Predictable B2B Success

What if everything you know about B2B sales prospecting is due for a radical rethink? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, we sit down with Mike LaRusso—a seasoned sales consultant with forty years of in-the-trenches experience and the author of "The Sales Professional Survival Guide: A Blueprint for Tactical Prospecting." Mike is on a mission to disrupt outdated sales mindsets, unpacking why most traditional prospecting methods are less productive than you think and revealing how intuition, analytics, and relationship-driven tactics can transform your sales pipeline. You'll hear Mike's refreshingly frank perspective on why leadership is often the bottleneck to sales success, how the misunderstood alliance process can unlock game-changing results, and why the proper prospecting tactic could mean the difference between cold-call drudgery and high-performance revenue growth. Whether you're a sales rep, leader, or founder, get ready to question your assumptions, rethink your KPIs, and discover how the future of B2B sales is being redefined—one strategic relationship at a time. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that could make you see prospecting in a whole new light. Some areas we explore in this episode include: Mike's sales background – Starting at age 16 and his extensive industry experience.Intuition in sales and formal methodology – Turning intuition into a structured methodology.Problems with traditional sales leadership – How leadership mindsets inhibit sales success.Importance of prospecting – Why prospecting is the foundation of sales.Using data analytics and systems – Applying metrics and analytics to sales processes.The Alliance Process – Building and leveraging alliances for better lead generation.Impact of automation and AI – How automation is changing prospecting and SDR roles.Effective sales metrics – Focusing on appointment ratios and closing rates over just activity counts.Driving leadership buy-in – Challenges in convincing sales leadership to adopt new methods.Hiring for business development mindset – What to look for in sales hires and how to train them.And much, much more ...

What does it take to build a business that grows beyond your wildest dreams—without losing yourself along the way? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, host Vinay Koshy sits down with Scott Ritzheimer, CEO of Scale Architects and author of The Founder's Evolution, who has helped launch nearly 20,000 businesses and nonprofits before turning 35. Scott shares the untold story behind rapid, sustainable growth—and the unexpected personal challenges that come with it. You'll hear firsthand how Scott resurrected a failing company during the 2008 financial crisis, what he learned by navigating the seven distinct stages every founder faces, and why most entrepreneurs experience frustration at critical transition points. How do you know if you're a "reluctant manager"? What's the secret to building a team you can truly scale with? And why is clarity of vision—and joy—in business more important than chasing arbitrary revenue milestones? Brimming with honest stories, practical frameworks, and questions that turn traditional business advice on its head, this conversation will help you pinpoint exactly where you are on your founder's journey—and what to do next. If you want to create not just predictable revenue but predictable fulfillment, don't miss this episode! Some areas we explore in this episode: Scott Ritzheimer's Background – His journey through Start Church and early entrepreneurial experiences.The Seven Stages of Founder Growth – An overview and explanation of key founder stages from dissatisfied employee to visionary founder.Predictable Success – What it means, both organizationally and personally, for founders.Identifying Growth Stage Transitions – How to recognize and manage moving from one founder stage to the next.Overcoming Early-Stage Business Challenges – Real stories about dealing with chaos, debt, and survival at Start Church.People vs. Systems – The importance of hiring the right people at certain stages before focusing on systems.Vision and Mindset – Why founders need a clear, personal vision and adaptable mindset at every stage.Letting Go and Leadership Evolution – Shifting from doing everything to building and leading executives and teams.Addressing Founder Burnout and Alignment – Pros and cons of scaling, exits, and aligning business with personal fulfillment.Practical Tools and Resources – Assessments, the Founder's Evolution book, and actionable steps for identifying your current stage.And much, much more...

What if you discovered that 79% of your company’s top-line revenue could be slipping away, right under your nose, all because of outdated billing and invoicing processes? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, host Vinay Koshy sits down with Randy Wootton, CEO of Maxio, to dig into one of the most overlooked deal killers and revenue drains in B2B SaaS: broken financial operations. With over 25 years in tech and a history of scaling and exiting firms, Randy brings deep, candid insights from the frontlines of SaaS operations. Together, they unpack why so many CFOs still cling to spreadsheets, how to create a culture of accountability and data-driven decision-making, and why getting serious about monetization, beyond customer acquisition and retention, can exponentially boost your company’s valuation. You’ll also hear behind-the-scenes stories of SaaS mergers, the battle to win over finance teams, and why nailing your monetization strategy is now a CEO’s must-have skill. Whether running a startup, growing a SaaS company, or steering a PE-backed venture, this episode is packed with real-world lessons and contrarian takes you can’t afford to miss. Ready to get funded—and stay funded? Let’s dive in. Some areas we explore in this episode include: Problems in B2B Billing & Financial Operations: Common issues like revenue leakage, billing errors, and spreadsheet dependence.What Maxio Does: How Maxio connects CRM and general ledger systems to streamline financial processes for B2B SaaS.Randy Wootton’s Leadership Journey: His background in the military and tech and how that shaped his leadership approach.Execution, Metrics & Growth Culture: The importance of accountability, data-driven execution, and fostering an environment of continuous improvement.CFO Mindsets and the Move From Spreadsheets: Why CFOs resist change and how companies can encourage adoption of automated systems.AI and Data Insights in Financial Ops: How Maxio and similar platforms are moving toward more intelligent, AI-driven analytics and business insights.Monetization Strategies for SaaS Companies: Monetization (pricing, packaging, value capture) matters as much as acquisition and retention.Maxio’s Pricing Model: Details on its billing-based pricing and why this approach benefits customers.Brand Strategy After Merger: Lessons from combining SaaSOptics and Chargeify into Maxio, and the challenges of rebranding.Get Funded, Stay Funded: The “dolphin strategy” for SaaS businesses—balancing growth, profitability, and investor expectations.And much, much more...

In this episode of the "Predictable B2B Success" podcast, host Vinay Koshy delves into the dynamic business consulting and growth strategy world with the versatile entrepreneur and finance expert Tim Calise. Tim, renowned for his meteoric achievements, including raising an astounding $325 million for his first hedge fund by age 25, dives deep into his journey and the insightful lessons he learned. Discover Tim's transition from an inquisitive child with a penchant for recreating systems to a strategic business consultant eager to help others navigate the intricate landscape of entrepreneurship. With a focus on aligning product, pricing, and positioning, Tim shares his unique "product to profit" framework—a game-changer for business owners eyeing sustainable success and lucrative exits. But the episode doesn't stop there. Explore how businesses can differentiate themselves amid stiff competition and the hustle of modern market dynamics. Uncover secrets to transforming acquisition costs into profit centers and discover why a market of one might be your business's missing link. Join us for a conversation packed with actionable insights designed to fuel your entrepreneurial spirit and craft a roadmap for success. Whether you're a seasoned founder or an aspiring entrepreneur, Tim's strategies will ignite your business aspirations. Some areas we explore in this episode include: Tim's Entrepreneurial Journey: Tim shares how he knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur from an early age and his experiences growing up.Business Consulting and Co-creating: Tim discusses his transition to business consulting and why he decided to co-create with other founders and business owners.Challenges for B2B Brands: Vinay and Tim discuss the struggles B2B brands face in aligning profit with business exit strategies.Product to Profit Framework: Tim introduces his Product to Profit framework and how it helps businesses succeed.Personal Area of Strength: Tim identifies his personal area of strength as aligning investor mindset with on-the-ground experience.Customer Acquisition and Profitability: Tim explains how building a profitable acquisition system turns acquisition costs into a profit center.Creating a Market of One: The idea of differentiating by niching down to create a unique position in the market.Strategic Pricing and Tiers: The importance of having a three-tier pricing system to cater to different client needs and maximize profit.Overcoming Entrepreneurial Challenges: Discussion on how to counter the loneliness and mental exhaustion that can come with entrepreneurship by having a support system and focusing on core strengths.Future Business Trends: Tim shares insights on the importance of recurring revenue and how live events can differentiate businesses in a competitive market.And much, much more ....

Have you ever wondered if your drive for success could be holding your business back? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, host Vinay Koshy sits down with Scott Anderson, serial entrepreneur, author of You’re Not Toast, and founder of Double Dare, to expose the hidden dangers of burnout for high-achieving professionals and founders. Scott shares his raw journey: from launching 10 companies and selling eight to hitting a wall of exhaustion that sleep, weekends, and vacations couldn’t fix. You’ll discover why the very grit and hustle that fuel growth in the early days can quietly transform into a ceiling on your revenue—and even endanger your health and business. Scott unpacks the subtle signals leaders often miss, explains why hustle culture is not a strategy for scalable success, and reveals actionable techniques, like his 5-second R&R method, to break the burnout cycle quickly. If you’re secretly feeling stuck, tired, or can’t scale past that next revenue milestone, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about perseverance, leadership, and growth. Tune in to learn how saying no and letting go might be your smartest business move this year. Some areas we explore in this episode include: Scott Anderson’s Personal Burnout Experience: How Scott recognized his own burnout and began seeking solutions.Burnout in High Achievers: Why successful professionals are especially at risk of burnout.The Double-Edged Sword of Perseverance: How traits that drive business success can also lead to burnout.Scaling Challenges and Revenue Plateaus: Mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to grow their businesses beyond early milestones.Early Warning Signs of Burnout: Key symptoms and overlooked indicators of burnout in leaders.Delegation and Building Systems: The need for founders to delegate and build scalable systems to prevent burnout and enable growth.Shifting Leadership Mindsets: Moving from founder-centric leadership to a more humble, team-oriented approach.Hustle Culture vs. Sustainable Growth: Debunking the myth that nonstop hustling leads to long-term success.Practical Burnout Prevention Techniques: Tools like the R and R Technique for managing stress on the go.Implementing the Burnout Breakthrough Method: How Scott’s approach boosts cognitive capacity and resilience for leaders and their teams.And much, much more...

In this discussion, Jason Shafton, a growth marketing consultant and founder of Winston Francois, draws on over 20 years of experience scaling brands at Google and Headspace. He emphasizes the power of a growth mindset and personal resilience, revealing how authenticity can transform business narratives. The conversation covers innovative strategies for audience engagement, the importance of empathy in marketing, and the necessity to break away from conventional tactics. Jason inspires listeners to craft compelling stories that resonate and drive exceptional results.

Welcome to another episode of the Predictable B2B Success podcast, where we delve into the often overlooked yet powerful catalysts for sustainable revenue growth in the B2B space: packaging and trust. Host Vinay Koshy is joined by Nathan Yeung, founder of Find Your Audience, to explore these crucial elements that can differentiate your brand while navigating the complexities of the B2B market. Nathan brings over a decade of experience in marketing, finance, and management consulting to provide a fresh perspective on building effective strategies that align with market needs and internal company culture. In this episode, Nathan shares his frustration with the subpar advice given to founders and explains how strategic insights from marketing can play a pivotal role in long-term growth. Discover why first impressions, akin to the packaging in B2C, are just as vital in B2B digital branding. Learn how to measure trust within your customer base truly and why creating customer evangelists could be your most underutilized marketing channel. Plus, Nathan unveils actionable insights on maximizing the potential of your current marketing channels and why embracing bold strategies can set you apart in a crowded market. Tune in for a conversation rich with actionable insights and real-world examples that could transform your approach to B2B success. Some areas we explore in this episode include: Packaging and Trust in B2B: The significance of packaging and trust in driving sustainable revenue growth.Nathan Yeung's Founding Journey: Insights into why Nathan started Find Your Own Audience based on his diverse professional experiences.Role of Marketing Strategy: The importance of marketing strategy in identifying opportunities and positioning through insights.Understanding Marketing Tactics: Realizing that all marketing tactics can work, but priorities should be set based on constraints.Branding as B2B Packaging: How branding acts as packaging and its effect on first impressions and company perception.Assessing Trust with Customers: Potential overconfidence among CEOs regarding customer trust and its implications for customer management.Creating Customer Evangelists: Shifting focus to building customer evangelists and long-term relationship investment.Building Community via Events: Effective community building through thoughtfully programmed events offering personal, social, and commercial benefits.Empathy and Communication Challenges: The critical role of empathy in marketing and the importance of communicating in customer language.Advice for New Marketing Teams: Guidance on assembling marketing teams and standing out in competitive environments.And much, much more...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Predictable B2B Success podcast! Join us as Vinay Koshy dives into an engaging conversation with Richard "RJ" Kedziora, the co-founder of Estenda and an innovator in the healthcare technology space. With over three decades of experience in software product design and development, RJ shares his journey from leading university associations to revolutionizing healthcare with data-driven solutions. In this episode, we explore the evolution of healthcare technology, from paper-based systems to today's data-rich landscapes, and discuss how the industry is harnessing data to enhance patient care. Discover how empathy is not just a buzzword but a fundamental driver for success in building B2B relationships and driving revenue growth. RJ provides a fascinating look into the unique challenges of healthcare, from balancing regulatory compliance to the complex dynamics of who pays and who benefits. Tune in to learn how his team at Estenda innovates by using a systematic, empathy-driven approach to problem-solving and client engagement, ensuring impactful solutions in a rapidly changing environment. Whether in healthcare or B2B industries, this episode contains insights that can transform your understanding of trust, empathy, and innovation. Some areas we explore in this episode include: Leadership and Early Experiences - RJ's journey and early leadership roles that shaped his career.Estenda's Origin - The motivation behind founding Vistenda and how their focus has shifted over time.Empathy in Business - The critical role of empathy in building trust in B2B relationships and the software development process.Healthcare Data Challenges - Transitioning from data acquisition to using data effectively in healthcare.Problem Solving Skills - RJ's strength in problem-solving and its impact on developing empathetic solutions.Customer Collaboration - Working with clients who have a general idea of their needs to create practical solutions.Regulatory Compliance - Turning compliance requirements into opportunities for revenue growth.Approach to Unknowns - Strategies for handling unknown factors in software development projects.Team Building with Empathy - Engaging team members to empathize with users and teach the patient journey.Building Trust and Partnerships - Methods for maintaining trust and developing long-term client partnerships.And much, much more...

In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, host Vinay Koshy welcomes James Brown, the innovative founder of BizTech Guru, to delve into the intricacies of systemization and its pivotal role in transforming businesses. Listen as they unpack the staggering statistics behind businesses with well-documented systems experiencing 280% higher growth and the everyday hurdles companies face when implementing these systems. James shares insights from his rich background in various industries, shedding light on Systemology's transformative power and his collaboration with David Jenens, which unearthed a game-changing approach to systemizing businesses. Discover the critical client flow concept—a vital component for revenue generation—and explore when a startup should begin to focus on creating systems. This episode doesn't just stop at providing a roadmap for achieving operational efficiency but goes further to explore the potential of leveraging AI in systemization. Whether you're a business owner overwhelmed by daily operations or in the early stages of a startup journey, James Brown provides valuable perspectives on harnessing systems for substantial time freedom, allowing for innovation and explosive growth. Tune in for a riveting discussion that redefines how you think about your business processes. Some areas we explore in this episode include: Systemizing Business Operations: How systemization can drive business growth.Common Barriers: Challenges like documentation issues and resistance to change.James Brown's Background: His journey and why he founded BizTech Guru.Importance of Systems: Key elements in freeing up time and unlocking growth.Timing for Systemization: When startups should start implementing processes.Critical Client Flow: Understanding the revenue-generating core of a business.Change Resistance: Handling resistance from crucial team members.Systemology Overview: The essentials of systemology in business.Innovation Balance: Maintaining innovation while systemizing.Systems Champion Role: The importance and identification of a systems champion.And much, much more...

In this episode of the Predictable B2B Success podcast, we're joined by AJ Rounds, a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of RevRoad, a unique venture services firm. With a rich background as a two-time CMO and four-time founder and having experienced three successful exits, AJ brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. With host Vinay Koshy, AJ delves into the motivating factors behind starting RevRoad and offers insights into the venture's distinctive approach of combining human capital with financial investments to help startups scale up successfully. Discover how RevRoad aims to flip the traditional narrative by reducing startups' 90% failure rate to a promising 67% success rate through a focus on expertise, collaboration, and strategic growth. AJ shares strategic insights into identifying ideal customer profiles, the importance of culture in scaling businesses, and the critical elements that make startups investable. Whether you're grappling with building company culture or just curious about how capital can be infused effectively for business growth, this episode offers valuable lessons from AJ's entrepreneurial journey and RevRoad's innovative model. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with practical advice and real-world experiences. Some areas we explore in this episode include: AJ Rounds' Background and Experience - This includes his journey as a cofounder and his previous startup experiences.The Concept and Origin of RevRoad - How and why RevRoad was started, and its mission to solve the high failure rate of startups.RevRoad's Business Model - Infusion of human capital and services before raising financial capital for startups.Scaling Startups - Strategies and processes for taking startups from initial stages to being investable by RevRoad Capital.Ideal Customer Profiles (ICP) - The importance and process of defining and focusing on target customer profiles.The Importance of Customer Feedback - Encouraging startups to engage with customers early to validate and refine products/services.Culture and Recruitment - The significance of company culture in startups and AJ's insights on recruitment strategies.Evaluating Startups at RevRoad - The use of the "Five H's" (Head, Hands, Heart, Humor, Humility) in assessing potential RevRoad companies.Global Impact and Social Responsibility - Examples of how entrepreneurship is used to solve global problems, including RevRoad's involvement in the virtuous cycle.Challenges and Myths in Scaling - Common misconceptions about growing a business and the reality of venture success.And much, much more...