OnBase: Smashing Sales and Marketing Misalignments

This episode of the OnBase Podcast features a compelling discussion with Nick Webb on the power of a modern go-to-market strategy. Host Paul Gibson and Nick explore the challenges of navigating organizational change and the critical shift from high-volume, low-quality lead generation to a targeted ABM/ABX approach. Nick shares the story of how CloudPay transformed its pipeline by moving from "net fishing" to "spear fishing," a move that quadrupled its sales pipeline.The conversation reveals why sales and marketing alignment is non-negotiable and how data-driven decisions provide the confidence needed to make bold changes. Nick details the hurdles, the mindset shifts, and the specific KPIs that were essential to driving this monumental transformation. This episode is a masterclass for any B2B leader looking to build a scalable and effective growth engine.Key TakeawaysQuality Over QuantityGenerating thousands of leads is meaningless if it doesn't translate to pipeline. Focusing on an agreed-upon ICP is the foundation of a successful GTM strategy.Shared KPIs Drive AlignmentShifting marketing's core KPI from lead volume to dollar-value pipeline ensures both sales and marketing are working toward the same goal.Data is Your Ally in ChangeUse data to prove the need for change and validate new strategies. Data-backed insights overcome resistance and build trust across teamsIt's a Partnership Not a HandoffThe old model of marketing throwing leads over the fence is broken. A modern GTM requires genuine collaboration where sales and marketing are fully integrated.Rethink Your TerminologyCalling leads "signals" reframes the follow-up process, shifting focus from pursuing an individual to understanding account-level interest.Quotes"Gone are the days where marketing people could get away with not knowing their numbers. We have to carry a number just like sales people do."Best Moments (07:22) – The Damascene Moment Nick details the realization that generating 3x more leads was actually causing the sales pipeline to fall.(09:38) – From Net Fishing to Spear Fishing The core analogy that drove CloudPay's strategic shift to a targeted ABM/ABX model.(14:25) – The New Playbook How CloudPay revolutionized its operations by changing KPIs, moving BDRs into marketing, and renaming leads to "signals."(20:00) – Overcoming Resistance Nick outlines the three groups of people in any change scenario and how to build momentum with advocates and data.(33:27) – Stopping the Attribution Wars The decision to stop attributing leads to specific departments and why it immediately ended internal friction.Shout-OutsKate Cox - CEO, Bray Leino.Tim Johnson - Field CTO, Gaming, Databricks.Andy McFarlane - VP of Marketing, Morse Micro.About the GuestNick Webb has more than 25 years of Marketing experience in world-class technology and fintech organisations, including Vodafone, Microsoft and WorldFirst. Now, as Chief Marketing Officer of CloudPay, Nick leads the Marketing team to build market awareness and drive business growth through the creation of a pipeline of leads and prospects for the Sales teams.Connect with Nick.

In this episode of OnBase, host Paul Gibson sits down with Carolina Bräuninger from doinstruct to explore the intricacies of building a winning go-to-market (GTM) strategy. Drawing from her journey in B2B software sales and her leadership in the construction vertical, Carolina shares lessons on industry-focused pods, balancing short-term execution with long-term growth, and how to truly understand customer pain points when scaling into new markets.The conversation covers practical strategies for entering verticals, aligning sales and marketing, and leveraging AI as a productivity booster — while avoiding blind reliance on it. Carolina also sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities in the construction industry, the value of industry expert interviews, and the importance of authenticity in sales conversations.Key TakeawaysIndustry Context Matters: GTM strategies must be tailored to verticals. Language, lingo, and stakeholder priorities vary drastically across industries.Pods Drive Relevance: Organizing teams into industry pods ensures consistent market knowledge, relevant messaging, and better marketing alignment.Mini-Milestones Over Quick Wins: Interviews with industry experts, successful demos, and early inbound signals are often more valuable than chasing premature closed deals.Sales–Marketing Alignment is Non-Negotiable: Misalignment wastes pipeline. Both teams must see themselves as service providers for one another.AI is a Time Saver, Not a Silver Bullet: When trained correctly, AI can reduce prep time by up to 70%, but human oversight and contextual understanding are essential.Authenticity Wins in Construction: Avoid jargon and buzzwords — being real and informed is critical when selling to down-to-earth industry leaders.Quotes“Marketing and sales aren’t silos. They’re service providers for each other.”Best Moments (00:50) – Carolina shares her journey from SDR to construction pod lead.(06:40) – The role of vertical-focused pods in shaping GTM.(11:30) – Unique challenges in the construction industry and the importance of authenticity.(17:40) – Mini milestones and industry expert interviews as success markers.(26:00) – Rethinking sales and marketing alignment as mutual service.(44:50) – The role of AI in GTM strategies and the need for human oversight.Resource RecommendationsPodcastsBusiness Movers (Wondery) – A podcast exploring the origins of iconic companies.About the GuestCarolina Bräuninger is a Senior Enterprise Account Executive at doinstruct, where she helps B2B customers across industries achieve their business goals. With nearly seven years of sales experience, she has built a track record of consistently exceeding targets and driving results.Carolina has also developed strong expertise in sales processes and social media communication, drawing on projects such as her podcast Girl in Sales. Beyond her role, she is passionate about mentoring sales newcomers, sharing knowledge, and empowering the next generation of professionals to succeed.⁠Connect with Carolina⁠.

In this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody is joined by Jonathan Moran from SAS for a deep dive into decisioning in the AI era. Jonathan explains the evolving relationship between enterprise decisioning (rule-based frameworks with governance) and AI-driven adaptive decisioning, and why businesses must strike the right balance to deliver innovation without sacrificing trust or accountability.The conversation explores how organizations can integrate AI decisioning into their customer experience strategies, overcome silos across departments, and build governance frameworks that ensure ethical, explainable, and scalable AI. Jonathan also shares practical examples of modular architectures, insights from SAS research on AI readiness, and his perspective on the future of B2B marketing.This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to responsibly embrace AI while maintaining brand integrity, compliance, and customer trust.Key TakeawaysBalance AI with Governance: AI decisioning drives agility and adaptability, but enterprise governance ensures accountability, auditability, and risk mitigation.Customer Experience Impact: Enterprise rules provide consistency, while AI refines interactions in real-time to deliver personalized, proactive experiences.Breaking Down Silos: Leaders must align people, processes, and technology to create an enterprise-wide decisioning framework instead of fragmented departmental models.Ethics & Trust: SAS research shows that while 80% of employees use generative AI daily, fewer than 10% have governance frameworks in place, underscoring a major gap.Composable Architectures: Modular, API-first frameworks enable flexibility, scalability, and lower total costs while accelerating digital transformationQuotes“AI decisioning delivers speed, but without governance, it can lead to bias, compliance breaches, and brand damage.”Best Moments (02:50) – Jonathan defines enterprise vs. AI decisioning and why balance matters.(09:30) – How AI decisioning elevates customer experience while enterprise rules ensure consistency.(13:30) – Overcoming silos: the role of people, process, and technology.(20:30) – SAS research on governance gaps and the 10 elements of a robust AI framework.(28:00) – Use cases for composable modular architectures delivering ROI and efficiency.(35:30) – The biggest challenge in B2B marketing today: measuring ROI and attribution.Tech Recommendations:SAS Customer Intelligence 360Dynamic YieldZapierSoraResource RecommendationsPodcastsMarkigy hosted by Leanne Dow-WeimerBlog and researchChief Martech blogShout-outsBrian Vellmure, a distinguished leader and strategic innovator.Keanu Taylor, Global Head of Research, The Martech WeeklyGreg Kihlstrom, Consultant, Advisor, Speaker and Coach, The Agile BrandChristopher Penn, Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist, TrustInsights.aiRonald van Loon, Principal Analyst, CEO, Intelligent WorldBernard Marr, Best-selling author, futurist, and strategic business and technology advisor.About the GuestJonathan Moran is responsible for global marketing activities for SAS’s marketing solutions. He has over 20 years of marketing technology and customer analytics industry experience. Prior to SAS, Jonathan worked at both Earnix and the Teradata Corporation in pre-sales, consulting, and marketing roles.Over the past 25 years, Jonathan has not only architected, developed, demonstrated, and implemented analytical marketing software solutions, but he has also had the unique opportunity to work on-site with Fortune 500 customers across industries, helping them solve complex business challenges.He graduated from North Carolina State University with an undergraduate double major in Marketing and Spanish Languages and Literatures, and also holds an MBA from NC State with a concentration in Technology Commercialization.Connect with Jonathan.

Host Chris Moody sits down with Jillian Lellis to explore how AI is revolutionizing account-based marketing and the critical importance of sales-marketing alignment in modern B2B strategies. The conversation dives deep into the practical challenges of building effective target account lists, the role of AI in account prioritization, and why data quality remains the foundation of successful marketing operations. Jillian shares real-world examples of how her team at Algolia successfully transitioned from SQL-focused metrics to ABX qualified accounts, emphasizing the change management and collaborative processes required for success. The discussion also tackles the balance between leveraging AI for efficiency while maintaining the human creativity and strategic thinking that drives competitive advantage.Listen to discover actionable insights on building unified account strategies and practical approaches to AI implementation in B2B marketing.Key TakeawaysTarget Account List AlignmentSuccess requires early sales involvement and approval before going live with any target account strategy.AI as Enhancement, Not ReplacementAI improves account scoring and prioritization but requires human oversight and verification to avoid costly mistakes.Data Foundation FirstYou cannot automate or AI-optimize broken processes - solid data quality and operational foundations are essential.Start Small with AIBegin with specific use cases rather than trying to automate everything at once.Sales-Marketing CollaborationRegular check-ins and clear communication remain critical, even as AI handles more routine tasks.Quotes"Trust, but verify. AI can be wrong, and you can't just blindly trust it."Best Moments (02:31) – Data Analytics Evolution Jillian's unique journey from heavy equipment to FinTech to marketing operations(05:49) – Target Account List Strategy The difference between ICP and TAL, and why sales alignment is non-negotiable(12:12) – AI in Action How predictive models and journey stages are transforming account prioritization(18:57) – AI Gone Wrong Real examples of when AI provides incorrect data and the importance of verification(25:11) – Sales-Marketing Collaboration A manager's creative AI pilot project for contact prioritization(29:33) – The Future of ABM How AI is changing account scoring beyond traditional data modelsTech Recommendations:Hex – Data analytics and coding platformChatGPT – AI assistance for documentation and workflow optimizationClaude – AI tool particularly effective for coding tasksResource RecommendationsPodcastsMorbid – True crime podcast (Jillian's personal favorite for non-work listening)Shout-OutsSarah McNamara - Founder @ #samsalesCarly Taylor - Field CTO, Gaming, Databricks.About the GuestJillian Lellis is a Data-driven GTM operator with 15+ years of experience spanning marketing ops, analytics, and data science. Jillian started her career building predictive models and experimenting with customer segmentation—and now she builds scalable systems that align GTM strategy, pipeline health, and operational excellence. Currently making AI-powered search smarter at Algolia.Website: ⁠www.algolia.com⁠⁠Connect with Jillian⁠.

In this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody sits down with Phil Hernandez and Tina Katic-Michalos to explore how organizations can rethink their go-to-market strategies in the era of AI. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding AI adoption, the critical role of clean data, and how to maintain human connection while embracing automation.Phil and Tina share real-world insights from leading transformations across industries—covering everything from AI-native sales teams to alignment across marketing, sales, and customer success. They also highlight the importance of building customer journeys, experimenting with AI tools, and setting KPIs that truly drive impact.Whether you’re navigating sales enablement, operational alignment, or the chaos of AI-driven change, this episode offers actionable steps to stay ahead.Key TakeawaysAI isn’t a silver bullet: Without clean, structured data, AI only amplifies dysfunction. Human oversight is essential to make it effective.Customer journeys drive alignment: Mapping end-to-end journeys helps unify marketing, sales, and customer success around shared KPIs.AI must enhance—not replace—human touch: Leaders must balance automation with authentic connections to maintain trust.Becoming AI-native is critical: Teams need exposure, training, and comfort with AI before embedding it into processes.Focus on the right metrics: Identify true north-star KPIs and align the entire go-to-market team, avoiding vanity metrics.Experiment and iterate: With AI capabilities evolving rapidly, leaders should embrace experimentation and test new use cases.Quotes“If you haven’t built out your customer journey, you don’t know where AI fits. Start there, then enhance.” – Phil Hernandez“This is the perfect time to rethink GTM strategies—AI is still new, and the room for trial and error is huge.” – Tina Katic-MichalosBest Moments (02:26) – Why leaders must rethink go-to-market strategies now.(05:08) – Tina breaks down misconceptions: clean data and humans-in-the-loop.(09:20) – Phil explains balancing AI adoption with authentic human connection.(11:40) – Tina outlines how shared KPIs and customer journeys unite sales and marketing.(15:36) – Real-world example: AI-driven lead scoring boosts conversion by 30%.(19:12) – Phil on getting teams “AI-native” and overcoming resistance.(22:22) – Actionable steps: demos, data hygiene, experimentation.(26:29) – Phil’s advice: focus on KPIs that truly matter, cut the noise.Resource recommendationsBooksAtomic Habits by James Clear – plus his insightful newsletter.Influence: Science and Practice by Robert Cialdini – a classic on understanding customer psychology.PodcastsMarketing SpeakShout-OutsStephan Spencer, SEO Expert, Author, and Speaker.Sara McNamara, Founding Revenue Operations & GTM Strategy Lead.Jason Lemkin, Sasstr founderBrian LaManna, Enterprise Account Executive, Gong.Kyle Coleman, Global VP Marketing, ClickUpAbout the GuestsTina Katic-MichalosTina Katic-Michalos is Sr. Director of Demand Generation at TaskUs, where she drives measurable growth by transforming complex revenue operations into streamlined, scalable systems. With more than a decade in B2B marketing, she has deep expertise in pipeline management and process optimization, consistently delivering outcomes that accelerate revenue performance.Connect with Tina.Phil HernandezPhil Hernandez is Vice President of Sales Services at TaskUs, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in shaping go-to-market strategy, designing organizational structures, and leading revenue growth. His background spans P&L ownership, forecasting, customer operations, and M&A integration, with a proven track record of building scalable organizations and driving long-term growth.Connect with Phil.

In this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody talks with Scott Neuman, VP of Marketing at Calix, about how broadband providers can move beyond competing on price and speed to deliver personalized, value-driven experiences. Scott shares lessons from his career in advertising, IBM, and Calix, highlighting how data, AI, and “campaigns in a box” empower even small teams to succeed. From proactive customer touchpoints to unconventional ideas like “grandparent gamer” packages, this episode offers practical strategies for redefining marketing in broadband and beyond.Key TakeawaysDon’t Compete on Price & Speed Alone: Broadband must shift from commodity marketing to value-driven offerings like parental controls, security, and ease of use.Positive Touchpoints Matter: Most subscriber interactions are negative (billing, outages). Providers must create proactive, goodwill-building moments.AI + Data = Competitive Advantage: Data-driven insights enable micro-segmentation, predictive problem solving, and tailored offerings for subscribers.Empowering Small Teams: Calix’s “campaigns in a box” and customer success teams give small regional providers the resources of a big marketing agency.Unconventional Bets Win: From senior gaming packages to employee social advocacy, bold strategies can differentiate in crowded markets.Quotes“Stop selling gig speeds and price tags. Start selling peace of mind, security, and better lives.”-Scott Newman emphasizes that marketers should shift their focus from competing on features and price to competing on value and customer experience.Best Moments (00:24) – Scott shares his three career chapters: advertising, 18 years at IBM, and his current role at Calix.(02:41) – Why broadband providers must move beyond selling speed and price, and instead market experiences like parental controls and security.(07:51) – Proactive customer engagement and how Calix uses quality-of-experience (QoE) scores to build positive touchpoints.(10:51) – Extending connectivity beyond the home: outdoor Wi-Fi, community broadband, and differentiating from “fast and cheap” competitors.(20:56) – How Calix’s “campaigns in a box” and customer success teams empower even the smallest providers to market like pros.(23:55) – The rise of unconventional packages, including “grandparent gamer” bundles and work-from-home segmentation.(28:01) – Unlocking employee advocacy and building social “armies” to amplify the brand authenticallyTech recommendationsAccount-based marketing platformsResource recommendationsPodcastsArtificial Intelligence ShowShout-OutsJon Iwata, Executive Chair, Data and Trust Alliance and former Chief Brand Office IBM, for inspiring Scott with visionary branding and mission-driven messaging.About the GuestScott Neuman is a seasoned marketing professional with over 30 years of experience, specializing in the intersection of technology and marketing strategy. Currently serving as the Corporate Vice President of Marketing at Calix, he has a proven track record of driving double-digit growth through innovative marketing strategies. Scott's expertise spans various domains including B2B marketing, demand generation, and integrated marketing communications, making him a catalyst for organizational transformation. He holds an MBA from Cornell and a Certificate in Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School Online. Beyond his professional achievements, Scott is also a dedicated family man, residing in Norwich, Vermont with his wife and three children. His passion for storytelling and customer-centric marketing helps brands connect meaningfully with their audiences, ensuring their challenges are met with effective solutions. Scott's leadership experience and strategic insights have positioned him as a thought leader in the marketing field.Connect with Scott.

In this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody talks with Myla Pilao about how brands can remain relevant and resilient in the age of AI. Myla shares her unconventional path into the ICT and cybersecurity industry, and why translating technical narratives into relatable, actionable stories is key to influencing behavior.The conversation explores AI’s role in shifting from transactional to relationship-driven customer experiences, the importance of high-quality data, and strategies for hyper-personalization without crossing privacy boundaries. Myla explains how her team balances automation with creativity, integrates AI responsibly, and aligns global teams around AI-driven processes.Key TakeawaysAI as a Relationship Builder: Moving beyond generic automation to personalized, context-aware customer interactions.Data Quality First: “Garbage in, garbage out” still applies—AI’s success depends on the integrity of your input data.Hyper-Personalization in Action: Tailoring responses and recommendations to specific, high-priority customer pain points.Balancing AI with Human Creativity: Establishing multi-layer editorial reviews to preserve authenticity and accuracy.Adoption Through Proof of Concept: Testing AI on low-risk content before applying it to mission-critical materials.Three AI-Era Imperatives: Address bias with transparency, embed privacy and compliance, and iterate relentlessly.Quotes“Garbage in, garbage out still holds true. The quality of your data will make or break your AI outcomes.”“The foundation can be AI-driven, but the final touch has to be human.”Best Moments 01:09 – Myla shares her unconventional journey into ICT and cybersecurity.(03:30) – How AI is changing the nature of customer relationships.(05:29) – Data quality as the biggest challenge in AI adoption.(07:39) – Using hyper-personalization to address specific threats like ransomware.(09:18) – Balancing efficiency gains with authenticity in content creation.(12:07) – Aligning global teams through cautious, proof-of-concept AI rollouts.(15:21) – Myla’s three operational imperatives for mid-stage AI adoption.(17:57) – Aligning teams around bold visions and measurable results.(20:39) – The challenge of cutting through “too much information” in B2B marketing.Resource recommendationsPragmatic Institute - For product and market strategies.Duarte - For storytelling and visual communication techniques for complex topics.About the GuestMyla V. Pilao is a seasoned cybersecurity marketing leader with extensive experience at the intersection of technology, marketing, and public relations. As Director of Technology Marketing at Trend Micro, she drives thought leadership initiatives that translate complex security concepts into actionable insights for audiences from C-suite executives to everyday tech users.With a career spanning leadership roles in technical support, customer relationship management, and marketing, Myla has built a strong record of guiding teams through the evolving digital landscape with a focus on trust, privacy, and innovation. Prior to Trend Micro, she held customer engagement and support roles in the gaming technology and telecommunications industries.She holds a Master’s Degree from National University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Santo Tomas.Connect with Myla.

Episode SummaryThis episode of the OnBase Podcast dives into AI’s critical role in transforming go-to-market (GTM) strategies, brand building, and buyer engagement in the B2B landscape. Host Paul Gibson speaks with Rob Gold about how AI serves as a strategy accelerator, not just a buzzword, and explores the behaviors modern B2B marketers need to adopt to remain competitive. Rob also shares insights into Dentsu's groundbreaking AI-powered transformations and outlines the trends that will redefine B2B marketing by 2030.Key topics include the increasing importance of brand trust, AI-driven personalization, and actionable first steps for companies ready to expand their AI maturity while keeping human creativity at the core.Key TakeawaysAI as a Strategy AcceleratorAI is an accelerator for strategies, enabling organizations to reduce decision-making times and optimize buyer journeys.Brand TrustA strong brand built on trust and aligned values is essential to establish credibility with buyers.Enhanced Buyer ExperienceSimplifying complex purchase processes can shrink sales cycles and improve buyer satisfaction.Data-Driven AgilityLeveraging predictive AI enhances both targeting precision and real-time responsiveness.Trends in B2B by 2030Key shifts such as machine-to-machine commerce and marketplace dominance will demand innovative solutions.Quotes“AI is not the strategy. It is the accelerator of your strategy.”Best Moments 01:10 – Rob’s Journey & Vision: How his career shaped his leadership principles at Dentsu B2B.03:07 – Key Modern B2B Behaviors: Brand trust, experiences, and the agility to stay relevant.15:44 – The Role of AI in Marketing: Using AI to enhance predictive modeling and shorter sales cycles.21:38 – Real-World Application of AI: The transformational success of AI-driven quote engine “Lily.”33:43 – 2023 to 2030 Trends: What’s coming next in B2B, from autonomous commerce to ethical marketing.Shout-OutsBob Ray - Board Director, MarketbridgeTejal Patel - Founding Partner, Stanford Bridge Partners Richard Shotton - Founder of AstrotenAbout the GuestRob Gold is the Global President of Dentsu B2B, leading a network of over 1,000 B2B specialists worldwide. With more than two decades of experience, Rob's career spans global brands like BMW and Zenith, as well as spearheading innovations in B2B marketing at Merkle and Dentsu. His visionary approach blends data, technology, and creativity to drive success for some of the world’s most ambitious companies.Website: www.dentsu.comConnect with Rob.

Episode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody welcomes Preet Sibia to discuss the evolution of go-to-market strategies from a transactional, product-first approach to a deeply customer-centric model. Preet shares candid insights from his decades of experience in semiconductors and reveals the operational, cultural, and structural shifts required to make customer orientation a reality.From building clear sales processes and empowering account managers to mastering alignment across teams and driving change management, Preet offers a detailed blueprint for organizations ready to elevate their customer relationships. He also emphasizes how investing in the right talent and metrics creates sustained impact across retention and growth.Key TakeawaysFrom Transaction to TransformationSticking to a product-oriented model may yield short-term success, but long-term growth demands a strategic shift to understanding and solving customer pain points. Customer-centricity transforms vendors into co-investors in client success.Simplify the Customer InterfaceMultiple siloed product teams can overwhelm customers. Empowering a single account owner (the “quarterback”) to guide the engagement improves clarity, builds trust, and deepens relationships.Operational Shifts are Non-NegotiableSuccessful transformations require a standardized sales process, clear role definitions, and well-trained application engineers and marketers who focus on customer needs, not just product features.Retention > AcquisitionBy understanding strategic roadmaps and elevating customer conversations beyond transactional buying, businesses can position themselves as indispensable partners, boosting long-term retention.Change Management Must Be IntentionalCommunicate relentlessly. Involve key leaders in shaping the change. Focus energy on those committed to the new vision, rather than spending time converting detractors.Measure What MattersBeyond product sales, leading indicators include customer satisfaction surveys, direct feedback, and clarity in account ownership. Internal and external alignment is key.Quotes“We used to walk into customer meetings with 20 product reps. Now we walk in with a few strategic voices focused on solving the customer’s problem.”“Change doesn’t work unless you pour your energy into those who want to drive it. That’s how momentum builds.”Best Moments (01:00) – Preet’s early journey in semiconductors and his unexpected start on a tech support hotline.(03:45) – Why customer-centric go-to-market isn’t optional for future growth.(07:00) – How customer relationships shift when you focus on strategic problems over transactions.(10:00) – Operational changes that empower sales teams and streamline customer interaction.(16:00) – Managing change: from selecting champions to navigating resistance.(21:15) – Metrics that reflect progress in customer-centric strategy.Resources recommendationsRange by David Epstein – Encourages career exploration and diverse skill development.Backstage Leadership by Charles Galunic – A deeper look into leadership infrastructure and organizational dynamics.Shout-OutsJack Gifford, Founder of Maxim – Preet’s early mentor and a lasting influence on his leadership philosophy.About the GuestPreet has over 25 years of global experience leading teams covering product marketing, applications engineering, sales, and distribution management. In his current role Preet leads Sales, Marketing, and Applications Engineering for Infineon’s Consumer, Computing, and Communication business in the Americas region.Connect with Preet.

Episode SummaryAlexander DeMoulin joins the OnBase Podcast to share his candid and inspiring journey from a failed salesperson to a respected RevOps leader. In this episode, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at how trust is built between sales and marketing teams—and why “bad data” is often the first and biggest barrier to collaboration.From his apartment (formerly his basement), Alexander details how he used scrappy problem-solving and tools like Clay and Clearbit to rebuild trust with sales by cleaning up data, operationalizing lists, and turning feedback into action. His story is not just about tools and processes, but about earning buy-in and enabling cross-functional teams to take confident action.Key TakeawaysFailure Fuels ClarityAlexander’s early struggles in sales revealed his strengths in operations, eventually guiding him into GTM Ops.Trust Is EverythingYears of failed outbound efforts eroded sales trust. Only deep collaboration and transparency could repair it."Bad Data" Isn’t Just a Problem—It’s the ProblemNo enrichment tool fixes poor internal hygiene. Alexander tackled duplicates, rogue opportunities, and data mismatches at scale.Operational Alignment Enables Strategic FeedbackOnce trust was restored, sales, marketing, and ops could collaboratively address messaging, strategy, and execution with accountability in all directions.Quotes“There’s never perfect data in Salesforce. What matters is if your team can trust it enough to act.”Best Moments (01:11) From Fired Salesperson to Ops Leader Alexander recounts the painful but transformative early career journey that shaped his specialization in ops.(06:11) Where Outbound Lists Fail The unsexy truth behind bad data, duplicate accounts, and trust breakdowns between marketing and sales.(11:44) The Turning Point A Slack message on a weekend sparks a rethinking of the entire outbound engine—led by Alexander.(14:06) Peanut Butter and Clay How Alexander turned wild sales criteria (“they need peanut butter on their site”) into scalable enrichment using Clay.(21:03) The 6-Column Salesforce Truth Test His most impactful solution: a system that ensured every account passed a rigorous check before reaching sales.(26:19) From Bad Data to Collaborative Gold With trust rebuilt, feedback loops expanded across ops, sales, and marketing, unlocking real collaboration.Tech RecommendationsClay – A web scraping and enrichment platform that empowered solo operators to iterate quickly, prototype creatively, and scale list building.Clearbit – The foundational enrichment layer that Alexander used for domain normalization and duplicate detection in Salesforce.Resource RecommendationsNewsletter:Growth Unhinged by Kyle Poyar – Offers practical go-to-market and pricing insights, especially relevant in the AI era.About the GuestAlexander DeMoulin is the Director of Go-To-Market Operations at Intercom. With a career that started in university fundraising and took a winding journey through failed sales roles and marketing operations, Alexander brings a grounded, hands-on perspective to operational strategy. He’s led transformative work in sales and marketing alignment and is especially known for operationalizing outbound programs through innovative use of enrichment tools like Clay and Clearbit.Connect with Alexander.