Category: Startups

Identifying Your Ideal Customer

If you don’t choose who you want to do business with, then your customers will choose you! And these customers might be less than perfect. Understanding your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) will dictate everything from product features or service offerings to your marketing and prospecting strategy. Here’s what you need to know to make sure everyone in your company from Product to Marketing and Sales understands who you want to ...

August 22, 2019

If Player/Coach was a Good Idea, Then the NFL Would be Doing It

I regularly speak with founders that are looking to get out of the sales leadership role but can’t justify hiring someone who’s sole responsibility is to manage a group of SDRs (Sales Development Reps) or AEs (Account Executive). Instead, they’ve decided to add a quota carrying rep who will also play the role of sales leader. I cringe each time I hear this. Here’s why… Motivation Misalignment – As this ...

August 22, 2019

Are you Ready to Sell to Gen Z?

There has been so much written about the Millennials that I’m afraid we aren’t getting ready for Gen Z. They have hit the workforce and although probably not decision makers yet, they are individual contributors and their opinion matters. They don’t know a world without smartphones and technology. They are used to connecting and communicating in less personal ways; text, email, slack and chat. So, what does this mean for ...

July 15, 2019

Why are we Still Doing Disrespectful Demos?

Using the word disrespectful may seem harsh, but I need to get your attention. I’m tired of seeing Sales Reps., Sales Engineers, Solutions Consultants and Technical team members be disrespectful of the prospect’s time and intelligence while demoing their product. According to CEB, “57% of the purchase decision is already complete before the customer even calls the supplier.” If we know this (and we do) then why aren’t we putting ...

July 12, 2019

#Womenwhosell

Diversity and Inclusion is the HOT topic in tech right now. It’s no secret, tech is too white and too male. I believe the uncomfortable conversation will have to continue to come from women, minorities, and anyone who doesn’t currently have a seat at the table, just like the #metoo movement. Here’s the cause I’m going to take up. #Womenwhosell. There are just not enough women selling or holding sales ...

June 5, 2019

Does your Sales Team have an Accountability Culture?

I’m on a quest to help companies create an accountability culture. I believe a lack of accountability is affecting many company’s ability to grow revenue, keep customers, and retain high performing employees. My quest to understand why creating a culture of accountability is so difficult led me to a place I didn’t expect – the realization that accountability is very closely tied to vulnerability. After recently listening to Brene Brown’s ...

May 20, 2019

What’s Working?

Video is working! More and more of my clients are using Vidyard to send prospects and customers customized video messages as part of their outbound prospecting strategies. This gives them the opportunity to put a name and face to the emails and VMs they’ve been using to connect with the prospects. It’s makes you a person and not just a sales call. Here are some things to consider when creating ...

April 8, 2019

3 Challenges Your Company is Facing Due to Lack of Discipline

As 2018 began to fade and 2019 was on the horizon, I realized that I was in need of a new “Word of the Year”. I’ve never been a New Years Resolutioner, rather I enjoy using a word to help me stay focused. 2018’s word was “Authentic”. It had served me well, although I knew not everyone in my life had been a fan. As I thought about the challenges ...

March 4, 2019