The Exit Five CMO Podcast (Hosted by Dave Gerhardt)

The Future of GTM and Sustainable Growth with Chris Walker, CEO at Passetto

22 snips

Sep 11, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Chris Walker, CEO of Passetto and a leading voice in B2B marketing on LinkedIn, dives deep into the future of go-to-market strategies. He discusses the vital shift from 'growth at all costs' to sustainable growth, emphasizing the importance of effective feedback loops. Chris also elaborates on the transformative impact of AI on marketing roles and the need for creativity within structured frameworks. Through actionable insights, he outlines how to navigate the evolving landscape of B2B marketing.

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ANECDOTE

Early Because Of Wide Perspective

Chris Walker says being "early" comes from seeing patterns across many companies and their data.
He frames contrarian takes as reflecting truths others lack the perspective to see.

ADVICE

Manage Social Media Negativity

Accept that many critics lack your data and perspective and avoid taking comments personally.
Block disrespectful commenters immediately to protect focus and mental health.

INSIGHT

Feedback Loops Beat Slow Research

Podcasts and social presence create fast feedback loops that replace slow surveys and trade-show research.
That feedback shapes product, pricing, messaging, org structure, and implementation.

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#281 Growth | In this episode, Dave is joined by Chris Walker, CEO of Passetto, and a prominent voice on LinkedIn, where he has been pushing the boundaries of B2B marketing for years. Chris shares actionable insights and tactics on social media strategy, what has changed in marketing over the last five years, and how to build effective feedback loops and flywheels.

Dave and Chris also cover:

The future of GTM and the evolving role of the CMO
Why sustainable growth is the only path forward
The transformative role AI will play in B2B marketing

Timestamps

(00:53) - - Intro to Chris Walker
(03:49) - - Managing different perspectives on social media
(08:21) - - The ROI of podcasts and social media engagement
(13:44) - - Why real-time feedback loops are valuable
(19:19) - - Shifting from "growth at all costs" to sustainable growth
(25:09) - - Rethinking marketing measurement and ROI
(33:04) - - Splitting marketing teams: strategy vs. pipeline creation
(40:09) - - How AI is reshaping B2B marketing teams
(48:14) - - Chris’s approach to creativity and focus
(52:59) - - Predictions for the future of B2B marketing
(54:37) - - Outro

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