B2B Agility with Greg Kihlström™: MarTech, E-Commerce, & Customer Success

Many entrepreneurs dream of scaling a niche product, achieving market dominance, and ultimately securing a successful exit—but few actually make it happen. How do you take an idea from concept to acquisition, and what key lessons can other business leaders, including marketers, take from that journey? Joining me today is Chris Tilkov, General Manager at DocuSketch, an automated estimation and documentation platform that helps homeowners rebuild after natural disasters. Before joining DocuSketch, Chris founded Ask AiME, a platform that was successfully acquired. But his journey didn't start in tech—he began his career as a carpet cleaner before transitioning into the world of technology and entrepreneurship. About Chris Tilkov   Chris Tilkov is a director at DocuSketch and is the founder of Ask Aime, an InsurTech that simplifies estimating and quality assurance for the insurance restoration industry to settle claims quickly and accurately. With over 25 years' experience from flood technician to nationally held positions, Chris works with companies to provide the training and education needed to produce fair and consistent estimates through collaborative technology. In 2023, DocuSketch acquired Aime Estimate Review Inc.   Chris Tilkov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-tilkov-a5038b3b/ Resources    Docusketch: https://www.docusketch.com/   Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com  

We've spent a decade trying to align marketing and sales. What if the very metric we created to bridge the gap—the MQL—is actually the thing that's perpetuating the rivalry between them? Agility requires a willingness to challenge the foundational metrics we've built our go-to-market strategies on. It demands that we replace gut feelings and legacy processes with a ruthless focus on what actually generates revenue, even if it means admitting what we've been doing is wrong. Today, we're going to talk about one of the most persistent and costly problems in B2B: the handoff from marketing to sales. We'll explore why the traditional MQL model often fails, creating friction and wasting budget, and how a more intelligent, data-driven approach to lead qualification can not only fix the sales pipeline but also prove marketing's direct contribution to the bottom line. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Gabe Lullo, CEO at Alleyoop and host of the "Do Hard Things" podcast.   About Gabe Lullo   Gabe Lullo is the CEO of Alleyoop, a sales development agency working with industry giants such as ZoomInfo, Salesloft, and Adobe. He has trained over 8,000 salespeople across diverse businesses and, during his tenure in Alleyoop, he has personally hired and managed more than 1,500 SDRs. With over two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and executive recruitment, his strategies have significantly driven Alleyoop's growth and shaped its corporate culture. Beyond his career accomplishments, Gabe graduated from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford and his leadership ethos is rooted in cultivating environments that prioritize both professional development and individual success.   Gabe Lullo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lullo/ Resources    Alleyoop: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lullo/   Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

This show is brought to you by Channel99, a B2B marketing technology company helping clients get more out of their spend with AI-powered decision-making. What if 99% of your target accounts see your marketing, but never click a single ad? How would you prove your value then? Agility requires a willingness to abandon outdated metrics, even when they're comfortable, and embrace a more nuanced, realistic view of the buyer's journey. It means adapting not just our campaigns, but our very definition of success. Today, we're going to talk about the massive blind spot in most B2B marketing measurement: the 'dark funnel' where prospects engage with content and ads but never click. We'll explore how AI-powered attribution is finally shining a light on this journey, moving us beyond last-click models to understand true influence and impact. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chris Golec, Founder & CEO at Channel99.  About Chris Golec   Chris founded Channel99 in 2022 to provide businesses worldwide with the first AI-powered decision making engine for B2B marketing investments. Unsatisfied with traditional attribution solutions and the financial inefficiency of B2B marketing, Chris' mission is to transform how the B2B sector measures and invests in growth. Prior to Channel99, Chris founded Demandbase and pioneered the Account-Based Marketing (ABM) technology category now widely adopted by thousands of companies. During his tenure at Demandbase, he was known for fueling innovation, driving rapid growth, and creating a culture that won "Best-Places to Work" in the Bay Area for 7 consecutive years and Top 10 nationally through Glassdoor. Chris also won Marketing Executive of the year two consecutive years and was named in the Top10 SaaS CEOs in 2019. Before Demandbase, Chris co-founded a supply-chain software company called Supplybase which sold to i2 Technologies for $380 million.    Chris Golec on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgolec/ Resources    Channel99: https://www.channel99.com/   This show is brought to you by Channel99, a B2B marketing technology company helping clients get more out of their spend with AI-powered decision-making. The Channel99 platform incorporates two key advancements: superior account identification and the first-of-its-kind B2B ad verification. This allows AI to precisely identify financial inefficiencies across a client's various marketing channels. The platform then optimizes campaign and audience adjustments to automate workflows, maximize labor output, and significantly increase operational efficiency. From high-growth mid-market businesses to global enterprises, Channel99 is a proven investment to accelerate pipeline growth and mitigate marketing investment risk. For more information, visit channel99.com   Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

If you could eliminate one of the biggest roadblocks to successful project delivery in your organization today, what would it be and why? Agility requires not only the ability to adapt to change but also the foresight to anticipate it. This means embracing data-driven insights and leveraging technology to navigate the complexities of modern project management. Today, we're going to talk about how AI is transforming project management and enabling true agility in industries that haven't traditionally been known for their rapid pace of change. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Alan Mosca, Co-Founder and CTO at nPlan. About Alan Mosca Alan Mosca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitbix/   Resources nPlan: https://www.nplan.com    Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Are you getting lots of leads, but never enough good ones? Agility requires not only the ability to adapt to change quickly, but also the foresight to anticipate what's coming next, whether that's top, middle, or bottom of the funnel in B2B lead generation. Today, we're going to talk about why so many B2B marketers are still struggling with poor lead quality, and what they can do to fix it. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Derek Gerber, Director of Growth B2B at Power Digital.    About Derek Gerber   With +15 years of experience in B2B sales and marketing, Derek Gerber is a passionate and results-driven growth executive who excels at developing diverse remote teams and executing sophisticated business strategies that lead to significant revenue growth. Recognized by Forbes, HubSpot, and other industry leaders for his ability to deliver impactful solutions, Derek has consistently grown revenue for technology companies, heightened brand visibility, and generated compelling content. At Power Digital as Director of Growth B2B, Derek drives client success and growth by implementing a scalable ABM approach that aligns with complex client sales cycles to accelerate pipeline impact. Derek has developed new B2B frameworks for Power Digital that drive 70% growth in results. He is also spearheading the development and incorporation of ethical AI standards at Power Digital.    Derek Gerber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekgerber/   Resources    Power Digital : https://powerdigitalmarketing.com/    Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com 

Is the Chief Marketing Officer becoming the Chief Market Officer?  Are CMOs now responsible not just for messaging to the market, but for actively shaping and creating it? Agility requires not just reacting to market changes, but anticipating them and creating the future you want to see.  It demands a deep understanding of customer needs, competitive dynamics, and emerging technologies. Today, we're going to talk about the evolving role of the CMO in a world of rapidly advancing technology, increasing customer expectations, and the ever-present need for agile marketing strategies. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Monica Kumar, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme Networks.   About Monica Kumar   Monica Kumar is the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme Networks, leading the company's go-to-market strategy and global marketing organization focused on initiatives that elevate the company's brand and unique value proposition to drive customer and revenue growth.   Monica Kumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakumar2/   Resources    Extreme Networks: https://www.extremenetworks.com/   Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/ Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com  

Is your organization truly AI-powered, or are you just slapping a little GenAI onto existing processes? Agility requires embracing experimentation and empowering teams to rapidly iterate, especially when integrating transformative technologies like AI. It also demands a culture that views failure as a learning opportunity, not a setback. Today, we're going to talk about how to build a culture of AI innovation from the bottom up, empowering every employee to leverage its power.  To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Michael Domanic, Head of AI at UserTesting. About Michael Domanic   Michael Domanic is the Head of AI at UserTesting, where he leads the company's AI transformation efforts. His work focuses on driving enterprise-wide adoption of AI to unlock meaningful business value. Michael partners closely with cross-functional leaders to embed AI into core workflows, foster a culture of innovation, and scale AI fluency across the global organization. In addition to his focus on internal transformation, he works alongside the Product team to shape an AI-forward product strategy that keeps UserTesting at the forefront of innovation. With nearly a decade of experience in artificial intelligence, Michael brings a pragmatic, impact-driven approach to helping companies move beyond the hype and realize the full potential of AI.   Michael Domanic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldomanic/    Resources    UserTesting: https://www.usertesting.com    Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom  Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com   

Are your people, processes, and platforms delivering value or to drive better customer experiences, or are they—and your CX—disconnected and siloed? Agility requires a willingness to adapt and evolve, as well as a deep understanding of how customer trust is built (or broken) through simplicity, personalization, and empowered employees.  Today, we're going to talk about how brands can transform their customer experience using AI-powered strategies. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, John Durocher, Chief Customer Officer at Calix.    About John Durocher   John Durocher leads the award-winning Calix Customer Success organization as chief customer officer. In his previous role as executive vice president of customer success at Salesforce, he led the teams actively engaged with Salesforce global customers. Prior to joining Salesforce.com, Mr. Durocher spent 17 years with Accenture's financial services practice and has a solid track record of planning, and executing growth initiatives, and a passion for bringing innovative ideas to clients. Mr. Durocher is recognized as a thought-leader in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), authoring a number of papers and articles that have been published in industry and research publications. Mr. Durocher has also been actively involved in developing software solutions for the Financial Services Industry and is a patent holder on several that have been deployed globally.   John Durocher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndurocher/   Resources    Calix: https://www.calix.com Don't miss Calix's ConneXions conference, October 18 – 21, 2025 at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. Learn more and register here: https://www.calix.com/events/connexions.html Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com  "

Is the hype around AI in marketing finally starting to match reality, or are we still just scratching the surface of its true potential? Agility requires a willingness to experiment with new technologies like AI, but it also demands a deep understanding of your customer and the ability to adapt your strategies based on data and insights.  It also requires strong leadership that can champion the changes needed to achieve success with AI. Cella recently released its 2025 Intelligence report, finding that while AI adoption is gaining momentum, but human ingenuity still leads the way.  To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Nickole Brown, Sr. Consultant at Cella by Randstad Digital.    About Nickole Brown   Cella Inc. consultant Nickole Brown has two decades of creative operations, production and marketing experience to share. She is passionate about bringing clarity to creative spaces and focuses on utilizing voice of customer, data and   mechanisms to tell the true story of a creative organization. Nickole's skills include being an effective leader and partner who enjoys collaborating to uncover the unique  process improvement opportunities, success metrics and team structure that will capture an organizations potential.    Nickole Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickole-brown-80a5424/    Resources    Cella by Randstad Digital: https://www.cella.com  To explore the full 2025 Cella Intelligence Report and discover the insights shaping tomorrow's creative landscape, visit https://www.cellainc.com/insights/cella-intelligence-report  Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150    Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com   Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com 

What is the role of marketing when humans are taken out of both ends of the customer experience, replaced by AI agents talking directly to each other on our behalf? Agility requires more than just implementing the newest AI tools — it means being able to make smart, strategic choices about which technologies are actually creating value for your customers. Today we're going to talk about how GenAI is reshaping the way we think about customer experience, automation, and personalization — and what it means for the future of marketing. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Mathieu Dhondt, Associate Director of Experience Consulting at EPAM. About Mathieu Dhondt Mathieu Dhondt is a seasoned digital strategy consultant with over 15 years of experience. His distinctive customer-centric methodology sets him apart. He conducts deep customer research to uncover what clients' customers truly value and then translates these insights into actionable strategic guidelines and digital roadmaps for growth. His expertise spans digital presence optimization, positioning strategy and the practical application of frameworks for matters like customer value validation. What distinguishes Mathieu's consulting work is his commitment to validation and risk mitigation before clients make significant investments. His combination of hands-on business experience and proven digital strategy expertise positions him as a consultant who delivers both strategic vision and practical implementation guidance. His service portfolio ranges from comprehensive strategic engagements to being a sounding board for tactical execution. Mathieu Dhondt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathieu-dhondt/  Resources    EPAM: https://www.epam.com https://www.epam.com Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.b2bagility.com  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com    The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation,  they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company 

Agility requires a deep understanding of evolving customer expectations and the ability to adapt quickly to meet those needs, especially in the complex B2B landscape. It also demands breaking down silos between marketing, sales, and customer service to create a unified customer journey. Today, we're going to talk about the nuances of B2B customer experience (CX), particularly within a large organization like an insurance company, and how it compares and contrasts with the B2C world. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Rajesh Sankaran, SVP of Ecommerce  at A-MAX Insurance.   About Rajesh Sankaran   I am a Insurance and Ecommerce executive and technology leader with a passion to harness the technology to solve businesses problems. With 25+ years of experience helping large enterprises in Insurance, Manufacturing, Communications, and Technology grow and expand. I'm a technologist that came up through the development, business analysis and program management allowing me to manage implementing / supporting enterprise scale delivery to grow businesses and solve complex problems. Customer is king and I am obsessed with ensure our customers get the best experience with every interaction. Customer experience is always key and every interaction customer has with us, should be memorable!   Rajesh Sankaran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeshsank/    Resources    A-MAX Insurance: https://www.amaxinsurance.com/   Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150    Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com   Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com 

If you had to bet on one technology that will fundamentally reshape B2B marketing in the next five years what would it be, and would it have "agentic" and "AI" in the name? Agility requires not just reacting to technological advancements like agentic AI, but proactively experimenting with them and adapting your strategies based on real-world results.  It also requires organizational buy-in and a willingness to challenge established norms. Today, we're going to talk about the rise of agentic AI and its potential to revolutionize B2B marketing, particularly in event marketing. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Travis Cushing, Chief Product Officer at RainFocus. About Travis Cushing   As Chief Product Officer at RainFocus, Travis Cushing brings over 20 years of experience in the events and SaaS industries, blending product strategy, customer empathy, and technical execution. With deep expertise in event technology, product-led growth, and integrated data-driven experiences, he is committed to transforming event workflows into strategic business drivers. His passion for people and experiences has built bridges between customers and development allowing RainFocus to execute and build great software.   Travis Cushing on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-cushing/   Resources    RainFocus: https://www.rainfocus.com Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150    Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com   The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation,  they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company 

Agility requires not only adapting to change but also anticipating it. This means understanding the evolving needs of your customers and the broader market landscape, and adjusting your strategies accordingly. Today, we're going to talk about navigating the complexities of marketing in the procurement services industry, especially in times of economic uncertainty, and how mentorship plays a crucial role in developing future leaders.  To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Kathleen Pomento, CMO at ProcureAbility. Kathleen, welcome to the show!   About Kathleen Pomento    Kathleen Pomento on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenmarketingcmo/   Resources    ProcureAbility: https://procureability.com/ https://procureability.com/    Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

With customer centricity being top of mind, is the rush to automate and hyper-personalize making things better or is it making customers feel less connected to their favorite brands? Agility requires keeping the human elements of empathy and understanding visible and audible beneath growing layers of automation tools. Today we're going to talk about how a human-centric approach to managed network and technology solutions drives loyal, long-term customer relationships. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Jeanne Duca, Chief Marketing Officer at BCN.   About Jeanne Duca   Since joining BCN in 2016 as Vice President of Marketing, Jeanne Duca has leveraged her years of expertise in brand management and channel marketing to elevate BCN's brand presence and market influence. Her leadership has been recognized industry-wide, most recently, as one of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Massachusetts for 2024. As CMO, she leads BCN's marketing strategy, focusing on brand innovation, digital transformation, and delivering compelling experiences to partners and customers. "BCN is at the forefront of empowering businesses through technology," said Ms. Duca. "I'm honored to lead our marketing efforts as we continue to elevate our brand and deliver exceptional partner and customer experiences." Ms. Duca holds a B.S. in Advertising from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.   Resources    BCN: https://www.bcn.tele https://www.bcn.tele   Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150   Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

Is it possible for enterprise marketing technology to actually spark joy?  Or are we all just resigned to a future of clunky interfaces and frustrating workflows? Agility requires adaptable technology and empowered teams. It also requires a willingness to embrace new approaches and a focus on continuous improvement. Today, we're going to talk about the intersection of marketing technology, user experience, and the surprising role of joy in driving productivity and innovation.  A recent study by Sago and IVP Research Labs has revealed some fascinating insights into how modern platforms are transforming the daily lives of marketers, impacting everything from content creation to localization. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Dominik Angerer, CEO and Co-Founder at Storyblok.    About Dominik Angerer   A web performance specialist and perfectionist. After working for big agencies as a full stack developer he founded Storyblok. He is also an active contributor to the open source community and one of the organizers of Scriptconf and Stahlstadt.js.   Dominik Angerer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominikangerer/    Resources    Storyblok: https://www.storyblok.com    Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150    Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com   Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com 

Is your supply chain a competitive advantage, or your biggest liability waiting to be exposed? Agility requires preparing for the unpredictable, especially when your brand's ability to deliver hinges on global events that are entirely out of your control. In a world of political unrest, regulatory change, and natural disasters, the brands that win are the ones who can pivot fast — without losing their balance. Today we're going to talk about the crucial connection between modern supply chain strategy and brand agility. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Salvatore Lombardo, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Coupa.   About Salvatore Lombardo   Salvatore "Salva" Lombardo is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Coupa. Lombardo leads Coupa's innovation roadmap and is responsible for its vision, articulation, and execution. Lombardo was previously Chief Product Officer for SAP Ariba, where he was responsible for leading its global product team, roadmap, engineering, and delivery.   Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President, Head of SAP S/4HANA Source to Pay & Order to Cash. Lombardo was instrumental in leading the development organization through SAP's largest shift from on-premise to cloud. He harmonized and built SAP's spend portfolio and deployed the innovation roadmap at scale. Over two decades at SAP< he held various product and development management roles across procurement, suppliers, logistics, warehouse, customer management, and custom projects. Lombardo holds a master's degree in business informatics and administration from the University of Mannheim.   Resources    Coupa: https://www.coupa.com https://www.coupa.com    Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150   Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

What's harder—building a global marketing strategy from scratch, or educating your organization on why it matters in the first place? Today's guest has done both—twice. Sangeeta Prasad is the Chief Marketing Officer of Slalom, a global business and technology consulting firm with $3 billion in revenue and a presence in over 40 markets. With three decades of marketing experience—across brands like Procter & Gamble, American Express, and Chase—Sangeeta has spent her career not just building campaigns, but building belief in the power of marketing.   About Sangeeta Prasad Sangeeta is the Chief Marketing Officer at Slalom. She joined Slalom as its very first chief marketing officer in 2020 and now leads a global team of 160 marketers in seven countries. Leveraging Slalom's strong industry reputation as a consulting company that helps thousands of clients, Sangeeta is building a friendly, engaging brand that reflects the success of the company's 13,000+ employees worldwide. Her goal is to make the Slalom brand as big as its business, which is experiencing record growth. To do this, she's transformed a company that relied on traditional marketing into one that thrives on human-based marketing. This is the second time she's joined a company as its first CMO – also at Russell Reynolds – bringing a strong portfolio of consumer and B2B experience from P&G, Chase and American Express. She lives with a global mindset having started her career in Australia and worked and lived across Asia for years. Sangeeta is known for her courageous yet adaptable leadership style and ability to build consensus across many cultures. Most of all, her leadership style and work are anchored in Slalom's differentiated "fiercely human" approach to client and partner relationships. Sangeeta's sophisticated marketing expertise pivoted Slalom's volume-based tactics into human-based marketing, which combines customer insights with a scalable, consistent methodology to promote relationships. She helped prioritize full-journey marketing and what specific clients care about, including an approach to surround Slalom's customers around the world with personalized messaging.   Resources Slalom:  https://www.slalom.com Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com  

We're seeing a fascinating paradox: while everyone's talking about AI's impact on Big Tech, it's quietly revolutionizing small businesses.  Is this a sign that SMBs are more agile and adaptable than their enterprise counterparts, or is something else at play? Agility requires not just adopting new technologies, but understanding how they fundamentally reshape your business operations, customer relationships, and even your competitive landscape.  It's about being proactive, not reactive, in the face of rapid change. Verizon's sixth annual State of Small Business Survey - based on responses from 600 U.S. small and midsize business (SMBs) - reveals that SMBs are quickly emerging as real AI adopters, not just for marketing and chatbots, but for cybersecurity, employee retention, and customer experience (CX). Today, we're going to talk about the surprising ways that small and midsize businesses are embracing AI, and what larger enterprises can learn from their agility and innovative approaches. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Aparna Khurjekar, Chief Revenue Officer, Business Markets and SaaS at Verizon Business. Aparna, welcome to the show!   About Aparna Khurjekar   Aparna Khurjekar brings more than two decades' worth of experience in the telecommunications industry. As Chief Revenue Officer, Business Markets and SaaS for Verizon Business, she is responsible for the accelerating growth, revenue, go-to-market and business strategy, and helping to support mid-market wireless and wireline offerings, including Connect. She leads 6000 sales professionals, who guide customers through digitally transformed journeys with innovative managed solutions for total connectivity, communications, and collaboration. She and her Verizon team are focused on helping to accelerate the recovery of businesses throughout America leveraging the company's portfolio of technologies and connectivity solutions—from 5G, OneTalk, VerizonConnect, Fios and more. Over the course of her 15-year tenure at Verizon, Aparna has held various leadership roles, most recently having served as SVP and President for Verizon Business Markets, and prior to that Chief Customer Officer for Verizon Consumer Group, which included guiding AI-led business transformations, omni-channel consumer experience and the digital P&l. She also brings extensive product development experience from both her work at Verizon and her previous position at Motorola Mobility, where she served as the Director of Portfolio & Technology Strategy. She holds an MS in Electrical Engineering from Temple University and a B.S. in Electronics and Telecom from Savitribai Phule Pune University.   Aparna Khurjekar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparna-khurjekar/    Resources    Verizon Business: https://www.verizon.com/business/ https://www.verizon.com/business/     Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston  and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150    Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom  Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com   The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation,  they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What if rebranding wasn't just about a new logo and tagline, but about transforming an 80,000-person company's entire culture and strategy? What if brand became one of your most valuable tools for business reinvention? Today, I'm joined by Maria Winans, Chief Marketing Officer at Kyndryl. After nearly three decades at IBM, Maria took on the monumental task of launching Kyndryl as a stand-alone brand following its spin-off. With a workforce of over 80,000 people across more than 60 markets, Maria has redefined what it means to build a world-class brand from scratch—one that's people-centric, culture-driven, and positioned for growth.    About Maria Winans Maria B. Winans, Chief Marketing Officer at Kyndryl, is a recognized expert in data-driven marketing, brand engagement, and performance marketing. Prior to joining Kyndryl, Maria amassed an impressive 29-year career at IBM, culminating in her role as the Chief Marketing Officer for IBM Americas. In this capacity, she held overarching responsibility for all marketing professionals and activities throughout North and Latin America. Maria's tenure at IBM was marked by pivotal contributions to global marketing endeavors across diverse disciplines and business units, notably including initiatives such as Smarter Commerce and Watson. A native of Santiago, Chile, Maria serves as the executive sponsor of Kyndryl's Hispanic Latin Community. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, the proud mother of two children and a certified fitness instructor.   Resources Kyndryl:  https://www.kyndryl.com    Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brightest minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.b2bagility.com  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com    

Can a brand in a highly regulated industry stand out without stepping outside the lines? Today we're going to talk about how to create memorable brands and even new categories—within established and often highly regulated sectors like healthcare technology. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Kristin Russel, Chief Marketing Officer at symplr.   About Kristin Russel With over 25 years of experience in marketing, I am a senior executive and entrepreneur who has scaled businesses of all sizes, from startups to multi-billion dollar companies. I am passionate about leading innovation, building brands, and generating demand in B2B markets, especially in the healthcare technology sector.  As the Chief Marketing Officer at symplr, I am responsible for all marketing functions, including product, solutions, brand, communications, operations, and business development. I leverage my expertise in positioning and launching transformational technology, developing agile and strategic marketing plans, and creating revenue channels and growth opportunities. I am also a champion of women in leadership and am listed as one of the top 110 women in MedTech by Beckers Hospital Review.   RESOURCES Symplr: https://www.symplr.com  Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.b2bagility.com   Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com