The Transaction
Craig Rosenberg & Matt Amundson | B2B Sales & Marketing Experts - Hosts of The Transaction
Welcome to The Transaction. The #1 Go-To-Market podcast on the planet.
Hosts Craig Rosenberg and Matt Amundson, two legendary go-to-market leaders in their own right, talk weekly with the best sales, marketing, operations, and product leaders in the B2B SaaS world to understand what's working in the new playbook of the post-ZIRP market.
But Craig, Matt, and their guests don't just talk theoretically, they share the stories and actionable tips, tactics, and strategies behind what's driving revenue growth that you can take and implement in your own go-to-market roles.
Whether you're a Chief Revenue Officer leading a B2B SaaS sales and marketing organization, a marketing leader trying to drive bigger outcomes with your demand gen team, or a new sales rep, you'll learn and laugh every episode.
From ABM to PLG, from MEDDIC to MEDDPICC, the world of business is constantly evolving. We’ll cover the who, what, where, when, why and most importantly how you get… The Transaction.
About Your Hosts
Craig Rosenberg is the Chief Platform Officer at Scale Venture Partners. He is a seasoned expert in B2B revenue growth, helping SaaS companies transition from founder-led growth to becoming high-growth Go-To-Market machines. Previously, Craig was a Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner and co-founder of TOPO Inc., a research and advisory firm acquired by Gartner in 2020. Craig thinks Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
Matt Amundson is the Chief Marketing Officer of DuploCloud. He is also an advisor for companies such as Sendoso and Salesloft. Prior to DuploCloud, Matt spent time as an Executive In Residence with Scale Venture Partners and led marketing departments at Census, Very Good Security, and Everstring, to name a few. Matt thinks Die Hard 2 is better than Die Hard.
The Transaction is produced by Sam Guertin.
Hosts Craig Rosenberg and Matt Amundson, two legendary go-to-market leaders in their own right, talk weekly with the best sales, marketing, operations, and product leaders in the B2B SaaS world to understand what's working in the new playbook of the post-ZIRP market.
But Craig, Matt, and their guests don't just talk theoretically, they share the stories and actionable tips, tactics, and strategies behind what's driving revenue growth that you can take and implement in your own go-to-market roles.
Whether you're a Chief Revenue Officer leading a B2B SaaS sales and marketing organization, a marketing leader trying to drive bigger outcomes with your demand gen team, or a new sales rep, you'll learn and laugh every episode.
From ABM to PLG, from MEDDIC to MEDDPICC, the world of business is constantly evolving. We’ll cover the who, what, where, when, why and most importantly how you get… The Transaction.
About Your Hosts
Craig Rosenberg is the Chief Platform Officer at Scale Venture Partners. He is a seasoned expert in B2B revenue growth, helping SaaS companies transition from founder-led growth to becoming high-growth Go-To-Market machines. Previously, Craig was a Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner and co-founder of TOPO Inc., a research and advisory firm acquired by Gartner in 2020. Craig thinks Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
Matt Amundson is the Chief Marketing Officer of DuploCloud. He is also an advisor for companies such as Sendoso and Salesloft. Prior to DuploCloud, Matt spent time as an Executive In Residence with Scale Venture Partners and led marketing departments at Census, Very Good Security, and Everstring, to name a few. Matt thinks Die Hard 2 is better than Die Hard.
The Transaction is produced by Sam Guertin.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 8, 2024 • 46min
Diagnosing Sales with Becc Holland - The Transaction - Ep #12
In this episode of The Transaction, Co-Hosts Matt Amundson and Craig Rosenberg sit down with Becc Holland, a sales expert known for her innovative approaches to diagnosing and solving sales challenges. They delve into the nuances of effective sales strategies, emphasizing the importance of proper diagnosis over traditional sales tactics. Becc shares her insights on understanding buyer metrics, discovering hidden problems, and delivering real value.TakeawaysEffective selling is about diagnosing problems the buyer is unaware of.Understanding and leveraging buyer metrics are crucial.Sellers should focus on delivering insights, not just pitching products.Discovery calls should be separate from demo calls to allow thorough diagnosis.Providing value through actionable advice builds credibility and trust.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:00 Viral Meme and Easter Bunny Anecdote05:00 Transition to Business Discussion08:00 Welcoming Becc Holland10:00 Importance of Bold Moves in Marketing15:30 Discovering Hidden Problems25:00 Diagnosing and Solving Buyer Issues35:00 Metrics and Industry Averages45:00 Strategic Risk-Taking and Big Wins55:00 Outro and Final ThoughtsQuote of the Show "It's not about showing me that you know me; it's about showing me that you know something about me that I don't know." - Becc HollandSponsor The Transaction is sponsored and produced by Ringmaster, the go-to branded podcast team. They handle everything from creative to guest booking, so you can focus on the conversation. Discover how your company can leverage B2B podcasts to deliver outsized ROI at ringmaster.com.Connect with Becc HollandLinkedIn: Becc HollandShoutoutsGartnerForresterJordan PetersonAndy RaskinPhrases Minted in this Episode"Diagnose the Correct Things""Pain is Different from a Problem""Outlearn Your Competitors"Follow the ShowCraig’s LinkedIn: Craig RosenbergMatt’s LinkedIn: Matt AmundsenThe Transaction on LinkedIn: The TransactionThe Transaction Website: The Transaction PodSubstack: The Transaction SubstackWays to Tune InSpotify: The Transaction on SpotifyApple Podcasts: The Transaction on Apple PodcastsYouTube: The Transaction on YouTube
May 30, 2024 • 52min
Bold Moves: Bold Results with John-Henry Scherck - The Transaction - Ep # 11
In this episode of The Transaction, Co-Hosts Matt Amundson and Craig Rosenberg sit down with John-Henry Scherck, a strategic marketing expert with a knack for bold, game-changing moves. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of content marketing and the importance of taking risks for big wins. John shares his insights on why dipping your toes in the water just won't cut it anymore and how significant investments and bold strategies lead to remarkable results.Takeaways:Small, iterative approaches often lead to mediocrity; bold moves yield bold results.Companies must have a unique and meaningful voice in a saturated market.Building an owned audience is crucial for long-term success, rather than relying on rented channels.Time to value and scannability are essential for effective content today.Strategic risk-taking in content creation can lead to significant wins.Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:00 Welcoming John Henry Scherck05:00 Importance of Bold Moves in Marketing15:30 Unique and Meaningful Content in a Saturated Market25:00 Building and Leveraging an Owned Audience35:00 Time to Value and Scannability in Content45:00 Strategic Risk-Taking and Big Wins55:00 Outro and Final ThoughtsQuote of the Show:“Bold moves get bold results. Safe bets lead to mediocrity.” - John Henry ScherckSponsor:Ringmaster Conversational Marketing - The Transaction is sponsored and produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at ringmaster.comConnect with John Henry Schurk:LinkedIn: John Henry ScherckShoutouts:Eric Ries: The Lean StartupGremlin: Chaos Monkey GuideFonoa: International Tax GuidesAdam Robinson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-robinson/Apollo: Apollo AcademyAudience Plus: Audience PlusPhrases Minted in this Episode:"Bold Moves Get Bold Results""Time to Value and Scannability""Go Big or Go Home Approach"Follow the Show:Craig’s LinkedIn: Craig RosenbergMatt’s LinkedIn: Matt AmundsenThe Transaction on LinkedIn: The TransactionThe Transaction Website: The Transaction PodSubstack: The Transaction SubstackWays to Tune In:Spotify: The Transaction on SpotifyApple Podcasts: The Transaction on Apple PodcastsYouTube: The Transaction on YouTube
May 23, 2024 • 55min
Decoding Sales Indecision with Matt Dixon -The Transaction - Ep # 10
Renowned sales expert Matt Dixon joins hosts to discuss overcoming sales indecision in a dynamic market. Topics include guiding customer decisions, building trust through transparency, and applying the JOLT methodology for real-world examples.
May 9, 2024 • 48min
Overcoming Outbound Challenges with Doug Landis - The Transaction - Ep # 9
Renowned sales professional and storyteller Doug Landis discusses why outbound sales motions are ineffective, the value of verticalization in competitive markets, and the impact of Thought-Leadershipization. Hypothesis Selling focuses on understanding buyer problems. Key takeaways include earning the right to converse with buyers and providing hypotheses of their world.
May 2, 2024 • 58min
Applying Design-Thinking to Sales with Ashley Welch - The Transaction - Ep #8
Sales thought leader Ashley Welch discusses applying design-thinking to sales, emphasizing curiosity in customer interactions and co-creating solutions with buyers. The podcast highlights the importance of understanding the customer's broader ecosystem and fostering a mindset of innovation within the team through principles of design-thinking.
Apr 25, 2024 • 52min
Decoding The CRM and Database Infrastructures with Nicolas de Kouchkovsky - The Transaction - Ep #7
Our special guest today is a three-time CMO and seasoned veteran in the customer experience and SalesTech world who offers CX and sales software companies a wealth of expertise that he has accumulated over several decades. Nicolas de Kouchkovsky is a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer & Industry Analyst at CaCube Consulting. Nicolas joins Hosts Craig Rosenberg and Matt Amundson to discuss the transition from traditional methods to Signal-based Selling and the urgent need for precision and relevance in outbound sales efforts. They also dive into the critical role of modern data architectures, such as cloud data warehouses, in enabling efficient and effective sales strategies, stressing the importance of moving beyond CRM as the system of record to embrace more flexible, data-rich platforms.Also, Craig makes a re-introduction and Matt sets the record for the number of times a person has said data warehouse on a podcast. Takeaways:The transition towards signal-based selling highlights the need for marketers to adapt to advanced methods of identifying and engaging with potential customers. The ability to harness and interpret signals can significantly improve targeting and personalization.Precise market segmentation and pinpointing the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) are more crucial than ever. Generic approaches are no longer effective. Teams should invest time in deeply understanding their target segments to tailor messages and offers accordingly.Crafting and communicating a clear, compelling value proposition is essential. Vague statements about benefits can undermine trust. Marketers must articulate how their products or services address specific customer needs and pain points.Chapters:00:59 Reintroducing Nicolas De Kouchkovsky02:34 Understanding Signal-based Selling11:57 The CRM As The System of Record27:23 Automation and Precision: The Future of Outbound34:41 The Lost Art of Segmentation44:11 AI’s Role is to Assist the Seller49:11 Get Rid of Mushy MessagingQuote of the Show:“If you start a business right now, your data should be the foundation and it will be your mid to long-term sustainable differentiator against any legacy business” - Nicolas de KouchkovskySponsor:Ringmaster Conversational Marketing - The Transaction is sponsored and produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through Branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/Connect with Nicolas:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolask3/ CaCube Consulting Website: https://www.cacubeconsulting.com/ Shoutouts:Scott Brinker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjbrinker/Fivetran: https://www.fivetran.com/Airbyte: https://airbyte.com/Clay: https://www.my-clay.com/6Sense: https://6sense.com/Demandbase: https://www.demandbase.com/Madkudu: https://www.madkudu.com/Bombora: https://bombora.com/Regie.ai: https://www.regie.ai/Follow the Show:Craig’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigrosenberg/ Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-amundson-91657236/ The Transaction on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-transaction/ The Transaction Website: https://thetransactionpod.com/ Substack: https://thetransaction.substack.com/ Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3i3r3WLacRZiSa7dOaOgDz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-transaction/id1734518309 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTransaction?sub_confirmation=1
Apr 18, 2024 • 51min
Empowering The Agile, Tech-Enabled Salesforce with Mary Shea - The Transaction - Ep #6
Former Principal Analyst at Forrester, Mary Shea, discusses the future of B2B sales organizations, signal-based selling, and the importance of investing in sales training and enablement. She emphasizes the need for vendors with a comprehensive support system and the focus on extracting meaningful insights from data for improved buyer-seller interactions.
Apr 11, 2024 • 57min
To Gate or Not to Gate Content with Chris Orlob - The Transaction - Ep #5
Join Craig Rosenberg and Matt Amundson as they chat with Chris Orlob, Co-Founder & CEO of pclub.io, about content gating, multi-threading in sales, crafting prospecting emails, and running demo calls. Chris shares unconventional sales insights and the importance of empathetic outreach in prospecting.
Apr 4, 2024 • 55min
Back to The Fundamentals of Sales with John Barrows - The Transaction - Ep #4
Hosts Craig Rosenberg and Matt Amundson discuss sales fundamentals with guest John Barrows, CEO of JB Sales. Topics include the need for repeatable processes, personalized outreach, business understanding, AI integration, and the value of hard work in sales success. They also touch on the importance of genuine messaging, client relationships, empathy in conversations, and the mindset shift in marketing. Overall, the episode emphasizes the key principles of successful sales strategies.
Mar 28, 2024 • 59min
Remixing MarTech & Gen AI Explained with Scott Brinker & Esteban Kolsky - The Transaction - Ep #3
Today’s episode is a real treat because we have multiple amazing guests joining Craig Rosenberg and Matt Amundson for a deep dive into the state of MarTech today and how to think about generative AI within the larger AI conversation. Scott Brinker & Esteban Kolsky are two of the foremost thinkers and analysts in the B2B world and are here together to volley high-value concepts and insights. Scott, Esteban, and Craig dissect the challenges and potentials of generative AI (Gen AI), the proliferation of MarTech vendors, and the critical need for democratized data in use versus data in storage.Also, Matt shares why he thinks Mr. and Mrs. Smith has the best season finale in tv history and Craig examines his use of the word “gangster”.Takeaways:Build software solutions with integration in mind. Data in storage is vastly different from data in use. The value of data comes not just from collecting it but from actively applying it to solve problems and guide decisions. Make your data actionable.Chapters:00:00 - Quick Recap of True Detective and What Craig Learned10:07 - Introducing the Dynamic Duo: Scott Brinker & Esteban Kolsky14:17 - The Trouble with Defining the Value of Marketing Properly21:57 - Comparing Marketers’ Relationship to MarTech and Marketing Agencies28:54 - Barriers to Entry for SaaS Vendors Have Dropped Drastically37:57 - A Surprisingly Apt Football Analogy for Thinking About AI & Vendors45:27 - How Generative AI is Democratizing Access to Data56:37 - Liquid Death Auctioning Off Ad Space on EbayQuote of the Show:“You need to treat integration as a first-class capability because if people can't integrate this stuff with the rest of their stack, they're not going get the value out of you.” - Scott Brinker“Once you understand that computers make based on one and zeros that are stored, the world is a lot simpler to go through. Then it's just go play poker.” - Esteban KolskySponsor:Ringmaster Conversational Marketing - The Transaction is sponsored and produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through Branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/Connect with Scott Brinker:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjbrinker/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/chiefmartec Chief Martec Website: https://chiefmartec.com/ HubSpot Website: https://www.hubspot.com/ Martech for 2024 Report: https://martechmap.typeform.com/martechfor2024Connect with Esteban Kolsky:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estebankolsky/ Shoutouts:Paul Greenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgreenbe/ Mike Fauscette: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfauscette/ Brent Leary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentleary/ Brian Vellmure: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianvellmure/Maria Pergolino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariapergolino/Kipp Bodnar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kippbodnar/ Follow the Show:Craig’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigrosenberg/ Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-amundson-91657236/ The Transaction on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-transaction/ The Transaction Website: https://thetransactionpod.com/ Substack: https://thetransaction.substack.com/ Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3i3r3WLacRZiSa7dOaOgDz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-transaction/id1734518309 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTransaction?sub_confirmation=1
