The Growth Signal

This special live roundtable replay takes on one of the most debated questions in Customer Success: Should CSMs carry a quota?Host Alyssa Nolte is joined by three powerhouse guests – Rob Durant, Rob Zambito, and Brooke Foley – for a candid, unscripted conversation that brings together perspectives from sales, CS leadership, and marketing strategy. No brands. No sponsors. Just honest talk about what works, what doesn’t, and what the future of CS could look like.Why listen? Because whether you lead a CS team, work directly with customers, or partner with CS from another department, this conversation will help you think differently about how commercial responsibility is defined, measured, and rewarded. You’ll hear real examples, conflicting viewpoints, and practical advice you can take back to your own organization.3 Key Takeaways:Why “carrying a quota” means different things in different companies – and why that definition matters.How to balance customer relationships with measurable commercial outcomes without killing trust.When tying CS compensation to revenue can help – and when it can backfire.Wherever you stand on the quota question, you’ll walk away with new ways to think about aligning your CS strategy with the business’s bottom line.

In this episode of The Growth Signal, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with B2B sales consultant Ruth van Vierzen to talk about the risks and rewards of using AI in sales and customer service. Ruth’s hot take: AI can be a powerful tool, but if you let it replace the human touch, you risk losing your brand’s value and your best customers.Alyssa and Ruth dig into why so many companies rush to “slap some AI on it” without thinking through the bigger picture. They share real-world examples of AI gone wrong, the hidden costs of losing personal connection, and how leaders can roll out AI in a way that strengthens (not weakens) their brand.Why listen If you’ve been told AI is the future of your business, this conversation will help you slow down and make smarter choices. You’ll learn how to keep AI working for you, not against you, and how to protect what makes your brand unique.3 key takeawaysAI should be treated like a new intern, full of potential but needing guidance and oversight.Rushing to replace personal service with AI can damage trust and drive customers away.Every AI decision is a brand decision; make sure it supports who you are, what you do, and who you serve.

In this episode of The Growth Signal, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Eli Weiss, a longtime customer experience and retention leader, to challenge everything you think you know about keeping customers.Eli’s hot take? Retention isn’t a dashboard metric or an email flow. It’s about understanding who your customer is and making sure they never regret trusting you.This is a must-listen for anyone in SaaS, eCommerce, or CX who wants to stop chasing short-term wins and start building long-term loyalty. Alyssa and Eli unpack what most companies get wrong, why over-engineered journeys miss the point, and how to actually earn repeat business.3 key takeaways:Getting the sale doesn’t mean you’ve earned a customerMost journey maps are built on internal assumptions, not real behaviorThe simplest insights (like changing a headline) often move the needle mostThis one is full of no-BS insight, real stories, and a clear call to rethink how you build customer relationships.

In this episode of The Growth Signal, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with Dennis Meador, founder of The Legal Podcast Network, to talk about how AI is changing the way we write and why ignoring that shift might make your work invisible.Dennis shares his hot take on the backlash against AI-generated writing styles (yes, including the much-hated em dash) and explains why the smartest creators are learning to write for the machine, not against it. Whether you're a writer, marketer, or content creator, this conversation will make you rethink how you show up online.Why listen: If you're still writing the way you always have, you're probably losing visibility. Dennis makes a compelling case that it's not about letting AI write for you...it's about understanding how your content gets found. And if you're not adapting, you're getting left behind.3 Key Takeaways:AI doesn’t hate your writing style - it just can’t find it. Learn how LLMs parse content and why format matters more than ever.The future belongs to the visible. Writing for structure and discoverability isn't selling out -it's smart strategy.Your personal taste doesn’t outrank search behavior. Dennis explains how to keep your voice while still making sure your audience (and the algorithm) can actually find you.

In this episode, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with UX marketing expert Ginny Delaitre to talk about why so many companies get user experience wrong, especially when they start using AI. Ginny explains that great design and great content don’t matter if the experience doesn’t match how real people actually behave.If you’ve ever launched a chatbot, mapped out a customer journey, or built a product that felt obvious to you but confused your users, this episode is for you.Why listen: Ginny shares sharp insights and real examples of where brands miss the mark. This isn’t a conversation about visual design...it’s about behavior, connection, and what it really takes to create an experience people trust.3 key takeaways:Most user journeys aren’t straight lines - they’re messy, interrupted, and driven by real life.AI tools like chatbots often fail because no one thinks about the human experience behind them.Branding isn’t just your logo or colors - it’s how you make people feel at every stage of the journey.

What if the real key to growing your business had nothing to do with your product?In this episode of The Growth Signal, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Jon Weberg to explore how mindset, reaction, and customer experience drive long-term growth. Jon shares how controlling your response (especially when things go wrong) can lead to stronger customer relationships, better deals, and more revenue.From handling chargebacks with grace to rethinking sales discounting strategies, Jon’s approach flips the script on what it means to scale smart.Why listen? Jon has worked with major names like Alex Hormozi and Frank Kern, but his most powerful tool isn’t a playbook...it’s his attitude. If you're looking for practical ways to grow without losing your cool, this one’s for you.3 key takeaways:Your attitude is your strategy - how you respond in tough moments shapes your brand more than what you sellDiscounting isn’t weakness, it’s often the fastest path to profitable growthCaring more than your competitors is a business advantage you can’t automate

In this episode of The Growth Signal, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with marketing agency founder Christopher Tompkins to unpack one of the most important AI takes we’ve heard yet:AI isn’t your savior. It’s your intern. And you better start managing it like one.Christopher shares how most teams are using AI all wrong - treating it like a magic wand instead of a tool that needs real training. He breaks down what it actually takes to get valuable, human-centered output and why lazy prompts are hurting your customer relationships.If you’ve ever copied and pasted an AI-generated email without reading it, this one’s for you.Three key takeaways:AI is only as useful as the training you give it, just like a new hireWhen you let AI talk to your customers without oversight, it damages trustBeing human is now a competitive advantageYou can find Christopher at gosalesandmarketing.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Most companies think they’re listening to their customers. But what if your idea of “value” is completely wrong?In this episode, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with Bob London, creator of the Radically Authentic Discovery Methodology, to talk about why AI might actually be better at empathy, patience, and consistency than humans.Bob shares what he’s learned from nearly 3,000 customer interviews, why your QBR might be doing more harm than good, and how to flip the conversation from “me” to “you.”Why listen: If you want stronger customer relationships and fewer surprises at renewal time, this episode will challenge how you think about listening, value, and the role of AI.3 key takeaways:AI doesn’t have bad days, personal agendas, or short attention spans, which makes it oddly better at listeningAsking “are we adding value?” is the wrong question...you need to ask about their world, not yoursYour customers don’t want another QBR, they want to feel understood

In this episode of The Growth Signal, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with Anika Zubair to challenge a common belief in SaaS: that sales is the main growth driver. Anika shares her hot take: Customer Success (CS) is actually the biggest lever for long-term revenue growth. Together, they unpack why CS teams are often overlooked, how to shift that narrative, and what leaders can do to start owning their impact.Whether you're a CS leader, a revenue owner, or just tired of being treated like a support function, this episode is a must-listen.3 Key Takeaways:Customer Success manages more revenue than sales, so why aren’t they treated like it?If you want credit for growth, speak the language of revenue: NRR, GRR, and dollars.Your job will change. Embracing adaptability is no longer optional...it’s survival.

In this episode of The Growth Signal, host Alyssa Nolte sits down with Customer Success leader Kristi Faltorusso to challenge one of the most common beliefs in business: that experience is what sets you apart. Kristi’s hot take? In the age of AI, that’s no longer true. This conversation dives into how AI is reshaping roles, why legacy systems like customer health scores are outdated, and what leaders must do to stay relevant.If you're a CS leader, operator, or just someone wondering how to stay ahead as AI changes everything, this episode is a must-listen.Why You Should Listen: This isn’t a hype session about AI. It’s a grounded, honest look at how the job is changing—and what to do about it. Kristi shares both strategy and practical advice you can apply right now, whether you're leading a team or trying to future-proof your career.3 Key Takeaways:Experience alone won’t cut it anymore – AI gives everyone access to the knowledge that used to take years to earn.Health scores are broken – Most are built on bad data and gut instinct. It’s time for smarter, automated signals.Learn by doing – The best way to prepare for what’s next is to get your hands dirty. Build a GPT, try a tool, share what you learn.