

Manage Smarter
C. Lee Smith and Audrey Strong
Join hosts Audrey Strong and C. Lee Smith on the #1 sales management podcast as they dive into management, leadership, business, sales, company culture, talent retention, revenues, performance metrics, hiring and more. From debunking sales myths to learning how to manage with and without measurements, you'll learn something new with every episode and will be able to implement positive change throughout your workplace. Available on all major podcast outlets and all episodes available on ManageSmarter.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 25, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Women in Leadership
This week, we're exploring some fascinating insights from Mary Ann Pruitt, the CEO and President of Mosaic Media. Mary Ann has a wealth of experience in media strategy, and she’s sharing some golden nuggets on how women leaders are making waves in the business world.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 22, 2025 • 26min
281: Mastering Sales Leadership with Derek Johnson
Derek Johnson, author of 'The Strategic Sales Leader,' shares his insights on sales leadership, internal politics, and strategic execution. With a background in military and sales, Derek discusses the challenges of managing team dynamics and the importance of a clear vision. Learn practical tips for aligning your sales team and overcoming common obstacles in this insightful episode.
"You can either light a fire underneath someone, or you can ignite a fire within someone. The BHAG, the Big Hairy Audacious Goal, is the vision you set forth. The vision is the why." - Derek Johnson
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-How to manage internal politics, which is the biggest issue in sales
-Overcoming salespeople who are resistant to change
-How to find your key players within your existing team
-Finding clear vision when there isn't agree on the big team goals and KPIs
CONNECT WITH DEREK JOHNSON
https://www.instagram.com/hardcoreleaders/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-j-404b7/
CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTER AND OUR HOSTS
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/
TWITTER/X
Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven
Lee https://x.com/cleesmith
CONNECT WITH SALESFUEL
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/
· Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/
#sales #salescred #salescredibility #cleesmith #derekjohnson #salesleadership #salesskills #salestips #officepolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 18, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Behavioral Assessments
This week, we're talking about a game-changer in hiring: behavioral assessments. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 11, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Leading Instead of Selling
This week, we're talking about an important topic for your sales team: leading instead of selling. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 8, 2025 • 23min
280: Navigating AI's SEO Changes with Corey Morris
Corey Morris, author of 'Digital Marketing Success Plan,' delves into the evolving world of digital marketing. He discusses the impact of AI on SEO, the rise of zero-click searches, and the importance of quality over quantity in lead generation. Learn how to adapt to changes in Google's first page dynamics and leverage AI for effective digital marketing strategies.
"We have to be working smarter and not harder. So doing things the long way, the manual way, and or the expensive because it hasn't been made efficient by AI ways will be in trouble." - Corey Morris
Key Takeaways:
-What is the impact of zero-click searches on SEO?
-How to adapt marketing strategies with new AI in SEO
-Managing lead nurturing to adjust to AI in SEO
-Managing the future of marketing with digital integration
Connect with Corey Morris
https://voltage.digital/
https://voltage.digital/corey-video-mtg
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreymorris/
https://www.facebook.com/voltagekc
Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts!!!!
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/
TWITTER/X
Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven
Lee https://x.com/cleesmith
Connect with SalesFuel
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/
· Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/
#AI #marketing #artificialintelligence #SEO #searchengines #google #bing #yahoo
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 4, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Tips for Rebranding
This week, we're talking about something that can make or break your business: rebranding. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 28, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Spotting Your Sales Star
This week, we're talking about something every business leader needs to know—how to spot the sales star on your team. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 25, 2025 • 25min
279: Nonprofit Challenges with James Misner
In this insightful episode, James Misner, founder and CEO of The Kipos Group, delves into the unique challenges faced by nonprofit organizations. With over 16 years of experience, James shares his expertise on leadership, team building, and fundraising strategies. He emphasizes the importance of major donors, transparency, and effective communication to build trust and sustain nonprofit growth. James also discusses his eight-week fundraising accelerator program designed to help nonprofits optimize their strategies.
"Nonprofit folks aren't money driven. They're driven by this deep desire to solve really unsolvable problems in the world, problems that business hasn't figured out how to monetize, and how government just can't solve." - James Misner
Key Takeaways:
-For profit vs. nonprofit differences for managers
-How can nonprofits rebuild trust after a scandal?
-Managing unique personality traits of nonprofit leaders
-How should nonprofits manage donor relationships to improve retention
Connect with James Misner
https://thekiposgroup.com/
Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts!!!!
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/
TWITTER/X
Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven
Lee https://x.com/cleesmith
Connect with SalesFuel
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/
· Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/
#nonprofitmanagement #nonprofits #thekiposgroup #jamesmisner #managesmarter #managers #cleesmith
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 21, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Hiring the Right People
This week, we're tackling a topic that can make or break your business: hiring the right people. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 14, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: AI Readiness
This week, we're talking about something that's reshaping the business landscape: AI readiness. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices