
The Revenue Formula
This podcast is about scaling tech startups.
Hosted by Toni Hohlbein & Mikkel Plaehn, together they look at the full funnel.
With a combined 20 years of experience in B2B SaaS and 3 exits, they discuss growing pains, challenges and opportunities they’ve faced. Whether you're working in RevOps, sales, operations, finance or marketing - if you care about revenue, you'll care about this podcast.
If there’s one thing they hate, it’s talk. We know, it’s a bit of an oxymoron. But execution and focus is the key - that’s why each episode is designed to give 1-2 very concrete takeaways.
Latest episodes

Apr 23, 2025 • 31min
Don’t Believe LinkedIn. Do This Instead.
If you're feeling anxious about AI. If LinkedIn's making you doubt your GTM. You need this episode.We break down what’s real, what’s hype, and why boring execution still wins.(00:00) - Introduction
(02:51) - Don't believe the LinkedIn echo chamber
(06:42) - Understanding Business Fundamentals
(12:09) - Stop comparing yourself to AI companies
(14:28) - Growing without outside capital
(17:15) - The Importance of First Principles Thinking
(24:13) - Focus on your team
(30:08) - Conclusion
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Apr 8, 2025 • 39min
Founders maze: A real look at a company in the making
No. This is not a tactical episode. But. You will get a real look inside of a company being created.(00:00) - Introduction
(04:01) - Scar tissue
(09:31) - Feedback and Market Research
(13:28) - AI in Data Analysis and Future Prospects
(16:06) - AI's Growing Influence in Business
(18:06) - Exploring New Data Sources
(19:05) - Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption
(20:07) - Pivoting to Product Marketing Managers
(21:50) - VC Inbounds and Funding Decisions
(23:02) - Mickel's Departure and Reflections
(25:05) - Breakthrough in Data Integration
(27:26) - Introducing the GTM Graph
(30:55) - Use Cases and Applications
(36:31) - Call to Action and Conclusion
This episode is brought to you by Everstage - the highest rated Sales Commissions Platform on G2, Gartner Peer Insights, Trustradius with over 2,000+ customer reviews. Some of their customers include leading brands like Diligent, Wiley, Trimble, Postman, Chargebee etc.,You can go to https://www.everstage.com/revenue-formula to check out Everstage and mention Revenue Formula to unlock a personalized Sales Compensation Strategy Session with Everstage’s RevOps experts—crafted for enterprise teams to maximize performance.Never miss a new episode, join our newsletter on revenueformula.substack.com

11 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 47min
LinkedIn blueprint: How SDRs can book more meetings (with Morgan Ingram)
Morgan Ingram, an outbound sales expert, shares his insights on leveraging LinkedIn for effective outreach. He discusses common pitfalls in outbound messaging and offers tips for optimizing profiles and personalizing connections. Innovative strategies such as using videos and voice notes are highlighted as ways to humanize interactions. Ingram also navigates the evolving sales landscape, emphasizing the shift from email to LinkedIn to foster meaningful relationships and ultimately book more meetings.

Apr 1, 2025 • 36min
Did Klarna really delete 1200 SaaS apps?
Klarna's drastic cost-cutting measures, including the elimination of 1,200 SaaS apps, spark debate about sustainability versus VC expectations. The role of AI in enhancing efficiency, from customer service to employee management, is explored as the company pivots from a $45 billion valuation to preparing for an IPO. The podcast delves into the delicate balance of building versus buying tech solutions, alongside the challenges of data management and strategic narratives surrounding corporate layoffs. Tune in for insights on innovation amid transformation!

Mar 27, 2025 • 39min
Last week in software: 11x, Deel, Rippling & spy-bound
We had to record this unusual episode. In what feels like a single day, a year's worth of drama has unfolded in software.It almost seems like John Oliver would talk about it. But since he's busy, we decided to do an episode for him on 11x and the chaos that's emerging.(00:00) - Introduction
(02:03) - Deel, Rippling and the spy
(05:35) - 11x
(08:13) - TechCrunch acquired
(09:33) - Fake Customers Controversy
(13:54) - Insane Churn Rates
(19:38) - Investor lawsuit? nope
(23:11) - Employees. Not happy.
(29:23) - Product Performance and Market Fit
(34:25) - Future Prospects and Challenges
SourcesTechcrunch on 11xHasan's post on XAI SDR testNever miss a new episode, join our newsletter on revenueformula.substack.com

Mar 25, 2025 • 35min
Your guide to getting AEs to self-prospect (finally)
Account Executives often resist self-prospecting, but there are fun and effective ways to change that. The podcast explores the role of AI in sales and discusses overcoming the challenges of self-prospecting. Motivational incentives emerge as key, from visual cues to big commission strategies. Team dynamics also play a crucial role in encouraging collaboration between AEs and SDRs. With the right support and engaging incentives, self-prospecting can transform sales performance and drive higher-value deals.

10 snips
Mar 20, 2025 • 43min
How to scale past $10M ARR and more (With Maja Voje)
Maja Voje, a GTM Strategist known for her expertise in go-to-market strategies, joins the discussion on scaling past $10M ARR. She dives into the challenges of growing businesses, highlighting the balance between automation and human interaction. Maja emphasizes the transformative role of AI in outreach and pricing strategies while addressing how to leverage messaging for sales success. The conversation also touches on outcome-based pay models and the importance of equipping teams with AI skills to navigate the evolving business landscape.

Mar 18, 2025 • 35min
The Red Bull playbook tech companies should steal
Usually, we share advanced analysis to run, cases of amazing tech companies, or something else.Today, we're talking about an energy drink. Stay with us because this potent drink can teach tech a lot about advertising.(00:00) - Introduction
(02:26) - Energy Boosts and Red Bull
(14:29) - Red Bull's Media Empire
(17:34) - Examples of Media and Community Acquisitions
(19:15) - Red Bull's Endless Content Stream
(24:20) - Red Bull's Stratosphere Jump
(26:21) - Outrageous Marketing Stunts
(29:00) - Local and Grassroots Marketing Efforts
(31:57) - Takeaways for Software Companies
(32:21) - Creative Marketing Examples in Software
Never miss a new episode, join our newsletter on revenueformula.substack.com

Mar 13, 2025 • 51min
Your guide to killing Zendesk (with Marty Kausas, co-founder & CEO at Pylon)
If there's something we all love, it's to root for david beating goliath.And right now, there's a small team doing just that. Pylon, led by Marty Kausas, is going head to head with Zendesk.Naturally, we asked Marty to share their playbook.(00:00) - Introduction
(01:17) - The Motivation Behind Building Pylon
(01:52) - The Journey to Becoming A-List
(02:19) - Board Games and Strategic Thinking
(04:16) - Targeting a Massive Market
(09:46) - Building the First Product
(11:42) - Competing with Giants
(18:59) - Product Development and Marketing Strategies
(26:35) - Embracing a Heavy Debate Culture
(29:24) - Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Growth
(38:22) - Scaling Sales and Hiring Strategies
(42:31) - Navigating AI in Customer Support
(47:59) - Reflecting on Business Learnings and Future Plans
Never miss a new episode, join our newsletter on revenueformula.substack.com

Mar 11, 2025 • 36min
Killed by AI: What's happening with Chegg
With every new technology, there's a Kodak.. or Nokia.. For AI, that company is Chegg - a publicly traded, once highflying edtech company.We break down the story of Chegg, and distill four learnings for GTM leaders.(00:00) - Introduction
(02:02) - The Role of AI in Our Show
(05:34) - The Rise and Fall of Chegg
(07:59) - Chegg's Business Model and COVID-19 Impact
(13:44) - The ChatGPT Disruption
(16:39) - The Resilient Business: Surviving Disruption
(17:03) - AI's Impact on Incumbents
(18:33) - The Innovator's Dilemma
(20:29) - Opportunities for Change
(21:38) - AI Disruption in Various Industries
(24:05) - Strategies for Business Resilience
(26:15) - The Importance of Diversification
(27:50) - Facing the Reality of Disruption
This episode is brought to you by Everstage - the highest rated Sales Commissions Platform on G2, Gartner Peer Insights, Trustradius with over 2,000+ customer reviews. Some of their customers include leading brands like Diligent, Wiley, Trimble, Postman, Chargebee etc.,You can go to https://www.everstage.com/revenue-formula to check out Everstage and mention Revenue Formula to unlock a personalized Sales Compensation Strategy Session with Everstage’s RevOps experts—crafted for enterprise teams to maximize performance.Never miss a new episode, join our newsletter on revenueformula.substack.com
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