The Sales Management. Simplified. Podcast with Mike Weinberg

Episode 94 is a special one for several reasons, not the least of which is that it’s the first show where the guest made Mike cry! You will be challenged listening to this interview with Mike’s friend, sales executive extraordinaire and leadership guru Jeff Hancher, who shares his personal journey from pain and poverty to powerful purpose.  Jeff’s story of resilience and how sales changed the trajectory of his life will remind many listeners of why we got into the sales profession in the first place. And every sales leader will benefit hearing about Jeff’s rise through the ranks and the transformational leadership lessons learned along the way – particularly the critically important ability for leaders to give Firm Feedback in a Fragile World (which also happens to be the title of Jeff’s amazing new book). Be sure to take particular note of the segment (starting at the 17:30 mark) that Mike refers to as the greatest five-minute leadership sermon he’s ever heard as Jeff expands on the book’s promise: “how to build a winning culture with critical conversations.”  Lean in as Jeff exhorts listeners on the resulting benefits when leaders properly balance making deep deposits that earn the right to make big withdrawals.  RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Firm Feedback in a Fragile World: How to Build a Winning Culture with Critical Conversations Jeff Hancher    This episode is sponsored by Pursuit Sales Solutions. If you are looking for help adding A-player talent to your team, contact Mike’s friends at pursuitsalessolutions.com/weinberg

Ahson Wardak, recently promoted to regional vice president, shares his journey from top individual contributor to sales leader. He offers a refreshing take on the adage 'people buy from people they like,' emphasizing the necessity of trust over likability. Ahson discusses how he balances patience with proactivity in enterprise sales, the importance of engaging with clients' challenges, and the nuances of nurturing long-term relationships despite organizational complexities. His insights are a must-listen for anyone striving for success in the sales realm.

In Episode 92 Mike doesn’t hold back sharing two takeaways from a recent multi-day speaking and sales training engagement in Las Vegas and then he absolutely unloads on the recent changes at Southwest Airlines. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine Freedom Story featuring Mike The Upcoming September 2025 Supercharge Your Sales Leadership Event New Sales. Simplified. Chapter 14 - Planning & Executing the New Business Development Sales Attack   This episode is sponsored by Pursuit Sales Solutions. If you are looking for help adding A-player talent to your team, contact Mike’s friends at pursuitsalessolutions.com/weinberg

Explore how shifting your perspective can turn frustrations into opportunities, both in life and sales. Personal anecdotes highlight the transformation from self-pity to serving others. Delve into the complexities of sales and hiring, advocating for empathy and customized approaches. Hear about travel trials that inspire compassion and the importance of value in client interactions. Plus, get insights on balancing customer engagement and announcements about upcoming events that promise to electrify sales leadership.

In this episode, insightful tweaks from a successful salesperson are unpacked. A positive mindset and ownership of the sales process are emphasized as game-changers. The significance of calendar control for better productivity is highlighted. The role of supportive management in facilitating breakthrough success is discussed, showcasing how encouragement and preparation can lead to impressive results. Finally, practical strategies for nurturing sales talent and fostering a high-performance culture are explored.

In this conversation, Hannah Romell, known as "Hannah the Hunter," shares her impressive achievement of surpassing sales goals with 167% of her quota. She attributes her success to transformative sales training that shifted her perception of sales as a noble profession. Topics include the importance of assertiveness, how she restructured her sales approach for better effectiveness, and her focus on vital sales actions: Create, Advance, and Close. Hannah's journey is an inspiring testament to the power of mindset and supportive management in sales.

Greg Stanley, a sales compensation expert from Accelerant Consultants, shares his insights on aligning sales compensation with company strategy. He emphasizes the need for compensation plans that reflect revenue contribution, not just attribution. Stanley discusses the importance of tailored compensation structures to motivate different sales roles and drive performance. He also addresses common pitfalls in compensation changes and the significance of involving salespeople in these discussions to maintain trust and morale. Tune in for practical tips on optimizing sales management effectiveness.

The discussion kicks off with the importance of focusing on goal-oriented activities, with a strong push for time-blocking to enhance productivity. Listeners learn about 'Time Draculas'—those non-revenue tasks that drain energy and distract salespeople from closing deals. The conversation emphasizes the three key actions: Create, Advance, and Close. A practical success story highlights how one salesperson reclaimed valuable time and boosted sales by tackling a major Time Dracula. Strategies for effective time management among sales leaders are also discussed.

Discover vital insights into the evolving role of sales managers and the challenges faced by new salespeople in a post-pandemic world. Learn how economic headwinds have exposed gaps in creating demand, emphasizing the need for effective prospecting. Mike discusses the importance of breaks for mental health and the value of coaching in the sales environment. Wrap up with a personal reflection on life’s blessings and the power of gratitude, set against the backdrop of beautiful hikes and transformative travels.

Episode 85 features a unique conversation between Mike and his friend, Greg Stanley, who specializes in helping small and medium-sized companies unlock growth potential by optimizing their revenue function and increasing valuation. Greg founded Accelerant Consultants after a long, successful stint at one of the Big 4 firms.  This dialogue touches on foundational sales management topics including getting the right people in the right jobs, ensuring that the sales deployment model aligns with the corporate strategy, and that the compensation plan supports (instead of hinders) the c-suite’s strategic objectives.  Greg also shares how private equity firms are moving downstream and adding much smaller businesses to their portfolios is changing the competitive landscape and forcing small company leaders to become more sophisticated sales managers. And finally, he makes the strong pitch that management should be taking a hard look at a salesperson’s  “revenue contribution” rather than simply looking at “revenue attribution.” RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Accelerant Consultants Greg on LinkedIn _________________________________ This episode is sponsored by Pursuit Sales Solutions. If you are looking for help adding A-player talent to your team, contact Mike’s friends at pursuitsalessolutions.com/weinberg