Coffee with Sales Engineers

Send us a textIn this episode of Coffee with Sales Engineers, host Sachin Wadhawan interviews Ben Hills, CEO and founder of Iris, an AI-first RFP automation platform. They discuss the evolving role of sales engineers, the challenges of RFPs, and how AI can transform the procurement process. Ben shares his journey in sales engineering, the importance of understanding buyer needs, and how RFPs can be leveraged as a strategic tool rather than a burden. The conversation highlights the growing trend of RFPs in procurement and the potential for AI to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in sales processes.Chapters00:00Introduction to the Podcast and Guest01:16Ben Hills' Journey in Sales Engineering04:46Innovating in RFP Solutions08:59The Evolving Role of RFPs in Procurement16:58RFPs as a Qualifying Tool for Buyers22:49Leveraging AI in RFP Processes27:16The Future of Sales Engineering and AI Integration

Send us a textIn this episode of Coffee with Sales, Sachin Wadhawan and Cortney Zamm discuss the vital role of storytelling in sales engineering. Cortney shares her unique journey from film school to becoming a sales engineer, emphasizing how storytelling skills can enhance customer engagement and differentiate offerings in a competitive market. They explore practical strategies for integrating storytelling into sales demos, the importance of practice, and how to benchmark storytelling skills. The conversation highlights the power of narrative in creating memorable customer experiences and fostering deeper connections."We are hardwired to ingest stories.""Practice makes storytelling natural."Chapters00:00Introduction to Storytelling in Sales Engineering03:47The Importance of Storytelling in Sales Engineering08:09Transforming Technical Demos into Engaging Narratives11:05The Role of Questions in Storytelling13:33Practical Steps to Incorporate Storytelling15:58Measuring the Impact of Storytelling17:38Building a Story Library for Sales Engineers

Send us a textIn this episode of Coffee with Sales Engineers, Sachin Wadhawan interviews Max Elster from Minoa, discussing the critical role of sales engineers in driving value within organizations. They explore the journey of Minoa, the importance of value intelligence, and the challenges sales engineering teams face in incorporating value into their processes. The conversation highlights the need for a seamless connection between pre-sales and post-sales activities to ensure that customers realize the value promised during the sales process. Max shares insights on emerging trends and priorities for sales engineering teams, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the evolving landscape of sales and customer success.Chapters00:00Introduction to Value Intelligence in Sales Engineering02:05The Role of Sales Engineers in Value Conversations05:27Challenges in Implementing Value in Sales Engineering08:59Value Maturity and Its Importance13:45Connecting Pre-Sales and Post-Sales Value18:29Future Priorities for Sales Engineering Teams

Shivani Sivashankar, a sales engineer at Samsara with a background in software development, shares her intriguing transition from tech to sales engineering. She highlights the pivotal role of sales engineers as bridges between technical teams and customers. The discussion dives into the dynamic nature of the job and the fresh challenges it brings daily. Shivani also busts myths about sales roles, emphasizing empathy and collaboration. Plus, she reveals how AI is revolutionizing productivity in sales cycles.

Send us a textsummaryIn this episode of Coffee with Sales Engineers, Sandeep Madhavan shares his unique journey into the world of sales engineering, discussing the pivotal moments that shaped his career. He emphasizes the importance of customer engagement, the evolution of the sales engineering role, and the impact of AI on the profession. Sandeep reflects on his leadership experiences and the significance of taking action and making an impact in one's career.Chapters00:00Introduction to Sandeep Madhavan's Journey03:01Transitioning from Engineering to Sales Engineering06:15Building Customer Relationships and Trust08:58Leadership in Sales Engineering12:02The Evolution of Sales Engineering and AI Impact18:10Future of Sales Engineering and Thought Leadership

Dan Chen, founder and CEO of Quilt, dives into the transformative world of knowledge management and AI in sales engineering. He highlights the importance of breaking down knowledge silos and emphasizes that clean data is crucial for effective AI application. Dan discusses how generative AI can alleviate tedious tasks for sales engineers and argues that it will enhance, rather than replace, their roles. He shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey and the future potential of AI co-pilots in sales workflows.

Tim Chinchen, an experienced solutions consulting leader at PagerDuty, dives into the vital role of curiosity and storytelling in sales engineering. He shares his transition from post-sales to pre-sales, emphasizing the impact of networking on career growth. Tim highlights the characteristics of top performers, focusing on curiosity and coachability. He also discusses how AI is transforming the industry by enhancing efficiency and enabling deeper sales engagements. Finally, he elaborates on embedding storytelling into team practices for better outcomes.

Send us a textSummaryIn this episode, Sachin Wadhawan interviews Grace, a solutions engineer with a background in finance and economics. They discuss Grace's transition from consulting to solutions engineering, the unique aspects of her role, and the challenges she faces, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated field. Grace shares her experiences working internationally and emphasizes the importance of problem-solving over selling in her profession. The conversation also highlights the collaboration between solutions engineers and account executives, and the need for effective communication in achieving success.takeaways- The role of a solutions engineer is about problem-solving rather than selling.- Solutions engineers have a unique position that allows them to touch various aspects of a project, including sales and delivery.- Technical knowledge is important, but the ability to communicate complex ideas simply is equally crucial.- Grace emphasizes the importance of building relationships with stakeholders to ensure project success.- Effective communication between account executives and solutions engineers is key to success in sales.The conversation underscores the evolving landscape of women in technology and the importance of representation.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Solutions Engineering02:37 Transitioning from Consulting to Solutions Engineering04:54 The Role of a Solutions Engineer07:20 Navigating Technical Challenges09:07 International Experience in Sales Engineering11:22 Being a Woman in FinTech13:57 Collaboration with Account Executives

Send us a textIn this episode of Coffee with Sales Engineers, host Sachin Wadhawan speaks with Yuji Higashi and Mattie Stremic, co-founders of Better Career, about the evolving landscape of sales engineering and the challenges faced by professionals in this field. They discuss the importance of self-promotion, the trends in career transitions to sales engineering, and the key qualities that lead to securing top job offers. The conversation also delves into how the role of sales engineers is changing in the age of AI, emphasizing the need for both technical skills and soft skills to succeed in this competitive market.takeawaysBetter Career helps sales engineers and account executives advance their careers.The job market for sales engineers is increasingly competitive.Self-promotion is a critical skill for sales engineers.Many professionals transitioning to sales engineering come from diverse backgrounds.Key qualities for success include commitment, confidence, and coachability.Sales engineers are evolving into value architects rather than just technical presenters.Understanding business outcomes is crucial for sales engineers.AI is changing the sales engineering landscape significantly.Soft skills are becoming more important than technical skills in sales roles.Sales engineers are being integrated earlier into the sales cycle.Chapters00:00Introduction to Better Career and Its Impact03:56The Journey of Coaching Sales Engineers07:45Challenges Faced by Sales Engineers in Job Searching11:45The Importance of Self-Promotion for Sales Engineers15:30Qualities That Lead to Successful Job Offers22:20The Evolution of the Sales Engineering Profession

Send us a textsummaryIn this episode of Coffee with Sales Engineers, Sachin Wadhawan interviews Neil Parekh from SiftHub  discussing the evolving role of sales engineers in the context of AI and technology. They explore how AI can augment the workflows of sales engineers, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks and improve their productivity. The conversation also touches on the changing dynamics between account executives and sales engineers, the importance of trust in sales, and the future trends in sales engineering.takeawaysSales engineers are essential for building trust with prospects.AI is not replacing sales engineers but augmenting their capabilities.Technology can help sales engineers focus on high-value tasks.The relationship between AEs and SEs is evolving with AI.Sales engineers should be involved earlier in the sales cycle.SEs can provide valuable insights to product and marketing teams.The demand for specialized tools for sales engineers is increasing.Sales engineers are becoming more strategic in their roles.AEs are expected to become more technical in their interactions.The future of sales engineering is focused on productivity and innovation.