Skill Development & Dueling Hotwings - Chris Orlob - GTM Unfiltered - Episode # 007
Nov 17, 2023
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Special guest Chris Orlob, Co-Founder & CEO of pclub.io, joins the hosts to discuss topics like selling to CFOs, skill development for sales orgs, making discovery calls valuable, and the purpose of product demos. Matt gets publicly shamed, Judd uses offensive air quotes, and Craig challenges Chris to a hot wing-eating duel.
Sales teams need to prioritize ongoing skill development to bridge the gap between expectations and abilities, taking a systematic approach to address specific sales skills.
In-person meetings still hold unique advantages in closing deals, especially for critical or high-value situations, fostering deeper connections and faster decision-making.
Involving FP&A partners in the sales process can enhance transparency and confidence with CFOs, as they appreciate being informed early and value the insights from their financial planning colleagues.
Deep dives
The importance of addressing skill gaps in sales
One of the main points discussed in the podcast is the significance of closing skill gaps in sales. Sales leaders often express frustration with the level of skill in their teams, while sales reps may overestimate their own abilities. This disconnect highlights the need for ongoing skill development to improve sales effectiveness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of approaching skill development in a systematic and granular way, breaking down sales into specific skills such as champion development, value uncovering, and running effective demos. The podcast also underscores the responsibility of both the individual sales rep and the organization to address these skill gaps and continuously improve.
The value of face-to-face interactions in closing deals
In discussing the efficacy of sales strategies, the podcast touches on the importance of face-to-face meetings in closing deals. While virtual interactions have become more prevalent, the podcast suggests that there are unique gains to be had from in-person meetings, especially for crucial or high-value deals. The idea is that meeting in person allows for a deeper connection and a faster pace of decision-making. This perspective encourages salespeople to recognize when the potential impact of a deal justifies the effort and investment of face-to-face meetings.
Shifting dynamics in selling to CFOs and leveraging FP&A partners
The podcast delves into the evolving dynamics of selling to CFOs and highlights the role of FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) partners. CFOs are generally not interested in meeting with salespeople, but they appreciate being informed about deals early in the process. One effective strategy discussed is involving FP&A partners, who work closely with CFOs, in the sales process. Having FP&A partners present during key meetings and keeping them informed throughout can increase transparency and confidence in the deal from the CFO's perspective.
Salespeople should treat internal partners as customers
The conversation also touches on the importance of salespeople building strong relationships with internal partners and stakeholders. Salespeople are advised to treat these individuals as customers, understanding their needs and working collaboratively to achieve successful outcomes. By adopting an internal customer mindset, salespeople can foster better alignment throughout the organization and increase support from various teams and functions.
The ongoing evolution of sales skills and perspectives
The podcast underscores the ever-evolving nature of sales skills and perspectives. The guests emphasize the need for salespeople to constantly adapt and acquire new skills as market conditions change and buyers' behaviors evolve. They suggest that sales reps need to view skill development as an ongoing process and take individual initiative to learn and stay ahead. The podcast encourages sales leaders to prioritize skill development within their organizations and provide the necessary resources and support for continuous learning.
Sit down and buckle up for a new episode featuring special guest Chris Orlob, the Co-Founder & CEO of pclub.io. Many of you probably know about Chris or his awesome work early on at Gong which helped the company reach hockey stick level growth. Chris joins Hosts Craig Rosenberg, Matt Amundson, and Judd Borakove to discuss how to sell to and through CFOs, the right approach to skill development for sales organizations, and how to make discovery calls deliver value for everyone involved.
Also, Matt gets publicly shamed, Judd uses air quotes offensively, and Craig challenges Chris to a hot wing-eating duel.
Chapters:
00:31 - The Breakthrough Solution for RBF
09:03 - The Problem with How Sales Orgs Approach Skill Development
18:14 - The Difference between Value-Creating Discovery and Selfish Information Gathering
22:23 - The Purpose of Product Demos
27:10 - Who is Responsible for Skill Development?
44:10 - The Change in Mentality needed to Drive Greater Alignment
49:12 - Becoming Besties with FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis)
54:16 - “How to Event Good”
Quote of the Show:
“I think we're too broad when it comes to how we tackle skill development in a typical revenue or go-to-market function.” - Chris Orlob