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OnBase: Smashing Sales and Marketing Misalignments

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Jul 8, 2025 • 22min

Ep. 547 | ABM without the buzzwords: A real-world GTM playbook

Episode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody talks with Angela (Bruns) Herlihy about crafting and scaling an account-based strategy that aligns teams and delivers results. From her early days in gymnastics to leading marketing ops in a public company, Angela shares a compelling story of grit and growth.She walks through the operational realities of building ABM frameworks in resource-constrained environments, redefines what ABM really means across sales and marketing, and explains how to make strategic decisions with imperfect data. Angela’s hands-on experience and pragmatic mindset offer a roadmap for anyone navigating the messy middle of ABM adoption.If you’re looking to operationalize strategy, influence pipeline, and align GTM teams—this episode delivers both inspiration and actionable advice.Key TakeawaysABM Surfaces Everything: Account-based strategies expose every operational weakness—data silos, unclear accountability, or misaligned teams. But if addressed early, they lead to better GTM alignment and faster deal velocity.Reframe ABM as a Strategy: ABM isn’t a campaign or a tech tool—it’s a company-wide approach to relationship building. Angie’s team embraced a tiered model (1:1, 1:few, 1:many) and shifted toward lifecycle-based engagement.Get Scrappy with Data: With limited resources, Angela built centralized dashboards using Google Sheets and manual inputs—creating a shared source of truth across sales and marketing.Co-Ownership with Sales: Alignment means co-creating everything from account selection to success metrics. Dashboards, engagement trackers, and real-time sales alerts made collaboration a practice, not a one-time effort.Lead with Progress, Not Just Revenue: Revenue is a lagging indicator. Angela focuses on buying group engagement, deal progression, and pipeline influence to maintain momentum and build trust.ABM ≠ Just Marketing: Angela avoids jargon and explains ABM through real-world examples that resonate with sales, leadership, and marketing alike. Her redefinition of ABM makes it feel like a growth strategy for the entire business.Quotes“ABM doesn’t just require operational alignment—it forces it.”Best moments 00:30 – From South Dakota gymnast to GTM leader: Angie’s journey.04:00 – How ABM surfaces internal misalignments and drives cross-functional clarity.07:00 – Evolving ABM from campaign-based to lifecycle-based strategy.08:40 – Scrappy ABM: Centralizing fragmented data without overhauling tech.11:00 – Aligning marketing and sales through shared metrics and processes.13:30 – Redefining ABM and earning internal buy-in with relatable use cases.15:30 – Balancing speed with long-term data discipline.Tech recommendationsPerplexityClaudeHubSpot (for its rapid evolution and product breadth)Resource recommendationsPodcasts:Talking Shop by Kelly Hopping – GTM alignment and real-world marketing challengesProf G Pod by Scott Galloway – Sharp insights on business, tech, and leadershipNewsletter:Marketoonist by Tom Fishburne – Humorous yet insightful takes on marketing absurditiesAbout the guestAngela (Bruns) Herlihy is a seasoned B2B marketing leader with a rare blend of technical expertise and strategic insight. Currently at DoubleVerify, Angela has built and scaled a full-stack marketing operations function covering everything from campaign management and analytics to website strategy and ABM.Her career spans roles in market research, database marketing, and marketing operations at companies including Gartner Digital Markets and LaserSpine Institute. Angela’s work has influenced demand gen, reviewer acquisition, and full-funnel ABM strategy. She’s known for her ability to scale marketing functions from scratch, align cross-functional teams, and drive operational efficiency with measurable impact.Angela brings a unique mix of grit, precision, and vision to her work—skills rooted in her background as a competitive gymnast.Connect with Angie.
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Jul 1, 2025 • 32min

Ep. 546 | How to scale personalized ABM with AI for enterprise success

Episode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody talks with Vincent DeCastro about the intersection of AI and ABM, revealing how advanced tools are improving the scalability of one-to-one and one-to-few account-based strategies. From real-world success stories to actionable insights, Vincent dives deep into the challenges of hyper-personalization and how business teams can leverage AI to streamline efforts while enhancing relationships.Key TakeawaysAI’s Role in ABMAI bridges the gap between manual efforts and scalable success, allowing marketers to hyper-personalize their outreach with greater efficiency.Scaling Hyper-PersonalizationAI-powered tools like Humantic AI and Manus help marketers deliver deeply personalized messaging, from emails to team cards.The Foundation of Great ABMVincent emphasizes the importance of relationships over vanity metrics in ABM strategies.AI for TargetingAI tools remove biases in selecting target accounts and deliver data-backed choices for better ABM campaigns.Real-World Success StoryThrough AI-based automation, Vincent’s team reduced team card customization efforts from three weeks to two days, enabling global ABM scalability.Quotes“AI isn’t just eliminating inefficiencies; it’s creating ways for marketers to aspire higher and achieve more.”Best Moments 01:20 Vincent’s Journey - Vincent talks about his early days in B2B marketing and his pivot toward ABM nearly nine years ago.07:04 The One-to-One Impact - Vincent shares an inspiring success story about building a CEO relationship that culminated at the Super Bowl.09:52 Scaling ABM with AI - “Without AI, scaling hyper-personalized ABM campaigns globally would take massive resources.”17:46 Hyper-Personalization at Its Best - Vincent reveals how tools like Manus assign tasks to AI agents, creating efficiencies across marketing processes.27:08 - AI’s Transformational Role - “AI isn’t replacing humans; it’s making us better by streamlining the process and letting us focus on strategy.”Tech RecommendationsManus – A dynamic AI tool that automates marketing tasks by delegating them to specific agents, significantly reducing manual effort.Humantic – Great for understanding individual buyer personalities at scale. Provides insights like DISC profiles and how to effectively approach communications.Shout-OutsJason Lewis - Global Business Communications Lead, The Chemours Company — Titanium TechnologiesAbout the GuestVincent DeCastro is the President and Owner/Senior SEO Consultant at The Advanced Business Metrics Agency. With a background in Internet Sales Management at BellSouth/AT&T and Account Executive experience at Thomas Industrial Network, Vincent specializes in SEO, PPC, and web-based content solutions for small and mid-sized companies. Vincent is also knowledgeable in strategy development and training, constantly updating best practices based on algorithm and AdWords updates.Website: abmagency.comConnect with Vincent.
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Jun 27, 2025 • 28min

Ep. 545 | How marketing-sales alignment and smart segmentation drive B2B growth

Episode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody sits down with Bryan Bowles to discuss how marketers can drive sustainable customer growth through tighter alignment with commercial teams, smarter segmentation, and role clarity across go-to-market functions.Bryan shares his unconventional career path and the insights he’s gained by working across technical, product, and sales roles. He explains why marketers must understand both the buyer and the seller journeys, and how misaligned activities can waste resources and erode trust.From building campaigns that matter to structuring internal marketing roles with precision, Bryan offers a blueprint for modern B2B teams seeking to make a meaningful impact—especially when budgets are tight and expectations are high.Key TakeawaysStart with Seller Empathy: Great marketing doesn’t just mirror the buyer’s journey—it walks in the seller’s shoes. Understanding how commercial teams use marketing materials is crucial to building relevant, timely campaigns.Segmentation is the Game-Changer: Trying to market to all customers equally leads to diluted efforts. Instead, narrow focus, precise segmentation, and account intelligence lead to higher conversion and deeper engagement.Align on Roles, Not Just Goals: Marketing success hinges on clearly defined roles. Bryan emphasizes letting product marketers focus on the “what” and “why,” while campaign teams drive the “how” with discipline and expertise.Activity ≠ Outcomes: Webinars and flashy tactics might feel good, but without a cohesive playbook and long-term view, they won’t move the needle. Sustainable growth comes from planned, multi-touch, multi-channel programs.Operational Simplicity Drives Speed: Bringing content and campaign teams into one unit at GHX reduced handoffs and improved execution speed—creating what Bryan calls “one less handoff,” a powerful operational mantra.Outspend or Outsmart: When you can’t outspend competitors, get surgical. Tight focus, clear audience segmentation, and close collaboration with the commercial team allow you to win smarter—not louder.Quotes“You don’t need to spam the world. You need to be relevant to the right segment and convert.”Best moments 02:00 – Bryan’s journey from rural hospital analyst to marketing leader.05:30 – Where companies fail in connecting commercial goals to marketing actions.09:00 – The secret to scaling customer growth through tight segmentation.13:00 – Turning field events into actionable intelligence for frontline teams.16:00 – Role definition and the art of avoiding activity-based marketing.20:00 – How merging content and campaign teams accelerated execution.23:30 – Why winning market share requires precision, not volume.Resource recommendationsBooks:Smart Brevity – A guide to simplifying communication and getting to the point faster.Podcasts:Outcomes Rocket – A healthcare-focused podcast Bryan recommends for insight into industry trends.Shout-outsKaycee Kalpin, CMO, Premier Inc.About the guestBryan Bowles is a seasoned marketing executive with over two decades of experience leading growth and innovation across the healthcare industry. He currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Marketing at GHX, where he oversees global marketing strategy, brand development, and the alignment of marketing initiatives with enterprise-wide business goals.Prior to GHX, Bryan held senior leadership roles at Everside Health and Premier Inc., where he was known for launching innovative healthcare solutions and driving measurable marketing impact. With a background spanning product management, sales, and marketing, Bryan brings a unique, cross-functional perspective that fuels customer-centric growth strategies.Connect with Bryan.
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Jun 24, 2025 • 33min

Ep. 544 | Everyone Owns the Brand: From Siloed to Shared

Episode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Paul Gibson sits down with Bee Patel for a deep dive into what it really means to “own the brand” in 2025. Bee challenges the legacy idea that branding lives solely within marketing and shares how today’s most effective brands are shaped by collaborative ownership across HR, product, comms, and sales.Bee discusses the evolution of branding as a business outcome driver—supporting everything from lead generation to sales conversion—and shares actionable strategies for unifying internal teams to create stronger external brand impact. The conversation also tackles AI's current challenges, the importance of simplification in brand governance, and how fostering creative freedom can help teams cut through the noise.Best moments (0:47) Bee discusses her journey and focus on converting reputation into measurable business outcomes.(1:33) Paul introduces the importance of reimagining brand ownership.(3:33) Bee explains the shift of the brand from an awareness tool to supporting lead generation and close rates.(5:46) Bee shares an example of collaboration with HR and product teams during a brand transformation at Insight.(12:55) Bee states her personal opinion that AI is currently more of a challenge than an enabler.(16:25) Bee emphasizes the importance of communication and early stakeholder involvement to remove silos in brand collaboration.(19:09) Bee advises comms leaders to simplify and empower teams to own the brand rather than policing it.Key TakeawaysBrand Is Everyone’s Job: Gone are the days of brand as a “marketing deliverable.” Today’s successful organizations embed brand values into every function—HR, product, sales, and beyond—to maintain a consistent and authentic experience.From Gatekeepers to Facilitators: Comms and brand leaders must move from enforcing rules to enabling ownership. This cultural shift empowers teams to internalize and live the brand, not just follow guidelines.Trust Is the New Currency: Bee underscores that in a market where trust drives conversion, brand consistency and credibility aren’t nice-to-haves—they’re game-changers.AI as a Work-in-Progress: While AI has potential, Bee cautions against jumping on every tool. Strategic, contextual deployment—especially for operational efficiency—matters more than trend-chasing.Measure What Matters: Bee shares real-world impact metrics, including a 33% increase in content engagement and a surge in solution-based RFPs following brand transformation efforts.Tech recommendationsChatGPTResource recommendationsBooks:The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey - A must-read on how trust drives business results.The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins - Bee’s current read on navigating boundaries and letting go.Blogs:Farnam Street - A weekly newsletter that helps to demystify and simplify complex mental models.Shout-outsNerea Gandarias, a Senior Marketing Executive at 8x8 - Bee recommends her as an inspirational leader with unmatched strategic rigor and humanity in leadership.About the GuestBee Patel, Global Marketing & Communications Director at AlphaSights is a razor-sharp marketing leader, bringing over 15 years of expertise and knowledge across marketing and communications. With experience in internal and external communications, she is passionate about crafting user-centric content and messaging that cuts through the noise and is delivered through an integrated communications mix. She currently leads the global Brand and Communications Team at AlphaSights, focused on brand building strategies and connecting with their key stakeholders through compelling storytelling and engaging digital experiences.Prior to joining AlphaSights, she led the European content and communications team for Fortune 500 technology solutions provider, Insight, overseeing their PR, social, and content strategy across nine European regions.Connect with Bee.
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Jun 20, 2025 • 34min

Ep. 543 | The GTM Playbook Rewritten: AI, Agents, and Demandbase 4.0

Episode SummaryOn this episode of the OnBase Podcast, Gabe Rogol dives into how AI agents are reshaping go-to-market strategies and reveals what Demandbase 4.0 brings to the table. Gabe outlines the evolution of account-based marketing, the need for open and flexible platforms, and where automation meets human creativity in redefining the modern sales and marketing landscape. Whether you're a sales leader, marketer, or just curious about AI's role in B2B, this episode delivers thought-provoking clarity and actionable takeaways.Key TakeawaysDemandbase 4.0 marks a shift from closed platforms to open, flexible, AI-assisted go-to-market systems.AgentBase enables faster, smarter GTM through assisted automation built on unified first- and third-party data.AI won’t replace SDRs, but will augment them—human creativity and relationships still matter most.Over-automation risks fragmentation and spam if agents aren’t aligned across functions.Leads and last-touch attribution are outdated; pipeline creation is the new GTM North Star.Data quality is critical—bad CRM data can sabotage AI-driven decisions.Sales and marketing must act as one team, aligned around outcomes, not functions.Trust and transparency are foundational to a successful, scalable GTM model.Personalization still matters, but only when targeting the right ICP.Marketing deserves more investment, not just for efficiency, but to unlock real growth.Quotes“Trust is foundational to alignment. Without trust, the entire go-to-market process breaks down.”Best Moments 00:37 Shifting Into Phase FourGabe outlines the concept and exciting features of Demandbase 4.0, detailing the open and automated future of ABM.03:27 The Soapbox Moment"Aligning go-to-market resources with the accounts that have the greatest lifetime value" as the core of success.06:39 What AgentBase Makes PossibleGabe discusses how AI agents democratize complex tasks like segmentation, orchestration, and funnel tracking.16:57 The Risks of AI AgentsGabe cautions about amplified risks from bad data and the danger of fragmented go-to-market strategies.24:56 The New GTM PlaybookRoles across sales, marketing, and operations converge around pipeline creation for unified success.30:09 The Power of PersonalizationGabe advocates for thoughtful personalization to the right audience over shallow attempts at scaling outreach.Tech RecommendationsObsidian (Zettelkasten Tool) – A robust digital note-taking system for organizing non-linear ideas and linking essential insights across topics.Resource RecommendationsHarvard Business Review (HBR) Compilations: Collections on decision-making, agile processes, and AI insights, offering concise and actionable advice for B2B professionals.Shoutouts:Marc Benioff - Chair & CEO at SalesforceAbout the GuestAs the Chief Executive Officer of Demandbase, Gabe is responsible for fulfilling the company’s mission of transforming how B2B companies go-to-market.Since joining Demandbase in 2012, he has been committed to setting the product and corporate strategy for the company. Throughout his two-plus-decade career, Gabe has held various leadership positions, including managing world-class customer service and sales teams at IDG and other leading publishers. He received his BA in Comparative Literature and Russian Language and Literature from Brown University.Connect with Gabe.
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Jun 17, 2025 • 23min

Ep. 542 | Branding for sales success: Likeability, podcasts & B2B growth

Episode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody sits down with Jessica Rhodes to talk about branding, likeability, and how podcasting can transform your sales conversations. Jessica reflects on how she turned a favor for her dad into a thriving business and why bringing your whole personality to the table is key to building buyer trust.From tactical takeaways on content repurposing to deeper insights on the neuroscience of decision-making, this conversation is equal parts actionable and human. Jessica explains why likability isn’t fluff—it’s foundational—and how being authentic across every marketing touchpoint builds a brand that wins even in a competitive sales process.If you’re in B2B marketing, sales enablement, or looking to boost your thought leadership through podcasts, this one’s for you.Key TakeawaysLikeability is a Sales Strategy: Strong brand identity isn’t just about logos and messaging—it’s about trust and connection. Jessica and her team win business because people like them, not just because of features.Show, Don’t Tell: You can’t just say your team is amazing—your content has to prove it. Brand personality needs to shine across marketing, not just in sales calls.Podcasts = Trust Accelerators: Podcasts create long-form, unfiltered content that lets buyers hear your voice, beliefs, and expertise—way before they hit the sales funnel.Repurpose with Purpose: From sending podcast links in pre-sales calls to clipping interviews for social content, podcasts can fuel your entire marketing strategy.SEO Goldmine: Each podcast appearance builds your online footprint with backlinks, blog posts, and YouTube videos—an underrated SEO boost.Decision-Making Requires Gut & Calm: Jessica shares how understanding her "sacral authority" through human design and regulating her nervous system has helped her make clearer, less reactive decisions.Quotes“Your brand identity is letting your personality come through your marketing. People logically assess vendors—but they choose the one they like most.”Best moments 02:00–04:30 – Jessica’s journey from door-to-door canvasser to podcast agency founder.05:30–07:00 – Likeability and brand identity: why it matters more than features.08:45–11:00 – The challenge (and power) of bringing your full self to work.11:30–13:30 – What to do right after you record a podcast: behind-the-scenes content, repurposing, and engagement tips.14:45–15:30 – Podcasting’s secret SEO advantage.16:15–18:00 – Using gut instinct and a calm nervous system to make better decisions.Tech recommendationsAloware – for outbound dialing and bulk SMS.Opus Clip – for repurposing podcast content.HubSpot – for marketing automation and CRM.Resource recommendationsBooks:$100M Offers and $100M Leads by Alex HormoziPodcasts:The Game with Alex HormoziShout-outsMargy Feldhuhn, Co-Owner and CEO, Interview ConnectionsMelanie Ann Layer, High-Performance Business Mentor, MLI CoachingAbout the GuestJessica Rhodes is the founder of Interview Connections, the world’s first podcast booking agency, launched in 2013 before podcast guesting was on anyone's radar. As a trailblazer in the podcasting space, Jessica Rhodes has helped more than 800 clients land over 30,000 podcast interviews, establishing herself as a thought leader in how businesses can leverage podcasting to grow. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help entrepreneurs who feel like the best-kept secret increase visibility and build trust through the human-to-human connection that only long-form podcast interviews can provide.Connect with Jessica.
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Jun 12, 2025 • 28min

Ep. 541 | Build Legos, Not Decks: Amber Naslund on Strategic Selling

Episode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody reunites with longtime friend and podcast co-creator Amber Naslund for a reflective and forward-thinking conversation. Amber brings a wealth of experience across the marketing-sales spectrum and shares how her background in marketing has become her superpower in sales.They explore how better collaboration between marketing and sales can unlock massive gains, why product marketing and sales enablement should stop building models and start offering "Legos," and how storytelling in sales is less about fables and more about connecting dots. Amber also gets real about brand vs. demand debates and why marketers need to stop underestimating the power of long-term influence.Key TakeawaysMarketing Skills Supercharge Sales: Amber’s success in sales stems from her deep understanding of marketers. Being able to “speak the same language” has helped her build trust, credibility, and strategic partnerships with customers.Empathy > Silos: Sales and marketing still operate too independently. The cure? Cross-functional humility, joint planning, and sitting in on each other's meetings.Build Legos, Not Models: Product marketers and sales enablers should create modular, adaptable building blocks—not rigid, linear pitch decks. Sellers need the freedom to customize.Get Comfortable with Casual: Great sellers are simplifying, listening deeply, and having real, unscripted conversations. Over-reliance on pitch decks and sequences is hurting connection.Brand is Demand: The divide between brand and demand gen is artificial. Brand is what puts you on the buyer’s shortlist on Day 1—it’s measurable, just not always trackable.Quotes“Brand is demand. It’s all one thing. The biggest mistake marketing made was thinking brand was separate from measurable success.”Best moments 01:20 – Amber’s career journey: from nonprofit fundraising to sales leader at LinkedIn.05:30 – What marketers misunderstand about sales (and vice versa).09:15 – The art of “getting comfortable with casual.”12:30 – Why enablement teams need to provide mix-and-match sales materials.15:30 – Storytelling in sales: not fluff, but hypothesis.18:00 – The real power of brand—and why we’re measuring it all wrong.Resource recommendationsBooks:The First 90 Days by Michael D. WatkinsBabel by R.F. KuangPodcasts:Hidden Brain PodcastShout-outsAshley Faus, Head of Lifecycle Marketing, Portfolio at Atlassian – She is admired for her community leadership and generosity.Jenn VandeZande, Digital Engagement Strategy at SAP CX – Amber praised Jenn for her editorial excellence and long-game content strategy.About the GuestAmber Naslund is a seasoned marketing and sales executive, currently serving as a Director at LinkedIn within their Marketing Solutions business. With over 25 years of experience across nonprofit fundraising, B2B marketing, tech startups, and enterprise sales, she brings a rare dual-lens perspective from both sides of the revenue table.From co-founding a podcast with host Chris Moody over a decade ago to transitioning from marketing leader to sales director, Amber has continually embraced growth, reinvention, and empathy as cornerstones of her leadership. She’s passionate about bridging the gap between marketing and sales teams, crafting meaningful stories, and advocating for the value of brand in today’s attribution-obsessed world.Connect with Amber.
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Jun 10, 2025 • 42min

Ep. 540 | Show Me You Know Me: Why Manners Win Millions in Sales with Sam McKenna

Episode SummaryOn this episode of the OnBase Podcast, Sam McKenna shares her unconventional and highly effective sales strategies. From her trademark 'Show Me You Know Me' philosophy to redefining what it means to put manners first, Sam highlights the importance of doing the unexpected in sales to stand out. She details her inspiring career path, her passion for empowering women, and her views on the importance of genuine human connection in building lifelong client relationships. Unmissable for anyone in sales or leadership, this episode is full of energy, wisdom, and actionable takeaways.Key TakeawaysShow Me You Know MePersonalization in sales must go beyond surface-level AI-generated efforts. Take the time to truly understand your prospects and leverage that understanding to build relationships.Manners Before ProfitIncorporating gratitude and respect throughout the sales process helps create exceptional experiences for buyers, even when deals don’t close.Relationships Are EverythingRevisit clients post-sale to ensure satisfaction and build trust. These connections can drive referrals and repeat business.Make It PersonalSimple, thoughtful gestures (e.g., rubber duckies or customized books) can make a lasting impression.Work Smarter, Not HarderPlan targeted outreach early in the week and send personalized emails during off-peak times to boost visibility.Quotes“The bar in sales isn’t low; it’s on the floor. Step over it.”Best Moments [00:34] Career BeginningsSam shares her unorthodox entry into sales, going from art aspirations to a thriving sales career.[02:47] Becoming a LinkedIn InfluencerHow one blog post in 2011 on 'Show Me You Know Me' turned into a movement and drove unexpected demand generation success.[05:45] Manners First, AlwaysSam explains how small acts of gratitude, such as responding to email rejections politely, can leave lasting positive impressions.[14:13] Empowering Women in SalesA heartbreaking story of resistance from a colleague drives Sam’s mission to support, uplift, and empower other women in sales.[23:00] Creative Gestures Close DealsFrom rubber duckies to personalized books, Sam shares memorable examples of gifts that strengthen relationships.[32:38] A Smarter Way to Plan OutreachSam outlines her unique strategy for timing emails to increase response rates and engagement.Tech Recommendations⁠LinkedIn Sales Navigator⁠: Gain actionable insights into leadership changes, hiring patterns, and organizational growth to refine your prospecting efforts.Resource RecommendationsNewsletters:     ⁠Morning Brew⁠     ⁠DealBook by The New York Times⁠     ⁠Kyle Pointer’s Newsletter⁠Podcasts:⁠HBR Women at Work⁠Books:⁠Unreasonable Hospitality⁠ by Will Guidara⁠Radical Candor⁠ by Kim Scott⁠The Ride of a Lifetime⁠ by Robert Iger⁠The Transparency Sale⁠ by Todd Caponi⁠The Transparent Sales Leader⁠ by Todd CaponiShout-Outs⁠Jen Allen-Knuth⁠- Jen’s focus on the psychology of sales resonates with Lydia. She recommends Jen’s insightful LinkedIn posts on buyer behavior and objection handling.About the GuestSamantha McKenna is the Founder and CEO of #samsales, with over 100,000 LinkedIn followers. She has a 15+ year career in Enterprise sales, breaking over 13 sales records. She emphasizes a manners-first and buyers-first approach.She is a LinkedIn expert, former Enterprise Sales Executive leader for LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator, and a Top Voice on LinkedIn in 2024. She has received numerous sales leadership awards and speaks at business schools like Harvard, Kelley, and Kellogg.Since 2019, #samsales has achieved a multi-million-dollar revenue, 312% of its first-year goal, and significant double-digit growth. It is an all-women team, has served over 250 clients, raised over $110K for charity, and has been featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal.⁠⁠Connect with Samantha⁠⁠.
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Jun 5, 2025 • 22min

Ep. 539 | Relevance over personalization: Prospecting that actually works

Episode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody sits down with Lydia Hutchison for a powerful conversation on what works in modern B2B prospecting. Lydia explains why typical AI-personalized messages fail to cut through and how relevance, rooted in deep customer understanding, wins every time.She unpacks her triple-touch framework, the value of tone and timing, and the human psychology that underpins effective outreach. Lydia also reveals her favorite high-converting tactic that combines manual research with real-time relevance. If you’re struggling with connect rates, sequence performance, or objection handling, this episode offers a fresh, actionable perspective.Key TakeawaysRelevance Trumps Personalization: Generic personalization wastes the prospect’s time. Relevance speaks directly to their daily pain and success metrics—and that's what drives replies.Triple-Touch Strategy Works: Lydia advocates a three-channel approach—phone, LinkedIn, email—for testing message resonance and adjusting in real-time based on feedback.Lead with Psychology, Not Scripts: Authentic, thoughtful outreach begins with understanding how people accomplish their tasks—and how you can help them do it more effectively.Objections Aren’t Always Real: Recognize the difference between a true objection and simple disinterest. Learn to use tone, timing, and multichannel follow-up to stay human and helpful.AI is a Research Assistant, Not a Salesperson: When used well, AI can support better outreach by helping reps research personas and challenges, but it shouldn’t write your messages for you.Quotes“Everybody is getting their job done without you. So your job is to show them how to do it better—not tell them they’re doing it wrong.”Best Moments (0:56) Lydia Hutchison's Journey into Sales (2:59)Developing Expertise in Sales Execution and Prospecting  (8:00) Differentiating Relevance and Personalization in Prospecting(12:09) Key Factors to Make a Sales Message Stand Out (14:19) Example of Focusing on Relevance Over Personalization (16:27) Process for Ensuring Consistent and Compelling Messaging Across Sales Teams(18:34) Approaching Objection Handling (20:33) Actionable Advice for Struggling Prospecting Teams Shout-outsJason Bay – Lydia recommends Jason for practical advice on sales openers and messaging, especially for go-to-market teams. His content helps reps connect more effectively with prospects.Jen Allen-Knuth- Jen’s focus on the psychology of sales resonates with Lydia. She recommends Jen’s insightful LinkedIn posts on buyer behavior and objection handling.About the GuestLydia Hutchison is the Head of Business Development at DataHub. She is a data-obsessed sales leader, builder of outbound sales motions, from early-stage startups to global enterprises. Lydia is passionate about coaching for success and empowering sales development orgs to crush their revenue and career goals.Website: datahub.comConnect with Lydia.
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Jun 3, 2025 • 39min

Ep. 538 | AI, Grit, and Growth: Chaz Horn’s B2B Sales Revolution

Episode SummaryThis episode delves into the core principles of sales success and scaling go-to-market strategies through leveraging and alignment. Chaz Horn reflects on his inspiring career transformation and shares actionable insights on creating impact with minimal resources. He introduces his TTABS framework, discusses how mindset drives sales success, and explores how AI can revolutionize sales and training efficiency. Chaz's emphasis on transformation, both personal and professional, offers a fresh lens on building businesses that truly change lives while delivering results.Key TakeawaysThe Power of LeverageStrategic collaborations, like partnering with industry leaders, amplify reach and credibility.Mindset Drives SuccessPerspective acts as either an anchor in mediocrity or a springboard into potential.AI's Role in SalesGenerative AI can automate tasks like creating origin stories, building training materials, and crafting personalized customer experiences.TTABS Framework:Understand the tactic and technique while maintaining an attitude of service, tracking behaviors, and aligning strategy with goals..Focus on TransformationHelping clients achieve transformation in their lives or businesses builds conviction and long-lasting business success.Quotes"AI can't replace the genuine connection humans bring to sales, but it enhances how we prepare for those connections."Best Moments (02:50) – Chaz recounts his transformation from the worst salesperson to a top performer through mentorship and systemized processes.(08:30) – Insights on leveraging relationships through strategic collaborations to maximize impact and sales outcomes.(16:37) – Discussion about the evolving role of AI in sales and how it’s redefining customer interactions.(24:08) – Balancing AI's efficiency with the human touch in storytelling and sales processes.(30:54) – The importance of creating a mindset focused on client transformation rather than solely selling.Tech RecommendationsChatGPT – For creating content like origin stories and streamlining the sales processNotebook LM- Google – Enables structured content creation for training and client interaction.Grok – AI storytelling tool ideal for crafting narratives and educational content.Whisper – Efficient voice-to-text solution for creating formatted documents on the fly.LinkedIn – A fundamental platform for B2B lead generation and networking.Claude – Preferred for copywriting and crafting engaging content.Resource RecommendationsBooks:Fearless Living by Jamie Winship – A book on understanding identity to unlock personal and professional growth.0X is Easier Than 2X by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan – Focuses on achieving exponential results by simplifying prioritiesShout-OutsCraig Groeschel - Senior Pastor and Founder at LifechurchAbout the GuestOnce homeless and ranked last out of 119 sales reps, Chaz Horn turned his career around by embracing mentorship and a proven system—jumping to #3 in just 45 days and earning over $14,000 in commissions. That breakthrough sparked his mission to help others achieve the same transformation.Since founding Mastery of B2B Sales in 2016, Chaz has helped hundreds of consultants, coaches, and small B2B businesses consistently identify, attract, and onboard clients using his proprietary TTABS framework:Tactic, Technique, Attitude, Behavior, and Strategy—the five essentials for predictable growth.Author of The B2B Blueprint to Predictable Sales, Chaz blends systems thinking with personal transformation. His approach is shaped by overcoming real-life adversity—from depression and obesity to rebuilding his life through faith, biohacking, and discipline.He lives by a “Get To” mindset and brings energy, clarity, and conviction into every keynote, coaching session, and client engagement.📘 Grab Chaz’s book – The B2B Blueprint To Predictable Sales (includes video training)Website: masteryofb2bsales.comConnect with Chaz.

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