Podcasts about sales leadership

What does it take to build high-performing sales teams in an AI-driven world? In this episode of Sales Lead Dog, Christopher Smith sits down with Leala Dueno, CRO and Founder at LATTIX, to discuss sales leadership, team development, mentorship, CRM strategy, AI, and what it takes to create repeatable revenue growth. Leala shares lessons from her journey building and scaling sales organizations, leading enterprise growth initiatives, and helping companies navigate the evolving relationship between data security, AI, and business growth. The conversation explores the realities of sales leadership, the importance of resilience, how to manage up effectively, and why CRM and AI are transforming the future of sales organizations. What You'll Learn • How great mentors can accelerate career growth • Why ego often becomes a barrier to sales success • The mindset needed to overcome setbacks in sales • Lessons from building and scaling high-performing teams • How successful leaders manage up and influence stakeholders • Why CRM must evolve beyond a system of record • How AI is changing sales operations and decision-making • The risks organizations face when adopting AI • Why data quality is critical for growth and forecasting • Leadership principles that help teams perform consistently About Leala Dueno Leala Dueno is the CRO and Founder at LATTIX, a company building trust infrastructure for the AI era. She is a revenue leader and startup operator with extensive experience building and scaling sales and account management teams across global technology organizations. Throughout her career, Leala has led enterprise growth initiatives, developed go-to-market strategies, and managed multimillion-dollar portfolios across technology services and AI-driven solutions. At LATTIX, she is helping define a new category at the intersection of data security, AI, and zero-trust infrastructure, enabling organizations to securely share, control, and trust their data across increasingly complex environments. Her leadership approach focuses on building repeatable revenue systems, developing talent, and helping organizations adapt to the rapidly changing technology landscape. Connect with Leala Dueno LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lealadueno/ Learn More About LATTIX: https://lattix.com About Sales Lead Dog Sales Lead Dog is hosted by Christopher Smith, CRM technology and sales process expert, and founder of Empellor CRM. Each episode features sales leaders who have separated themselves from the rest of the pack, sharing how they achieve success with their teams and their CRM strategy. Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes. Connect and Learn More All episodes and show notes: https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/ If this episode brought you value:

Consumption pricing and AI adoption are forcing revenue teams to prove value faster, with less room to hide behind contracts, pilots, or broad technical promises. Seong Park, Senior Vice President of Customer Support and Services at Cursor, joins John Kaplan and John McMahon to examine how customer success has become a consultative, technical, and commercial function in modern go-to-market. The conversation explores why post-sale execution is now central to retention, how teams need to embed into customer workflows, what finance scrutiny means for consumption models, and why the fundamentals of pain, champions, outcomes, and evidence still matter in a market moving at unusual speed. Seong Park is the Senior Vice President of Customer Support and Services at Cursor. His background spans pre-sales, customer success, and go-to-market leadership across companies including MongoDB, ThoughtSpot, and now Cursor. Connect with Seong: LinkedIn Key takeaways from this episode:  00:00 – Seong Park's perspective on how pre-sales, open source SaaS, and customer success shaped his view of enterprise go-to-market. 02:26 – Why consumption models force revenue teams to re-earn the customer's business through usage and realized value. 08:00 – The value realization test every revenue leader should care about: what happens if the solution gets unplugged. 11:04 – Why workflow depth quietly becomes a moat in enterprise accounts. 18:04 – Why the real selling often starts after the customer signs. 23:50 – A look inside where Cursor is finding technical go-to-market talent, and what it takes to build that talent into customer-facing operators. 34:38 – Why finance scrutiny quietly changes the standard of proof for AI investments. 52:00 – The three things post-sale teams need to understand before value delivery can begin. 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 you'll learn in this episode: ● Why leadership levels change depending on relationships and trust ● How leaders can operate at different leadership levels with different people ● The role adaptability plays in effective leadership ● Why some successful organizations lose their direction over time ● How ego can quietly sabotage leadership growth ● The importance of understanding people before trying to lead them    

High-performing teams need trust before the pressure hits. Lindsay Shookus spent 20 years at Saturday Night Live, including 10 years as a producer, where every week required a team of writers, cast members, celebrity hosts, musicians, producers, and crew to create a live show in six days. In this conversation, Lindsay joins John Kaplan and John McMahon to share what SNL taught her about building trust quickly, hiring people who elevate the room, reading talent under pressure, and creating a process that allows strong personalities to perform together. She also shares leadership lessons from Lorne Michaels, the importance of adaptability and coachability, and why authentic connection gives teams the confidence to take risks when the stakes are highest. Lindsay Shookus spent 20 years at Saturday Night Live, including 10 years as a producer, where she led talent booking, worked with celebrity hosts and musical guests, and helped scout and recruit cast members. She is a four-time Emmy Award winner, a former producer on 30 Rock, and the co-founder of Women Work Hard, a community supporting female entrepreneurs and leaders. Connect with Lindsay: Website Resources mentioned: Women Work Hard on IG Women Work Hard Website Rethinking Success by J. Douglas Holladay Key takeaways from this episode: 00:00 - Introduction 06:25 - What it really takes to build trust quickly when high-performing people have only days to align. 14:22 - Why many leaders misread talent when they rely on credentials instead of team fit, coachability, and social awareness. 07:55 - A look inside how high-pressure decisions get made when timing is tight and every stakeholder has a point of view. 11:46 - Why hiring people who can take your job quietly raises the standard for the entire organization. 37:35 - What leaders often overlook about coachability once someone has already reached the top of their field. 43:49 - Lindsay Shookus' perspective on why vulnerability creates stronger leadership connections than polished perfection. 51:36 - Why strategic absence can make a leader's presence more valuable. Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

What if the biggest thing holding you back in sales isn't your pricing, offer, or marketing—but how you see yourself? In this episode, I share the key lessons from the first Sell With Confidence Challenge. After four days of live sales training, the women didn't leave talking about scripts or closing techniques—they left talking about leadership. They learned to overcome awkwardness in sales conversations, to stop seeing sales as pressure and start seeing it as serving others. They discovered how to communicate their value confidently and guide people to decisions that genuinely help them. Inside this episode, you'll discover: Why confidence comes from preparation, not personality The mindset shift that turns sales from “bothering” into serving Why many Christian women struggle more with permission than integrity How communication—not persuasion—is the missing link in sales Why leadership is the true skill behind successful selling How understanding buyer personalities transforms sales conversations Hear stories from women who shifted from feeling unprepared or pushy to becoming confident leaders in their sales journeys. If you've ever felt uncomfortable asking for the sale, worried about being too pushy, or heard “I need to think about it” more times than you'd like, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: Confidence is built through preparation Sales is service—not pressure Communication is a leadership skill Buyers want guidance, not convincing Selling is really about leading Join the Sell With Confidence waitlist for the September 2026 cohort at: https://lindsayfletcher.co/waitlist

Sales kickoffs can become expensive calendar events if leaders are not clear on what the gathering is meant to accomplish. In this Revenue Builders replay, John McMahon shares his perspective on how CEOs and CROs should think about SKOs, from motivating the sales force and aligning teams around company goals to delivering training that actually prepares reps to execute. He also explains why peer-to-peer knowledge transfer is often the hidden value of bringing the sales organization together, why product presentations should only happen when the value proposition is clear, and how leaders can motivate reps by speaking directly to their daily challenges, career aspirations, and earning potential. John McMahon is a five-time CRO who has led revenue organizations at PTC, GeoTel, Ariba, BladeLogic, and BMC. He is the author of The Qualified Sales Leader and co-host of Revenue Builders, where he brings operator-level perspective on building and scaling enterprise sales teams.  Connect with John: LinkedIn Book 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

In this empowering episode, Jacquelyn Goldberg, VP of Global Sales at Unframe, shares her journey from venture-backed tech sales into the fast-moving world of AI. Jacquelyn opens up about navigating leadership in male-dominated industries, the importance of emotional intelligence in sales, and why women bring unique strengths to relationship-building and advocacy. She also reflects on the role mentorship, community, and organizations like Chief have played in helping her cultivate meaningful female leadership connections throughout her career. Jacquelyn also gives listeners an inside look at Unframe, an AI-managed delivery platform helping enterprises solve operational challenges quickly and effectively. From transforming workflows for companies like Cushman & Wakefield to redefining how businesses adopt AI solutions, she explains how Unframe is approaching innovation differently. The conversation also dives into motherhood, ambition, work-life balance, and what it truly means to be an empowered woman — someone who trusts herself. This episode is packed with honest insights, leadership wisdom, and inspiration for women building careers, businesses, and confidence in today's evolving world. Connect with Jacquelyn:Website: www.unframe.ai LinkedIn: Jacquelyn Goldberg Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest  Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking  

Enterprise sales breaks down when teams confuse activity with progress, champions with coaches, or product interest with business urgency. Stuart Gwynn, a top-performing enterprise seller at MongoDB, joins John Kaplan and John McMahon to unpack what separates disciplined enterprise execution from deal chasing. Drawing from his path from SDR at Pure Storage to closing the largest deal in MongoDB history, Stuart explains why discovery is the foundation of value-based selling, how to test whether a champion will actually sell internally, and why large deals require multiple stakeholders, rigorous qualification, and a team operating around a shared account vision. He also shares how elite individual contributors lead without formal management titles, where AI is already changing buyer expectations, and why process only works when it is paired with judgment. Stuart Gwynn is an enterprise sales leader at MongoDB who has exceeded goal every year since joining the company in 2019. Before MongoDB, he spent seven years at Pure Storage, rising from SDR to named account rep and finishing as one of the company's top performers before moving into strategic enterprise selling. Connect with Stuart: LinkedIn Episodes mentioned: The Discipline Behind Scaling from PLG to Enterprise with Sahir Azam Why Sales Execution Wins in an AI-First World with Brian McCarthy, President of Global Revenue and Field Operations at Cursor Key takeaways from this episode: 00:00 – What it really takes to combine a rigorous value framework with the human judgment required to scale enterprise selling. 02:42 – Why discovery becomes the moment where real pain, executive relevance, and budget-worthy outcomes either surface or disappear. 07:59 – What leaders often overlook about the trust required before customers will quantify the true cost of a problem. 11:28 – Why champion identification quietly determines whether a deal has internal momentum or only surface-level support. 21:35 – The mistake many sellers make when pipeline pressure pushes them toward activity instead of disciplined qualification. 18:50 – A look inside the preparation habits that help enterprise teams align before high-stakes customer conversations. 56:25 – Why many leaders get top-talent management wrong by applying the same operating rhythm to every rep. Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Send us Fan MailMeet Ash Seddeek, a globally recognized executive coach and change leadership advisor with over 15 years of experience helping leaders drive transformation through compelling communication and strategic influence. Ash has coached senior teams at Cisco, Uber, Google, Boston Scientific, San Francisco International Airport and Doosan Bobcat. A former leader at Deloitte, Oracle, and Cisco, Ash blends deep expertise in executive presence, strategic facilitation, and change sponsorship. Ash is also an Amazon bestselling author and creator of leadership frameworks such as Chief Excitement Officers (CExOs) and Exponential Value Moments (EVMs) through which he equips leaders to lead with clarity, align stakeholders, and inspire action. Ash is a two-time Fulbright Scholar, linguist, AI fintech inventor, and entrepreneur. Ash is currently also working on a passionate AI startup Intelligent Context AI. Hit play for the lowdown! [4:26s] Fulbright Scholar to Leadership Communication Coach[6:48s] The Top 1 % for Sales Leadership [9:36s] Strategic Communication in Leadership [16:10s] On his book ‘Meaning: How Leaders Create Meaning and Clarity During Times of Crisis and Opportunity' [19:33s] What makes a great coachee[31:48s] On AI in the world of coaching[41:46s] On his Intelligence Context AI launch plansRWL Read: ‘Meaning: How Leaders Create Meaning and Clarity During Times of Crisis and Opportunity' by Ash Sedeek and Leslie Rubin; 'The Path of Least Resistance' by Robert FritzRWL Listen: Jim Rohn Motivation Connect with Ash on LinkedIn or email him at ash@executivegreatness.com Connect with Vinay on LinkedIn What did you think about this episode? What would you like to hear more about? Or simply, write in and say hello! podcast@c2cod.comSubscribe to us on your favorite platforms – Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Tune In Alexa, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn + Alexa, Stitcher, Jio Saavn and more.  This podcast is sponsored by C2C-OD, your Organizational Development consulting partner ‘Bringing People and Strategy Together'. Follow @c2cod on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook 

What you'll learn in this episode: Why hiring should start with understanding your own strengths and weaknesses The difference between vision, mission, and culture when building a team Why most entrepreneurs struggle with hiring compared to selling The real cost of making a bad hire Why Dan treats the first 90 days as part of the interview process The surprising statistics behind finding the right talent How great leadership helps people achieve their goals—and why that leads to your success  

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

What you'll learn in this episode Why setting expectations helps clients manage their emotions How understanding pain points builds trust and influence Why Teach to Sell focuses on guiding—not pushing—clients The role of emotional intelligence in sales success How influence comes from asking great questions Preparing clients for challenges to improve their experience How to connect on a deeper level and build rapport Why authenticity is your most powerful sales tool   To find out more about Dan Rochon and the CPI Community, you can check these links:Website: No Broke MonthsPodcast: No Broke Months for Salespeople PodcastInstagram: @donrochonxFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NoBrokeMonths/Facebook: Dan RochonLinkedIn: Dan RochonTeach to Sell Preorder: Teach to Sell: Why Top Performers Never Sell – And What They Do Instead

What you'll learn in this episode: ● How to balance confidence with humility to build trust and influence ● Why behavior — not strengths or weaknesses — defines your effectiveness ● The 5-person leadership model inspired by military structure ● How to use pre-decision compasses to respond, not react ● Why emotional connection is more powerful than logic in leadership ● How to lead yourself first to lead others better    

Consumption pricing puts pressure on the forecast in places traditional SaaS models rarely exposed. Total usage may be easier to model from the CFO's seat, but the field still has to answer harder questions: which customer, which channel, which rep, and when. In this replay segment, Devavrat Shah explains how AI can help teams learn across cohorts, spot patterns in uneven data, and create more trust in a forecast that would otherwise depend on isolated judgment calls.  Devavrat Shah is an MIT professor, director of MIT's Statistics and Data Science Center, and co-founder and CEO of Ikigai Labs. He brings a data science and operator's perspective to forecasting, consumption pricing, and enterprise AI. Connect with Devavrat: LinkedIn Listen to the full episode here: Understanding AI Through History and Practical Application with Devavrat Shah 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 you'll learn in this episode: Why being “60% right and 40% wrong” can still destroy a business The biggest mistake founders make during customer development Why product-market fit exists on a spectrum—not as a yes/no answer The customer development funnel that creates referrals naturally How to know when your product is ready to scale The danger of building based on your own assumptions instead of customer pain Why entrepreneurs struggle to balance confidence with humility The exact questions to ask customers before investing in growth How Uber Eats generated 33x stronger sales results than average clients Why slowing down can actually help you grow faster About Collin Stewart Founder, CEO, podcast host & failed musician How can he help you? Bootstrapped PR to millions in revenue Built a revenue team to 11 Grew 3 companies from $0–$1M as the only sales hire Hosts a podcast with 120+ episodes Nailed product-market fit but whiffed on building it (and learned a tonne from it) Connect with Collin Stewart: Predictable Revenue Founder's Edition The Terrifying Art Collin Stewart LinkedIn Predictable Revenue Podcast

In this special Q&A-style episode, Mike Weinberg is joined by sales leadership coach Matt Ferguson for a practical, fast-paced conversation tackling real-world sales management challenges submitted by sales leaders and reps. Mike and Matt dive into topics like: Transitioning from top rep to first-time sales manager Coaching underperformers back to quota Why most pipeline reviews fail Creating proactive hunters instead of reactive order-takers Managing large, geographically dispersed sales teams Helping executives understand complex enterprise sales cycles Packed with honest insights, practical coaching advice, and a few laughs along the way, this episode is full of actionable ideas for sales leaders looking to build stronger teams, healthier pipelines, and a culture of accountability. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Matt's website:  MattDFerguson.com The October 7 Supercharge Your Sales Leadership Event   This episode is sponsored by Pursuit Sales Solutions. If you are looking for help adding A-player talent to your team, contact Mike's friends at pursuitsalessolutions.com/weinberg

What you'll learn in this episode: Why self-belief is the foundation of every successful business The GPS framework for achieving goals with clarity and focus How the “commit or quit” mindset removes distractions Why consistency beats talent in sales and entrepreneurship The CPI Communication Model for building trust and rapport How neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) improves communication Why follow-up is the most overlooked sales skill The SCARLET framework for hiring winning team members How great leaders teach people how to think, not what to do Why “You are good enough” is the ultimate entrepreneurial truth    

25. That's the number of consecutive Presidents Clubs Lucy Williams-Jones has qualified for. Across some of the greatest companies in our industry, BMC, MongoDB, Datadog and now Astronomer, Lucy has built one of the most consistent and decorated careers in enterprise sales. In this episode, Andy Whyte sits down with Lucy to unpack what separates a lucky career from a legendary one. From the impact of AI on modern selling to the growing complexity of buying committees, Economic Buyer engagement and what it really takes to build a champion, this is a masterclass in consistency. You'll learn: ✅ Why AI is making salespeople lazy and what the best sellers do differently ✅ How buying committees have grown from 1-2 people to 10-15 and what that means for how you sell ✅ Why your Economic Buyer should be your champion and how to get there early ✅ The traits that separate A Players from the rest ✅ How to use MEDDPICC as a personal framework, even when job hunting ✅ Why you can't build a champion on WhatsApp 

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

Joel Zeff is a dynamic keynote speaker, work culture expert, improvisational humorist, and author who brings energy, humor, and practical insight to every stage. For more than 25 years, Joel has delivered over 2,500 presentations that blend improvisation with actionable business lessons around teamwork, leadership, collaboration, and change.Known for his highly interactive keynotes, Joel engages audiences through playful improv exercises that reinforce a powerful message: organizations thrive when people feel supported, appreciated, and connected. From Wells Fargo and Samsung to KPMG and even the IRS, Joel has helped companies across industries build more joyful, resilient, and high-performing cultures.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by keynote speaker and work culture expert Joel Zeff to discuss how joy, presence, and positive support create stronger sales cultures and better performance.Joel explains that “selling from the heart” means genuinely helping others succeed and bringing passion into every interaction. Drawing from his background in improvisation, he shares why embracing change, staying flexible, and choosing how we respond to challenges are essential skills for sales professionals and leaders alike.The conversation highlights how leaders cultivate passion—not by demanding it, but by creating environments built on ownership, appreciation, celebration, and support. Joel also emphasizes the importance of being fully present in conversations, especially in a distracted world where attention is rare and deeply valuable. Packed with practical wisdom and humor, this episode is a powerful reminder that positivity, persistence, and connection fuel lasting success.KEY TAKEAWAYSSelling from the heart means helping others succeed, not simply closing deals.Passion grows in environments built on ownership, appreciation, and positive support.Change is constant—success depends on how you choose to respond to it.Improv teaches two powerful sales lessons: stay present and never quit.Positive support and recognition directly improve culture and performance.Presence and listening strengthen trust and connection in every interaction.Persistence and adaptability are critical to long-term sales success.Joyful cultures create more engaged, committed, and resilient teams.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESSelling from the heart is answering the question: How do I help the people around me be successful?I only control how I react to what happens.You can make mistakes. You just can't give up.It's my job as a sales leader to create the foundation for passion.The best present you can give somebody is your presence.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESExplore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast! Nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!Listen to Larry Levine's Bestselling Book: Selling in a Post-Trust World! Now available on Audible! Transform your sales approach with insights that matter.  Subscribe to The Selling from the Heart Podcast Youtube Channel! Stay updated with the latest episodes and leadership tips: Selling from the Heart YouTubeGet Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:Click Here for Your Daily Dose

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

This is episode 837. Read the complete transcription on the Sales Game Changers Podcast website. 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 meets with Gina Stracuzzi, President and Chief Revenue Officer of the Center for Elevating Women in Sales Leadership at the IEPS and author of Success was Never the Hard Part: Setbacks, Comebacks and the Rise of Women in Sales Leadership, and Tamara Greenspan, Senior Vice President of Government, Defense, and Intelligence, Federal Sales at Oracle. Get your copy of the book here. Find Gina on LinkedIn. Find Tamara on LinkedIn.  GINA'S TIP: "Being successful isn't the hard part for women. We can sell, we can lead, we've proven that again and again. It's everything around that, the expectations, the responsibilities, and the roadblocks, that make it harder than it needs to be." TAMARA'S TIP: "The most important thing is to raise your hand. Take a risk, even when it feels uncomfortable, because that's how you gain experience, expand your network, and move your career forward."

Most real estate teams hit a wall they can't see clearly.As production grows, sales leadership becomes the bottleneck. Not because your leaders aren't talented, but because accountability and inspection work alone requires roughly 80 hours a month before recruiting, onboarding, or training even starts.AI is now changing that math.Learn how that bottleneck forms, what it costs teams at every stage of growth, and how Christopher Watters is rebuilding the leadership layer with AI tools and a vision of an emerging, AI-powered Enterprise Model of real estate team.The author of The Million Dollar Real Estate Team, Chris also shares a lead quality strategy that reaches a 1.6 to 1 lead-to-appointment ratio and drives per-agent productivity of 60+ homes per year.Watch or listen for Chris's insights into:0:00 Intro and welcome 1:40 What stays stable over time for a real estate team and what changes every 3-6 months 5:06 The two switches that unlock agent productivity: high-intent leads and the enforcement loop 10:49 What happens at approximately 150 deals per year that bottlenecks too many real estate teams 18:30 The time constraints for sales leaders and how AI unlocks them 20:43 What Chris built, burned, and rebuilt into a model where agents close 60-100 homes per year regardless of experience level 26:40 What should be centralized and what should be local for expansion teams (based on a lot of trial and error) 29:34 The 5-phase, 90-day onboarding process that both weeds out agents and produces high retention 33:12 How to identify high-intent leads producing a 1.6-to-1 lead-to-appointment ratio 41:46 How the emerging Enterprise Model changes the roles of real estate leaders and real estate agents and the processes of booking appointments and managing transactionsBooks mentioned in this episode:→ The Million Dollar Real Estate Team→ Rare Find Series Mentioned in this episode:→ Techtember Check out Christopher's AI solution→ https://tableos.ai/Connect with Real Estate Team OS→ https://www.realestateteamos.com→ https://linktr.ee/realestateteamos→ https://www.instagram.com/realestateteamos/

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

Is your sales strategy lost in translation between the boardroom and the sales floor? Tim Ohai, author of "The Zen of Strategic Execution," joins the show to illuminate where most companies stumble in turning strategy into action. Tim shares lessons learned from a global career with giants like Shell, Microsoft, and Walmart, giving listeners an inside look at why well-crafted strategies often fall apart when people get involved. The conversation dives into the true meaning of execution, unraveling myths about planning and highlighting the hidden obstacles that can sabotage growth. Mark and Tim share vivid stories, including a $300 million NASA mishap, to show how clarity and alignment make or break success. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will challenge sales managers and executives to rethink how they communicate strategy and foster a culture of high performance.

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

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Guest: Raymond Little — Founder, SVG Roofing Coaching | Contra ShoesGuest Links: Facebook: Raymond Wendell Little | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwl612/Raymond Little built a roofing company from zero to nearly $100 million, exited to private equity for $40 million, and now runs SVG helping owner-operators between $1M and $10M break through their plateaus. In this episode, Raymond gets raw about what actually works in roofing sales in 2026, starting with storm vs retail in today's market, why wind claims are getting harder everywhere, and why the four-to-eight knocking window beats the nine-to-five mindset most new companies are still stuck in. He breaks down why you should never poach million-dollar producers from other companies but instead build them yourself, why a hefty override or ownership needs to be in the field driving the team daily, and his rule that you can't develop anyone greater than yourself. The conversation digs into Raymond's hiring philosophy built around second-chance people, team players, and good energy over credentials or personality tests, his 90-day ride-along system where new reps work the first 4-5 deals in the truck with him from knock to build, and the sales tactic of using the adjuster and homeowner as "teachers" to elevate new reps while making the process fully transparent. Raymond also shares why personal development around physical health, clean living, and healthy relationships is the foundation his entire company was built on, the real numbers on what 1099 reps should earn per lead, why one roof a week pays the bills and three a week means you stop checking price tags, and his mentor story of following Kurt the Nintendo and hitting half of what that man accomplished as his own definition of success. He also gets into Contra Shoes, the lightweight flexible roofing shoe a quarter the weight of Cougar Paws, designed for reps who knock and climb all day.

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

The sales leadership lessons that changed how Mark Kosoglow leads and scales teams. Mark Kosoglow shares 3 moments that reshaped how he coaches, manages, and hires. Stop creating busywork. Protect rep selling time. Use PIPs to coach, not to quietly fire. Hire for traits, not past success. Train the skills. Great leaders win with clarity, intent, and strong systems. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:35 I don't know what I'm doing 04:09 The PIP fiasco 07:08 Going 0/10 on hires 11:00 Outro These Courses Will Get You to President's Club: ☎️ Cold Call Course: https://bit.ly/4jqQ4w2

HEARD IN THIS EPISODE ◼ Why the four-year decline in staffing revenue isn't a market problem — it's a sales behavior problem that leaders are actively making worse by obsessing over the wrong metrics ◼ How COVID didn't just change where salespeople work — it quietly made them lazy, and why most sales leaders haven't noticed yet ◼ What the best staffing firms are doing differently right now that almost nobody else is: pulling recruiters into the sales process before the deal is even close ◼ Why your ICP is probably wrong — and how getting more specific with a smaller target list will generate more revenue than casting a wider net ever could ◼ How one simple mental shift — from account management to pre-client acquisition — could completely rewire the way your sales team operates EXPECT TO LEARN This episode will fundamentally challenge how you think about sales activity and what it's actually worth. You'll walk away with a sharper framework for diagnosing what's broken in your sales organization, whether it's your people, your process, or the pressure you're putting on both, and a clear-eyed view of why doing less, more deliberately, consistently beats doing more with less intention. If you lead a staffing firm or a sales team, this conversation will make you uncomfortable in exactly the right way.   KEY MOMENTS [00:01] – The #1 mistake holding firms back [01:08] – Chasing shiny objects kills revenue [02:21] – What to do when business is down [04:08] – How to prioritize your fix-it list [05:28] – Did COVID break the staffing industry? [07:02] – How COVID made staffing sales reps lazy [08:21] – Outputs vs. outcomes in sales [09:18] – Rewarding the wrong KPIs [10:48] – What consultative selling looks like [12:49] – Where firms get their ICP wrong [14:45] – Messaging by ICP level [16:38] – The Under Armour sales analogy [18:58] – Research has never been easier [23:00] – What top firms do differently [24:45] – Speed closes deals, not relationships [27:52] – Fixing staffing's reputation problem [31:42] – Sales reps as pre-client managers [33:26] – Optimistic or pessimistic on 2026? [35:41] – Coach in the moment, not end of month [37:17] – About AFM Strategic Partners [42:20] – Rapid fire: book that changed her life [43:24] – Advice for new staffing professionals ABOUT THE GUEST Anna Frazzetto is the Founder and CEO of AFM Strategic Partners and one of the most recognized voices in staffing and sales leadership — named to Staffing Industry Analysts' Global Power 150 Women in Staffing for seven consecutive years. She built her career scaling businesses from the ground up, including growing a solutions practice from $3M to $100M, and has led global sales transformations across some of the most complex corners of the industry. Her perspective is rare because it spans both sides of the table: the strategic and the deeply human, shaped in part by her experience as a cancer survivor who chose to bet on herself and start something new. Her new book, *Sales Leadership in Action*, distills over 100 field-tested tips for sales leaders who want to stop firefighting and start building teams that close. ABOUT THE HOST Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He's the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry's leading podcasts with more than 225,000 downloads. SPONSORS AND OFFERS Book a 30-minute marketing consultation with host Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 Benefits in a Card helps staffing firms offer meaningful benefits to their entire workforce through flexible, unbundled plans designed for high-turnover environments—making it easier to control costs, improve retention, and stay competitive. https://www.BenefitsInACard.com TRICOM partners with staffing firms as an asset-based lender and full-service back-office provider, helping owners scale confidently by reducing risk and easing the operational strain of payroll, cash flow, and administration. https://www.tricom.com  

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

What you'll learn in this episode: Why hiring should start with understanding your own strengths and weaknesses The difference between vision, mission, and culture when building a team Why most entrepreneurs struggle with hiring compared to selling The real cost of making a bad hire Why Dan treats the first 90 days as part of the interview process The surprising statistics behind finding the right talent How great leadership helps people achieve their goals—and why that leads to your success    

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

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

This is episode 829. Read the complete transcription on the Sales Game Changers Podcast website. This is a Women in Sales Leadership sub-brand of the Sales Game Changers Podcast.  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, Gina meets with Kristy Huang, Director of Global Cybersecurity, Business Development; and Carli Evantanto, Director of Business Development, Government at ABS Group. Find Kristi on LinkedIn. Find Carli on LinkedIn.  KRISTY'S TIP: "There was a gap in how we were delivering our cyber services, so went to leadership and said, 'The cyber leadership role doesn't exist, and it should. I'm the one to run it.'" CARLI'S TIP: "You have to be willing to say yes, especially as you're trying to grow and navigate opportunities. Unless it's detrimental to you or your family, there's no reason to say no."

Most revenue teams believe they have a definedIdeal Customer profile (ICP), but the reality is far less precise, with the majority of pipeline often sitting outside the segments that actually drive retention and expansion. This disconnect creates inefficiency across marketing, sales, and customer success, and is only amplified by AI-driven outreach that scales poor targeting. Dan Sperring, founder and CEO of Align ICP, breaks down why ICP must evolve from a static definition into a dynamic operating system rooted in use cases, lifetime value, and market health. The conversation challenges traditional go-to-market structures, highlights the risks of misaligned incentives, and offers a clear framework for building predictable, durable growth. Dan Sperring is the founder and CEO of AlignICP, a company focused on helping revenue teams align around high-value customer segments to drive predictable growth. He brings experience across customer success, revenue leadership, and scaling SaaS businesses through product-market and go-to-market alignment. Connect with Dan: AlignICP LinkedIn Books mentioned: The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen The Innovator's Solution by Clayton M. Christensen and Michael E. Raynor Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross and ​​Marylou Tyler  Amp It Up by Frank Slootman Tools and podcasts mentioned: clay.com zoominfo.com The Science of Scaling Podcast Get the Force Management framework for aligning your ICP, sales motion, and customer lifecycle around high-value use cases and measurable business outcomes: The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Key takeaways from this episode:  00:00 – What Dan Sperring really thinks about ICP and why 70% of pipeline is wasted before it even starts 14:12 – Why use case is the signal most teams miss and what actually predicts expansion and retention  23:37 – What high-performing ICPs all have in common and why most segments fail one of the three tests  25:21 – The hidden tradeoff between product-market fit and sales complexity that early teams underestimate  40:27 – A peek into what really breaks when sales and customer success are separated across the customer journey  56:06 – How top teams shift comp from bookings to LTV and what that unlocks in pipeline quality and predictability 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

Turn your most dreaded meeting into your biggest revenue weapon, this deal review framework drives cleaner data, sharper reps, and near-perfect forecast accuracy. In this 30MPC Masterclass, Mark Kosoglow breaks down a repeatable, no-BS system for running deal reviews that actually move deals forward, not just talk about them. He walks through the exact sales stages, forecast methodology, and coaching framework that align reps and managers around real execution. You'll learn how to eliminate “story time,” identify true deal risk, and create next steps that drive outcomes every single week. These Courses Will Get You to President's Club: ☎️ Cold Call Course: https://bit.ly/4jqQ4w2

In this episode, Deb Coviello sits down with Hall of Fame speaker, award-winning author, and business strategist Meridith Elliot Powell to explore one of the biggest challenges facing C-Suite leaders today: uncertainty. Meridith shares her research-backed, three-step formula for surviving disruption and leveraging it as a competitive advantage. From adapting your perspective to listening deeply to your customers and committing to process, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies for any leader navigating a turbulent marketplace. Episode Highlights: 2:44 — Meridith shares her origin story and why she became obsessed with uncertainty: how 2016 sparked her research into companies that thrived through the Great Depression, World Wars, and other disruptions — and the three-step formula she developed from that work. 9:03 — The three-step formula revealed: (1) Adapt your perspective so uncertainty leads to opportunity, (2) Focus on people by mastering the skill of listening to your team, customers, and network, and (3) Commit to process by leading your team for tomorrow, not just today. 20:02 — Meridith's powerful "seeds, weeds, and needs" quarterly review tool: a simple three-question exercise to help leaders identify what's working, what's wasting time, and what's missing — so they can focus energy on what truly moves the needle. Meridith Elliot Powell is a Hall of Fame and million-dollar speaker, award-winning author, and former C-Suite executive with more than 25 years of business leadership experience across manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and travel and tourism. After studying organizations that grew through history's greatest economic disruptions — from the Great Depression to the 2008 financial crisis — she developed a proven formula to help leaders and organizations turn uncertainty into opportunity. Connect with Meridith: https://www.facebook.com/MeridithElliotPowell/https://www.youtube.com/user/meridithepowellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/meridithelliottpowellhttps://www.instagram.com/powellmeridithelliott/https://x.com/meridithpowell For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the very traits you were told to soften—empathy, listening, collaboration—are actually your biggest advantage in tech?In this episode, we're chatting with Alison French, founder of LTO (Lead To Opportunity), about how women can lead, sell, and scale without pretending to be someone they're not. As one of the few female CEOs in B2B tech, Alison shares how leaning into feminine strengths has helped her build products, teams, and revenue—while raising a family and supporting military spouses reentering the workforce.You'll walk away with:Practical ways to use empathy and active listening in sales and leadershipHow collaboration improves product decisions and client relationshipsPermission to stop “playing tech bro” and start leading your wayIf you've ever questioned whether you truly belong in tech—or leadership—this conversation is your reminder that your edge is already built in.

Today, we're revisiting a segment from our episode on Product-Led Growth and modern sales playbooks with Dan Fougere. Dan is the former Chief Revenue Officer at Datadog and former Head of Global Sales at Medallia, now advising high-growth startups. In this clip, Dan breaks down why traditional sales playbooks fail in PLG environments, and how leaders need to shift toward usage-based signals and first principles thinking. He explains how buyer engagement now starts inside the product, what those signals actually look like, and how sales teams should adapt their timing, messaging, and motion accordingly. Dan Fougere is the former Chief Revenue Officer at Datadog and former Head of Global Sales at Medallia, now advising high-growth companies on scaling modern revenue models. Connect with Dan: LinkedIn Get the Force Management framework for building sales motions that align to how modern buyers evaluate and adopt products: The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

High-growth companies demand constant reinvention, yet most leaders underestimate how deeply roles, go-to-market models, and buyer behavior evolve over time. This episode explores what it actually takes to adapt at that level, from navigating internal resistance to aligning product and sales with how customers truly buy. Sahir Azam brings a rare operator-to-investor perspective, unpacking the realities of PLG to enterprise transitions, the cultural discipline required to scale sales, and how AI is reshaping both software and the sales function itself. The conversation also challenges common assumptions around SaaS models, tooling, and where value will accrue as AI infrastructure matures. Sahir Azam is a Partner at Index Ventures investing in AI infrastructure, and former Chief Product Officer at MongoDB where he led the Atlas transformation into a multi-billion-dollar platform. He brings a rare operator's perspective on building go-to-market discipline, scaling sales culture, and navigating the product-distribution balance that separates winners from founders who fail. Connect with Sahir: Index Ventures LinkedIn Get the Force Management framework for navigating product-go-to-market fit and building the sales discipline that separates scaling companies from those that fail: The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Key takeaways from this episode:  00:00 – How Sahir Azam went from building MongoDB Atlas into a multi-billion-dollar platform to investing in the infrastructure shaping AI's next wave 06:24 – The secret to driving change inside a company before trying to win in the market 10:10 – What PLG and enterprise sales actually have in common when you design around the buyer 12:18 – What it's really like to move upmarket and why most companies underestimate the cultural shift required 23:50 – Sahir Azam's unexpected perspective on technical founders who struggle to scale 41:12 – A peek into where real value in AI is being built and why infrastructure is the leverage point 01:02:00 – What you can do right now to stay relevant as AI reshapes how top sellers operate 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

In today's conversation, former Chief Revenue Officer and private equity operating partner Bob Ranaldi shares why great revenue leaders focus less on static metrics and more on the trends behind them. In this segment, Bob explains why looking at a single month of pipeline or bookings can be misleading, and why CROs and CEOs need to study the progression of key metrics over time. He also breaks down how leading indicators like discovery meetings, pipeline growth, and conversion rates help leaders make better decisions before problems show up in the number. If you're a CRO, founder, or sales leader responsible for forecasting and revenue planning, this segment highlights why data trends, not snapshots, should guide your decisions. Bob Ranaldi is a former Chief Revenue Officer and current operating partner in private equity, where he works with portfolio companies to improve sales performance, leadership alignment, and revenue growth. He brings experience as both an operator and investor, giving him a unique perspective on what boards and CEOs expect from revenue leaders. Connect with Bob: LinkedIn Resources mentioned: The Qualified Sales Leader by John McMahon Get the Force Management framework for building predictable revenue and aligning leadership teams around the metrics that matter:  The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

Ben Ortlip is a culture architect, strategist, and bestselling author who helps organizations turn workplace culture into measurable business success. As the founder of The Culture MRI®, Ben created a data-driven system that assesses and improves employee engagement and organizational performance—transforming culture from a “soft” concept into a strategic advantage.Ben has worked with leading brands such as UPS, Delta, Salesforce, and Chick-fil-A, bringing decades of research and real-world insight into what truly motivates people at work. He is the author of Culture Is the New Leadership and Be the Sale, and a sought-after speaker on how human-centered culture drives performance, retention, and long-term profitability.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Ben Ortlip to explore what it truly means to “be the sale.” Ben explains that authentic selling is rooted in alignment, where both buyer and seller objectives are served through trust, not pressure.Drawing from workplace psychology and culture research, Ben shares how today's buyers are driven by autonomy, purpose, and connection. He introduces three core human needs, craft, cause, and community, and explains how sales professionals can become “magnetic” by mastering their expertise, championing their client's mission, and building meaningful relationships.This conversation challenges transactional selling and replaces it with a values-driven approach that fosters long-term trust, loyalty, and business success.KEY TAKEAWAYSTrust significantly increases the likelihood of successful sales outcomes.  Mastering your craft builds credibility and positions you as a true expert.  Align with your prospect's cause—focus on their mission, not your quota.  Building community strengthens relationships and deepens trust.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESWhere else would you sell from and expect to have any success?People don't buy the best products—they buy based on the level of trust they have.The reason people aren't buying from you is because of you, how you show upYour value to the prospect is directly proportional to your mastery of the topic.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESExplore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast! Nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!Listen to Larry Levine's Bestselling Book: Selling in a Post-Trust World! Now available on Audible! Transform your sales approach with insights that matter.  Subscribe to The Selling from the Heart Podcast Youtube Channel! Stay updated with the latest episodes and leadership tips: Selling from the Heart YouTubeGet Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:Click Here for Your Daily Dose

If you treat AI as just tech or a tool, you're likely missing out on the true strategic benefit to your organization. Many leaders are waiting on IT, governance, or the “right stack” while competitors are already compounding gains through faster execution, better preparation, and tighter alignment. Marcy Stoudt returns to unpack why AI adoption starts with mindset, how productivity gains break without cross-functional integration, and why the next competitive edge will come from leaders who drive curiosity, coaching, and clarity in how their teams actually sell and hire. Marcy Stoudt is Founder of Revel Companies, where she advises revenue leaders on AI adoption, talent strategy, and organizational alignment. With deep experience in executive recruiting and sales leadership, she helps organizations shift from treating AI as a technology decision to embedding it into how work gets done across teams. Connect with Marcy:  LinkedIn Website Get the Force Management framework for building AI-native revenue systems that drive repeatable execution and growth:  The Predictable Revenue Framework: Guide for Leaders Key takeaways from this episode: 04:00 – Why AI adoption breaks when leaders treat it like a tech stack decision instead of changing how work actually gets done 14:17 – What CROs get wrong when they wait on IT to lead AI strategy while competitors move faster 23:00 – The daily discipline that separates leaders who are compounding AI advantage from those falling behind 30:00 – What it really looks like to use AI to create space, reduce noise, and improve how you think 39:40 – Where your real inefficiencies actually live and why your frontline already knows the answer 49:30 – What hiring looks like when every resume sounds perfect and signal gets harder to find 59:15 – Why AI is increasing the value of leadership fundamentals like alignment, coaching, and culture 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

In this episode of Sales & Cigars, Walter Crosby sits down with Darren Mitchell, host of the Exceptional Sales Leader podcast, for a sharp conversation about sales leadership, short-term thinking, and what it really takes to build sustainable sales teams. Darren shares his path from engineering to telecommunications sales to sales leadership, and explains why too many organizations still confuse high-performing salespeople with high-potential leaders. The conversation digs into the pressure sales leaders face to hit short-term numbers, the damage that comes from product-first selling, and why the best leaders focus on building teams that can succeed without them. From The Infinite Game to Atomic Habits, this episode is packed with practical leadership wisdom for anyone trying to build a stronger sales culture—one rooted in service, discipline, and long-term thinking.   Episode Highlights Why The Infinite Game is a must-read for sales leaders under quarterly pressure How short-termism damages customer relationships and long-term revenue Why Atomic Habits matters for sales teams and leadership development Darren's transition from engineer to salesperson to sales leader The danger of promoting top reps into leadership without proper development The powerful lesson Darren's manager gave him on his very first day as a sales leader Why the goal of great leadership is to make yourself unnecessary How sales leaders accidentally train customers to bypass their salespeople Why product training is not enough to create great sales teams The importance of understanding buyer psychology instead of pushing product   Key Themes & Takeaways Great sales leaders play the long game. Organizations obsessed with quarter-to-quarter results often sacrifice trust, relationships, and sustainable growth. Leadership is not the same as top performance. Being a great salesperson does not automatically prepare someone to lead, coach, and develop others. The best leaders build teams that can thrive without them. Sales leadership is not about being the hero in every deal. It is about creating an environment where the team can perform independently. Habits drive long-term success. Small daily disciplines compound over time and create the consistency great sales teams need. Customers do not care about your product first. They care about their problems, their priorities, and what happens if those problems remain unsolved. Sales is service when done correctly. The role of the salesperson is not to push product, but to help a customer recognize a problem and evaluate a solution. Coaching and mentoring are essential. Without guidance, many new sales leaders default to control, ego, or problem-solving for their team instead of developing them.   Who Should Listen This episode is especially valuable for: Sales leaders feeling trapped by short-term revenue pressure Founders and executives trying to build stronger sales leadership Organizations promoting top reps into management roles Sales teams that rely too heavily on senior leaders to close deals Anyone who wants to build a more sustainable, service-driven sales culture   Links & Resources The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek Atomic Habits by James Clear Exceptional Sales Leader https://exceptionalsalesleader.com Darren Mitchell on LinkedIn Exceptional Sales Leader Podcast   Subscribe & Follow Sales & Cigars is hosted by Walter Crosby of Helix Sales Development. The only smoke we blow is from cigars. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

What you'll learn in this episode: ● Why leadership starts with keeping promises to yourself ● The difference between being kind and being a good leader ● Why great leaders teach people how to think instead of telling them what to do ● How clear expectations simplify leadership conversations ● The role of vision and mission when building an organization ● Why accountability and candor are essential for high-performing teams

What you'll learn in this episode: ● Why leadership levels change depending on relationships and trust ● How leaders can operate at different leadership levels with different people ● The role adaptability plays in effective leadership ● Why some successful organizations lose their direction over time ● How ego can quietly sabotage leadership growth ● The importance of understanding people before trying to lead them    

What you'll learn in this episode: Why hiring should start with understanding your own strengths and weaknesses The difference between vision, mission, and culture when building a team Why most entrepreneurs struggle with hiring compared to selling The real cost of making a bad hire Why Dan treats the first 90 days as part of the interview process The surprising statistics behind finding the right talent How great leadership helps people achieve their goals—and why that leads to your success