The Sales Compensation Show

Forma.ai
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Aug 5, 2025 • 52min

Behind the targets: How ZoomInfo, Klaviyo, and Red Hat align finance and revenue

How do finance and revenue teams stay aligned on aggressive sales goals and financial guardrails? Hear from senior revenue and finance leaders at ZoomInfo, Red Hat, and Klaviyo on how they negotiate targets, balance priorities, and manage risk—together.In this special edition of The Sales Compensation Show, we're bringing you a timely panel recorded live at the Sales Planning Summit—because aligning sales targets, quotas, and comp mid-year is no small feat.Join Forma.ai's David Gerardi as he moderates a candid discussion between:Mark Harris, SVP of GTM Strategy at ZoomInfoBrian Bolt, Sr. Director of Corporate Finance at Red HatStef Layne, VP of Treasury, Payroll & Sales Compensation at KlaviyoTogether, they dive into:How finance and revenue leaders approach sales planning from different anglesThe tug-of-war between growth and fiscal responsibility when setting targetsStories from the front lines of comp plan negotiationForecasting strategies that inspire confidence and reduce riskLessons learned from high-stakes planning conversationsThe Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jul 28, 2025 • 54min

How Zoom, Snowflake, and Siemens adjust sales plans mid-year

Sales plans aren’t meant to be static and mid-year is a make-or-break moment for revenue teams. Adjust your sales plan too late, and you risk missing your number. Move too fast, and you could disrupt the entire team. In this special episode of The Sales Compensation Show, Forma.ai’s David Gerardi sits down with sales performance leaders from Zoom, Snowflake, and Siemens to explore how the best organizations recognize when a pivot is needed—and how they execute changes without derailing momentum. Featuring guests:Dal Sidhu – Head of Global Sales Compensation, ZoomJames Jackson – Global Head of Sales Planning, Compensation & Systems, Snowflake, andElizabeth Walgram – Senior Director, Sales Compensation, SiemensListen in to learn:How to spot early signs your sales plan needs adjustmentKey metrics to guide data-driven decisionsWhen to realign quotas and territories—and how to do it without disrupting performanceHow to fine-tune compensation plans to keep teams motivatedReal-world mid-year adjustment strategies from these experienced leaders Subscribe to The Sales Compensation Show for more candid insights shaping the future of sales performance!The Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jul 22, 2025 • 57min

Inside LinkedIn, Docusign & Atlassian: How global sales leaders plan for performance

With planning season in full swing at many organizations, this conversation offers a timely, practical lens into how global companies scale their planning process—and how you can apply the same principles, no matter your org size. Featuring leaders from LinkedIn, Docusign, and Atlassian, our guests explore what best-in-class sales planning looks like at scale.Together we cover how winning organizations align Sales, RevOps, and Finance, build trusted data foundations, and apply lessons from past performance to shape future strategies. The discussion also dives into common planning pitfalls and how to avoid them, as well as the growing role of AI and automation in streamlining the process. With planning season well underway at most orgs, this conversation is especially relevant!Tune in to hear:How these leaders get ahead of and execute sales planning across Sales, RevOps, and FinanceWhat it takes to create a trusted, flexible data foundationHow past performance is used to shape future strategy at these orgsCommon planning breakdowns—and how to avoid themThe increasing role of AI and automation in streamlining planning cyclesSubscribe to catch even more episodes from the Sales Planning Summit series.The Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jul 15, 2025 • 54min

[Special episode] How Microsoft, HP, and SAS build data-driven territories, quotas & incentives

What happens when three powerhouse leaders from Microsoft, HP, and SAS unpack the science behind sales planning? You get a modern look at how the absolute best-in-class are designing smart territories, quotas, and incentive plans—grounded in data, not gut instinct.In this special episode of The Sales Compensation Show, we’re sharing a high-impact session from the Sales Planning Summit featuring a behind the scenes with:Edie Cagle, VP of Global Revenue Operations at SASMaria Oczko-Canant, VP of Sales Compensation & Planning at HP, andNandini Ramaswamy, VP of Worldwide Incentive Compensation at MicrosoftHosted by Nabeil Alazzam, CEO of Forma.ai, this panel dives deep into:How to design equitable, efficient sales territories using dataWhat analytics-driven quota-setting really looks likeWays to optimize sales incentives to influence behavior and drive resultsThe role of AI and forecasting in staying ahead of market shiftsReal-world examples of how top enterprises are evolving their sales planningSerious about turning sales planning into a strategic advantage? Then this conversation is a must-listen!The Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jul 4, 2025 • 55min

The path to VP of RevOps: Career advice from execs at Carta, Udemy, & Glia

As the RevOps function continues to rise in strategic importance, the path to VP is becoming both more visible—and competitive. So what does it really take to step into a VP of RevOps role?In this special episode of the show, Forma.ai’s Director of Content, Jen Pepper, hosts a candid and practical discussion with three seasoned RevOps executives:Andy Mowat, VP of RevOps at CartaDanny Schonfeld, VP of RevOps at Glia, andEsther Friend, VP of RevOps at UdemyThey each share how they made the leap to VP, the skills they look for in future RevOps leaders, and advice for those looking to grow beyond execution and into strategic leadership.Tune in to learn:The core competencies needed to succeed as a VP of RevOpsHow to build influence grounded in strategy, cross-functional relationships, and communicationMistakes to avoid on your career journeyWhat separates strong operators from future executivesWhether you're an aspiring leader or a current RevOps pro levelling up for your next move, this episode offers a roadmap for career advancement in one of the fastest-growing functions in revenue.The Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jun 26, 2025 • 48min

Scaling RevOps in complex sales: How to bring structure to GTM

Ali Rastiello, VP of Revenue Operations at Health Catalyst, has seen just about every side of RevOps—from traditional TV sales to early digital marketing ops to full-funnel GTM leadership in healthcare technology.In this episode of The Sales Compensation Show, Ali joins our host Nabeil Alazzam to unpack how she brings structure and simplicity to one of the most complex selling environments out there—HealthTech.With a limited, reputation-sensitive buyer pool, extended sales cycle, and matrixed hospital systems making enterprise-level decisions, Ali shares how she built scalable RevOps foundations that actually work across the entire customer lifecycle.🎙 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why data quality and hygiene is non-negotiable in a market where your TAM may only encounter you onceHow to get execs to say “yes” to data investments The automation layer Ali relies on to maintain data hygiene Why sales comp complexity is often a GTM structure problem in disguiseIf there's credence to the idea AI will replace BDRs anytime soon...Whether you’re in healthcare tech, SaaS, or enterprise B2B sales more broadly—this conversation is packed with real world approaches and even tool recommendations to try yourself.The Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jun 23, 2025 • 55min

What CROs really want from RevOps this year —featuring Epsilon, Cloudinary, and 6sense [Special episode]

What do today’s CROs really need from RevOps in 2025?In this special episode of The Sales Compensation Show, we go behind the scenes with three leading CROs to explore how the RevOps role is evolving—and what it takes to become indispensable to the executive team.Joining Forma.ai Founder & CEO Nabeil Alazzam are:Susan Rothwell, CRO at EpsilonAllison Metcalfe, CRO at CloudinaryLatané Conant, CRO at 6senseThis candid conversation dives into how RevOps is moving from support function to strategic force, the KPIs and forecasting capabilities that matter most, and how operations teams can earn a permanent seat at the leadership table.If you're in RevOps—or building toward it—this is the kind of episode that reveals what your exec team wishes you knew.Episode Highlights:The evolving RevOps-CRO relationshipWhat CROs want from RevOps in today’s environmentThe metrics that matter (and those that don’t)Why strategic agility is a leadership expectationForecasting as a credibility play for RevOpsActionable advice from the panel: how to lead up, influence, and drive impact with your exec teamThe Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jun 17, 2025 • 43min

Engineering GTM agility: Lessons from scaling at Docusign and Snowflake

From carrying a quota at Microsoft to leading global GTM strategy at Snowflake, James Jackson has seen the full spectrum of what it takes to scale—and then stabilize—high-growth teams.In this episode of The Sales Compensation Show, James sits down with host and Forma.ai's CEO Nabeil Alazzam to break down:Why comp plans should express company strategy—not set itLessons from his time with Docusign during a hypergrowth era (and the recalibration that followed)A “poor man’s LTV:CAC” metric used to rightsize GTM structureHow to restore field trust when comp credibility is lostTranslating executive priorities into clear, motivating plans for sellers, andBuilding for agility in a consumption-based sales modelWhether you’re leading RevOps, sales compensation, or GTM planning, James’s insights are gold for navigating complexity with clarity and confidence.The Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jun 10, 2025 • 58min

Closing the sales attainment gap ft. experts from Equinix & Snowflake [Special Episode]

We’re breaking format with this special episode of The Sales Compensation Show—bringing you an unfiltered, live conversation from RevOps Kickoff 2025, our digital summit for revenue operations leaders.Originally recorded live, this panel brought together experts in GTM strategy, sales compensation, and revenue planning. The insights shared were too valuable to keep behind virtual doors—so we’re re-releasing them in a whole new format.This discussion features:Christina Straggas, Head of Global Sales Compensation, at EquinixJames Jackson, Global Head of Sales Planning, Compensation & Systems, at SnowflakeNabeil Alazzam, Founder & CEO at Forma.aiListen in to hear about:The hidden drivers of under-attainmentHow comp plans influence rep confidence and performanceEarly indicators it’s time to pivot your planHow to align Sales, Finance, and GTM on smarter targetsThe Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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Jun 3, 2025 • 43min

Building a resilient RevOps function with Alana Kadden Ballon of Sprout Social

In this episode, Alana Kadden Ballon shares her career journey from SDR at Salesforce to leading RevOps at high-growth organizations like Duo and Wiz, and now Sprout Social. With clarity and candor, she breaks down how modern RevOps leaders can evolve their teams, data strategy, and stakeholder alignment to meet today’s GTM challenges.You’ll learn:Why over-relying on individual “heroes” creates brittle ops systemsHow Alana’s team spends more time fixing problems than finding themWhat a resilient data strategy actually looks like (hint: it’s cultural and technicalWhy change management is the real RevOps unlockThe myth of the "magic tool" and what to do before you buy anythingHow to align post-sale incentives with sales without losing focusResources mentioned:Marc Benioff's V2MOM framework for strategic company alignmentArticle from First Round Review: Give away your Legos (and other commandments for scaling)Subscribe to (and rate!) The Sales Compensation Show on:SpotifyApple PodcastsThe Sales Compensation Show is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

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