Sales Talk for CEOs

Alice Heiman
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Nov 1, 2023 • 45min

Doing What You Love with Melissa Kwan

After building and exiting two Blue Ocean startups that, in her own words, were painful, my guest, Melissa Kwan, figured it out."It's important to know what you want to do, but even more important to know what you don't want to do. And I had two startups, as you mentioned, that were quite painful in the sense that I didn't think I was very smart or very strategic in choosing the actual idea and choosing the product. But these aren't things that you just know right off the bat. You have to learn these things through experience.”She and her partner built eWebinar in a way that required little overhead and allowed them to travel and work from anywhere. With no one to sell but herself she picked up the phone and called the people she knew and that got her started, but it wasn’t enough. She took a course and quickly learned that sharing content on LinkedIn about her journey as an entrepreneur would drive traffic, but she didn’t do it for that alone. She recognized that her story would help others. I’m not talking about a little self-promotional post here; I’m talking about taking hours to determine the right content and write and edit it before posting to ensure the maximum impact. It worked. Along with that she learned that appearing on podcasts to tell her story would be a great way to get the word out and she’s now been on over 100 podcasts. She also hosts her own podcast called, ProfitLed. Melissa's journey is a testament to innovation and adaptability. It's a reminder that success lies in solving real problems. Chapters01:22 Melissa explains what eWebinar does07:41 Melissa's strategy of introducing a validated business model in a blue ocean market09:43 The skills needed to build a successful business can be acquired12:12 Building a better product by improving existing solutions17:28 Founder-led sales to get initial customers19:56 Transitioning to marketing and SEO for growth24:11 Using the eWebinar software as the demo experience26:21 Attribution is difficult due to dark social, multiple strategies required28:39 Podcasts as a marketing strategy for building brand and exposure30:22 Initial experience with podcast agency and decision to self-place36:40 SEO and content generation as the top lead generation method39:16 Lack of high-quality leads in companies42:37 Rethinking sales strategies to adapt to changing buyer behaviorAbout GuestYou know webinars right? They're amazing and people love them. It's the only way to get in front of all your customers without hopping on a plane.But there's a massive problem: someone has to be there to do them live. Which makes them completely unscalable, especially if you have customers in different time zones. eWebinar automates this process by taking a video and delivering it like a webinar, so you can do hundreds of the same webinar without ever needing to actually be there in front of a camera to do the webinar. Our chat feature lets attendees ask you questions even if you're not there. You can hop in to respond live if you want, but if you're not there, you can respond later via email. This works just like any support chat system (chat bubble you see when you land on a website).eWebinar saves people from doing the same boring demo, onboarding, and training webinar over and over again by turning any video into an interactive webinar that they can set on a recurring schedule or make available on-demand. Companies are using eWebinar to deliver hundreds of webinars to customers and prospects every month without a live host. Resulting in happier team members and most importantly, delightful customers."On live webinars, it's hard to answer every question before the session ends. Now we run over 100 webinars a month and only spend an hour a day answering every message." - Anett Vándor, Customer Eng
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Oct 25, 2023 • 48min

CEOs Can Craft & Deliver Compelling Messages that will be Remembered with Nancy Duarte

From mastering conversations to commanding the stage, dive into the mind of communication expert Nancy Duarte.Alice and Nancy’s conversation reveals that, in an era of fleeting attention, CEOs must craft compelling narratives.For these leaders, understanding their audience isn't just a tip - it's a mandate. Nancy stresses the significance of empathy and preparation, urging CEOs to don the shoes of their audience.Gone are the days of static presentations. The modern CEO story unfolds with dynamic gestures, vocal versatility, and perfectly-timed pauses, all backed by Vanessa Van Edwards’ groundbreaking research on TED Talks.But, how do CEOs craft this captivating narrative? It starts with the big idea, gauges the audience's current state, and projects a vivid future. Visual aids. Essential. Practice. Non-negotiable.As businesses evolve, CEOs mustn’t just communicate; they should inspire. Embracing storytelling, these corporate narrators don't just lead businesses, they sculpt industries.Join Alice and Nancy as they decode the art of impactful communication and envision a future where CEOs aren’t just heard but remembered. Tune in to the Sales Talk for CEOs podcast and let your leadership voice be the difference!Chapters01:19 Need for CEOs to improve their communication and presentation skills02:50 Importance of empathy in effective communication04:41 Three key factors to consider: story, visualization, and delivery10:42 Ongoing conversations for long-term success and reinvention13:28 Staying updated on news and developments related to the audience15:49 Using a triangle framework to outline the big idea and desired transformation19:41 Recognizing qualitative signs of audience engagement and understanding23:12 Challenges of gauging audience engagement in virtual presentations.29:14 Considering alternative presentation formats, such as interviews.31:08 The importance of practicing and getting comfortable with the material.35:07 Have experts prepared to answer questions you can't.40:48 Gestures, pausing, and purposeful movement enhance delivery.44:55 Research on how to end a talk effectively47:08 CEOs as thought leaders and gaining an unfair advantageAbout GuestNancy Duarte: A Luminary in Communication and StorytellingNancy Duarte, the CEO of Duarte, is renowned for her expertise in the realm of communication and storytelling. With a career spanning decades, Nancy has firmly established herself as an American writer, speaker, and business leader Nancy Duarte - Wikipedia. Her profound knowledge is encapsulated in her books, one of which is titled "Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations" Slide:ology® |.Beyond her literary contributions, Nancy is recognized as a communication expert who has offered her expertise to help brands articulate their stories compellingly Nancy Duarte Built A 30 Year Career In Silicon Valley On The Art Of Storytelling (forbes.com). Her achievements and insights have caught the attention of renowned publications such as Fortune, Time Magazine, Forbes, and the Wall Street Journal, to name a few Nancy Duarte — Faith Driven Entrepreneur.Throughout her professional journey, Nancy has encountered various adversities, which she has transformed into learning experiences, further enriching her expertise and perspective Interview | Nancy Duarte, CEO | The Industry LeadersIn essence
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Oct 10, 2023 • 46min

The Easiest Way to Get More Business with Barry Trailer

CEOs, do you want to unlock the secret to sky-high sales?Your loyal customers might just have the answers you seek.Barry Trailer from Sales Mastery Advisors highlights a goldmine of opportunity: diving deep into repeat and referral sales. Believe it or not, expanding within your existing customer base can yield better returns than braving new territories.Furthermore, while data is crucial, it's quality over quantity. CEOs should focus on insightful data interpretation, emphasizing process-oriented coaching, adept tech use, and consistent training.Barry's revealing Sales Performance Scorecard survey shows just 53% of reps hitting or surpassing their quotas, signifying a pressing need to revamp strategies.Interestingly, the survey suggests a direct link: the stronger the processes and relationships, the better the sales performance. With peak levels, 61% of reps excel in their roles.To truly drive sales momentum, CEOs must revitalize internal processes, and make sure the focus is on nurturing customer relationships and optimizing data utilization. By focusing on these cornerstones, soaring sales are no longer just a dream.Want to dive deeper? All the riveting details await in this informative episode.Chapters00:02 Introduction to the podcast and topic of sales strategies01:07 Discussion on the easiest ways to get more business04:20 The challenges of new reps in new territories07:12 The importance of doing the hard work in sales12:16 The importance of actionable information from data12:51 Levels of relationship and understanding in data analysis14:19 Introduction of the sales performance scorecard assessment.16:22 Low revenue plan attainment and reps meeting quota.18:23 Slow progress in implementing artificial intelligence for sales.20:08 The importance of levels of relationship and process implementation.27:42 Random process can be successful but lacks predictability.29:18 Buyers are better at buying than sellers are at selling.30:16 Many sales teams do not fully utilize the tools provided.31:46 Lack of user adoption and misuse of tools leads to inefficiency.36:11 Managers need coaching on how to coach effectively.38:48 Coaching is often misunderstood and not properly implemented.43:23 Process-oriented coaching and technology can improve sales outcomes.44:28 CRM should be used as a system of record and engagement.About GuestBarry Trailer is prominently associated with SalesMastery, holding a leadership position as a past president of both Miller Heiman and Goldmine. Miller Heiman is recognized as a world-class sales training firm, while Goldmine is renowned for its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications. Barry Trailer's professional experiences extend to the digital platform LinkedIn, where he maintains a professional profile, emphasizing his significance in the global business network. Furthermore, Barry's insights on the pivotal role of a company's coaching approach in influencing win rates have been highlighted, suggesting his expertise in sales management and strategiesSocial Links You can learn more about and connect with Barry Trailer in the links below.Connect with Barry on LinkedIn:(99+) Barry Trailer | LinkedInCheck out Sales Mastery website:SalesMasteryYou can learn more about and connect with Alice Heiman in the links below.Connect with Alice on LinkedIn:(99+) Alice Heiman | LinkedInCheck out Alice’s website:Alice Heiman - Alice Heiman
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Oct 3, 2023 • 47min

From Grassroots to Greatness with Lloyed Lobo

In the age where traditional sales tactics seem obsolete, CEOs and founders are shifting to innovative strategies. Lloyed Lobo, co-founder of Boast, accentuates the importance of community-led growth. His journey, from an engineer to a salesperson, and ultimately, to the co-founder of a company aiding businesses in accessing R&D funding, underlines the value of community.Lloyed divides community-led growth into four stages: audience, community, movement, and cult. He believes that it starts with a passive audience, and, with engagement, it transforms into an active community. When this community works collectively towards a cause, it becomes a movement, and finally, with deep-rooted beliefs, it can shape into a cult (in a good way).By curating events, insightful blog posts, and actively engaging with his audience, Lloyed created a trusted hub for entrepreneurs. He also emphasizes founder-led sales in a startup's initial stages, suggesting that personal touchpoints build credibility and rapport.Furthermore, Lloyed points out that community-driven platforms don't just boost sales but propel innovation by fostering a collaborative space for knowledge sharing. As the world progresses, businesses that prioritize and integrate community-building will emerge as leading brands.Chapters00:39 Introduction of special guest Lloyed Lobo, co-founder of Boast.03:55 Boast integrates with technical and financial systems to streamline funding.08:05 Lloyed Lobo's journey from engineering to sales to co-founding Boast.12:10 The challenges of cold calling and finding the right audience14:39 Framework for targeting the right audience: passion, niche, propensity to pay, ease of access15:56 Identifying white spaces in the market: lack of support and tactical content20:16 Hosting meetups and the importance of consistency22:29 Understanding the ideal customer profile and their aspirations25:46 Using events and community to engage and build loyalty28:57 Founder-led sales and the importance of product-market fit33:05 Hiring for trajectory and the importance of grit and determination35:24 Founder reinventing their job and excitement of trying new things39:18 The role of community in building enduring brands.41:12 Lloyed Lobo's journey from humble beginnings to success.45:18 The importance of loving your customer and adding value.45:43 Lloyed Lobo's book "From Grassroots to Greatness".About GuestLloyed Lobo, an entrepreneur, podcast host and community builder, experienced the Gulf War as a young refugee in Kuwait, witnessing the strength of community in evacuating the population to safety. As the co-founder of fintech platform Boast.Al, he leveraged the Community-Led Growth model to bootstrap the company to $10 million in annual recurring revenue while also co-founding Traction, a community empowering more than 100k innovators through connections, content, and capital.Lloyed is also the author of ‘**From Grassroots To Greatness: 13 Rules to Build Iconic Brands with Community Led Growth’ **(foreword by Jason Lemkin), which covers tactical advice from community-led businesses both big and small, such as Apple, Harley Davidson, Nike, Crossfit, HubSpot, and many more to help readers attract passionate and devoted fans of their own. The book topped Amazon’s new release charts in various categories, including Startups and Business Technology, within mere hours of its pre-sale launch.About CompanyBoast.ai is a leading financial technology firm that simplifies the process for companies to access government incentives, including R&D tax credits and innovation grants. Leveraging a blend of expertise and automation, Boast.ai streamlines the claims process, maximizes claims amounts, and reduces the risk of audits. With their integrated platform, businesses ca
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Sep 20, 2023 • 56min

Reimagining Sales for the New Era with Spencer Wixom

Wouldn’t you love to get into the mind of your sellers and understand exactly what they are thinking? Wouldn’t you love to know what they are struggling with most?If you could read their minds, or if you asked, what would your sales leaders say it is and what would your sellers say?  Spencer Wixom from The Brooks Group says that his research shows the answer you likely will get if you ask is prospecting and discovery calls. Why, because it’s hard. Harder these days than ever and leaders are still teaching and depending on old methods that don’t work.  Spencer’s insights shed light on the challenges of prospecting and discovery, where traditional modes of communication still reign supreme. In the price-sensitive market landscape, he champions the mantra of selling value over price, urging sellers to convey their solution's tangible ROI.But what truly stands out? Spencer’s attention to the emotional and motivational pulse of sales teams. Recognizing the evolving motivations of the younger generation and the nuances of hiring and retention, he underscores the importance of CEOs understanding and catering to individual seller drives.Join Alice as she unpacks Spencer's strategies, exploring the future of sales and the critical role CEOs play in shaping it.Chapters02:02 Importance of having a simple, fundamental sales process05:33 Study shows that prospecting and discovery are the biggest struggles11:25 Introducing a formal referral selling program can increase results13:06 Connecting people with similar issues strengthens trust in relationships19:53 Salespeople need to understand customer value, not just product features.24:33 Recognizing trigger events to understand the value of products/services.25:54 Burnout and lack of motivation among sales development reps27:58 Generational differences in motivation32:05 Balancing work-life priorities and productivity36:09 Customer indecision and closing challenges38:40 The importance of the sales process and relationship building39:14 The pressure on salespeople to close deals42:04 The importance of team selling and gaining commitment48:42 The importance of empathy and understanding buyers' struggles51:42 Importance of understanding natural capabilities and skills for job success55:26 Shift in demographics and work dynamics with millennials and Gen Z  About GuestSpencer Wixom is the President & CEO of The Brooks Group. His primary responsibility is leading the organization to deliver transformational performance improvement in their client’s sales teams. This is done by harnessing the collective effort and expertise of The Brooks Group Executive team and empowering market-leading talent up and down the organization.  Spencer joined The Brooks Group after many years leading global teams as an executive in the sales transformation space, including marketing, sales enablement, research and analytics, and client success. About HostThe Brooks Group is an award-winning organization specializing in sales training and classes. With a focus on offering top-tier sales training solutions, the Brooks Group aims to empower sales teams to reach their full potential and drive significant business results. Their training programs are designed to be impactful, customized, and aligned with the unique needs and goals of each client they serve. Although detailed services were not provided, the multiple awards and client testimonials indicate a strong reputation and effectiveness in delivering their sales training services. Social Links  You can learn more about and connect with Spencer Wixom in the links below.Connect with Spencer on LinkedIn:(14) Spencer Wixom | LinkedInCheck out Brooks group website:
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Sep 13, 2023 • 43min

Encore: Aligning Your Go-to-Market Team with Pouyan Salehi

Product. Sales. Marketing. Customer Success. If you want to grow your business, your entire go-to-market team has to be in perfect alignment. Providing a seamless experience makes such a huge difference to customers, but it’s often hard to achieve. Luckily, you’ll get plenty of ideas and inspiration in this Encore Episode on the Sales Talk for CEOs podcast.My guest for this interview is Pouyan Salehi, CEO of Scratchpad, a workspace designed specifically for sales and revenue teams. Scratchpad has a unique bottom-up sales model where—on the one hand—the end-users of the software (sales reps) are not the buyers, but—on the other hand—the end-user experience is instrumental in getting sales conversations with decision-makers at large companies. A fully aligned go-to-market team is crucial to success, and, in this interview, Pouyan shares how he achieves it.As Pouyan explains, aligning your go-to-market team has nothing to do with tools and processes. Instead, you have to start with mindset, prioritizing ‘delight’ and ‘experience.’ “We’re a software company, and we build a product, and people buy the product. But that’s just one component,” says Pouyan. “What we’re essentially doing for every user interaction that we have is we’re giving them an experience. We’re delivering an experience, and that experience should be one of delight.”This mindset drives sales and customer experience at Scratchpad and has brought the entire go-to-market team together into one cohesive unit. Scratchpad has established a base of raving fans that any CEO would envy! Listen in to hear how Pouyan has done it, so you can apply the strategies to your business too.Highlights[2:25] Designing a space for sales team efficiency[7:24] Understanding diversity in sales reps[9:26] Balancing structure and individual flexibility[13:45] Selling your idea and testing your value proposition[20:25] Designing a complex go-to-market motion[29:40] Building a fully aligned go-to-market team[35:19] Creating raving fansAbout Our GuestPouyan Salehi is co-founder and CEO of Scratchpad, the pioneer of the Revenue Team Workspace. Prior to Scratchpad, Pouyan was co-founder and CEO of PersistIQ, the complete outbound platform engineered from the ground up for sales. A successful serial entrepreneur, Pouyan also co-founded Lera Labs (CycleIO) and has dedicated the last decade to improving the sales process for B2B enterprise sales reps and teams.Show LinksConnect with Pouyan Salehi in the links below:Website: https://scratchpad.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pouyansalehiYou can learn more about and connect with Alice Heiman in the links below:Website: https://AliceHeiman.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceheiman/
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Sep 6, 2023 • 36min

From FBI to Entrepreneur with Joanna Riley

From FBI prodigy to HR tech disruptor, meet Joanna Riley, the extraordinary CEO revolutionizing talent acquisition.Joanna's secret agent aspirations led her down a unique path, guided by her parents' unwavering support. Her undergraduate years were a whirlwind of cutting-edge courses in the psychology and geometry of crime, fueling her passion for espionage.Joining the FBI right out of college, Joanna's first taste of the professional world may surprise you - she conquered sales at just four years old, going door to door as the "snail annihilator" with her best friend.After 3 successful startups Joanna is now transforming the way companies find and harness their most valuable asset - people. As the visionary leader of Censia, she focuses on diversity, a deep understanding of customer connection and is shaking up the traditional notion of sales. She is on a mission to revolutionize talent acquisition with the power of AI. Hear Joanna’s journey and discover how she’s reshaping the hiring landscape and paving the way for a new era of success on this incredible interview! Chapters03:53 Importance of using data to make hiring decisions and retain employees.05:22 Joanna's background in the FBI and how it translates to entrepreneurship.08:26 Transition from the FBI to starting the first company in sales.10:05 Success and sale of the first company at a young age.13:20 CEO pain point: finding the right people for their company.13:56 HR tech focuses on helping companies with talent acquisition.14:55 Talent market shifted from active to passive job seekers.15:49 Current talent search methods are outdated and ineffective.16:46 Underrepresented communities are disadvantaged in keyword-based searches.17:16 AI can provide a more intelligent understanding of candidates' capabilities.18:03 Shifting the focus from keywords to desired achievements.19:04 Started selling after building a structured talent database.21:45 Customer advisory board helped identify pain points and validate solutions.25:50 Importance of CEOs staying in touch with customers.26:37 Initial challenges in selling and finding product-market fit.30:39 Transitioning to hiring salespeople.32:02 Scaling and growing the go-to-market team.33:07 Advice for CEOs: prioritize sales and customer conversations.About GuestJoanna Riley is an experienced entrepreneur and investor, renowned for championing diversity in the tech sector and for driving the development of ethical AI in HR Tech. As the CEO and Founder of Censia, she spearheads a cutting-edge Talent Intelligence Platform that is revolutionizing the way enterprises identify, recruit, and retain transformative talent. Joanna's passion for leadership extends beyond her role at Censia. She is a prolific early-stage investor and a distinguished member of the Board of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) as part of the Global Membership Council. She also devotes her time to mentoring up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the tech space.Her achievements are rooted in a diverse and robust background. Early in her career, Joanna was an integral part of the International Training Unit for the FBI. In addition, she distinguished herself as a national rower and earned her BA degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. Today, she continues to hone her business acumen as part of the President's Program at Harvard Business School.Social Links You can learn more about and connect with Joanna Riley in the links below.Connect with Joanna on LinkedIn:(35) Joanna (Jo) Riley | LinkedInCheck out Censia's website:Transformative Talent Intelligence - CensiaYou can learn more about and connect with A
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Aug 29, 2023 • 49min

Revolutionizing Sales Hiring with Lori Richardson

Hiring high-performing teams is no easy feat for CEOs, but when it comes to sales teams, the stakes are exponentially higher. Achieving your organization's business objectives hinges on building and scaling a successful sales force that drives predictable revenue growth.But what do you do when sales are stagnant and results fall short of expectations? It's time to examine how we, as CEOs, have supported the growth of our sales teams.In a value-packed conversation with Lori Richardson, a renowned sales strategy expert and founder of Score More Sales, we dive into the crucial factors that contribute to building peak performing sales teams.Lori emphasized the utmost importance of hiring the right people, empowering effective sales leaders, and providing ongoing coaching and support.Discover how you can revolutionize your sales teams and supercharge your business success with these insights from a true sales guru.Chapters04:30 Challenges with traditional sales training and accountability08:37 Importance of hiring the right salespeople and coaching them09:45 Discussion on the need for training on hiring and assessing candidates11:27 Importance of setting up a customized assessment for each sales role13:29 Critique of using personality assessments for hiring salespeople17:09 Importance of setting clear criteria and avoiding excessive requirements24:09 Discussion on the concept of "culture add" in hiring29:58 Importance of expanding networks and connections for diversity hiring32:08 Tips for making job postings more appealing to diverse candidates35:30 Importance of sticking to the hiring process and not deviating40:00 Importance of assessing existing sales teams and leaders45:24 Importance of developing a strong sales team for company valuationAbout GuestLori Richardson is the CEO, Speaker, and Founder of Score More Sales, a consultancy she established in 2002 to assist companies in boosting their revenues through strategic sales endeavors. Her expertise stems from over two decades of experience in B2B sales and leadership roles. With a commendable career in tech sales under her belt, Lori envisioned Score More Sales to be a beacon for leaders of mid-sized businesses, guiding them in hiring competent sellers and appraising their incumbent sales teams. As of 2022, the company marked its 20th year, symbolizing two decades of dedicated service in the realm of sales consultancy. Apart from her role as the head of Score More Sales, Lori has made significant contributions to the sales domain as an author. She penned "She Sells," a book that serves as a manual for company and sales leaders to effectively discover, enlist, and retain sales talent.Social Links You can learn more about and connect with Lori Richardson in the links below.Connect with Lori on LinkedIn:(99+) Lori Richardson | LinkedInCheck out Score More Sales website:ScoreMoreSales - More of What Works, NowYou can learn more about and connect with Alice Heiman in the links below.Connect with Alice on LinkedIn:(99+) Alice Heiman | LinkedInCheck out Alice’s website:Alice Heiman - Alice Heiman
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Aug 23, 2023 • 44min

Encore: Marketing That Is Music to Your Buyer’s Ears with Kate Bradley Chernis

Connection is everything. When your marketing message resonates with your customers, selling becomes easier, retention becomes easier, and your customers become powerful evangelists who market and sell for you. To achieve this, you have to find the right words that make your customers lean in. You have to create marketing that is music to your buyer’s ears.In this episode of the Sales Talk for CEOs podcast, my guest Kate Bradley Chernis shares advice on how to do just that. A former live radio DJ, Kate is now the CEO of Lately, a software that uses artificial intelligence to learn the voice of brands and create writing models based on the words, key phrases, and sentence structure that will get the highest engagement. Kate has used Lately technology to get a 98 percent sales conversion rate with the company’s organic messages, and she is sharing tips for creating marketing that connects to customers in this podcast episode.As Kate explains, the problem with a lot of marketing is that marketers are trying to find ‘the right words that sell.’ “The objective isn’t actually a sale,” says Kate. “The objective is first to engage. Get to the next step. Get the reaction. Get them to lean in. Get that long play going.”In this interview, Kate discusses the importance of making a connection as you start conversations with potential customers via marketing. Using the neuroscience of music, she explains how marketing messages should be crafted to offer familiar ‘touch points’ that cue nostalgia, memory, and emotion. This, in turn, builds trust, which is the basis for customer acquisition and loyalty. Sound interesting? Then listen in to learn how you too can create marketing that is music to your buyer’s ears. Highlights2:37 The rollercoaster of the CEO8:27 Getting specific about your ideal customer17:58 Why the objective of your marketing isn’t a sale21:17 Believing in yourself (and not the naysayers)28:26 Creating two-way street marketing30:33 Making music to your buyer’s ears39:00 Creating a seller-free experience QuoteThe objective isn’t actually a sale. The objective is first to engage. Get to the next step. Get the reaction. Get them to lean in. Get that long play going.” Connect with Kate Bradley Chernis in the links below:Website: https://www.lately.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebradley/ You can learn more about and connect with Alice Heiman in the links below:Website: https://AliceHeiman.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceheiman/
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Aug 15, 2023 • 52min

Going from the Wild Wild West to Sales Structure with Michael Katz

From youngest CEO on the Nasdaq to an industry he never dreamed he’d be in. You’ll want to dive into this exclusive interview with CEO Michael Katz, founder of mParticle, with a mission to unify and organize customer data, unlocking its untapped potential.mParticle  was born from Michael’s triumph at Interclick, where data-driven approaches led to business success. Recognizing the growing significance of mobile and the complexity of customer data, he seized the opportunity to create a platform that could rise to these challenges.Because Michael didn’t know sales his strategy took a unique approach and one that I often recommend for the early days. He was very choosy about who he invited to the table to invest. It wasn’t just money he was looking for, he found people who cared about his success as much as he did. By leveraging his network of investors, his lead generation was all through introductions. That became a force multiplier for him. Starting with founder-led sales and being very successful because of the introductions from his investors, he soon saw the need for more salespeople but not really knowing sales he shares how he hired his first great seller. Michael soon hired a sales leader and looking back, what he realizes is that he waited too long to bring in sales enablement. Another game changer for his sales growth was collaborating with partners as they played a pivotal role in building trust and influencing decision-makers.Michael Katz is the thoughtful, purpose driven, gritty type of CEO I’d want to work for. He shares a wealth of knowledge so I’ll stop here and let you listen to learn the rest. Chapters00:53 Michael Katz discusses how mParticle manages customer data to increase sales.03:22 Michael Katz shares his background and the founding of mParticle.05:40 mParticle was founded to solve the technical challenges of mobile app data.09:00 Michael Katz utilized his network to make introductions and generate leads.11:49 Hiring multiple salespeople with different backgrounds to benchmark their performance.18:28 Fine-tuning the sales organization and aligning the different functions.26:45 Building a sales organization with regional coverage and vertical specialization.32:52 Sales is a system that requires constant fine-tuning and alignment.41:26 The sales organization includes account executives, sales management, solutions engineering, and sales enablement.About GuestMichael Katz is the CEO and Co-Founder of mParticle, a leading technology company specializing in data infrastructure for the mobile and web industries. With a proven track record of innovation and leadership, Michael has played a pivotal role in guiding mParticle to become a prominent player in the data management landscape.As the CEO, Michael Katz oversees the strategic direction of the company, fosters key partnerships, and spearheads efforts to deliver cutting-edge solutions to clients worldwide. With a passion for harnessing the power of data, he has helped mParticle establish itself as a vital platform for businesses seeking to optimize their data collection, integration, and activation processes.Drawing upon his extensive experience in the technology sector, Michael's visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving mParticle's growth and success. Under his guidance, the company has achieved significant milestones and earned a reputation for its exceptional data solutions and commitment to customer success.Social Links You can learn more about and connect with Michael Katz in the links below.Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelskatz/Check out mParticle's website: https://www.mParticle.com/You can learn more about and connect with Alice Heiman in the links below.Connect with Alice on LinkedIn: 

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