Real Talk, Real Deals: Stories and Tips From the Real World of Sales

In this episode, host Andrea Grodnitzky welcomes Richardson's expert Sales Coach, Calvin Strachan. They dive into the secrets of agile sales leadership and Calvin shares how today’s leaders can go beyond numbers to build a resilient, high-trust team culture that thrives under pressure. From balancing data with action to fostering trust, he emphasizes the need to “pull excellence” from sales teams. His advice? Focus on preparation, empower your reps, and keep the momentum by reinforcing positive actions. For sales leaders looking to boost motivation and results, Calvin’s insights are a playbook for building unstoppable teams.

In this episode, host Andrea Grodnitzky interviews Rob Arnold, Director of Sales Performance for Data Services at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Rob shares how LexisNexis is enhancing sales behaviors and performance to achieve impactful outcomes. You’ll hear how LexisNexis navigates today’s challenging and competitive market, and the changes in expectations from their customers, specifically in the complex role technology plays and how understanding data can drive a competitive advantage. He’ll also share the importance of their leadership team's ongoing commitment to developing and driving a value-based sales approach to help customers move forward with their buying journeys.

In our 11th episode, host Andrea Grodnitzky invites back President and CEO, John Elsey. John discusses the turbulent waves of change that have swept the selling world in the past 12 months and the challenges that lie ahead for sellers. He dives into the emergence of sales technology, specifically generative AI, and how this affects the role of the seller, plus he offers insights gleaned from customer interactions, revealing their strategies in grappling with the complexities of modern technology stacks. John shares how to build a strategy to sell to buyers who are uncertain about their near to medium-term outlook due to high-interest rates dampening capital investments.

Tim Sullivan, Richardson's VP Partner & Alliances, joins host Chris Tine to discuss the misalignment between traditional sales processes and buyer behavior. They explore the importance of an agile sales process that balances flexibility and discipline. Topics include qualifying out of a deal, enhancing sales forecast accuracy, and the power of data in sales enablement.

In our 9th episode, host Andrea Grodnitzky welcomes back Richardson expert Sales Coach, Kelley Dunn. Kelley shares valuable insights on how to grow strategic accounts, specifically around how to find the whitespace. Listen in and learn helpful tips on how to build a plan that includes how to select the correct accounts, investigating that account’s industry, stakeholders, and competitors, and putting a strategy in place that aligns with the gaps you’ve identified within the current account – all while building towards becoming a trusted advisor with the customer. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation to learn from Kelley’s wealth of experience.

Welcome to Real Talk, Real Deals: Stories and Tips From the Real World of Sales, hosted by Andrea Grodnitzky. In the last episode of a 3-part series, we welcome back special guest, Becky Cassilly, a renowned Sales Coach and trusted advisor to major sales organizations worldwide, who explains the concept of “authentic curiosity” as it relates to emotional intelligence and why it can be so difficult for sellers to demonstrate. Becky discusses how the best sellers leverage positioning and checking to relate to the buyer and build towards a close. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and practical advice.

Welcome to Real Talk, Real Deals: Stories and Tips From the Real World of Sales, hosted by Andrea Grodnitzky. In the second of a 3-part series, we welcome special guest Becky Cassilly, a renowned Sales Coach and trusted advisor to major sales organizations worldwide, who discusses how the best sellers turn questioning and listening into powerful competitive advantages. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and practical advice.

Welcome to Real Talk, Real Deals: Stories and Tips From the Real World of Sales, hosted by Andrea Grodnitzky. In the first of a 3-part series, we welcome special guest Becky Cassilly, a renowned Sales Coach and trusted advisor to major sales organizations worldwide. Join us as we explore the significance of emotional intelligence (EI) in the sales field. Is EI an innate quality or can it be developed? Becky provides valuable insights into the 6 critical skills essential for successful customer interaction. From honing your presence to establishing rapport, we uncover the essential practices and pitfalls of selling. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and practical advice.

Negotiating via text message. Negotiating with multiple parties. The world of sales negotiations is changing. In our fourth episode of Real Talk, Real Deals: Stories and Tips from the Real World of Sales, hosts Jeremy Ulmer and Andrea Grodnitzkyinterview Richardson expert Sales Consultant, Mim Abbey.Mim shares what changes she is seeing in the world of sales negotiations based on her time working with Fortune 500 companies teaching them how to successfully negotiate. You’ll hear what a successful negotiation process is, the skills sellers need to overcome common traps, plus how to leverage confidence to maximize outcomes while protecting the relationship with a customer.Listen every month as we interview different leaders to hear their sales stories and tips to uncover the real-world, lead-to-closing skills needed to win.​​​​​

In our third episode, host Jeremy Ulmer interviews Schneider Electric’s Vice President of Commercial Excellence and Growth Culture, Katri Silander. Katri shares how she is shaping the future of selling at Schneider Electric through a customer first approach. You’ll hear how Schneider Electric is responding to the ever-changing buying environment, specifically: higher demand for sustainability solutions, a more complex decision-making process, and the shift to virtual buying. She’ll also share how they are upskilling their reps globally to remain competitive in their market.