Sales Talk for CEOs

Welcome to Sales Talk for CEOs, a show where Alice Heiman interviews successful CEOs who have successfully scaled their B2B sales organizations. In each episode, we get to know the sales background of each CEO, dig into the strategies they've used to build their sales organization and wrap it up with what the future holds. We cover the good, the bad and the ugly of scaling a sales organization in order to deliver to you: value and insights.

Ep144 How the CEO can insure their team wins Mega Deals

Discover how CEOs can lead their teams to secure larger corporate deals, transition upmarket, and build strategies for landing transformative accounts with expert insights from Jamal Reimer.About GuestJamal Reimer is an experienced coach, best-selling author, product developer, and ambitious multi-million-dollar Enterprise Seller with more than 2 decades of experience in the field. After closing three 50-million-dollar deals at Oracle, he found his passion in helping others achieve the same. ...

12-20
35:50

Ep143 Before You Hire More Salespeople, Check This First

Alice Heiman reveals critical strategies to ensure your sales team is at peak performance before expanding your team.Connect with Alice HeimanLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceheiman/Alice’s Website: https://aliceheiman.com/Alice Blog: https://aliceheiman.com/want-more-sales-hiring-more-salespeople-may-not-be-the-answer/

12-11
16:53

Should CEOs Close Deals with David Brock

Chapters01:54 Dave Brock's EntryIntroducing guest Dave Brock, a seasoned sales expert and author, discussing the dynamics of executive involvement in sales.02:07 The CEO's Role in SalesUnderstanding the strategic involvement of CEOs in sales, particularly in early-stage companies.02:46 Current Roles and InsightsDave illustrates his current role advising large companies and the unique challenges of early-stage companies.04:04 The Sustainable Role of CEOsDiscussion on how CEOs should balance th...

11-26
45:06

The Dakota Way: Why it Matters with Gui Costin

Chapters01:06 Guest Introduction01:13 Dakota's Dual Business Model02:39 Origin Story of Dakota03:10 Transition from Employee to Entrepreneur05:06 Early Days and Initial Client Acquisition06:37 Growing the Company and Sales Team Development07:42 Implementing the 'Dakota Way'09:01 CEO's Role in Sales Process10:32 Sales Team Expansion and Developing Leadership12:07 Introducing AI in Sales13:14 Utilizing AI for Enhanced Customer Targeting16:03 Cold Outreach Strategies18:50 Building a Sales Cultur...

11-19
28:45

Sales Funnel vs. Sales Pipeline: Key Differences for Better Sales Strategies

Episode DetailsChapters00:01 Introduction and Importance of Modern Sales Strategies01:40 Understanding and Organizing Sales Opportunities03:16 Differentiating Leads from Opportunities04:47 Tracking and Managing Opportunities06:13 The Funnel vs. The Pipeline07:33 Analyzing Pipeline Health and Sales Quotas09:02 The Significance of Periodic Reviews10:51 Avoiding Common Pipeline Review Mistakes12:24 Conducting Effective Funnel and Deal ReviewsSocial Links Connect with Alice on LinkedIn: &nbs...

11-12
13:59

Scaling Your Business Through Founder-Led Sales and the Power of Partnerships

Chapters01:21 Guest IntroductionIntroduction to guest Jay Aigner, a founder of a QA software testing company, sharing glimpses into starting his business.01:39 Current Company Operations Jay Aigner explains his company's role in alleviating QA bottlenecks and providing quality assurance services to software companies.02:17 Initial Inspiration for Starting a BusinessJay recounts his career journey leading up to entrepreneurship, inspired by personal life challenges and a lack of job...

11-05
28:49

Streamline, Personalize, Grow: How AI is Transforming Sales Teams

Imagine freeing up hours in your day while boosting your team’s productivity and engagement. With the right AI tools, that’s possible. In this Sales Talk for CEOs episode, Alice Heiman speaks with Gillian Utesch, CEO of Broken Glass Ceiling Marketing, about how AI-driven tools can help your team to streamline marketing, personalize engagement, and tackle sales in a whole new way. Here’s what you need to know about AI to enhance your go-to-market strategy without stretching your team to the li...

10-29
39:45

How to Integrate AI into Your Sales Strategy

Imagine your sales team leveraging tools that analyze data, predict trends, and create personalized messages in real-time. This isn’t some futuristic fantasy—it’s happening now in today’s AI-driven sales landscape. As Alice Heiman puts it, “Salespeople who don’t use AI will be replaced by those who do.”In this episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Alice explores how AI can reshape your go-to-market (GTM) strategy. Let’s dive into the key takeaways and action steps every CEO should consider.AI’s Imp...

10-08
18:40

How Authenticity Can Become Your Biggest Strategic Advantage

Imagine if the key to faster growth and deeper connections was something as simple as being yourself—authentically. In this episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Erin Hatzikostas reveals how authenticity, when used intentionally, becomes a powerful tool for CEOs to lead with confidence, build trust, and create a lasting impact in their organizations.Key Insights from the Episode:1. Authenticity is a Strategic AdvantageErin Hatzikostas makes a bold claim: authenticity isn’t about just "being yoursel...

09-24
31:37

How Product Focus and Integrity Drove Egnyte’s Growth

What does it take to build a company from the ground up and lead it to success for 16 years? For Vineet Jain, CEO and Co-founder of Egnyte, the answer is a relentless focus on product excellence and customer satisfaction. In a recent episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Vineet shared how these principles helped him grow Egnyte into a leading cloud-based content collaboration and governance platform, serving over 23,000 customers.Key Insights from Vineet Jain:Product First, Always Vineet credits Eg...

09-10
39:09

How to Use Sales Funnels to Improve Revenue Forecasting

Accurate sales forecasting is critical for sustainable growth, with companies that effectively forecast being 10% more likely to increase their revenue year-over-year. Yet, many CEOs struggle with this crucial aspect of their business. If accurate forecasting remains a challenge, it may be time to examine the health of the sales funnel.In a recent episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Alice sat down with Hamish Knox, a renowned sales consultant and Sandler trainer, to explore why understanding and ...

08-27
40:34

Why Your Sales Team Needs Stronger Leadership Now More Than Ever

One question is on the minds of many CEOs: What exactly should sales leaders be doing to ensure their teams are performing at their peak? The answer, while multifaceted, revolves around a critical shift in focus—prioritizing customer experience and empowering sales teams to excel.Shifting Focus: From Internal Metrics to Customer ExperienceTraditionally, sales leadership has often been about hitting targets, managing internal metrics, and ensuring the sales funnel is full. However, the modern ...

08-22
16:55

Your Blueprint for Hiring Top Sales Talent

How can CEOs consistently hire top-tier sales talent? Kristie Jones, a sales leadership expert with over 20 years of experience, shares her strategies for attracting, hiring, and onboarding the best sales professionals in the latest episode of Sales Talk for CEOs. Kristie dives into the hiring process, the importance of structured onboarding, and ensuring long-term success for your sales team.Creating an Ideal Candidate ProfileKristie emphasizes creating an ideal candidate profile over a gene...

08-13
46:20

Pivoting to Success: The Tenbound Story

What if the key to your company’s success lay hidden in a challenge you’re currently facing? David Dulany's journey from sales frustration to creating a thriving business is a testament to this idea.In this episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Alice Heiman speaks with David Dulany, founder of Tenbound, about his transition from working at Achieve Global to founding a company focused on sales technology tools. David shares insights on pivoting his business, building a robust sales team, and the imp...

08-06
37:06

Building Your A-Team: Matthew Toth's Proven Strategies for Hiring and Retaining Top Talent

In an era where technology evolves at lightning speed, having the right team in place is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. CEOs today face the critical task of ensuring their organizations are equipped for sustained growth and success. Matthew Toth, CEO of C3 Technology Advisors, shares valuable insights from his 15-year journey in building a successful technology consulting firm. Here’s what he’s learned about hiring, training, and retaining top talent.Building a Foundation for SuccessMat...

07-30
37:27

Is a Chief Revenue Officer Right for Your Business? When to Consider a CRO

In the complex world of company leadership structures, the role of the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) has sparked debates on its necessity and timing. In this episode of "Sales Talk for CEOs," Alice Heiman dives into the nuances of the CRO role, helping CEOs determine if and when it might be essential for their company.Deciphering the CRO Role:The emergence of the CRO role aims to bridge the gaps between sales, marketing, and customer success. Alice Heiman discusses the strategic integration the...

07-23
12:32

The Power of Vision: John Klymshyn on Leading Sales and Inspiring Teams

What role does vision play in sales and leadership? John Klymshyn, a Navy veteran turned renowned sales coach, author, and speaker shares his insights on how a clear vision can transform sales teams and inspire individuals to achieve greatness. Join us as John discusses his journey, the importance of vision, and actionable strategies for CEOs to lead their organizations effectively.Vision Precedes EverythingJohn emphasizes that a clear vision is the foundation of successful leadership. "The f...

07-16
44:47

From Engineer to CEO: Marko Dinic's Unexpected Journey in Tech Leadership

Having no plans of becoming a CEO, engineer Marko Dinic shares his 18-year journey to becoming the leader of a company that excels in compliance solutions. Leading his company through both triumphs and challenges, Marko, CEO of Jatheon, delves into his experiences, lessons learned, and the unique insights he's gained along the way.Complex Sales Require Technical ExpertiseMarko emphasizes the need for deep technical understanding when selling intricate compliance solutions. Marko states, ...

07-09
44:03

From Problem to Product: Sujan Patel's Path to Mailshake

In 2015, Sujan Patel faced a common frustration: sales teams failing to follow up with prospects. His solution? Build a tool so effective that it turned into a successful company, Mailshake.In this episode, Alice Heiman talks with Sujan Patel, co-founder of Mailshake, about his journey from solving his own sales problems to building a successful bootstrapped company. Sujan shares valuable lessons learned over the past ten years.Here’s what you’ll discover:How Sujan transitioned from marketing...

07-02
39:19

Unlocking Growth: Why Every CEO Needs a Team of A-Players

Imagine this: every person reporting directly to you is not just competent, but an A-player, fully aligned with your vision and driving your company's growth. Sounds ideal, right? This is not just a dream—it's an achievable reality that can transform the way you lead. Today on "Sales Talk for CEOs," Alice Heiman delves into why having the right people in the right roles is not just beneficial but essential for your company's success.Key TakeawaysEvaluate Your Team: It's crucial to assess if e...

06-25
13:11

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