are infrastructure.SponsorToday's episode is brought to you by Graphed – an AI data analyst & BI platform.With Graphed you can:Connect data like GA4, Facebook Ads, HubSpot, Google Ads, Search Console, AmplitudeBuild interactive dashboards just by chatting (no Looker Studio/Tableau learning curve)Use it as your ETL + data warehouse + BI layer in one placeAsk:“Build me a stacked bar chart of new users vs. all users over time from GA4”…and Graphed just builds it for you.

Today, we're revisiting a segment from our episode on selling enterprise software and connecting technical capabilities to business outcomes with John Donnelly. John is a seasoned enterprise sales leader with deep experience scaling complex sales motions across organizations like MobileIron and Kana. In this clip, he breaks down why so many sellers default to features, where discovery goes wrong, and how the best reps connect technical differentiation to real business impact to win complex deals. John Donnelly is a seasoned enterprise sales leader and CRO with a track record of scaling high-growth organizations through IPOs and acquisitions, known for helping teams translate technical capabilities into measurable business outcomes. Connect with John: LinkedIn Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

What if the fastest way to grow your agency isn't more leads but better client relationships? In this episode, Taylor McMaster shares how strong client account management, structured onboarding, and proactive communication can dramatically improve agency client retention and unlock new revenue opportunities. Learn how agencies can scale without losing clients by aligning sales, delivery, and expectations from day one. If you want a smarter agency growth strategy built on retention, upselling, and client experience systems, this conversation shows where to start. Today we discussed: 00:00 Client Retention Drives Growth 03:42 Upselling Through Account Management 06:32 Onboarding and Sales Alignment 08:34 Scaling Account Manager Roles 13:33 AI, Specialization, and Fractional Agencies 20:08 What Made Dot & Company Acquirable Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!

Okay guys. I need to talk about what's actually going on underneath all of that quiet self-doubt.Because I think a lot of you are sitting in 2026 telling yourself a story that your business isn't working. And I want to pull that apart today.In this episode, I'm sharing two client stories that stopped me in my tracks - and what they prove about the one thing separating the people who are thriving right now from the ones still waiting for the right moment.Spoiler: it's not your strategy.Listen to this if you've been going through the motions and wondering why nothing's shifting.

AI is not hype — it is the most consequential economic shift since the Industrial Revolution, and it is rewriting the investment playbook. Lance Roberts and special guest, Blackrock's Brian Dunlap, break down the full AI and tech stock story: how we got here, where the money is flowing, and what investors need to know right now. From the infrastructure build-out and enterprise adoption to physical AI, robotics, and autonomous vehicles, we walk through the entire investment cycle — including the IDGT and BAI ETFs, the hyperscalers driving capex, and why data centers are the revenue-generating factories of the AI era. (More information may be seen at iShares.com). We also tackle the hard questions: Is this a boom or a bubble? Are debt concerns valid? What is circular financing, and how does it affect long-term sustainability? And what does the road ahead look like as we approach the critical inflection point from training to inference? If you want the full picture on AI investing — the macro forces, the key players, and a framework for positioning your portfolio — this is the episode. 00:00 INTRO 2:09 - The AI/Tech Stock Story 3:58 - How We Got Here & The Impact of AI 7:42 - AI will become a piece of National Security 9:32 - AI is the next Industrial Revolution 10:47 - A Fundamental Shift in the Employment Landscape 12:11 - The Net Result of AI Expenditures 14:02 - What Does the Future of AI Look Like? 14:44 - The Adoption Cycle 16:14 - We're in the infrastructure Build phase; Enterprise Adoption - tokenization 18:05 - Revenue Opportunities Physical AI - Robots & autonomous vehicles 20:00 - Investing in the Cycles (IDGT etf) (BAI etf) 21:48 - Timing of the Buildouts - what's the useful life? 23:15 - Moving towards an inflection point in AI - building to training/inference Datacenters in space? 26:09 - The AI Investment Thesis - datacenters are factories producing revenue 27:56 - Who are the hyperscalers 29:46 - Are Debt Concerns Valid? 32:09 - Who are funding sources - Boom vs Bubble? 35:07 - Demand for AI has done nothing but accelerate 36:00 - The issue of circular financing... 39:05 - The Trajectory of Revenue Growth in AI 42:33 - How Long Before AI Puts us Out of a Job? Hosted by RIA Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Brian Dunlap, Director, Blackrock Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer --- Watch the Video version of this report on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/live/ckKzFqCAHHs --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ --- Do you enjoy our content? Rate us on Google: https://bit.ly/4b9JtEo --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor : https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #AIStocks #TechInvesting #ArtificialIntelligence #StockMarket #AIInfrastructure #Blackrock #IDGT #BAI #ETF