The Metrics Brothers (fka SaaS Talk)

Dive into intriguing insights from the Tidemark Vertical & SMB SaaS Benchmark Report. Discover the significance of 'control points' in SaaS growth and the surprising nuances around multi-product strategies. Explore why fintech, especially payments, remains a key player in expansion. Unpack the rapid rise of AI in Vertical SaaS and debate if it's truly a performance enhancer or just table stakes. With data-driven critiques, the hosts challenge popular narratives, making this a must-listen for anyone in the SaaS space.

In this episode of The Metrics Brothers, Ray Rike and Dave Kellogg unpack Benedict Evans’ latest landmark presentation, AI Eats the World, and explore why this moment may rival or even surpass the original “software is eating the world” era. Drawing parallels to Marc Andreessen’s 2011 thesis, they examine how AI is no longer just another platform shift, but a force capable of reshaping labor, capital allocation, and entire industries at once.The conversation spans the explosive rise in AI infrastructure spending, from hyperscaler capex surging past $400B to the growing strain on power, compute, and supply chains. Ray and Dave discuss why this moment feels different from past tech cycles, not just because of scale, but because AI directly targets labor, which represents more than half of global GDP. They explore whether AI is creating real moats or accelerating commoditization, and why many enterprises are still stuck in experimentation rather than true deployment.The episode also dives into historical parallels from elevators and telephone operators to cloud computing highlighting how software enabled automation always feels threatening before it quietly becomes invisible. Along the way, they unpack the strategic tension facing AI leaders: go down the stack for scale or up the stack for value capture. With insights on hyperscalers, OpenAI, Oracle, and the economics of AI adoption, this episode challenges leaders to rethink how value will actually be created and captured in the age of AI.If you want to understand what’s hype, what’s durable, and why “AI eating the world” may be the most consequential shift since the internet itself, this episode is a must-listen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dive into a riveting analysis of the 2025 SaaS Benchmark Report, where hosts explore intriguing findings on AI's impact on growth. Companies with AI at their core soar with a median growth of 110%, while those using it as a tool lag behind. The conversation highlights a shift toward lean teams yielding impressive revenue per employee figures due to automation. Venture funding is rebounding, but heavily favoring AI startups, and hybrid work models are proving more effective than remote ones. Expect sharp insights on the correlation versus causation debate as well!

This discussion dives into the complexities of measuring NRR and expansion in a variable pricing landscape. The hosts argue that traditional ARR metrics are no longer reliable and advocate for using spend and usage data as indicators of revenue health. They explore how to calculate implied ARR and explain the significance of longer measurement intervals to smooth out volatility. Insights into customer behaviors reveal the importance of sequential expansion and accurate churn prediction, reshaping how companies approach financial forecasting.

Dive into the complexities of calculating Net Revenue Retention (NRR) in variable pricing environments. Discover the importance of NRR as a key metric for SaaS companies and its correlation with revenue valuation. Learn about different methods to estimate Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) and the pitfalls of reliance on traditional proxies. Explore the innovative 'Snowflake Method' for a more accurate cohort-based analysis, which helps mitigate variability in usage-driven revenue. Tune in for insights that clarify the intricacies of modern pricing strategies!

Dive into the evolving world of B2B go-to-market strategies with insights from 195 leaders. The discussion pinpoints the 'pipeline crisis' and the struggle to scale effective GTM motions. Discover the chaos of too many channels, alongside a spotlight on the most impactful strategies like intimate events and LinkedIn. Learn why Answer Engine Optimization is critical for future success, and check out cutting-edge GTM tools set to revolutionize the landscape. It's a fascinating exploration of what truly works in today's market!

Explore the emerging metric of Containment Rate, which measures how many tasks an AI agent completes independently. Discover how it differs from the traditional deflection rate and why precise definitions of 'resolved' are crucial. The hosts dive into the importance of connecting this metric to ROI, highlighting both benefits and investments. They also share benchmarks across various sectors and discuss the future of AI agents alongside customer portals. With humor and insight, they offer valuable recommendations for maximizing AI efficiency.

Dive into a comprehensive analysis of Air Street Capital's 2025 State of AI Report, exploring top predictions like AI agents managing ad spend and the rise of AI-driven scientific discoveries. The hosts discuss the implications of open-sourcing models for government favor and the geopolitical landscape shaping AI development. Notable trends include AI's role in presidential politics, the emergence of 'AI neutrality' in foreign policy, and local political consequences of datacenter NIMBYism. This insightful discussion unveils how AI is transforming business models and global power dynamics.

Discover how AI Agents are revolutionizing enterprise operations. The hosts explore the latest G2 report, revealing that healthcare and retail are leading in adoption. Learn how these agents increase efficiency while reducing the need for human input, and dive into the significance of the new 'containment rate' metric. The conversation highlights fast time-to-value, with many businesses seeing tangible results within six months. Get insights into the shift from GenAI spending to practical applications, all aimed at driving real business outcomes.

Dive into the fascinating world of ROI as it relates to AI software investments! The hosts break down ROI's definition and its importance in the current tech landscape. Discover how to distinguish between soft and hard benefits and why focusing on productivity is crucial. They also tackle the age-old build versus buy dilemma, highlighting hidden costs in both options. Multi-year ROI models and the value of look-back reviews are discussed, emphasizing why these practices can enhance decision-making. Perfect for anyone exploring AI investments!