Elite Selling Podcast - Mastering Tech Sales

Frankie Vignone and Griffin Reilly
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Nov 12, 2025 • 41min

How Elite Sales Leaders Combine Vision with Precision - Alex Cramer, CRO @ Cresta

SummaryIn this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, Griffin Reilly interviews Alex Cramer, who shares his journey into sales, insights on what makes a great seller, and the importance of empathy and relationship-building in sales. Cramer discusses the challenges faced by sales teams in high-growth startups, the future of sales in the context of AI and customer experience, and the critical role of sales enablement. He emphasizes the need for mastery in both the big picture and the details, and offers advice for young sellers looking to navigate their careers effectively.TakeawaysLearned the power of visual selling early in my career.There are many paths to becoming an elite seller.Master both the big picture and the details in sales.Building relationships is crucial for closing deals.Sales teams often struggle due to leadership misalignment.Understanding customer pain points is essential for success.AI will significantly impact the customer experience space.Sales enablement is vital for equipping teams to succeed.Empathy is a key skill for understanding customer needs.Direct communication is necessary for effective sales. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Elite Selling06:34 Mastering the Art of Selling14:45 The Future of Sales in AI and Customer Experience20:45 Pathway to Becoming a CRO26:17 The Mindset of Great Sellers32:02 The Importance of In-Person Meetings39:48 Continuous Learning and Mentorship
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Oct 29, 2025 • 35min

Why Team Selling Wins Every Time - Bill Dwoinen, CRO @ Mural

SummaryIn this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, Bill Dwoinen shares his insights on sales strategies, memorable deals, and the importance of alignment and collaboration in sales teams. He discusses his experiences at Salesforce and Mural, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to sales, the significance of mutual action plans, and the challenges of pipeline generation in today's market. Dwoinen also draws parallels between marathon running and sales, highlighting the lessons learned from both disciplines.TakeawaysThe best deals often come from collaborative efforts.Alignment among account teams is crucial for success.Sales is about operational excellence and execution.Building mutual action plans is essential for closing deals.Great sellers unify their go-to-market teams.Sales requires a mindset of patience and intent.Pipeline generation is challenging in a competitive environment.Elite sellers lead by example and inspire their teams.Preparation is key to successful sales calls.Sales is about doing hard things and pushing boundaries.
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Sep 4, 2025 • 47min

Why NOW is the Best Time to be in Sales - Mark Wayland, CRO @ Box

SummaryIn this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, hosts Frankie and Griffin welcome Mark Wayland, Chief Revenue Officer at Box, to discuss the essential traits of elite sellers. Mark emphasizes the importance of grit and business acumen, explaining how these traits can be developed and are crucial for success in sales. He shares insights on building trust with customers, the evolution of the sales profession, and the impact of AI on the industry. Mark also provides valuable advice for early career sellers, encouraging them to think long-term and seek mentorship.TakeawaysAn elite seller can thrive in any economic environment.Grit is a combination of passion and perseverance.Business acumen is essential for understanding customer needs.Emotional intelligence plays a key role in sales success.Building trust with customers is crucial for closing deals.Sales today requires a sophisticated understanding of the market.Creating demand is as important as generating leads.The sales profession is more respected than ever before.AI is transforming the sales landscape rapidly.Long-term career planning is essential for success.Sound bites"Grit can be developed over time.""Trust is the key to successful sales.""Sales is a respected career now."Chapters00:00 Defining Elite Sellers04:27 The Importance of Grit in Sales07:31 Developing Grit and Emotional Intelligence10:29 Real-Life Examples of Grit in Action13:21 The Value of Taking on Hard Challenges16:24 Business Acumen: Understanding Customer Needs19:37 Building Trust Through Genuine Curiosity24:22 Building Trust as a Foundation25:23 The Role of Market Makers27:19 The Importance of Discovery in Sales33:19 The Evolution of Sales Over the Decades38:30 The AI Revolution in Sales41:11 Mentorship and Long-Term Career Growth
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Aug 27, 2025 • 35min

From SMB to Enterprise Giants: How Motive Did it - Adam Block, CRO @ Motive

In this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, Adam Block, CRO of Mortive, discusses the critical aspects of scaling sales teams, the characteristics of effective sellers, and the importance of building a supportive sales culture. He emphasizes the RAD framework (Resilience, Accountability, Discipline) as key traits for sellers, and shares insights on navigating the transition from mid-market to enterprise sales. Adam also highlights the significance of genuine relationships and the mindset required for success in sales.TakeawaysScaling teams is essential for growing enterprise value.Hiring motivated individuals is crucial for success.The RAD framework (Resilience, Accountability, Discipline) defines effective sellers.Sales culture should support both revenue producers and their well-being.Transitioning to enterprise sales requires careful planning and execution.Accountability is key in sales; sellers must own their outcomes.Building a strong pipeline is vital for sales success.Genuine relationships with customers lead to better sales outcomes.Sales enablement plays a critical role in supporting sellers.A positive mindset and discipline are essential for elite sellers.
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Jul 31, 2025 • 55min

Inside the Buyer’s Mind: AI, Insights, and Curiosity | Art Harding - CRO @ GrowthLoop

SummaryIn this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, Art Harding shares his unique perspective on the buyer-seller dynamic, emphasizing the importance of understanding the buyer's journey and the budgeting process. He discusses the significance of identifying champions within organizations, the role of AI in sales, and the necessity of building long-term relationships. Art also highlights the value of leveraging post-sales insights and the need for sellers to be relevant in a noisy market. He concludes with thoughts on what defines an elite seller, focusing on collaboration and curiosity.TakeawaysArt Harding emphasizes the importance of understanding the buyer's perspective.Budgeting is dynamic and should be viewed as a living organism.Uncommitted spend is crucial for sellers to target.Building long-term relationships is key to successful selling.Sellers should act as business partners, not just salespeople.Curiosity is a superpower for sellers in understanding their clients.Peer-to-peer references can significantly accelerate sales cycles.The relevance of a seller's offering is critical in a noisy market.AI is transforming the sales landscape, but buyers are still adapting.Elite sellers know how to leverage cross-functional resources effectively.TitlesUnlocking the Buyer-Seller DynamicMastering the Art of Selling SoftwareSound bites"Success is moving from one failure to the next.""The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.""We are in a relevance game."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Art Harding's Unique Perspective02:59 Understanding the Buyer-Seller Dynamic06:04 Aligning with Business Initiatives08:44 Navigating Budget Dynamics11:52 Identifying Champions and Change Agents14:39 Building Long-Term Relationships18:00 The Importance of Post-Sale Engagement20:48 Leveraging Peer-to-Peer References30:04 Leveraging Post-Sales Teams for Growth36:35 Navigating the AI Landscape for Buyers49:27 Defining the Elite Seller49:49 Resources for Staying Ahead
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Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 1min

Garrett Marker - CRO @ Brex - Lean into Discomfort: Own Your Career and Earning Potential

Garrett Marker, Chief Revenue Officer at Brex, shares his journey from sales rep to executive, illuminating strategic career decisions. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the benefits of working in competitive environments. Garrett shares tactical insights on closing large deals by understanding customer needs and using innovative demo strategies. He advocates for leaning into discomfort to enhance career growth and provides actionable advice for sellers to build trust and succeed.
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Jun 10, 2025 • 54min

Jeff Ford - CRO @ Trimble Inc. - Why Elite Sellers have a RevOps Mindset

SummaryIn this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, Jeff Ford, Chief Revenue Officer at Trimble, discusses the importance of adopting a Rev Ops mindset in sales. He shares his journey from sales operations to revenue operations, emphasizing the evolution of the role and the complexities involved in managing sales organizations. Jeff highlights the significance of understanding the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and the role of KPIs in driving sales success. He advocates for an ownership mindset among sales reps and the importance of asking for help to achieve better results. In this conversation, Jeff Ford discusses the importance of understanding individual motivations in sales, the transformative impact of AI on the sales landscape, and the future of sales roles as technology evolves. He emphasizes the need for sales professionals to embrace AI tools to enhance their productivity and career growth. Additionally, Jeff defines the attributes of an elite seller, highlighting the significance of humility, emotional intelligence (EQ), discipline, and drive in achieving success in sales.
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Apr 24, 2025 • 43min

Jason Griggs - CRO @ Observe.AI: Deal Execution in 2025

SummaryIn this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, Jason Griggs discusses the critical importance of deal execution in sales. He shares insights from his 25 years of experience, emphasizing the need for empathy in navigating sales processes and the significance of engaging multiple stakeholders. Jason introduces the 'Three P's' of deal success: understanding the problem, identifying the right people, and influencing the process. He also explores the role of AI in transforming sales execution and offers practical advice for sales professionals to adapt to the evolving landscape. In this conversation, Jason Griggs shares insights on the importance of networking, understanding the buying process, and the critical role of champions in deal execution. He emphasizes the need for trust and building relationships over time, as well as the significance of maintaining motivation outside of work through physical activity and continuous learning. The discussion culminates in defining what it means to be an elite seller, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and growth.akeawaysDeal execution is crucial for sales success.Empathy is key when navigating sales processes.Engaging multiple stakeholders can enhance deal success.Understanding the customer's pain points is essential.Sales reps should identify the right people early in the process.Avoid losing deals to inaction or delays.AI will significantly impact the sales process in the future.Sales professionals should continuously learn from peers.Building credibility with customers is vital for success.Effective sales strategies involve understanding the buying process. Networking is crucial for success in sales.Understanding the buying process helps in deal execution.A champion is essential for closing deals.Trust is built over time through consistent delivery.Testing champions is important to ensure their commitment.Maintaining motivation outside of work is key to performance.Physical activity contributes to overall energy and focus.Continuous learning is vital for personal and professional growth.Setting big goals and breaking them down is effective.An elite seller is always growing and self-aware.
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Apr 17, 2025 • 46min

Selling “Value Realization”: The Modern Engagement Model - Christian Smith - CRO @ Splunk

SummaryIn this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, Christian Smith discusses the evolution of sales methodologies toward a more customer-centric approach. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer value, the role of customer success, and the need for a cultural shift within organizations to prioritize long-term relationships over short-term gains. The conversation also touches on the challenges of adapting to shifting customer expectations and the necessity of delivering continuous value to maintain competitive advantage. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the evolving role of sellers in modern sales, emphasizing the importance of partnership, teamwork, and resource allocation. They explore the characteristics that define successful sellers, including a growth mindset and discipline, and highlight the significance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life. The discussion also touches on the impact of leadership on fostering a positive work environment and the necessity of adapting sales strategies based on company size and market conditions.TakeawaysSellers need to care about customers post-sale.Customer engagement models must evolve to meet expectations.Sales training should focus on delivering customer value.Organizations must define their engagement teams clearly.Customer success is crucial for long-term relationships.Sales and customer success must work collaboratively.Cultural shifts are necessary for effective engagement models.Leadership must align on customer value outcomes.Modern sellers must adapt to changing customer expectations.Continuous value delivery is key to customer retention. A good seller's job is constant discovery.Great sellers are great discovery people.Think of your territory as a CEO of your territory.You can't spend the same on a $10,000 account as a $10 million account.Focus on the ICP.Growth mindset shows up in strong curiosity.Discipline differentiates the great ones from the not so great ones.Work is not my life.I love solving customer problems.The patterns discussed are important for every company size.
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Feb 5, 2025 • 50min

The Art of Resiliency and Self-Advocacy in Sales with Joey Nalevka, CRO @ Square

Connect With Joey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-nalevka-7b813917/ Summary In this episode of the Elite Selling Podcast, Joey shares insights on the key characteristics of elite sellers, focusing on resiliency and self-advocacy. He discusses the importance of collaboration, product knowledge, and strategies for overcoming slumps in sales. Joey emphasizes the need for personal branding and the mindset required to succeed in a challenging sales environment. In this conversation, Joey discusses the importance of personal branding and self-advocacy in achieving career success. He emphasizes the need to articulate one's strengths and values, identify personal brands, and actively promote them. The discussion also covers common mistakes in branding, the significance of networking, and how to define what makes an elite seller. Joey shares personal experiences and practical advice on how to navigate the professional landscape effectively.

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