20Sales: Why You Should Not Do PLG and Enterprise Sales at the Same Time | How To Move Into Enterprise Sales Gradually | How To Make a Comp Plan For Sales Teams | Why Discounting is Good and Can Be Used with Stevie Case, CRO @ Vanta
Startups should not do both PLG and enterprise sales simultaneously, but gradually transition based on testing and signs.
Stevie Case's diverse background from pro gamer to CRO emphasizes unique paths to sales success.
Balancing parenthood and sales career showcases determination and drive towards achieving professional goals.
Deep dives
Sales Success: The Role of Grit and Authenticity
Success in sales hinges on traits like grit and the ability to connect authentically with customers. The importance of being a hunter, not just taking orders, is emphasized, where individuals who possess the grit to open new doors will excel in any scenario. Authentic storytelling and value-driven interactions with clients remain timeless sales principles.
Career Trajectory: From Gaming Pro to CRO
Stevie Case's journey from being the world's first professional female gamer to leading sales teams showcases the unconventional paths that can lead to success in sales. With a background in gaming and product management, Case transitioned to sales after receiving a junior sales opportunity. Through mentorship and embracing her introverted nature, she steadily advanced in her career to become a CRO.
Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges
As a single mother in full custody of her daughter, Stevie Case shares the impact of balancing her sales career with parenthood. She recounts early days of managing sales calls while attending to childcare responsibilities, highlighting the determination and drive that fueled her success. The challenges of overcoming stereotypes and balancing personal life with professional goals are intricately woven into Case's career journey.
Sales Leadership and Adaptive Strategies
The evolving landscape of sales leadership demands adaptability to uncertain conditions. Sales leaders need to plan strategically while remaining agile to adjust strategies as needed. Emphasizing honesty, continuous learning, and proactive engagement with team members are essential for navigating the dynamic sales environment effectively.
Elevating the Sales Experience: Fundamentals and Innovations
Key strategies such as adapting value-based selling, engaging with multi-layered buyers, and showcasing tangible ROI have become paramount in the current sales climate. Ensuring that salespeople are equipped to demonstrate product value effectively, communicate ROI clearly, and navigate complex buying cycles are critical for sales success in modern markets.
Stevie Case is the CRO @ Vanta where she oversees Vanta’s go-to-market team to support the company’s rapid growth. Prior to joining Vanta, Stevie was Vice President of Mid-Market Sales at Twilio, joining as one of their first account executives, Stevie helped to grow the sales team from a dozen to over 1,000 team members and played a pivotal role in establishing Twilio’s enterprise business with key Fortune 500 customers, generating more than $400 million in annual recurring revenue. If that was not enough, Stevie is also a Founding Operator @ Coalition Network and a prominent angel investor.
In Today's Episode with Stevie Case We Discuss:
1. ) From World's First Pro Female Gamer to CRO:
How did Stevie make her way from pro gamer to CRO? How did her career in gaming make her a better CRO and sales leader?
In her early sales career, how did being a single mother with a child impact her approach to sales?
What can founders do to make workplaces more inclusive for parents today?
2.) Enterprise or PLG: Which One To Choose:
Why does Stevie believe it is not right to do both PLG and enterprise at the same time for startups?
How can startups and sales teams move into enterprise selling gradually through testing and without committing a significant budget to an enterprise sales team?
How do founders know when is the right time to move from PLG to enterprise? What are the signs?
3.) The Mythical Sales Playbook:
How does Stevie define the term "sales playbook" today? What is it not?
Should the founder be the person to create the sales playbook? If not them, then who?
When is the right time to make your first sales hire? When is the wrong time?
4.) Mastering the Hiring Process in Sales Recruits:
How should we structure the interview process for new sales reps?
What is the right profile for these first sales hires?
How do the best sales talent answer questions and perform in interview processes?
How can we really test for grit and curiosity in the interview process?
What are the single biggest mistakes founders make when hiring for sales?
5.) Discovery, Discounting, Deal Velocity:
With sales cycles being so long, how do you know if enterprise sales reps are good?
What is the difference between good discovery vs bad discovery?
Should founders engage in discounting to get deals over the line? When does it work?
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