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The Brutal Truth about B2B Sales & Selling - The show focuses on Hacking the Sales Process
Here is a FAQ Video on the Courses: https://youtu.be/0F7imrzjXWs Here is a deep dive into which course is best for you: https://youtu.be/JM_jgS8M-iU https://www.b2bRevenue.com - Get Your Free E-Book on How Companies make Decisions. FAQ: 1 YEAR ACCESS, PAY MONTHLY OR ANNUALLY NOT A SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK VIA ZOOM. 1 HOUR GROUP Q&A. UNLIMITED 1-ON-1'S ARE FREE AS LONG AS THEY CAN BE SHARED IN THE COURSE. 1-ON-1 ARE FULL ACCESS ON DAY ONE - NOTHING IS GATED OR TIME RELEASED. ALL CONTENT IS VIDEO BASED AND SELF PACED I RECOMMEND TAKE COURSE ONCE WITHOUT NOTES OR APPLYING IT SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE FIRST. THEN TAKE AND APPLY IT STEP BY STEP. YOU START WHEN YOU WANT AND GO AS FAST OR SLOW AS NEEDED. Email me additional questions: briangburns@me.com — SAMPLE EMAIL TO EXPENSE THE COURSE MGR, I have been listening to the brutal truth about sales podcast for X months and it speaks to the issues we face. They currently offer a course that includes video instruction, group Q&A and One-on-One coaching. I'm committed to my own personal development and would like your help in expensing the course. It would pay for itself if I closed only one new deal of $X value. Please let me know by Friday if I can move forward with this 1 year course. Thanks, ME Here are some student interviews from the courses: ———————————————————————————————————— Audible 30 day Free Trial: http://www.audibletrial.com/BrutalTruth
In this episode, my guest is Pat Lapalapa, Sales Leader at Ray White AT Realty in Auckland, New Zealand. Pat speaks about how AI is helping leaders build stronger, more effective real estate teams. Pat shares how AI is being used to collapse time, improve coaching, and turn agent performance data into clear, actionable insights. The conversation explores practical leadership use cases, including custom GPT playbooks for auctions and appraisals, AI-powered performance storytelling, and internal knowledge systems that act as a second brain for teams. Pat emphasizes that AI should amplify human connection, not replace it, and explains why systems and consistency matter more than hustle in an AI-driven world. Guest: Pat Lapalapa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pat_lapalapa_group?igsh=YmlldThocXd6a2x1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southaucklandspecialist Website: https://www.raywhiteatrealty.co.nz/ Host: Rajeev Sajja Website: http://www.realestateaiflash.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsajja Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rajeev_sajja LinkedIn: http://www.linkedIn.com/in/rsajja Resources: Join our Instagram Real Estate AI Insiders Channel - https://ig.me/j/AbZCJG37DqBPPtxi/ Get 14 days Wispro Flow Pro Free Trial - https://ref.wisprflow.ai/rajeev-sajja Subscribe to our weekly AI Newsletter: https://realestateai-flash.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Guest Bio: Ivana Taylor has spent 35 years translating complex marketing into simple, executable strategies. She's the founder of DIYMarketers.com, where she helps entrepreneurs compete without enterprise budgets. She's a self-described AI power user who tests tools for six hours a day. And she's built follow-up systems for everyone from manufacturing companies to consultants. Key Points: 1. Cold Outreach Requires Far More "Touches" Than It Used To A "touch" is no longer just a phone call or email. Every interaction counts. It includes: · Social media posts · Website visits · Content consumption · LinkedIn engagement · Webinars · Direct mail · Comments and DMs 2. Most Small Businesses Skip the Foundational Steps Before worrying about sequences, automation, or buying lists, you must clearly define your ideal customer, understand the problem you solve, identify the desired outcome your buyer wants and know how your buyer makes decisions. Without this groundwork, marketing becomes expensive guesswork. 3. Cold Email Alone Is Weak (and Often an Avoidance Strategy) Response rates to pure cold email are extremely low. Buying lists and blasting emails often feels productive, is easy to automate and produces poor results. Cold email works best as a second step, not a first step. 4. Start Manual Before You Automate The recommendation: · Begin with real conversations · Aim for consistent outreach (calls or personal messages) · Learn from live interactions · Identify patterns in objections, desired outcomes, and buying triggers Only after recognizing patterns should you build automated sequences. 5. The Phone Is Still the Fastest Path to Revenue Despite all the marketing tools available, the most consistent answer to "What's working?" was picking up the phone and having conversations. Why? · Immediate feedback · Faster learning curve · Real-time objection handling · Faster path to booked appointments 6. Mindset Matters: Service, Not Persuasion Cold outreach works best when: · You see yourself as helping, not convincing · "No" is viewed as clarity (not rejection) · Your goal is conversation, not immediate conversion A clear "no" frees you to pursue someone who will say yes. 7. Specific Targeting Beats Big Lists Instead of buying 10,000 names: · Define clear parameters (industry, role, company size, revenue, keywords) · Start with a focused segment · Refine messaging based on real conversations · Build segmented sequences based on actual buying motivations Broad targeting = poor response. Specific targeting = stronger engagement. 8. Automation Is Powerful — But Only After Strategy Automation should amplify a proven message, a clearly defined audience, validated buying patterns. It cannot replace foundational work. 9. Marketing Is Not Magic — It's Consistent Work There is no shortcut. Successful outreach requires: · Repetition · Iteration · Conversations · Testing · Refinement The "eat your vegetables" truth: the people succeeding are doing the work. Bottom Line Cold outreach still works — but not as a blast-and-hope strategy. What works: · Clear targeting · Strong positioning · Multi-channel touches · Real conversations · Strategic follow-up And above all, start with the fundamentals before scaling with tools. Guest Links: Free Gift: An AI Outreach Ebook IMPORTANT – You must Double Opt-in and confirm your email to receive this free gift. Learn More Visit DIYMarketers.com – Simple, actionable marketing strategies for small business owners who want to do marketing on less than $17 a day. Fix Your Marketing Problem in Less Than 24 Hours – Fill out the form, tell me your marketing challenge, and I'll send personalized recommendations in less than 24 hours. About Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders Download your free gift, The Salesology® Vault. The vault is packed full of free gifts from sales leaders, sales experts, marketing gurus, and revenue generation experts. Download your free gift, 81 Tools to Grow Your Sales & Your Business Faster, More Easily & More Profitably. Save hours of work tracking down the right prospecting and sales resources and/or digital tools that every business owner and salesperson needs. If you are a business owner or sales manager with an underperforming sales team, let's talk. Click here to schedule a time. Please subscribe to Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to https://podcast.gosalesology.com/ and connect on LinkedIn and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our website at https://gosalesology.com/.
In today's minisode, Football coach and author Brian White shares essential leadership lessons on building winning cultures that apply far beyond the field. Brian breaks down why trust must flow both ways, from the individual entering a new organization and from the team itself, and reveals why assimilating into an existing culture before trying to change it is the key to lasting impact. Whether you're a sales leader establishing yourself in a new company, a manager building team cohesion, or a CRO creating a culture where people compete selfishly but give selflessly, this episode delivers actionable insights on peer leadership, the power of direct human engagement, and why the huddle is always more important than the position. Brian White is a veteran Division I football coach, Assistant Coach of the Year, and author of The Locker Room Is Not for Sale. Over 55 years in and around elite programs including Notre Dame, he has coached national champions, developed NFL talent including Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, and built cultures grounded in respect, accountability, and the human touch. Resources mentioned: The Locker Room Is Not for Sale by Brian White The Qualified Sales Leader by John McMahon Want to know how top-performing organizations create a culture of consistent success? Check out Force Management's guide to the Predictable Revenue Framework: https://hubs.li/Q03-T6NH0 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 separates exceptional sales leaders from average performers? In this executive leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews Glenn Poulos, LinkedIn Top Voice, entrepreneur, and author of Never Sit in the Lobby. You will learn: Why presence and discipline define leadership credibility Why leaders must learn to say no to strengthen authority How disciplined communication improves leadership effectiveness Why curiosity, discipline, and resilience determine success How brand positioning influences leadership outcomes This episode is essential listening for executives, founders, and decision-makers responsible for business growth and leadership. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
In "The Career Accelerator: Why Leaders Choose TMSA", Joe Lynch and Jennifer Karpus-Romain, Executive Director at the Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA), discuss how specialized community and education drive logistics success. Growth follows connection. About Jennifer Karpus-Romain Jennifer serves as the Executive Director at the Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA) and as an adjunct professor at Cuyahoga Community College teaching social media. Previously, she was Director of Marketing for Faye, a software integration firm, and has also held roles in the publishing and marketing industries, and managed her own content and publishing firm. Karpus-Romain has her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University and received her MBA from Capella University. About Transportation Marketing and Sales Association (TMSA) Sales and marketing professionals in the logistics and transportation industry come to the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association (TMSA)as the place to learn, to grow, to have fun together and to make lasting connections. Members enjoy access to live events, virtual forums and exclusive member-only benefits. The association was founded in 1924 and has gone through many names and iterations throughout the years, but it's mission to be the resource for its members has never changed. Key Takeaways: The Career Accelerator: Why Leaders Choose TMSA In "The Career Accelerator: Why Leaders Choose TMSA", Joe Lynch and Jennifer Karpus-Romain, Executive Director at the Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA), discuss how specialized community and education drive logistics success. Growth follows connection. A Century of Evolution: The TMSA isn't a "new kid on the block." Founded in 1924 (originally focused on railroad advertising), the association has spent over 102 years evolving alongside the industry. While the name has changed to reflect modern logistics, its core mission—to be the premier resource for sales and marketing professionals—has remained constant. The New "Track-Based" Educational Model: To provide better ROI, the TMSA has moved away from a one-size-fits-all approach. They now offer five distinct tracks: 1. Company Leader, 2. Sales Leader, 3. Sales Practitioner, 4. Marketing Leader, 5. Marketing Practitioner The Track-Based approach ensures that whether you are a solo marketer or a VP of Sales, you are networking and learning with peers facing your specific daily challenges. "Human First" Leadership in an AI World: Jennifer emphasizes that while tools like ChatGPT (which she humorously calls "Atlas") are vital for efficiency—especially for small teams—the human element is the true differentiator. In an era of automated emails and AI-generated content, leaders choose TMSA to learn how to keep their brand voice authentic and human. The "Tech Mic Drop" & AI Showdown: Rather than traditional, dry keynotes, the upcoming Elevate Conference (June 7–9 in Denver) features a technology showdown. Competitors must present real-world results and efficiencies rather than just sales pitches. This helps members cut through the "noise" of the saturated logistics tech market. Bridging the Sales and Marketing Gap: A major theme of the interview is the "merger" of sales and marketing (or "Smarketing"). Jennifer points out that marketing should be creating "sales enablement" content—like simple infographics—that salespeople actually use, while sales should be providing feedback on lead quality to create a unified revenue-generating engine. Real Insights from Shipper Panels: One of the highest-value segments of their events is the Shipper Panel. Jennifer explains that they bring in actual big-name shippers who give "brutally honest" feedback. This is a rare opportunity for sales and marketing teams to hear exactly how shippers want to be approached—and more importantly, what "cringe-worthy" tactics to avoid. Professional Development as a "Career Accelerator": For "teams of one" or those in "flyover states," TMSA provides a sense of community. Beyond just learning, it offers leadership opportunities through committee work that professionals might not get at their day jobs. Jennifer views the association as a place to "sharpen the sword" so members are ready when market conditions (like the recent freight recession) finally turn around. Learn More About The Career Accelerator: Why Leaders Choose TMSA Jennifer Karpus-Romain | Linkedin TMSA | Linkedin TMSA homepage TMSA membership page TMSA ELEVATE Event Page TMSA Membership Page that highlights Tracks Elevating Transportation Sales and Marketing with Jennifer Karpus-Romain | The Logistics of Logistics TMSA Key Takeaways with Jennifer Karpus-Romain | The Logistics of Logistics Building a Freight Sales & Marketing Community with Jennifer Karpus-Romain The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
What if the secret to closing more deals isn't more leads—but a mindset shift that changes the way you serve your customers?In this episode, we dive into the timeless lessons of Zig Ziglar, the legendary sales trainer and motivational speaker who inspired hundreds of thousands of salespeople to close more deals. His key insight? Sales is a service-driven profession, and success comes from your attitude and mindset as much as your techniques.By listening, you'll discover how to:Harness a positive, service-focused mindset to build stronger relationships with customers.Apply Ziglar's principles to lead your team more effectively while serving both customers and colleagues.Close more deals without chasing more leads, by focusing on what really matters: serving your clients better.Listen now to learn how adopting a Ziglar-inspired, service-driven mindset can transform your sales and leadership results.New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Grow Your Sales By 25% - Book in for a FREE 30-minute Sales Process Audit and walk out with 3 rapid actions that will GROW your SalesTo see how we've helped business grow their sales:Read Client ResultsWatch TestimonialsOr email Ben if you would like to get in touch: hello@strongersalesteams.comThis podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.
Are you losing deals because you're quoting one-off projects like repeat customers—or treating repeat clients like strangers?Most sales strategies focus on chasing more leads, but the real wins often come from mastering the leads you already have. In this episode, we dive into the subtle—but powerful—differences between quoting for first-time clients versus repeat customers, and why small adjustments can dramatically boost your close rates.By listening, you'll learn how to:Build trust and create value with one-off clients to increase your chances of closing the deal.Deliver consistent, exceptional value to repeat customers and avoid letting laziness hurt your relationships.Apply the “1% better” approach to quoting and customer interactions, turning small improvements into bigger revenue.Tune in to discover the key tweaks in your quoting process that can transform both first-time and repeat client wins.New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Grow Your Sales By 25% - Book in for a FREE 30-minute Sales Process Audit and walk out with 3 rapid actions that will GROW your SalesTo see how we've helped business grow their sales:Read Client ResultsWatch TestimonialsOr email Ben if you would like to get in touch: hello@strongersalesteams.comThis podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.
Great sales results aren't accidental — they're built on mindset, persistence, and trust. In this episode of The Rural Sales Show, St John Craner sits down with Tony Meredith to unpack the fundamentals of effective sales training, leadership, and long-term performance. Tony shares hard-earned insights on what separates average salespeople from exceptional ones — from handling objections with confidence to differentiating yourself in a crowded, competitive market. Together, they explore why mindset underpins everything in sales, and how trust remains the most powerful currency in any customer relationship. The conversation also dives into leadership: how managers can coach better, manage their time more effectively, and build resilient, self-aware teams that don't rely on constant direction. You'll learn: - Why mindset and persistence drive consistent sales success - How to overcome objections without becoming defensive - What truly differentiates top salespeople in competitive markets - The essential traits every high-performing rep must develop - How sales leaders can coach more effectively (and manage their time better) - Why self-coaching and resilience are non-negotiable in modern sales - The importance of continuous learning in staying relevant - How AI can enhance sales effectiveness without replacing human connection Tony and St John unpack the discipline behind performance, the leadership habits that build strong teams, and the practical tools that help sales professionals stay sharp in an evolving marketplace.
Guest Bio: Louise is an award-winning social media strategist, coach, four-time best-selling author, and the founder of SellOnSocial.Media Digital Marketing Agency & Academy. For the past 20 years, I've helped coaches and consultants grow their businesses with fresh perspectives and innovative AI-powered tools. Key Points: Social media is marketing, not a separate skill Louise didn't "get into social media" randomly; her foundation is traditional marketing. Social media is simply a modern channel for applying timeless marketing principles. The problem isn't social media itself; it's treating it as something different from marketing strategy. You don't need to like social media to use it well Many business owners dislike social media or don't want to spend hours online and that's okay. Social media is not about becoming an influencer or going viral. For business owners, it's about using social platforms efficiently and intentionally to generate leads and opportunities. Followers ≠ business growth Having thousands of followers means nothing if you don't know how to convert attention into revenue. A person with zero followers and someone with 15,000 followers can have the same problem: no system to turn visibility into sales. Social media success is not about features, hacks, or trends, it's about strategy. The 5-step framework for using social media effectively 1. Clarify your core offer 2. Nail your messaging 3. Show up with intent. 4. Build a lead generation system 5. Use AI as a co-pilot, not the driver Expectations depend on your starting point Results vary based on size of your existing audience, email list strength and consistency of organic activity. Someone with a warm audience will see faster results than someone starting from scratch. Organic activity makes paid ads dramatically more effective. Organic activity + paid ads = leverage Ads work best when layered on top of consistent organic engagement. Cold ad accounts cost more and convert less. Platforms reward businesses that show up consistently before running ads. What a "lead" really means in social media A lead is someone who opts in; joins your list, attends a session, downloads something. Leads can be cold (just joined), warm (engaging) or hot (ready to buy). Most people don't buy immediately, social media supports direct, indirect, and future sales. Social media doesn't sell high-ticket services, conversations do Low-cost products can sell directly on social platforms. High-ticket services require lead generation, nurturing and sales conversations. You market online, but you sell offline. The real outcome of social media The goal isn't instant sales; it's building a pipeline of qualified prospects. Social media creates visibility, trust, and opportunity over time. Done right, it feeds a steady flow of future business. Bottom line: Social media works when it's treated as a strategic marketing system, not a content treadmill. Clear offers, strong messaging, intentional activity, and lead generation, not virality, drive real business results. Guest Links: AI Powered Online 2026 Social Media Content Planner To help you create impactful content week in, week out! 1. The 2026 content calendar with 950+ searchable dates and holidays 2. An AI post generator for Story, Advice and Testimonial posts in your own voice (2 posts per month, free forever) 3. High-converting post formats powered by smart prompts, so you can create content that works, in your own voice and tone 4. Simple tools to plan and organize your content 5. This smart tool helps you embrace AI as your co-pilot, so you create content easily in your voice and tone. About Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders Download your free gift, The Salesology® Vault. The vault is packed full of free gifts from sales leaders, sales experts, marketing gurus, and revenue generation experts. Download your free gift, 81 Tools to Grow Your Sales & Your Business Faster, More Easily & More Profitably. Save hours of work tracking down the right prospecting and sales resources and/or digital tools that every business owner and salesperson needs. If you are a business owner or sales manager with an underperforming sales team, let's talk. Click here to schedule a time. Please subscribe to Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to https://podcast.gosalesology.com/ and connect on LinkedIn and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our website at https://gosalesology.com/.
In this episode, I'm joined by renowned sales expert Simon Hazeldine to explore what truly sets elite sales performers apart from the crowd. With over 35 years of experience and a reputation for blending neuroscience, psychology, and practical sales execution, Simon shares research-backed insights on the core habits and mindsets that drive consistent, high-level sales success. We break down the key attributes of elite sellers, from the importance of business intelligence (IQ), emotional intelligence (EQ), and what Simon calls execution intelligence (XQ). Simon also shares the pitfalls of premature pitching and why mastering the basics is more powerful than chasing "magic tricks." Listen in as we discuss the practical steps to build and reinforce top-performing behaviors in teams, and real-world examples of how these principles translate into measurable sales growth. Outline of This Episode 00:00 Brain-friendly selling techniques. 03:05 Elite sellers prioritize qualification. 06:37 The premature pitching epidemic. 10:59 Impact of managerial focus. 14:01 Sales management dos and don'ts. 16:22 Building effective sales processes. 19:17 Planning the battle in sales. Rethinking What Sets Elite Sellers Apart There is no special magic trick behind elite performance. Instead, research confirms that top performers are ruthlessly consistent in executing the core success factors that drive sales outcomes. They don't necessarily do things that are wildly different, but rather, they do the right things, again and again, with relentless discipline. Simon Hazeldine identifies three core intelligences that underpin elite performance. They're IQ (Business Intelligence), which is a deep understanding of the customer's business and needs. EQ (Emotional Intelligence), which is the capacity to flex, adapt, and connect with both their own team and the client. XQ (Execution Intelligence): A term coined by Simon that highlights the importance of following a structured, disciplined sales methodology. The Crucial Habits of Top Performers Research backs up that what separates top performers isn't just what they know, but what they consistently do. Elite sellers get involved early in the customer's buying journey, often before a need is even formally recognized. This maximizes influence and minimizes the risk of simply being the "rabbit", the vendor brought in just to benchmark against the true favorite. They also prioritize strategic relationship building and cultivate robust customer relationships in advance of opportunities arising, which helps fill their pipelines and reduces reliance on marketing for leads. One of the most common pitfalls for aspiring elite sellers is what Simon calls "premature pitching", jumping into product or service presentations before truly understanding the customer's needs. This is tantamount to "sales malpractice." Instead, sellers should focus on diagnosis before prescription. Top performers are also rigorous in terms of opportunity and pipeline management. They maintain cleaner, healthier pipelines by focusing on qualification and managing opportunities tightly, ensuring efforts are spent only on deals likely to close. The Sales Leader's Role: Culture, Coaching, and Consistency Embedding elite behaviors across a sales team doesn't happen by chance. It requires a deliberate, disciplined approach led by management. Simon points to research showing that up to 90% of employee behavior is influenced by what managers pay attention to, reward, and model. Sales leaders should set clear, high standards. After all, people can't achieve greatness if they don't know what "great" looks like. Managers should reinforce accountability and behavioral change through consistent coaching, regular one-to-ones, and team sessions. They should also focus on leading indicators, while results (lag indicators) matter, progress is determined by activities and behaviors (lead indicators) that drive those results. Results From the Field The shift from theory to practice is where the magic happens. Simon shares compelling case studies, from global software firms to UK manufacturers, demonstrating that when sales teams adopt these fundamentals, measurable improvements follow: higher average deal sizes, increased pipeline value, and notably, long-lasting behavioral change. Lasting change happens faster and sticks longer when sales teams themselves help create processes and best practices. Elite sales performance isn't about chasing hacks or secrets; it's about discipline, fundamentals, and relentless execution. When sales leaders model, coach, and reinforce the right behaviors, and sellers focus on early engagement, qualification, and customer-centric discovery, elite results inevitably follow. Resources & People Mentioned 2025 GTM Benchmarks Resources for MIT Managers Connect with Simon Hazeldine Simon Hazeldine on LinkedIn Connect With Paul Watts LinkedIn Twitter Subscribe to SALES REINVENTED Audio Production and Show Notes by PODCAST FAST TRACK https://www.podcastfasttrack.com
Los mercados financieros inician la semana con Japón como gran protagonista. El Nikkei de Tokio ha comenzado la jornada marcando récord histórico, impulsado por la contundente victoria de Sanae Takaichi en las elecciones presidenciales japonesas. En la agenda macro, los inversores estarán muy atentos el miércoles al informe de empleo en Estados Unidos y el viernes al dato de inflación de enero, ambos retrasados por el cierre parcial del Gobierno estadounidense. Además, esta semana se publican referencias clave como el informe anual del BCE, las ventas minoristas en EE. UU., el IPC de China, el PIB de Reino Unido y el PIB de la eurozona junto al IPC de España. En el ámbito empresarial, continúa la avalancha de resultados, con la presentación de cuentas de compañías como UniCredit, Barclays, AstraZeneca, Ferrari, BP, Mapfre, TotalEnergies, Coca-Cola, Ford Motor y Moderna, entre otras. En la tertulia de mercados de Capital Intereconomía, Adela Cervera, Business Development Manager Iberia en Jupiter AM; Gonzalo Rengifo, director para Iberia en Pictet AM; Mariano Guerenstein, Co-Head de Clientes Institucionales y Ventas en Bank J. Safra Sarasin; y Romualdo Trancho, Sales Leader de Investment Solutions & OCIO en Mercer Wealth España, analizan este escenario y abordan otras cuestiones como la posible gran rotación desde tecnología hacia otros sectores, la volatilidad que están viviendo los mercados o el papel de Japón en las carteras.
Today's minisode features Chris Degnan, former CRO of Snowflake. In this clip, Chris explains what it really takes to grow with a company as it scales, and why earning your role does not stop once the title changes. He shares how treating every quarter like a 90-day contract, staying open to feedback, and knowing when to shift from grinding in the business to building leaders helped him navigate board pressure and scale through hypergrowth.If you're a sales leader navigating rapid growth, or questioning how to evolve without losing your edge, this is a perspective worth hearing.Chris Degnan is the former Chief Revenue Officer of Snowflake, where he helped build the company from zero to more than $1B in consumption revenue. He is known for his expertise in scaling go-to-market organizations through early-stage ambiguity, enterprise expansion, and consumption-based selling models.Connect with Chris:LinkedInFrom Zero to Billions: How Snowflake Scaled its Go-to-Market Organization by Denise Persson & Chris DegnanResources mentioned:Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation 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
Guest Bio: Ivana Taylor has spent 35 years translating complex marketing into simple, executable strategies. She's the founder of DIYMarketers.com, where she helps entrepreneurs compete without enterprise budgets. She's a self-described AI power user who tests tools for six hours a day. And she's built follow-up systems for everyone from manufacturing companies to consultants. Key Points: AI has fundamentally changed prospecting and outreach—making it faster, cheaper, and more targeted—but only when combined with clear strategy and direct sales fundamentals. The Old Way Is Broken Cold outreach traditionally means endless spreadsheets, bad or outdated contact data, spray-and-pray marketing (webinars, lead magnets, mass email blasts), and huge time investment with little guarantee of ROI. Buying lists or relying solely on inbound marketing is increasingly ineffective. What Still Works Direct sales and direct outreach remain the most reliable growth strategy. Success starts with absolute clarity on your Ideal Prospect; industry, role/title, geography and specific expertise or problem area. Without this clarity, AI just produces faster garbage. How AI Changes Prospect List Building AI dramatically reduces the manual labor of prospect research. Instead of hours of Googling and data entry AI can find names, companies, websites, social profiles, and sometimes contact info and AI can organize data into usable spreadsheets. AI works best in small-to-medium batches (10–50 at a time). Tools Mentioned for Prospecting & Enrichment General AI platforms (for defining criteria and searching): ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Spreadsheet & research automation: GenSpark (noted for strong spreadsheet creation) Data enrichment & contact info (especially B2B): Apollo.io, Hunter.io, Clay.com Outreach & CRM tools: Nimble.com (emails sent directly through Gmail for 1:1 feel) Deal-finding for tools: AppSumo (one-time purchase tools) What AI Can (and Can't) Do AI can build targeted prospect lists faster. Find websites, LinkedIn profiles, phone numbers, and some emails. Segment prospects by expertise or role. Reduce human error in outreach sequences. Ai can't guarantee perfect data (bounces still happen). Replace human judgment. Eliminate the need to review and understand each prospect. Best Practices for AI-Powered Prospecting Always review and "get your hands dirty" with the data. Read prospect websites and make personal notes. Expect some bad data—scrubbing is still required. B2B data is far easier to find than consumer data. Free versions of tools are sufficient to test and validate workflows. Outreach Strategy Matters Use AI to support structured outreach sequences, not spam. Follow a 3–5 touch email sequence. Personalization improves responses. Segment based on expertise, role, or interest. Automation reduces mistakes while preserving a personal tone. Guest Links: FREE GIFT Business by Referral Course: https://diymarketers.trainercentralsite.com/course/business-by-referral Promo Code "WENDY25" AI + Sales Tools from the Podcast ChatGPT – Use it to write outreach emails, brainstorm follow-ups, or summarize client notes quickly and naturally. Genspark – Great for researching topics and generating accurate, human-like marketing or sales content fast. Perplexity – Ideal for researching prospects, finding their websites, social links, and key insights before reaching out. Hunter.io – Find and verify professional email addresses so you always reach the right person. Apollo.io – Combines verified contact data with built-in email outreach and engagement tracking in one platform. Learn More Visit DIYMarketers.com – Simple, actionable marketing strategies for small business owners who want to do marketing on less than $17 a day. Fix Your Marketing Problem in Less Than 24 Hours – Fill out the form, tell me your marketing challenge, and I'll send personalized recommendations in less than 24 hours. About Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders Download your free gift, The Salesology® Vault. The vault is packed full of free gifts from sales leaders, sales experts, marketing gurus, and revenue generation experts. Download your free gift, 81 Tools to Grow Your Sales & Your Business Faster, More Easily & More Profitably. Save hours of work tracking down the right prospecting and sales resources and/or digital tools that every business owner and salesperson needs. If you are a business owner or sales manager with an underperforming sales team, let's talk. Click here to schedule a time. Please subscribe to Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to https://podcast.gosalesology.com/ and connect on LinkedIn and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our website at https://gosalesology.com/.
What if the reason you feel stuck in sales has nothing to do with your script, funnel, or marketing strategy? In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down a powerful mindset shift that separates average sellers from top sales leaders: stop chasing prospects and start attracting them. This is not just about marketing. It is about posture. Top sales leaders manage the energy of the conversation. They do not chase people. They position themselves as solution providers who bring value, clarity, and confidence into every interaction. If you sell anything at all—products, services, coaching, or opportunities—this episode will change how you see yourself and how prospects respond to you. ——
Send us a textWelcome back to another episode of the Keepin' It Rio Podcast! Today, we're fired up to sit down with someone who has built a reputation on hard work, integrity, and steady leadership — Cam Wade.Cam's journey is a great example of how dedication and character open doors. From his early days developing a strong foundation in the trades to becoming a respected professional in the roofing and construction world, Cam has always been the type of guy who leads by example. Known for his reliability, his willingness to learn, and his natural ability to connect with people, he's earned every opportunity that's come his way.Now, Cam is stepping into an exciting new chapter as a Sales Leader, bringing that same focus and drive into a role that lets him coach, mentor, and elevate others. He's helping build better systems, stronger teams, and a culture where people can win. It's a big step — and one that fits him perfectly.Today, we get into Cam's background, his growth in the industry, and what he's looking forward to most as he guides others on their own career paths.So settle in and enjoy —This is Keepin' It Rio, Episode 241 with Cam Wade!Support the show
Guest: Samantha Phillips Guest Bio: Samantha Phillips is the Sales Enablement Manager at SHI International, leading strategic initiatives across Commercial and Public Sector divisions. With over five years of enablement experience in high-volume IT sales, she builds scalable onboarding programs, develops impactful training, and drives process improvements that boost sales performance. Samantha partners with sales and technical leadership to coach enablement teams, ensuring sellers are equipped for success. Her programs have achieved high satisfaction scores and retention rates, reflecting her commitment to results and culture. Samantha is passionate about creating engaging learning experiences and fostering professional growth. She is recognized for her collaborative approach, problem-solving skills, and dedication to elevating sales teams. Connect with her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phillips-samantha Key Points: Background & Career Path Samantha Phillips started her career in sales at SHI, not enablement. She transitioned into sales enablement after networking with the enablement team and being encouraged to apply. Her enablement experience includes Sales enablement trainer (onboarding & workshops), Program manager, and Sales enablement manager (for the past 3 years). She values continuous learning and has worked across nearly all aspects of sales enablement. Why Sales? Samantha entered sales after moving to Austin and being drawn to the energy and culture of sales, the competitive environment, the ability to build her own book of business, the people and fast-paced atmosphere were the biggest drivers. What Sales Enablement Is (and Is Not) Sales enablement has evolved beyond traditional L&D (Learning & Development). It is no longer just training or professional development. Modern sales enablement focuses on driving the sales process, helping sellers close deals faster, improving sales productivity and developing the right mindsets and behaviors. L&D serves the whole organization; sales enablement is specific to the sales org. What Sellers Need to Be Equipped for Success The most critical focus is a customer-centric approach. Relationship-building is more important than just "getting the meeting." Sellers should aim to become a trusted resource, not just a vendor, build long-term customer relationships and short-term wins are easy; long-term relationships drive sustainable success. Cold Calling & Prospecting Philosophy Samantha agrees that meetings matter—but they should be pursued with strategy and value, not just metrics. Effective prospecting requires researching what matters to the customer, understanding why it matters, and clearly articulating value. Cold calling without value is just "throwing things at the wall." Role of Sales Enablement Tools Tools include CRM, internal systems, data resources, and content. Sellers must first be exposed to tools early (despite information overload). Enablement focuses on high-level understanding of frameworks and strategies and application, especially through role play. Role playing helps sellers sound natural and authentic, avoid reading scripts and build conversational confidence. AI is increasingly used to support practice and application. Skill retention requires ongoing practice—like muscle memory or sports. Research & Preparation Sellers should deeply research their customer and the customer's customers. Understanding the full ecosystem helps sellers communicate broader value. This approach resembles a modern, automated version of a sales readiness checklist. Driving Tool Adoption (Especially CRM) Tool adoption fails when middle managers aren't bought in. Success requires buy-in at all levels: Executives, Sales enablement, Middle managers and Sellers. Managers must reinforce tools during one-on-ones and team meetings. Enablement should test tools with pilot groups, gather feedback and adjust based on real usage. Sometimes tools don't fail—they're just being used differently than expected. "Fail forward" and pivot based on how sellers actually work. CRM Challenges & the Future CRM resistance is common across sales organizations. Current problems include complexity, too many fields/tabs and poor usability. Samantha believes CRM is entering a new phase, driven by AI with more automation, less manual input and more "behind-the-scenes" functionality. The future of CRM should reduce friction for sellers. What Samantha Loves About Sales Enablement Creativity in approaches and problem-solving Different strengths across sellers, managers, and trainers Freedom to experiment, test, and learn A "fail forward" mindset What Drives Her Crazy People who don't try or limit themselves Sellers and leaders who stay stuck in their comfort zones Seeing people underestimate their potential Belief that even 1% improvement per day can be transformational Final Takeaway Growth—in sales and enablement—comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, practicing consistently and being open to feedback and change. Sales enablement succeeds when it blends strategy, application, mindset, and leadership buy-in. Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillips-samantha/ About Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders Download your free gift, The Salesology® Vault. The vault is packed full of free gifts from sales leaders, sales experts, marketing gurus, and revenue generation experts. Download your free gift, 81 Tools to Grow Your Sales & Your Business Faster, More Easily & More Profitably. Save hours of work tracking down the right prospecting and sales resources and/or digital tools that every business owner and salesperson needs. If you are a business owner or sales manager with an underperforming sales team, let's talk. Click here to schedule a time. Please subscribe to Salesology®: Conversations with Sales Leaders so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to https://podcast.gosalesology.com/ and connect on LinkedIn and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our website at https://gosalesology.com/.
Are your close rates lying to you—and quietly destroying your margins? If you're measuring close rates based only on quoted deals or “verbal wins,” you're likely underestimating your true cost to acquire customers and making flawed decisions about marketing spend and sales performance. This episode breaks down why most businesses get close rates wrong—and how that mistake flows straight to the bottom line. By listening to this episode, you'll learn:How to calculate a true close rate that actually reflects your real cost to serve and acquire customersThe difference between lead-to-quote and quote-to-close metrics—and how each one reveals different problems in your sales engineHow to use open, lost, and long-burn deals to identify where your sales team is really getting stuck (and where you can lift results fast)Press play to learn how to set a clean close-rate baseline and use your CRM to uncover the exact levers that will improve sales performance and profitability.New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Grow Your Sales By 25% - Book in for a FREE 30-minute Sales Process Audit and walk out with 3 rapid actions that will GROW your SalesTo see how we've helped business grow their sales: Read Client ResultsWatch TestimonialsOr email Ben if you would like to get in touch: hello@strongersalesteams.comThis podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.
The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
Chad Peets is one of the great sales leaders of our time. Currently, Chad is leading all things sales at X. Previously he was the sales saviour at Snowflake and was an advisor to the CEO there. He was also a MD at Sutter Hill where he sat on the board of companies like Sigma Computing and Augment Code. AGENDA: 04:53 How to Recruit the Best Sales Talent Today 06:27 Why Europe is a Nightmare for Recruitment in Sales 11:29 How to Evaluate Sales Talent: Green and Red Flags 21:58 Why Remote Work is BS and You Have to be in Office 23:43 How to Improve Sales Team Performance in Just 24 Hours 27:45 When to Fire vs When to Give More Time 32:10 How to Set Sales Quotas Effectively 34:39 Adjusting Compensation Plans for Better Performance 37:50 Why Work Life Balance is Total BS 41:08 Biggest Lessons on Leading Sales Teams 50:37 What is The Future of Enterprise Sales with AI 58:40 Quick Fire Questions and Final Thoughts
Sales Game Changers | Tip-Filled Conversations with Sales Leaders About Their Successful Careers
This is episode 806. Read the complete transcription on the Sales Game Changers Podcast website here. Watch the video of this podcast on YouTube here. The Sales Game Changers Podcast was recognized by YesWare as the top sales podcast. Read the announcement here. FeedSpot named the Sales Game Changers Podcast at a top 20 Sales Podcast and top 8 Sales Leadership Podcast! Subscribe to the Sales Game Changers Podcast now on Apple Podcasts! Purchase Fred Diamond's best-sellers Love, Hope, Lyme: What Family Members, Partners, and Friends Who Love a Chronic Lyme Survivor Need to Know and Insights for Sales Game Changers now! On today's show, Fred discussed where we are with AI and B2B and B2Government sales with ScienceLogic leaders Wendy Wooley, VP of Customer Advocacy and Strategy, and Lee Koepping, Global Sales Engineering at ScienceLogic. Find Wendy on LinkedIn. Find Lee on LinkedIn. WENDY'S TIP: "You can't replace human relationships in sales, but AI helps you stay proactive when organizations change." LEE'S TIP: "Sales is still very much a human game. AI won't replace that but it can get you to the right people, at the right time, with the right insight."
Event marketing ROI, predictable revenue, and B2B sales growth break down when in-person leads aren't tracked, enriched, or followed up fast enough. In this episode of Coffee With Closers, Zach Barney, founder of Moly and former VP of Sales explains why most event leads fail and how to turn face-to-face conversations into a predictable revenue engine.Zach shares his entrepreneurial journey from early-stage startups to scaling U.S. revenue from $5M to $30M, why event marketing remains one of the most underserved go-to-market channels, and how poor attribution and slow follow-up destroy ROI.You'll learn:
Jan. 7, 2026 In this episode, host Pete Neubig sits down with Ben Smith, founder of BrightReach. Ben breaks down a practical, phased approach to building a high-performing sales department for property management companies. He explains the importance of starting with a clear strategy—defining growth goals, an ideal client profile and a strong value proposition — before implementing scalable systems and processes. Ben also covers hiring the right sales talent, setting clear expectations and KPIs, and continuously optimizing the sales process through data, accountability and refinement.
Sales Game Changers | Tip-Filled Conversations with Sales Leaders About Their Successful Careers
This is episode 805. Read the complete transcription on the Sales Game Changers Podcast website here. The Sales Game Changers Podcast was recognized by YesWare as the top sales podcast. Read the announcement here. FeedSpot named the Sales Game Changers Podcast at a top 20 Sales Podcast and top 8 Sales Leadership Podcast! Subscribe to the Sales Game Changers Podcast now on Apple Podcasts! Purchase Fred Diamond's best-sellers Love, Hope, Lyme: What Family Members, Partners, and Friends Who Love a Chronic Lyme Survivor Need to Know and Insights for Sales Game Changers now! On today's "Women in Sales Leadership," show, Center for Elevating Women in Sales Leadership President Gina Stracuzzi interviewed Jessica Baker from AchieveUnite. AchieveUnite is an Institute for Effective Professional Selling Selling Essentials Marketplace partner. She was a presenter at the October 9 Women in Sales Elevation Conference. Watch the video of this podcast on YouTube here. Find Jessica on LinkedIn. JESSICA'S TIP: "Women are uniquely positioned to help with this because we bring empathy, opportunity, and creativity to thrive in an environment where the shiver of sharks is coming so quickly. Our ability to step into leadership roles with AI is not only unprecedented, it's essential."
Managing change doesn't have to be a slow and methodical process. In fact, to expect slow change is to do disservice to the organization and its people, accepting a pace of change that actually falls behind the pace of change around us. ********************************************************************** Dave Kahle is a B2B sales expert and a Christian Business thought leader. He has authored 13 books, presented in 47 states and 11 countries and worked with over 500 sales organizations. In these ten-minute podcasts, his unique blend of out-of-the-box thinking and practical insights will challenge and enable you to sell better, lead better and live better. Subscribe to these ten-minute helpings of out-of-the-box inspiration, education and motivation. WWW,DaveKahle.com Dave's Substack page The Sales Leader's Excellence & Influence Course
In this week's episode, I am bringing you the 2nd edition of The Sales Series. In Episode 192, I introduced you to “The Sales Series,” so I can bring you just a few of the top moments from Top Sales Leaders who have joined me on The 20% Podcast. That first episode included clips from guests such as:Alexine Mudawar/Lori RichardsonJohn Barrows Nick Cegelski Jen AllenIan KoniakToday we will be covering 5 more clips from previous episodes:Episode 84: Belal Batrawyhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/5GyAcYcGSqdwOKxQ9D2Ruk?si=e8d2abf275454225 Episode 97: Morgan Buchananhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/42WMdxmynhPQOwp88wZ96V?si=f1e2476df5344ec3 Episode 92: Jason Bay https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TUlew3jtAiEMHpx90ckWS?si=ae3f6b87ec234d22 Episode 133: Leslie Venetz https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Unzq35rq03dtiYTcMuzkF?si=e4e448bbe16e4c17 Episode 60: Morgan J Ingramhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/3gMHYQhYRgnh6X3e270XAG?si=00f5af451cd84f64 Please enjoy this week's “Sales Series 2” on The 20% Podcast. Please enjoy this week's episode of The 20% Podcast! ____________________________________________________________________________I am now in the early stages of writing my first book! In this book, I will be telling my story of getting into sales and the lessons I have learned so far, and intertwine stories, tips, and advice from the Top Sales Professionals In The World! As a first time author, I want to share these interviews with you all, and take you on this book writing journey with me! Like the show? Subscribe to the email: https://mailchi.mp/a71e58dacffb/welcome-to-the-20-podcast-communityI want your feedback!Reach out to 20percentpodcastquestions@gmdail.com, or find me on LinkedIn.If you know anyone who would benefit from this show, share it along! If you know of anyone who would be great to interview, please drop me a line!Enjoy the show!
Are You Ready to Lead Like the Top 1% in 2026?Discover what elite sales leaders will do differently next year—and why you can't afford to wait to catch up.In today's competitive sales environment, doing "just enough" is a recipe for being left behind. Whether you're running your own business or leading a sales team, this episode dives deep into what separates the best from the rest—and what you can do now to rise above the noise in 2026.Here's what you'll take away from this episode:The overlooked but critical shifts top leaders are already making to put customers first in ways that actually drive results.A practical approach to creating real value that sets you apart in any market, with real-world examples.The secret to simplifying your sales process so your team spends more time closing deals and less time getting bogged down.Hit play now and learn how to align with what the top 1% are doing to crush sales goals in 2026.New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Grow Your Sales By 25% - Book in for a FREE 30-minute Sales Process Audit and walk out with 3 rapid actions that will GROW your SalesTo see how we've helped business grow their sales: Read Client ResultsWatch TestimonialsOr email Ben if you would like to get in touch: hello@strongersalesteams.comThis podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.
What can one of the world's most criticized fast food brands teach you about building a high-performing, scalable sales team?In an age where consumers are leaning toward healthier options, McDonald's continues to dominate globally—not just because of their burgers, but because of the unstoppable systems behind them. If you're struggling to scale your business or remove reliance on one or two “rainmakers,” this episode reveals the powerful sales lessons hidden in plain sight.Discover how McDonald's consistency model can help you create repeatable, scalable sales processes.Learn why removing dependency on individuals is the secret to long-term growth in any team.Get practical strategies you can apply today to standardize just one part of your sales flow—and start seeing results fast. Hit play now to learn how building your own “McDonald's-like” sales system can accelerate your growth—no matter your team size.New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Grow Your Sales By 25% - Book in for a FREE 30-minute Sales Process Audit and walk out with 3 rapid actions that will GROW your SalesTo see how we've helped business grow their sales: Read Client ResultsWatch TestimonialsOr email Ben if you would like to get in touch: hello@strongersalesteams.comThis podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.
En Capital Intereconomía, la tertulia con Belén Ríos: co-head de clientes institucionales y ventas de J. Safra Sarasin SAM Iberia, Romualdo Trancho, Sales Leader de Investment Solutions & OCIO de Mercer Wealth España, Leonardo López Vega, responsable para Iberia y Latam de Oddo BHF AM y Sébastien Senegas, responsable para Iberia y LATAM de Edmond de Rothschild AM, que han analizado que ideas de inversión hay en 2026, que peso tiene que tener la tecnología en las carteras o como trabajar las duraciones en las carteras. El programa se ha completado con el análisis de preapertura de las bolsas junto a Roberto Scholtes, Jefe de Estrategia de Singular Bank
In a previous episode, I introduced “The Sales Series” to re-intro many amazing conversations from Sales Leaders on the show. This week, I am resharing “The CS Series” to highlight incredible Customer Success Leaders from the show. Today we will be covering 5 CS Leaders: Brooke Simmons: “Prioritization Quadrants” (Ep. 130)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/130-the-state-of-customer-success-2023-with/id1528398541?i=1000599320083 https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GUG3xZVRg70ER8zuOyF2R?si=3cfe012a2d014107 Luke Ferrel: “The Customer Needs Triangle” (Ep. 131)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/131-the-growth-of-scaling-customer-success-and/id1528398541?i=1000600560447 https://open.spotify.com/episode/50Pwr6m23z46HDMeBhoxU5?si=c7a0bd79ce0d4de3 Tyler Meckes: “Account Mapping Playbook” (Ep. 147)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/147-the-account-management-customer-success-growth/id1528398541?i=1000616621251 https://open.spotify.com/episode/64lbqKMcYCliq25xVLEOMh?si=ac43ba87f6674817 Rob Zambito: “Conscious Investments in CS” (Ep. 149)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/149-consciously-invest-in-customer-success-with-rob/id1528398541?i=1000618331520 https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nv23CFUGUhfocZIfcWKCP?si=d5a8591c280b428b Jay Nathan: “Customer-Centric Mindset” (Ep. 154)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/154-the-customer-centric-mindset-with-jay-nathan-evp/id1528398541?i=1000622913191 https://open.spotify.com/episode/21MTbcIJhvhOpBGn47A3RO?si=a11735d5af5e4038 Please enjoy this week's episode of “The CS Series”. I am now in the early stages of writing my first book! It will cover my journey into sales, the lessons learned, and include stories and advice from top sales professionals around the world. I'm excited to share these interviews and bring you along on this journey!Like the show? Subscribe to the email: Subscribe HereI want your feedback! Reach out at 20percentpodcastquestions@gmail.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If you know anyone who would benefit from this show, please share it! If you have suggestions for guests, let me know!Enjoy the show!
Las Bolsas comienzan una semana semifestiva, marcada por la publicación de los datos de PIB en EEUU, Reino Unido y España, y por la celebración de la Navidad, que hará que los mercados europeos y Wall Street operen a media sesión este miércoles. El jueves no habrá negociación y el viernes permanecerán cerradas las plazas europeas. En la tertulia de mercados de Capital Intereconomía Belén Ríos, co-head de clientes institucionales y ventas de J. Safra Sarasin SAM Iberia; Romualdo Trancho, Sales Leader de Investment Solutions & OCIO de Mercer Wealth España; Leonardo López Vega, responsable para Iberia y Latam de Oddo BHF AM; Sébastien Senegas, responsable para Iberia y LATAM de Edmond de Rothschild AM, hacen balance del año, analizan lo mejor y lo peor de los mercados y exploran las oportunidades y riesgos para 2026.
In this episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Alice Heiman sits down with trust‑selling pioneer Ari Galper to reveal why traditional sales techniques are failing in today's climate and what CEOs, Founders, and Sales Leaders must do instead. Ari argues that trust isn't a byproduct of selling; it's the core of it.Actionable takeaways for leaders:Train your team to lead with questions, listen until they share the full context of their problem.Replace “follow up” emails with “feedback” outreach.Always end meetings by scheduling the next appointment, don't leave it to chance.Ari's insights build on a theme we've heard from several standout guests, trust isn't just part of the sales process; it is the process. If you found this episode valuable, you'll also want to hear how other CEOs and experts are scaling by leading with trust:
Andrew Buffolino is a sales leader, remote team builder, and content creator who empowers young entrepreneurs to develop discipline, direction, and lasting success. As the leader of The People's Insurance Company, Andrew specializes in final expense and IUL insurance solutions, pioneering a scriptless and emotionally driven approach to sales. Fueled by his faith and commitment to personal growth, Andrew creates daily content on leadership, mindset, and entrepreneurship—coaching agents to overcome the chaos of sales, handle rejection, and unlock their full potential inside and outside the business world. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Andrew Buffolino joins Robert Plank to reveal how agents and entrepreneurs can thrive by building discipline, practicing scriptless selling, and anchoring mindset to consistent growth (not just immediate results). Andrew shares lessons from overcoming setbacks—like team turnover and debt—explains how to train resilient sales teams, and demonstrates how leadership is about transferring beliefs and building independent, motivated cultures. Listeners will learn why faith and self-mastery are essential, how to manage time, and practical ways to create momentum for lifelong skills and business growth. Quotes: “Your internal life is a mirror of your external life.”“Leadership is just a transfer of beliefs and a transfer of mindset.”“My mindset is not linked to results. It's linked to consistency in something outside of what I'm working on.” Resources: Visit Andrew Buffolino's Website Connect with Andrew Buffolino on LinkedIn
In today's episode, we unpack one of the most powerful—yet often underdeveloped—performance drivers in Sales Leadership: effective time management for sales teams.Even though it's one of the most talked-about skills in the professional world, time management remains a major challenge for both salespeople and sales leaders alike. Drawing on principles from Atomic Habits and the Ford Motor Company's process-efficiency revolution, this episode equips Sales Leaders with practical, actionable steps to sharpen their team's focus and eliminate the day-to-day chaos that drags down performance.Key Takeaways:Time management fuels Sales Growth, consistency, and customer experience.Sales teams MUST use their calendars as non-negotiable planning tools.Power Hours create deep work blocks that move deals forward faster.A CRM should guide workflow—not just store information.Every active deal needs a scheduled next step.These habits create clarity, structure, and 1% daily improvement.Time Stamps:0:00 Intro0:57 Time Management2:33 Calendars3:56 Setting Up Power Hours4:40 Making the CRM Non-Negotiable6:35 Action Items7:33 OutroTo learn more about our Coaching Program that is seriously growing our Customers sales: https://strongersalesteams.com/program/To book a time to Meet with Ben directly: https://strongersalesteams.com/strategy/This podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.
I just had dinner with four really successful business owners—all running businesses bigger than mine—and we got talking about sales compensation plans. Once I started sharing things I honestly take for granted after 20 years in sales leadership, they were like "we hadn't thought about that." These are very smart, very successful guys, just not from the sales world. So if they found it helpful, maybe you will too. Here's the foundation: the only purpose of your comp plan is to change behavior. Charlie Munger said it perfectly: "Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome." This episode breaks down three critical comp plan mistakes I see constantly: (1) Long-term commissions that look generous to you but don't change behavior next week because salespeople don't think like business owners—they think in cash, not equity or 36-month payouts, (2) Perpetual residuals that create permanent misalignment as your costs go up while their incentive to do the hard work (hunting) goes down, and (3) Having hunters farm instead of separating the roles, which misallocates both money and results. Learn why you need to reward behavior closest to when it happens, why saying "I'll fix it later" is fucked up, and how to align effort, difficulty, and value with what you're actually paying for.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
In our surveys, CEOs indicate "on the job" training as the predominant method of developing salespeople. If everyone is doing it, it must be OK, right? Maybe not. Let's look a little closer. The Excellence & Influence Course for Sales Leaders
Today's episode takes a deep dive into one of the most influential operational lessons in business history—the Ford Motor Company's game-changing assembly line—and applies it directly to the challenges Sales Leaders face today.You'll learn why Henry Ford's relentless focus on efficiency was far more than a manufacturing revolution. It was a blueprint for accelerating Sales Growth, removing bottlenecks, and scaling a sales system in a way that boosts output without burning out your team.Key Takeaways:Efficiency isn't just for operations—it transforms Sales Results.Ford proved that streamlined processes can shift an entire industry.Clunky, slow sales workflows lose deals.Simplifying your Sales Process unlocks Sales Growth and scalability.Your team needs systems—not memory or spreadsheets.Focus on getting 1% better every day, just like the world's best-performing teams.Time Stamps:0:00 Intro0:37 Ford Motor Company2:00 Process Innovation3:30 Prioritising Efficiency in the Process5:30 Action Items6:05 OutroTo learn more about our Coaching Program that is seriously growing our Customers sales: https://strongersalesteams.com/program/To book a time to Meet with Ben directly: https://strongersalesteams.com/strategy/This podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.
Rob Israel, a versatile leader whose journey spans from the Navy to healthcare leadership, joins us for a compelling discussion on Sales Lead Dog. Rob opens up about the essential principles that have bolstered his career, emphasizing the strength in empowering and supporting team members, surrounding oneself with intelligent peers, and championing employee growth. One notable story features a leader who successfully took a year off from her business, demonstrating the transformative power of trust and autonomy in leadership. Rob shares how these experiences have influenced his current path, transitioning from a Chief Information Officer to embracing the challenges of a sales role, inspired by his father's legacy and his own pursuit of new challenges. Trust and transparency form the bedrock of Rob's approach to sales leadership. Highlighting the importance of honesty, he advises against bluffing when faced with tough questions, advocating instead for a candid approach that builds lasting client relationships. Rob underscores the significance of nurturing these connections even after the sale is complete, ensuring client satisfaction and opening doors for future opportunities. For those stepping into leadership roles, Rob shares insights on leveraging networks for guidance, fostering a culture of learning, and the nuances of understanding team motivators. As we navigate through the evolving landscape of sales, Rob discusses the critical role of AI and CRM systems. While AI holds the promise of revolutionizing efficiency and decision-making, Rob stresses the importance of maintaining the human element and critical thinking in processes. He brings a balanced perspective on CRM systems, acknowledging their potential benefits when used correctly, but also pointing out common pitfalls such as inefficiencies and depersonalization. Rob concludes with optimism about integrating AI to streamline CRM tasks, ultimately enhancing communication and driving sales success. Don't miss the chance to connect with Rob Israel on LinkedIn and explore additional resources shared on our website. Rob Israel is an accomplished sales and cybersecurity leader with a unique blend of executive technology, healthcare, and strategic account expertise. With a career that includes serving as both CIO and CISO in the healthcare sector, Rob brings a deep understanding of clinical, operational, and regulatory realities that few sales leaders possess. This firsthand experience enables him to connect more meaningfully with executive stakeholders and translate complex security challenges into practical, outcome-driven strategies. As a Regional Sales Manager at DeepSeas, Rob partners with enterprise leaders to strengthen their security posture, drive measurable business outcomes, and align world-class threat intelligence and MDR capabilities with each organization's mission. He is known for his customer-first philosophy, trusted-advisor approach, and ability to guide clients through high-stakes decisions with clarity and confidence. Prior to joining DeepSeas, Rob held senior sales leadership roles at industry-leading technology organizations, consistently ranking among top performers and elevating client engagement across complex environments. His earlier tenure as a healthcare CIO and CISO continues to shape his perspective, allowing him to bridge the gap between technology, cybersecurity, and business operations. Outside of work, Rob is an avid hiker, scuba diver, and skier who enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family. He brings the same curiosity, discipline, and sense of adventure to his work helping clients anticipate risk, embrace innovation, and advance their strategic objectives. Rob is an experienced international speaker on both CyberSecurity and Information Technology, and has routinely helped organizations both streamline processes and save money on critical infrastructure programs. Quotes: "Empowering your team means developing them to the point where you can step away, and the business not only survives but thrives." "In sales, honesty and transparency aren't just virtues; they're necessities for building lasting client relationships." "AI has the potential to revolutionize sales efficiency, but we mustn't lose sight of the human element and critical thinking it cannot replace." "To lead effectively, surround yourself with people smarter than you, and always champion their growth and success." "Don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. It's a sign of strength, not weakness, and it builds trust with your clients." Links: Rob's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-israel-a410831/ Find this episode and all other Sales Lead Dog episodes at https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/
Relationships are the key to B2B sales. But implementing a process to dramatically enhance those relationships is another story. That's where entertaining comes in. Many salespeople never consider it. Yet, it can, and has, provided a competitive advantage if you do it right. In my own experience, I can trace a $2 MM account directly to an entertaining event. And the biggest, richest sale I ever had was set up by an entertaining event. In this post, I explore the Why's and how's of entertaining. Check out The Excellence & Influence Course for Sales Leaders
Grow Your Occupancy is pleased to welcome Nick Begane to our team as Director of Business Development! Julie Podewitz, CEO and Founder, talks with Nick about his senior living industry journey from sales director up through regional sales director, what he's learned in his career, and what led him to join the Grow team.
According to the WIN World AI Index only 3% of Irish consumers aged between 35-54 engage with AI regularly. To find out more about this I spoke to Ivan Jennings, Tech Sales Leader Red Hat Ireland .Ivan talks about his background, the first ever WIN World AI Index Irish findings, AI, ubiquitous computing and moreMore about the WIN World AI Index Survey:The WIN World AI Index Survey 2025 is a global initiative capturing how people in 40 countries perceive, understand, and prepare for the rise of Artificial Intelligence. This pioneering survey provides a unique snapshot of global AI readiness, trust, and usage.
From battling addiction… to facing jail time… to becoming a multi-millionaire in high-ticket sales — Jon Briseno has lived a transformation most people wouldn't believe. In this episode, Jon opens up about the darkest chapters of his life, the moment everything collapsed, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild with discipline, sales skills, and relentless self-belief. He went from having nothing — no money, no opportunities, no direction — to leading sales teams, closing massive deals, and changing his family's future forever. You'll hear: How addiction and jail shaped his mindset The turning point that pushed him into entrepreneurship How he developed elite sales skills with zero experience The strategy that led him to multi-million-dollar success Why discipline mattered more than motivation How he now helps others earn life-changing income This isn't a highlight reel — it's a raw, real blueprint for anyone who feels stuck, broken, or overlooked. If you've ever doubted yourself or your path, John's story will prove that your past doesn't define your future. Guest: Jon BrisenoInstagram: @realjonbriseno
This week's episode is a throwback to one of my favorite series, The Sales Series. I am bringing you the 2nd edition of The Sales Series. In Episode 192, I introduced you to “The Sales Series,” so I can bring you just a few of the top moments from Top Sales Leaders who have joined me on The 20% Podcast. That first episode included clips from guests such as:Alexine Mudawar/Lori RichardsonJohn Barrows Nick Cegelski Jen AllenIan KoniakToday we will be covering 5 more clips from previous episodes:Episode 84: Belal Batrawyhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/5GyAcYcGSqdwOKxQ9D2Ruk?si=e8d2abf275454225 Episode 97: Morgan Buchananhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/42WMdxmynhPQOwp88wZ96V?si=f1e2476df5344ec3 Episode 92: Jason Bay https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TUlew3jtAiEMHpx90ckWS?si=ae3f6b87ec234d22 Episode 133: Leslie Venetz https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Unzq35rq03dtiYTcMuzkF?si=e4e448bbe16e4c17 Episode 60: Morgan J Ingramhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/3gMHYQhYRgnh6X3e270XAG?si=00f5af451cd84f64 Please enjoy this week's “Sales Series 2” on The 20% Podcast. ____________________________________________________________________________I am now in the early stages of writing my first book! In this book, I will be telling my story of getting into sales and the lessons I have learned so far, and intertwine stories, tips, and advice from the Top Sales Professionals In The World! As a first time author, I want to share these interviews with you all, and take you on this book writing journey with me! Like the show? Subscribe to the email: https://mailchi.mp/a71e58dacffb/welcome-to-the-20-podcast-communityI want your feedback!Reach out to 20percentpodcastquestions@gmdail.com, or find me on LinkedIn.If you know anyone who would benefit from this show, share it along! If you know of anyone who would be great to interview, please drop me a line!Enjoy the show!
Sales leadership isn't just about hitting numbers—it's about creating a strategic framework that transforms your entire organization into a revenue-generating machine. When you shift from viewing sales as a transactional function to positioning it as the strategic heartbeat of your company, everything changes. In this conversation with John Allen, CRO of GNA Partners, we explore how to build a consultative selling culture that puts customer outcomes first. John shares his journey from operations to sales leadership, revealing how his operational background became his secret weapon in creating systematic approaches to revenue generation. The Power of Operational Thinking in Sales Coming from an operations background gave John a unique perspective on sales strategy. Instead of relying on gut feelings or "the way we've always done it," he applied systematic thinking to every aspect of the sales process. This operational mindset became the foundation for scaling GNA Partners from a lifestyle business to a national player in the HR outsourcing space. Building a Revenue Culture That Actually Works Creating visibility into key metrics was the first step in transforming GNA's sales organization. By implementing Salesforce and making pipeline data transparent across the team, John created accountability and clarity around what success looks like. But transparency alone wasn't enough; the team needed to understand how their individual contributions connected to the company's broader strategic goals. The Two-Opportunities-Per-Week Framework After analyzing five years of data from top performers, John discovered something remarkable: the highest-producing reps consistently added two legitimate opportunities to their pipeline every week. This simple metric became the North Star for the entire sales organization, cutting through the noise of countless KPIs to focus on what truly drives results. Here's what you'll learn from this episode: How to transition from transactional selling to strategic consulting that builds long-term client relationships. The systematic approach to onboarding new sales talent that accelerates time-to-productivity. Why pipeline coverage ratios matter and how to calculate the right targets for your team. The critical role of sales leadership in reinforcing methodology through hands-on coaching. How to create accountability systems that drive consistent performance across your sales organization. John's approach proves that when you combine operational discipline with consultative selling principles, you create a sustainable competitive advantage. His insights on balancing pipeline development with rep growth offer a roadmap for any sales leader looking to scale their organization effectively. Whether you're struggling with inconsistent performance, looking to implement a proven sales methodology, or seeking to create better alignment between sales and operations, this conversation provides actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Key Moments of This Episode 00:00:00 - Customer-Centric Sales Philosophy: Focus on People and Relationships Sales success requires removing noise and focusing on adding two legitimate opportunities weekly to your pipeline. People buy from people, making the customer experience and relationship-building the ultimate differentiator when all providers offer similar solutions. 00:01:14 - Meet John Allen: CRO Journey from Banking to HR Outsourcing Leadership John Allen shares his 17-year journey at GNA Partners, transitioning from JP Morgan banking to becoming CRO of a Professional Employer Organization serving 4,500+ clients nationwide with comprehensive HR outsourcing services. 00:03:52 - Family Business to Private Equity: GNA Partners' Growth Transformation GNA Partners evolved from a family-owned business founded by John Allen Sr. and Tony Gralva to a private equity-backed company with TPG Capital, positioning for significant growth in the PEO space. 00:08:25 - Elevating Sales from Revenue Engine to Strategic Leadership Function Transforming sales teams from transactional order-takers to strategic consultants requires understanding client operations and positioning solutions through the customer's lens, focusing on business efficiency and profitability rather than just hitting numbers. 00:13:27 - Shifting from Transactional to Strategic Partnership Selling Successful sales transformation requires expertise in your field, maintaining a robust pipeline to eliminate desperation, and approaching conversations as collaborative problem-solving sessions rather than traditional sales pitches focused on closing deals. 00:21:03 - Building Revenue Culture Through Visibility and Measurement Systems Creating a revenue-focused culture starts with implementing CRM systems like Salesforce for complete visibility, establishing clear quotas and forecasts, and connecting individual sales goals to broader company objectives and resource allocation. 00:28:22 - The Two Opportunities Per Week Formula for Sales Success Analysis of top performers revealed a consistent pattern: adding two legitimate opportunities weekly (96 annually) correlates directly with quota achievement, providing sales teams a clear, actionable KPI to focus on. 00:33:33 - Operationalizing Sales Onboarding: From Hiring to Pipeline Generation Effective onboarding varies by experience level, featuring 90-day programs covering industry knowledge, tools training, and providing 600-750 vetted accounts to new reps, ensuring a systematic approach to sales development and early performance assessment. 00:43:32 - Implementing Sales Methodology: Sandler Selling System Integration GNA Partners adopted the Sandler selling methodology company-wide, requiring certification for all reps and parallel training for sales leaders to ensure consistent reinforcement and application of consultative selling principles. 00:50:56 - Sales Leadership Excellence: The Four Critical Competencies Effective sales leaders must excel in at least two-three areas: recruiting talent, understanding and selling the product, mastering sales enablement tools, or being exceptional at closing deals to maintain credibility and effectiveness. About John G. Allen John G. Allen is the Chief Revenue Officer for G&A Partners. Under his leadership, G&A's sales organization has experienced consistent new business growth year-over-year. Prior to this role, John was the Executive Vice President of Sales for G&A. He spent the early part of his career working for JPMorgan as a banker for its energy corporate and private banking groups before joining G&A in 2009. John earned a Bachelor's degree in finance from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas. He is actively involved in his church, the Boy Scouts of America, and youth sports in his community. Follow Us On: · LinkedIn · Twitter · YouTube Channel · Instagram · Facebook Learn More About FlyMSG Features Like: · LinkedIn Auto Comment Generator · AI Social Media Post Generator · Auto Text Expander · AI Grammar Checker · AI Sales Roleplay and Coaching · Paragraph Rewrite with AI · Sales Prospecting Training for Individuals · FlyMSG Enterprise Sales Prospecting Training Program Install FlyMSG for Free: · As a Chrome Extension · As an Edge Extension
Today, I had the privilege of having Tracey Newell on as a guest. We chatted about more women making their way to the top, no matter what the level means to you. Listen in to be inspired and challenged to reach your next level.Here's more about Tracey:Tracey Newell is the former president of Informatica, where she also served as a member of the company's board of directors for two years prior to being asked to join the management team. Prior to joining Informatica, Newell served as executive vice president of global field operations at Proofpoint, where she led sales through a five-year period of hypergrowth. Recognized as a Top 100 Sales Leader by The Modern Sale, Newell led Proofpoint's go-to-market team to become a top five leader in the cybersecurity market. Newell has also served as executive vice president of global sales at Polycom and held sales leadership positions at Juniper Networks, Webex, and Cisco Systems.Newell currently serves in the non-profit organization Impact 100, and is also a member of the board of advisors for the University of California, Santa Barbara's economics department. In addition to Druva, Newell serves on the board of directors of DataRobot, Highspot, Sailpoint, and Sumo Logic. Before we begin, if the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!Also, a Brave Women at Work Affirmation Deck is available in time for the holidays! It is a 54-card deck that is a beautiful compilation of advice and hard-won wisdom from podcast guests, Brave Women at Work Podcast guests, authors in the anthology series, and community members! You can grab a copy of the deck for $19.99 plus $10 shipping. To purchase your deck, visit Brave Women at Work and click on Resources. From there, you will see the Affirmation Cards page. I hope you enjoy them!
In this episode of Mostly Growth, CJ Gustafson and Kyle Poyar dig into what it means to be useful rather than just right at work, exploring how communication, empathy, and impact matter more than technical precision as careers mature. They share candid lessons from their own paths—CJ's focus on making others look good to earn promotions and Kyle's evolution into a domain expert through public writing—before unpacking what separates good from great VPs of Sales with insights from Pavilion founder Sam Jacobs. The conversation then shifts to OpenAI's “too big to fail” claims, the economic ripple effects of AI infrastructure spending, and how finance leaders can stay grounded in reality. Rounding out the episode, the hosts preview their latest research—CJ's “Agentic Finance” report on AI in the finance stack and Kyle's 2025 SaaS Benchmarks—and close with lighthearted banter about founder age stats, home maintenance mishaps, and the price of professional Christmas lights—LINKS:Mostly Metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.comCJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/Growth Unhinged: https://www.growthunhinged.com/Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-poyar/Slacker Stuff: https://www.slackerstuff.com/Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slackerstuff/https://sarahcharlton.substack.com/p/from-being-right-to-being-usefulhttps://www.highalpha.com/saas-benchmarkshttps://www.mostlymetrics.com/p/presenting-the-state-of-the-agentic-financial-stackhttps://www.mostlymetrics.com/p/finance-in-2030https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-algorithm-will-see-you-now/https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/openai-ceo-sam-altman-forecasts-20-billion-annualized-revenue-yearhttps://www.growthunhinged.com/p/your-pricing-is-broken—RELATED EPISODES:When the marketing math doesn't math | with Emily Kramerhttps://youtu.be/sSuoV_YSrlwGetting fired 4 times made me a founder | Sam Jacobs of Pavilionhttps://youtu.be/8X-JVOF-1A0How To Win at Early Stage Sales With the Guy Who Helped Take Snyk From $0 to $100M+https://youtu.be/VKrZCte8fyM996 Culture, Exploding AI Bills & SaaS Chaoshttps://youtu.be/qhrxDL0gsRo—TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Preview and Intro00:02:18 Sponsors – Pulley and Metronome00:05:09 Flight Cancellation and Airport Chaos00:07:58 Being Right vs. Being Useful00:11:17 Getting Promoted Early by Making Others Look Good00:15:25 What Separates a Good VP of Sales from a Great One00:18:24 Sales Leaders as Capital Allocators00:21:14 The Organizational Tax of Sales Support00:22:33 Is OpenAI Too Big to Fail?00:25:31 AI Investments, Alternatives, and Market Impact00:27:50 Bailouts and Economic Reality00:28:20 Agentic Finance and the AI-Driven Finance Stack00:31:43 SaaS Benchmarks Report 2025 Overview00:33:59 Growth Rates by ARR Tier and Scale00:35:40 AI's Impact on Engineering Teams00:37:45 Age and Startup Success00:39:42 Building Durable Businesses Over Time00:41:25 Something You Tried This Week – HVAC Cleaning00:43:19 Outsourcing Holiday Cheer – Professional Light Installation00:47:08 Credits – Mostly Growth Closing Remarks—SPONSORS:Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: https://pulley.com/mostlymetricsMetronome is real-time billing built for modern software companies. Metronome turns raw usage events into accurate invoices, gives customers bills they actually understand, and keeps finance, product, and engineering perfectly in sync. That's why category-defining companies like OpenAI and Anthropic trust Metronome to power usage-based pricing and enterprise contracts at scale. Focus on your product — not your billing. Learn more and get started at https://www.metronome.com—#MostlyGrowthPodcast #StartupFinance #AIPodcast #SaaSLeadership #GoToMarket This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjgustafson.substack.com
Are you struggling to retain top sales talent because your team members can't find meaning in their work? The secret isn't just about hitting revenue targets—it's about building a purpose-driven organization that attracts exceptional people and creates lasting value. In this episode, I sit down with Enrique Alvarez, co-founder and managing director of Vector Global Logistics, to explore how purpose and profit can coexist in high-performance sales organizations. Enrique shares his unique approach to building a global sales team that operates on three core pillars, including their groundbreaking Results-Only Work Environment and complete transparency policy. From Transactional to Transformational Vector Global Logistics has cracked the code on shifting from short-term transactional relationships to long-term transformational partnerships. Enrique reveals their comprehensive hiring process, including how they identify candidates who can build authentic relationships rather than just close deals quickly. You'll discover their unconventional approach to transparency, including sharing everyone's salaries, company financials, and decision-making processes with the entire team. This radical openness creates trust and empowers sales professionals to make better decisions for both customers and the company. AI Integration with Human Connection We explore how Vector Global Logistics leverages AI tools while maintaining the human touch that drives real relationships. Enrique shares practical examples of using AI for customs entries, tracking shipments, and market analysis—all while ensuring their sales team focuses on what AI can't do: building genuine personal connections. The conversation covers the critical balance between automation and personalization, and why rushing to implement AI without human oversight can damage the very relationships that drive long-term success. Building Global Sales Teams With team members across China, Vietnam, India, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Ukraine, and beyond, Enrique provides insights into managing a truly global sales organization. He shares their panel interview process, the importance of cultural fit, and why they prioritize entrepreneurs over traditional salespeople. Here's what you can expect to gain from this episode: • A framework for attracting top talent through purpose-driven company culture • Strategies for building transformational client relationships instead of transactional ones • Practical approaches to integrating AI while maintaining authentic human connections • Methods for creating transparency that builds trust and improves performance • Insights into managing and scaling global sales teams effectively Whether you're a sales leader looking to reduce turnover, a business owner wanting to build a more meaningful organization, or a sales professional seeking to create deeper client relationships, this conversation provides actionable strategies for long-term success. Key Moments of This Episode 00:00:49 - Introduction to Purpose-Driven Sales Leadership Mario introduces Enrique Alvarez, Managing Director of Vector Global Logistics, to discuss how purpose and profit can coexist in high-performance sales organizations and the importance of building meaningful sales cultures. 00:02:00 - Vector Global Logistics: A Purpose-Driven Company Overview Enrique shares his background as co-founder of Vector Global Logistics, explaining their unique resource-based logistics model built on three pillars and their global presence across multiple countries. 00:05:29 - Personal Insights: Soccer Dreams and Professional Journey Enrique reveals his passion for soccer and dream of making a national team, providing personal context about his drive and competitive nature that translates into business leadership. 00:15:27 - Hiring Excellence: Finding and Retaining Great Sales Talent Discussion on comprehensive recruiting processes, cultural fit assessment, and the importance of transparency in hiring decisions. Emphasis on word-of-mouth referrals and quick decision-making for underperformers. 00:24:12 - Virtual Hiring Strategies and Results-Only Work Environment Enrique describes Vector's Results-Only Work Environment culture, focusing on performance over presence, and their approach to hiring self-driven entrepreneurs for global sales roles. 00:28:34 - From Transactional to Transformational Client Relationships Exploration of shifting sales approaches from short-term transactions to long-term strategic partnerships, emphasizing the importance of leadership alignment and transparency in building trust. 00:30:58 - Radical Transparency: Open Book Management Philosophy Enrique explains Vector's 100% open policy where all employees know everyone's salaries, company finances, and business metrics, fostering trust and better decision-making across the organization. 00:34:03 - AI Integration While Maintaining Human Connection Discussion on leveraging AI tools for logistics operations while preserving authentic relationships. Emphasis on AI as a tool for efficiency without replacing human relationship-building capabilities. 00:39:44 - Human-Assisted AI: The Future of Sales Technology Mario and Enrique explore the concept of "human in the loop" AI implementation, ensuring technology enhances rather than replaces human judgment and relationship development. 00:42:18 - Beyond Process and Playbooks: Adaptive Sales Strategies Conversation about moving from rigid standardized processes to flexible, personalized approaches that adapt to individual client needs while maintaining core principles and long-term thinking. 00:45:40 - Long-Term Value Creation and Relationship Building Discussion on the importance of patience in sales, focusing on 5-20 year strategic planning rather than short-term gains, using real-world examples of relationship investment. 00:49:57 - B Corporation Certification: Balancing Stakeholder Value Enrique explains Vector's B Corp certification, emphasizing how purpose-driven companies maximize stakeholder value over shareholder value, creating sustainable competitive advantages in modern markets. About Enrique Alvarez Enrique Alvarez believes everyone has a personal responsibility to change the world. He has consciously chosen a hardworking, relationship-minded, and proactive approach to do his part. Enrique is a Managing Director at Vector Global Logistics, which is dedicated to changing the world through supply chain operations. He is proud to attribute Vector's success and growing social impact to its results-based culture, passionate teams, and its desire to develop real partnerships with clients. Before co-founding Vector, Enrique focused on re-imaging and optimizing operations, sales, and supply chain processes with the Boston Consulting Group. Prior to joining BCG, he led various sales, logistics, and supply chain functions for Grupo Vitro, a global glass manufacturer headquartered in Mexico. Enrique holds an MBA from The Wharton School of Business and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Monterrey Tech (Instituto Technólogico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey) in Mexico. Enrique's passions are soccer and the ocean. He also enjoys traveling, getting to know new people, and spending time with his wife and two kids, Emma and Enrique. Additionally, Enrique sits on the board of Coaniquem, a non-profit that provides free and specialized treatment for children throughout Latin America who have suffered severe burns. Follow Us On: · LinkedIn · Twitter · YouTube Channel · Instagram · Facebook Learn More About FlyMSG Features Like: · LinkedIn Auto Comment Generator · AI Social Media Post Generator · Auto Text Expander · AI Grammar Checker · AI Sales Roleplay and Coaching · Paragraph Rewrite with AI · Sales Prospecting Training for Individuals · FlyMSG Enterprise Sales Prospecting Training Program Install FlyMSG for Free: · As a Chrome Extension · As an Edge Extension
This time of year is critical. As sales leaders map out their budgets for the new year, the conversation always centers on a core conflict: How to cut expenses and, simultaneously, motivate teams to hit larger quotas. What's the first line item to feel the squeeze? Training and development. It is often incorrectly labeled a 'want' and not a 'need.' We hear leaders say, "It can wait until next quarter," or, "Once we stabilize revenue, we'll invest in the team." This short-sighted thinking doesn't save money. Instead, it's costing organizations a significant, quantifiable amount of revenue and talent. When professional development is treated like a luxury, we undermine the foundational ability of our teams to perform consistently at a high level. Training is the Foundational Requirement for Peak Performance Sales leaders should consider peak performance in any high-stakes environment. In the military, or in elite professional sports, ongoing training is not a choice—it is a non-negotiable, daily priority. So why is it that, in Sales, we view continuous development as optional or too expensive? The simple truth is that lack of training is the most expensive mistake you can make. Think about the rate of technological change. Most of us have upgraded our cell phones in the last three to five years because the old ones simply couldn't keep up. The same principle applies to your sales team's skill set. If your representatives are still relying on techniques learned 5, 10, or 15 years ago, then they are operating at a competitive disadvantage. They will be outmaneuvered and outperformed by competitors who are strategically investing in modern sales frameworks every time. Henry Ford's famous quote still holds true: "The only thing worse than training employees and losing them is to not train them and keep them." If you believe training is expensive, you must take a moment to calculate the monumental loss of reps consistently missing their quotas. The True Cost of Inconsistency and Turnover Look at the numbers. Assume three of your representatives are consistently missing quota by just 20%. That deficit is lost revenue—but it also represents wasted leads, missed opportunities, and the corrosive ripple effect of deals that never even make it into your pipeline. The amount of potential revenue lost due to underperformance is often far greater than the entire annual budget you would allocate to comprehensive sales training. Action Plan for Sales Leaders & Managers To reverse this loss, you must treat coaching as a continuous operational requirement, not a perk. Calculate the 'Cost of Inaction' to Justify Budget: Reframe thinking of training as an expense and start focusing on the cost of the status quo. Calculate the annualized revenue loss from your bottom 20% of underperforming reps (e.g., missed quota * average deal size). Use that concrete number to justify and secure a budget for development, proving that not training is your biggest liability. Implement a Continuous Coaching Framework: Don't rely on annual training events. Transform your managers into daily coaches by mandating 30 minutes of structured, one-on-one coaching per week focused on skill development. This reinforcement is what locks in new behaviors and prevents the initial energy gained in training from fading. The Hidden Expense of Disengagement Talent turnover is another critical cost of lack of training that is often overlooked. A representative who feels unsupported, or who consistently misses quota because they don't have the necessary tools and coaching, is highly likely to seek opportunities elsewhere. The cost of recruiting, onboarding, and ramping a replacement—which includes the loss of established customer relationships and the disruption to team morale—significantly outweighs the expense of proactive investment. How to Take a Struggling Rep From Liability to Asset
This time of year is critical. As sales leaders map out their budgets for the new year, the conversation always centers on a core conflict: How to cut expenses and, simultaneously, motivate teams to hit larger quotas. What's the first line item to feel the squeeze? Training and development. It is often incorrectly labeled a 'want' and not a 'need.' We hear leaders say, "It can wait until next quarter," or, "Once we stabilize revenue, we'll invest in the team." This short-sighted thinking doesn't save money. Instead, it's costing organizations a significant, quantifiable amount of revenue and talent. When professional development is treated like a luxury, we undermine the foundational ability of our teams to perform consistently at a high level. Training is the Foundational Requirement for Peak Performance Sales leaders should consider peak performance in any high-stakes environment. In the military, or in elite professional sports, ongoing training is not a choice—it is a non-negotiable, daily priority. So why is it that, in Sales, we view continuous development as optional or too expensive? The simple truth is that lack of training is the most expensive mistake you can make. Think about the rate of technological change. Most of us have upgraded our cell phones in the last three to five years because the old ones simply couldn't keep up. The same principle applies to your sales team's skill set. If your representatives are still relying on techniques learned 5, 10, or 15 years ago, then they are operating at a competitive disadvantage. They will be outmaneuvered and outperformed by competitors who are strategically investing in modern sales frameworks every time. Henry Ford's famous quote still holds true: "The only thing worse than training employees and losing them is to not train them and keep them." If you believe training is expensive, you must take a moment to calculate the monumental loss of reps consistently missing their quotas. The True Cost of Inconsistency and Turnover Look at the numbers. Assume three of your representatives are consistently missing quota by just 20%. That deficit is lost revenue—but it also represents wasted leads, missed opportunities, and the corrosive ripple effect of deals that never even make it into your pipeline. The amount of potential revenue lost due to underperformance is often far greater than the entire annual budget you would allocate to comprehensive sales training. Action Plan for Sales Leaders & Managers To reverse this loss, you must treat coaching as a continuous operational requirement, not a perk. Calculate the 'Cost of Inaction' to Justify Budget: Reframe thinking of training as an expense and start focusing on the cost of the status quo. Calculate the annualized revenue loss from your bottom 20% of underperforming reps (e.g., missed quota * average deal size). Use that concrete number to justify and secure a budget for development, proving that not training is your biggest liability. Implement a Continuous Coaching Framework: Don't rely on annual training events. Transform your managers into daily coaches by mandating 30 minutes of structured, one-on-one coaching per week focused on skill development. This reinforcement is what locks in new behaviors and prevents the initial energy gained in training from fading. The Hidden Expense of Disengagement Talent turnover is another critical cost of lack of training that is often overlooked. A representative who feels unsupported, or who consistently misses quota because they don't have the necessary tools and coaching, is highly likely to seek opportunities elsewhere. The cost of recruiting, onboarding, and ramping a replacement—which includes the loss of established customer relationships and the disruption to team morale—significantly outweighs the expense of proactive investment. How to Take a Struggling Rep From Liability to Asset A struggling representative is not necessarily a failure. More often than not, they are simply a motivated individual who has not been properly coached, developed, or given a clear framework for success. They begin their job eager to prove themselves, but without guidance, that initial energy quickly dissipates. Investing in development can be the deciding factor that transforms a dedicated, yet struggling, team member into a consistent top performer. When you strategically invest, you convert what could have been a liability into a high-value asset for your organization. You also ensure that the talent seeking growth and success will find it with you, not with your competition. Action Plan for Sales Leaders & Managers Implement a Mandatory Tiered Coaching Cadence. Shift from generic pipeline reviews to mandating a structured, tiered coaching system: Tier 1 (The Weekly Huddle) for metric accountability; Tier 2 (The 1-on-1 Call) for strategic deal review; and Tier 3 (The Dedicated Call Critique Session) where the rep listens to and dissects a recent call recording (a win or a loss). Run a Quarterly 'Skill Obsolescence' Audit. Your team's skills are your greatest asset, but they have a shelf life. Conduct a quarterly audit to identify the top three techniques that are obsolete but still being used by your underperformers (e.g., leaving long, rambling voicemails or sending generic proposals). Then, mandate a one-week "kill period" where your entire team replaces that obsolete technique with a modern, proven one. The Strategic Advantage of a Cohesive Culture When you commit to consistent training, you don't just sharpen skills—you create alignment, clarity, and confidence across your organization. Every team member speaks the same sales language, follows a unified playbook, and builds the same winning habits. Training sharpens individual skills, but it also creates a culture where representatives feel supported, valued, and fundamentally equipped to win. The world's best-performing organizations, from elite sports teams to world-class businesses, all share one critical characteristic: They never stop training. As you plan for the year ahead, move past the outdated notion that development is an optional line item. See it as the essential fuel for your sales engine. If you are serious about hitting bigger quotas, accelerating deal velocity, and retaining your high performers, sales training has to be a strategic priority. The organizations that win are not the ones that cut corners on development; they are the ones that double down on it. Don't budget for failure. Invest in the skill set that guarantees your next quarter's revenue. Don't let your pipeline run on empty. Take control of your team's performance today. Enroll your team in the next Fanatical Prospecting Bootcamp Live or visit Sales Gravy University to find more high-impact training options and learn more from Master Trainer Jessica Stokes.
Today on Home Business Profits with Ray Higdon, we dive into the top four reasons why sales leaders fail and how to avoid them. Ray shares insightful lessons from his own experiences that account for 80% of the issues faced by sales leaders. Discover the importance of staying in action, continuous growth, prioritizing production over control, and stepping out of the limelight. Tune in now! ——