Tech Sales Insights

Technology Sales, Sales Management, and Sales Leadership insights and best practices, by a community of global best practitioners. Learn more at SalesCommunity.com

E183 - Sales Tips from a Legend featuring Scott McNealy, Co-Founder of Curriki

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Scott McNealy, former CEO of Sun Microsystems, unfolds his vast career insights and personal anecdotes. The discussion, primarily focusing on sales tips, touches on various topics such as McNealy's parenting philosophy, experiences as a sales leader, and humorous personal stories from his life. The script highlights McNealy's sales strategies, the importance of leadership involvement in sales, and maintaining ethics in business. Also included are McNealy's ventures post-Sun, his involvement with his sons' careers, and the personal values that have guided his life and work.KEY TAKEAWAYSSales Tips: Emphasis on the importance of building strong relationships and being present.Leadership: McNealy's focus on ethical leadership and employee fulfillment.Parenting Wisdom: McNealy discusses his strict but loving approach to parenting.Company Culture: Sun Microsystems' culture fostered numerous future leaders.Innovation and Persistence: Notable stories of overcoming business challenges with creativity and resilience.Personal Growth: Transition from being shy to becoming an effective public speaker and leader.QUOTES- 'Sales is a contact sport. You've got to be there. You can't zoom your way to B2B success.' — Scott McNealy- 'No deals ever lost. It's only postponed.' — Scott McNealy- 'You're not your kid's friend. You're their parent and too many parents want to, have sleepovers, go water skiing with their kid and do all of these other things.' — Scott McNealy- 'If you're going to bring a child into the world…you ought to take full responsibility until they're out of the nest.' — Scott McNealy- 'It's your responsibility to keep skills current, not the company's.' — Scott McNealy- 'Everything will be fine. Don't you dare cheat.' — Scott McNealyFind out more about Scott McNealy through the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/smcnealy/This episode is sponsored by Sandler. Sandler is a world leader in innovative sales, leadership, and management training. For more than 50 years, Sandler has taught its distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped salespeople and sales managers take charge of the process.

10-14
52:20

E182 - Building a Winning Sales Culture with Steven Jow

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Steve Jow, EVP of Sales at TD SYNNEX, to discuss strategies for building a winning sales culture. Steven shares insights from his 34-year career at TD SYNNEX, emphasizing teamwork, customer focus, and leveraging partnerships. The role of culture in sales performance is highlighted, along with the integration of AI and technology for enhanced efficiency and solutions selling. Steve’s experiences and anecdotes provide a personal touch to his professional philosophy, underscoring the value of optimism and a service-oriented approach in the tech sales industry.KEY TAKEAWAYSCompany Profile: TD SYNNEX is a leading technology distributor, emphasizing a holistic approach that includes market planning, comp design, and channel setup.Sales Culture: A winning sales culture involves creating a team that celebrates wins, adapts to challenges, remains optimistic, and values customer experience.Team Synergy: Best team practices include strong internal relationships across all functional areas, highlighting the importance of teamwork and individual contributions.Customer Experience: Focusing on customer satisfaction and feedback is crucial, leveraging tools like QBRs and NPS scores to maintain high customer experience levels.Evolving Competencies: Modern sales require a balance of traditional and new skill sets, including technical acumen, accurate forecasting, and the ability to leverage AI and digitization.Portfolio & Solution Selling: An emphasis on solution selling across various verticals helps drive comprehensive portfolio selling, supported by strong vendor partnerships.Efficiency through Systems: Utilizing integrated systems and AI to streamline processes and enhance seller productivity is a focal point.Family and Culture: Maintaining a family-oriented culture within the company is valued, supporting employees' personal commitments alongside professional responsibilities.QUOTES"It's always good to drive success with optimism. Remember, pessimists sound smart, but optimists make money.""Focus on the customer experience because that is part of our culture.""It's important to have a winning culture. A team that wants to win, that likes to celebrate those wins, and can adjust to any challenges.""It's not just getting the order out the door; it's about understanding the entire customer experience.""Family means everything. A good company culture values both personal and professional family.""Look, success breeds success. And everybody wants to be a superhero.""As long as tech is about improving productivity and experience, there's always a wildcat opportunity.""Sellers must remember: you're not just selling a product but a solution.""Customer experience trumps everything. If you get the customer experience right, you'll have successful sales orders."Find out more about Steven Jow through the link below.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-jow-279806/This episode is sponsored by The Alexander Group, our GTM & Sales Compensation Partner. Alexander Group provides revenue growth consulting services to the world’s leading sales organizations. When clients need to grow revenue, they look to Alexander Group for data-driven insights, actionable recommendations, and results.

10-05
50:31

E181 - Outcome Based Selling featuring Scott Harvey

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Scott Harvey, Chief Customer Officer of Sprinkler. They delve into Scott's career journey, from broadcast journalism major to tech sales leader. They explore the importance of outcome-based selling and value creation in the sales process, emphasizing the critical role of customer relationships and consultative selling. Scott shares insights on transitioning strategies at major companies like VMware, ServiceNow, and Stripe, highlighting the significance of personalized engagement and value selling in post-sales and customer success. The conversation underscores the need for continuous sales training and the collaborative effort of teams in achieving success. Sponsored by Octus IQ, the episode offers a deep dive into modern sales strategies and leadership in a rapidly changing market.KEY TAKEAWAYSOutcome-Based Selling: Focus on understanding customer priorities and aligning your product capabilities to drive specific business outcomes.Customer Value: Continuously create, realize, and measure value post-sales to improve customer retention and satisfaction.Sales Enablement: Importance of thorough training and enabling sales teams to speak the customer's language and have consultative conversations.Old School Tactics: Leveraging traditional methods like cold calling to enhance lead generation and build stronger customer relationships.Team Collaboration: Success in sales requires a collaborative effort across various teams such as SDRs, sales enablement, and RevOps.Leadership Lessons: Importance of being genuine, maintaining high energy, and having a strong emotional connection with the team and customers.RevOps Importance: Using data-driven insights for accurate forecasting, pipeline management, and understanding customer lifecycles.Innovative Tools: Utilizing advanced tools and methods for pipeline generation and account management.QUOTES"Talent's a lifeblood, man. Talent's a lifeblood." - Scott Harvey"If you focus on the outcomes, it's at the C level that you need to be." - Scott Harvey"It's all about value; if you can tie to their key priorities and initiatives at sea level, then you can build a value mountain." - Scott Harvey"Sales is a team sport; winning as a team is about all functions in the go-to-market working together." - Scott Harvey"The more the customers educate you on their business, the better engagement and outcome you can have for both of you." - Scott Harvey"It's okay if you ask a dumb question or say something wrong. Be willing to be vulnerable." - Scott Harvey"If you keep focusing on the customer's language, you build better strategies." - Scott Harvey"We built what we called the value life cycle: enable value, create value, realize value, and champion success." - Scott Harvey"Realized value through the operational process is what drives your renewal and upsell." - Scott Harvey"Getting to the customer's personal and measurable value is crucial in a successful sales engagement." - Scott HarveyFind out more about Scott Harvey through the link below.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottharvey2/This episode is sponsored by AuctusIQ, the Sales Performance Assessment sponsor of the Sales Community. AuctusIQ is a sales data and science software company, with the mission of providing the right data to solve your three biggest challenges: selecting and retaining exceptional talent, coaching to ensure readiness to meet or beat quota, and winning more deals.

09-30
48:51

E180 - Sales, Leadership and Delivering an Exceptional Customer Experience featuring Frank Hauck

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by his longtime friend and esteemed guest, Frank Hauck, a retired executive with an impressive career spanning DEC, EMC, and NCR. The conversation touches on commemorating 9/11, the importance of sales training, and Frank's journey from a finance manager at Digital Equipment Corporation to becoming a key figure at EMC. Frank discusses his methodologies for maintaining high standards in sales, the significance of leadership working for the sales team, and the relentless commitment required to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Personal anecdotes about learning from mentors like Mike Ruettgers, Jack Egan, and Joe Tucci highlight the importance of humility, accountability, and continuous learning. The episode also explores the evolving role of technology in sales, with a specific focus on the impact of AI and prospecting in a post-COVID world. With contributions from industry peers such as Eric Mann and insights into the cultural ethos at EMC, this episode provides a comprehensive look at what it takes to succeed in sales and customer service.KEY TAKEAWAYSHonoring 9/11 Sacrifices: Acknowledgement of 9/11 and the sacrifices made by many.Sales Training Importance: Emphasis on the critical role of sales training in organizational success.Career Highlights: Frank’s extensive career, spanning roles at DEC, EMC, NCR and more.Customer Focus: Stories illustrating the importance of maintaining strong customer relationships, especially through challenges.Sales Best Practices: Insights on what makes top sales performers, including preparation, continual learning, and teamwork.Leadership and Mentorship: The influence of mentors like Mike Rutgers, Jack Egan, and Joe Tucci on Frank’s career.Adapting to Post-COVID Work: Strategies for maintaining client relationships in a remote/hybrid work environment.Embracing Technology: The role of AI and technology in enhancing sales and customer interactions.Cultural Lessons: Anecdotes highlighting the value of showing up, humility, and constant improvement.QUOTES"It's part and parcel to a successful organization. You got to keep them fed and you got to give them the insight and the knowledge of what it takes to be successful.""When things went bad, we sold the product that when it didn't work, planes didn't fly. Banks didn't process checks. GM didn't make cars.""It's about being accountable. Being able to do the things other people aren't willing to do to be successful. And really it's the extra effort.""He goes, but you didn't come here to be good. You came here to be great."Find out more about Frank Hauck through the link below.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankhauck/This episode is sponsored by Sandler. Sandler is a world leader in innovative sales, leadership, and management training. For more than 50 years, Sandler has taught its distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped salespeople and sales managers take charge of the process.

09-20
52:03

E179 - Finding the Balance: Trust & Relationships vs. AI featuring Berk Mesta

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Burke Mesta, founder of Belsa Inc., to discuss the importance of balancing trust and relationships versus the role of AI in sales. Burke shares his extensive career journey, including his experiences in engineering, sales, and management at renowned firms like PTC, Bicis, and Temenos. The conversation delves into the critical role of trust and personal relationships in business, the evolving landscape of revenue intelligence and performance management, and the necessity for effective leadership over mere management. Burke also highlights the value of mentorship, drawing from his own experiences and insights from industry veterans like John McMahon and Tom Mendoza. The episode concludes with a light-hearted anecdote about a skiing adventure, reinforcing the theme of personal connection throughout the conversation.KEY TAKEAWAYSImportance of Relationships: Highlight the importance of building and maintaining relationships in the business for long-term success.AI vs. Relationships: Discuss finding the balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining personal relationships. Berk emphasizes that AI is a tool and should not replace human interaction.Power of Trust: Trust is fundamental in building successful business relationships. It is difficult to build and easy to destroy.Mentorship: Discussion on the importance of mentorship in personal and professional growth. Berk mentions several mentors who have influenced his career.Leadership vs. Management: Berk's perspective on leadership – leading by example and building personal connections with your team rather than just managing.Revenue Operations: Insight into how revenue operations can bridge the gap between marketing and sales and improve overall efficiency and growth.Performance Feedback: Highlight on the necessity of regular and constructive feedback in improving team performance.QUOTES“We're in the business of profit, but not at the business of, of hurting someone for that profit.”“Feedback isn't even criticism. Is it negative? It's productive for improvement, continuous improvement.”“The power of trust is key.”“I'm going to get personal with my customers. I'm going to get personal with my team, and then we're going to be able to break down these barriers and we can have a more clear and open communication path.”“We know all these old strategies that we learned going back to my McMahon days and PTC days of consultative selling, strategic selling, but relationships are what's key to be able to enable that.”Find out more about Berk Mesta through the link below.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berk-mesta/This episode is sponsored by Avnir, the Relationships Excellence sponsor of the Sales Community. Avnir leverages AI and decades of Relationship Economics® insights to help businesses unlock the hidden value in their connections, enhancing human interactions and driving strategic growth through organized, activated, and monetized relationships.

09-16
44:10

E178 - GTM Best Practices featuring Scott Barker and Paul Irving at GTM Fund

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Paul Irving and Scott Barker from GTM Fund to delve into the dynamics of go-to-market (GTM) strategies and best practices. Scott, who also runs the GTM podcast and newsletter, along with Paul, the Platform Director, share their extensive experience and insights from investing in B2B SaaS companies. They discuss the evolution of outbound sales, leveraging relationships for warm introductions, and the impact of AI on sales tactics. Additionally, they touch upon the importance of personalized communication, the value of data-driven strategies, and the significance of marquee hires. With humorous anecdotes and practical advice, this episode offers a comprehensive overview for anyone looking to enhance their GTM approach.KEY TAKEAWAYSThe Power of Relationships: Leveraging your network and warm introductions is key to successful outbound sales, especially in the competitive B2B SaaS space.Outbound Sales are Alive and Thriving: Despite challenges, outbound sales remain a critical component of GTM strategies. Creativity and critical thinking are essential for success.The Value of GTM Expertise: GTM Fund's unique approach, combining investment with operational support, has proven invaluable for startups looking to scale effectively.Respecting Social Capital: When asking for introductions, be meticulous in your preparation and mindful of the social capital you're leveraging.QUOTES"Outbound sales are not dead; they just require more creativity than ever before.""Capital is a commodity; value lies in the network and the execution support we provide.""Treat every warm introduction with care; it’s social capital that you must respect."Find out more about Scott Barker and Paul Irving through the links below:Scott Barker’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssbarker/Paul Irving’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsirving/This episode is sponsored by Phone Ready Leads, the Audience Activation sponsor of the Sales Community. Sales teams using Phone Ready Leads® average a 21.3% dial-to-connect rate with key decision makers (A live conversation every ~5 dials), and average ~10 conversations with key decision makers for every 50 outbound dials they make.

09-03
47:48

E177 - Getting Maximum ROI from your Events featuring Tom Boccard

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Tom Boccard, EVP of Sales at SmartSource, to discuss strategies for achieving maximum ROI from events and tips for selling to new accounts and markets. Tom shares his career journey, provides an overview of SmartSource's services, and delves into best practices for event planning, including cost control, leveraging technology, and proactive engagement with potential customers. He highlights the importance of relationship-building, utilizing sales tech stack tools like ZoomInfo and Outreach, and the advantages of collaborating closely with marketing teams. The conversation also touches on hiring new sales talent, training, and fostering a collaborative company culture focused on continuous improvement.KEY TAKEAWAYSMaximizing Event ROI: Learn practical steps to improve your return on investment from events, focusing on aligning marketing and sales efforts, understanding your audience, and leveraging technology to create immersive experiences.Sales and Marketing Alignment: Discover the importance of a unified revenue team and how to break down silos between sales and marketing for more effective go-to-market strategies.Leveraging Relationships: Understand how to build and maintain strong client relationships that lead to long-term success, and how to train your sales team to do the same.Evolving Sales Strategies: Explore the significance of staying curious and continually developing sales skills, from early career lessons to advanced sales tactics.QUOTES"Stagnation is the equivalent of death. You’ve got to keep evolving, learning, and fine-tuning your skills.""Maximizing event ROI isn’t just about having a great event; it’s about what you do before, during, and after the event to ensure you’re driving value.""The key to a successful sales and marketing alignment is viewing both as one team with a common goal, not as separate entities with competing interests."Find out more about Tom Boccard through the link below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tboccardThis episode is sponsored by SmartSource, the Event Success sponsor of the Sales Community. With over 35 years of experience, SmartSource provides comprehensive IT, AV, and interactive technology solutions to a wide range of industries, from legal and finance to entertainment and events. Their national presence, extensive inventory, and deep expertise in logistics and technical support ensure that businesses can successfully communicate and operate, no matter the challenge.

08-30
57:28

E176 - Building Teams Internationally featuring Dave Cronk

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined with Dave Cronk, SVP of Sales for EMEA at Tricentis, about his extensive experience in building and managing international sales teams. The discussion covers a wide range of topics including the importance of cultural understanding in international sales, effective sales strategies, tech stacks, and the pivotal role of sales ops and rev ops. Dave shares insights from his career journey, including his time at HP, SolarWinds, and Tricentis, and emphasizes the significance of relationships and authenticity in sales. The episode also touches on personal anecdotes, career advice, and the value of mentorship.KEY TAKEAWAYSBuilding Resilient Teams: The importance of investing in people and nurturing talent to create a strong, cohesive team, especially in diverse international markets.Crisis Management: How transparency, communication, and proactive customer engagement can turn a challenging situation, like a security breach, into an opportunity to build stronger relationships.Leadership in Sales: The role of a leader in inspiring teams, driving performance, and thinking strategically to meet and exceed goals.Importance of Partner Ecosystems: Leveraging a strong partner network to ensure scalability and customer satisfaction in enterprise sales.Adapting to Market Needs: Understanding and responding to the unique demands of different markets, particularly when expanding into new regions.QUOTES"Sales leadership is a lot like coaching—invest in people, help them grow, and the rewards are immense.""When a crisis hits, the most important thing is to get out in front of it, be transparent, and communicate clearly with your customers.""Building a strong partner ecosystem is key to scaling effectively and ensuring our customers get the best possible service.""In sales, it's not just about making the deal—it's about understanding the customer’s long-term needs and building a relationship that lasts."Find out more about Dave Cronk through the link below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/globalleader-dave-cronk/This episode is sponsored by Phone Ready Leads, the Audience Activation sponsor of the Sales Community. Sales teams using Phone Ready Leads® average a 21.3% dial to connect rate with key decision makers (A live conversation every ~5 dials), and average ~10 conversations with key decision makers for every 50 outbound dials they make.

08-19
51:24

E175 - Coaching Sales Skills featuring Paul Salamanca

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Paul Salamanca, co-founder and CEO of the Top 1 Percenter Academy. They discuss the importance and challenges of sales coaching, share insights on leveraging tools like Gong and Clary, and emphasize the role of resilience, mindset, and discipline in achieving sales success. Paul's journey from door-to-door sales to creating a successful coaching business is highlighted, along with his focus on the top 1% performers. They also touch upon the evolution of sales practices, the impact of COVID on coaching cultures, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships in the sales process.KEY TAKEAWAYSSales Coaching Culture: Creating a true coaching culture goes beyond occasional feedback; it requires structured, consistent, and scalable approaches.Coaching at Scale: Effective sales coaching must be continuous and integrate with existing sales methodologies to drive better performance across the board.Maximizing Top Performers: Investing in the development of top performers can yield significant returns and set a strong example for the rest of the team.Sales Tools: Leveraging tools like Gong can enhance coaching efforts by providing actionable insights into sales conversations.QUOTES"Creating a coaching culture isn’t about occasional feedback—it’s about consistent, scalable coaching that everyone can learn from." - Paul Salamanca"Investing in your top performers not only boosts their performance but also sets a powerful example for the entire team." - Randy Seidl"The key to successful sales coaching is making it a continuous, integrated part of your team's daily routine." - Paul SalamancaFind out more about Paul Salamanca through the link below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/toponepercenter/This episode is sponsored by Sandler. Sandler is a world leader in innovative sales, leadership, and management training. For more than 50 years, Sandler has taught its distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped salespeople and sales managers take charge of the process.

08-15
44:21

E174 - Transition from CMO to CRO to President featuring Dave Grant, President of Nasuni

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Dave Grant, President of Nasuni, to discuss his impressive career trajectory from CMO to CRO and now President. Dave shares his journey, key insights, and the importance of a holistic go-to-market strategy. The conversation covers the role of rev ops, the importance of a strong corporate culture, and the significance of balancing short-term execution with long-term strategy. Key takeaways include leveraging sales and marketing symbiosis for better outcomes, focusing on transparency within the company, and the value of building a supportive network. Notable quotes from industry leaders highlight Dave's unique blend of strategic and tactical skills. This episode is sponsored by Sandler and Sales Community.KEY TAKEAWAYSCareer Progression: Understand the key skills and mindset shifts necessary to transition from a CMO to a CRO and ultimately to President.Sales and Marketing Alignment: Learn about the importance of integrating marketing efforts with sales to ensure cohesive go-to-market strategies and successful outcomes.Company Culture: Discover how Nasuni's transparent and team-oriented culture contributes to its success and employee satisfaction.Strategic Partnerships: Gain insights into how Nasuni leverages partnerships with hyperscalers and channel partners to enhance its market presence and drive growth.Challenges and Opportunities: Hear about the challenges in brand awareness and the strategies Nasuni employs to overcome them and capitalize on its market potential.QUOTESDave Grant on Team Dynamics: "I think team translates into what goes on in the workplace. As long as you're a good teammate, most of it, the rest of it plays out."Randy Seidl on Marketing Metrics: "MKLs are great, but what's it doing to turn into an SQL and something that's really trying to add value?"Dave Grant on Company Culture: "Paul Flanagan puts it best when he says you take care of your employees. They take care of customers and everything else follows."Dave Grant on Nasuni's Growth: "We believe we have the potential with the addressable market we have in front of us... We can be a standalone publicly traded company."Find out more about Dave Grant through the link below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgrant4/This episode is sponsored by Sandler. Sandler is a world leader in innovative sales, leadership, and management training. For more than 50 years, Sandler has taught its distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped salespeople and sales managers take charge of the process.

08-03
41:44

E173 - Sales Leadership at Small vs. Large Companies

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Chris Scanlon, CRO at human, discusses the nuances of sales leadership across small and large companies. Sponsored by Alexander Group, Scanlon shares insights on building sales culture, the importance of enablement, and aligning executive teams. He also delves into his career journey, including roles at Accuvant, Optiv, and Checkpoint, and the significant impact of his mentors. Additionally, Scanlon talks about the challenges of defining ideal customer profiles and leveraging a comprehensive sales tech stack, including tools like Clary, Sixth Sense, and ZoomInfo. The episode emphasizes the evolution needed for sales leaders to become effective operators in both startup and large organizational environments.KEY TAKEAWAYSDifferent Dynamics in Sales Leadership: Understand the contrasting challenges and opportunities in sales leadership within small startups versus large corporations.Building a Winning Culture: Learn the importance of creating a positive, engaging culture to attract and retain top talent.Staying Customer-Centric: Discover the value of staying close to customers, regardless of company size, to drive sales and innovation.The Evolution of Cybersecurity: Gain insights into the growth and specialization within the cybersecurity industry and its impact on sales strategies.Leadership Lessons: Chris shares his experiences and lessons learned from merging companies, managing large teams, and maintaining a hands-on approach to sales leadership.QUOTES"At the end of the day, it's about creating a culture where people want to work and thrive.""You go from knowing everything about your customers to just checking people's homework. Staying close to the front line is crucial.""In cybersecurity, it's not just about antivirus and firewalls anymore. The landscape has evolved dramatically.""Leading by example is vital. If you want your team to do more sales calls, you have to show them it's possible by doing it yourself.""Building a winning culture starts with hiring the right people and giving them the environment to innovate and succeed."Find out more about Chris Scanlon through the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cscanlan/This episode is sponsored by The Alexander Group, our GTM & Sales Compensation Partner. Alexander Group provides revenue growth consulting services to the world’s leading sales organizations. When clients need to grow revenue, they look to Alexander Group for data-driven insights, actionable recommendations, and results.

07-22
51:08

E172 - Software Sales Success featuring Vinay Nichani

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Vinay Nachani, VP Worldwide Software Sales at Cisco, joins Randy to discuss software sales success, enterprise agreements, and sales transformation. Vinay shares his journey from an engineering background to a pivotal sales leadership role, highlighting the importance of customer trust, strategic partnerships, and the evolution of Cisco's software offerings. The conversation covers effective sales enablement, leveraging customer renewals for growth, and the significance of meditation and personal grounding in navigating a high-stakes career. Vinay also acknowledges the invaluable support of mentors and the diverse talent within his teams.KEY TAKEAWAYSBuilding Trust: Learn how engineers and sales executives can leverage trust to drive customer satisfaction and sales success.Software Transformation: Insights into Cisco's journey from a hardware-driven to a software-driven company, and the pivotal role played by Vinay in this transformation.Customer Engagement: The importance of customer-centric sales approaches and the impact of SEs (Sales Engineers) as trusted advisors.Innovative Sales Models: Explore Cisco's unique enterprise agreements (EAs) model, offering insights into price protection, overconsumption policies, and customer value.QUOTES"Customers fundamentally buy from people they like and trust.""Our focus is on simplifying the customer journey and delivering value.""In software sales, understanding customer needs is as crucial as technical excellence."Find out more about Vinay Nichani through the links below: ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/vnichani/This episode is sponsored by Sandler. Sandler is a world leader in innovative sales, leadership, and management training. For more than 50 years, Sandler has taught its distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped salespeople and sales managers take charge of the process.

06-28
52:10

E171 - Tips to be a Better X-Functional and Strategic Thinking CRO featuring Rick Scurfield

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Rick Scurfield, CRO of Vast Data, shares valuable insights on becoming a better cross-functional and strategic thinking CRO. Rick, with a rich background in the tech industry, including his tenure at NetApp, discusses the importance of leveraging ecosystems, building robust partnerships, and the evolving role of RevOps in aligning with company strategies. He emphasizes the necessity of face-to-face interactions in sales, the importance of staying focused amidst noise, and the value of sales fundamentals in today’s competitive landscape. Rick also highlights the need for continuous learning and adaptability in the fast-paced technology sales environment.KEY TAKEAWAYSCross-Functional Collaboration: Emphasizing the importance of working closely with product teams, engineers, finance, and alliance partners to drive large-scale deals and achieve business outcomes.Ecosystem Leverage: Utilizing an extensive partner and alliance network to augment the sales process and expand market reach.Strategic Thinking: Understanding the full data pipeline and positioning products as solutions to complex business problems, rather than just selling features.Learning and Unlearning: The necessity of unlearning traditional sales tactics and embracing innovative approaches tailored to modern market demands.Adaptability in Sales: The need for sales teams to be agile, adopt new strategies quickly, and focus on continuous improvement.QUOTES"In the fast-paced and competitive world of technology sales, Rick's leadership serves as a shining example, inspiring others to emulate his approach and values.""Our mission right now is to sell more, faster. Everyone wants to sell more and sell faster, but it really creates an energy around the company that's fantastic.""Don't tell me why you're going to win. Tell me why you're going to lose. Focusing on potential gaps can reveal missing information and overlooked influencers.""It's not just about storing data; it's about managing the entire data pipeline and delivering business outcomes.""We're in the unlearning mode. It’s about understanding how Vast Data does things differently to sell to our customers effectively."Find out more about Rick Scurfield through the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-scurfield/This episode is sponsored by Sandler. Sandler is a world leader in innovative sales, leadership, and management training. For more than 50 years, Sandler has taught its distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped salespeople and sales managers take charge of the process.

06-24
49:03

E170 - How to Build Consistently Effective Sales Conversations featuring Jim Karrh

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Jim Karrh, a Consultant & Professional Speaker at Karrh & Associates, shares his expertise on building consistently effective sales communications and conversations. He emphasizes the need for strategic thinking and offers insights into how sales organizations can structure their conversations to improve results. Other topics include the use of AI and technology in enhancing sales effectiveness, and the critical elements of successful sales playbooks.KEY TAKEAWAYSSequence of Effective Sales Conversations: Understand the stages of change, urgency, and differentiation in sales dialogues.Messaging vs. Commoditization: Differentiate your message to resonate beyond industry jargon and technical features.The Impact of Confident Messaging: Confidence in delivering your message enhances engagement and trust.Managing Sales Teams: Implementing structured training, coaching, and tools to ensure consistent messaging and performance.QUOTES"Confidence in the value of what you offer is crucial, but equally important is having confidence in how to talk about it.""Avoid the pitfalls of commoditization by developing a unique, compelling message that resonates with your audience.""Sales success often hinges on having the right conversations with the right people at the right time.""Consistency in sales messaging is key—it's not about scripting but about having a common language and approach across the team.""Preparation and practice are fundamental; they transform foundational techniques into effective, fluid conversations."Find out more about Jim Karrh through the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimkarrh/This episode is sponsored by Humantic AI. Humantic AI is a Buyer Intelligence platform for revenue teams. Top revenue teams use Humantic’s Personality AI to identify early adopters, help their BDRs personalize outreach and enable their AEs with vital customer insights for every deal.

06-10
51:04

E169 - People, Scale and Innovation: the Three-Legged Stool of Successful Revenue Operations

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Jim Delia, SVP of Global Revenue Operations at Workday, to discuss the critical components of successful Revenue Operations. The conversation covers core topics such as the three-legged stool of people, scale, and innovation. They delve into the importance of effective outbound sales strategies, leveraging AI, and optimizing tech stacks. Jim also shares insights from his career path, the importance of mentorship, and his passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). An engaging conversation filled with practical advice for sales and RevOps professionals.KEY TAKEAWAYSPeople as the Core of RevOps: The importance of having the right people in place, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring continuous growth and development within the team.Scaling Efficiently: Strategies for scaling operations, including global site strategies and balancing OPEX versus headcount.Innovation in RevOps: The role of AI and machine learning in transforming sales processes, particularly in B2B markets.Tech Stack Optimization: The need for simplifying and optimizing the tech stack to improve efficiency and productivity.The Future of B2B Sales: Insights into the evolving nature of B2B sales, the impact of digital transformation, and the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making.QUOTES"When you wake up every morning, think about how you can make the sellers more productive.""RevOps is about orchestrating an infrastructure around the seller to make them successful.""AI is definitely a disruptor, especially in the down-market SMB and B2B segments.""The future of B2B sales will heavily rely on AI, machine learning, and innovative strategies to stay ahead."Find out more about Jim Delia through the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdelia/This episode is sponsored by Phone Ready Leads, the Audience Activation sponsor of the Sales Community. Sales teams using Phone Ready Leads® average a 21.3% dial to connect rate with key decision makers (A live conversation every ~5 dials), and average ~10 conversations with key decision makers for every 50 outbound dials they make.

06-03
46:16

E168 - GTM Learnings From a Football Official? Yes! Featuring Scott Wood

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined by Scott Wood, VP and GM of Compute for North America at HPE. Scott shares unique go-to-market strategies inspired by his experiences as a football official. From structured pregame preparations to rigorous post-game reviews, Scott draws fascinating parallels between sports officiating and high-performance sales teams.KEY TAKEAWAYSStructured Preparation: Learn the importance of detailed pre-meeting preparations, akin to pregame routines in football officiating.Post-Game Review: Understand the value of reviewing sales calls using technology to identify areas for improvement, similar to how officials review game footage.Ongoing Certification and Practice: Emphasize the need for continuous learning and practice in sales, paralleling the rigorous certification processes in sports officiating.Effective Communication: Explore strategies for maintaining clear and effective communication within sales teams and how it relates to the teamwork required among football officials.Handling High-Pressure Situations: Gain insights into managing high-pressure scenarios with clients, drawing from Scott's experience handling intense moments with football coaches.QUOTES"If they do that at a high school level for football, why are we not doing the same disciplined preparations for multi-million dollar deals?""You need a culture of practice, not just one-off training sessions. Practice builds confidence, and confidence attracts customers.""The technology we have now for reviewing sales calls is a game-changer. If you're not rigorously using them, you're missing opportunities to have a world-class sales team."Find out more about Scott Wood through the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-wood-9828986/This episode is sponsored by AuctusIQ, the Sales Performance Assessment sponsor of the Sales Community. AuctusIQ is a sales data and science software company, with the mission of providing the right data to solve your three biggest challenges: selecting and retaining exceptional talent, coaching to ensure readiness to meet or beat quota, and winning more deals.

05-27
42:38

E167 - Harmonizing Success: Bridging Business Goals with Technical Solutions for Optimal Wins featuring Rich Kucharski

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl welcomes Rich Kucharski, the Global Field CTO and Transformation Leader at Dynatrace. They discuss a range of topics centered on sales, technology, and transformation. Rich shares insights from his impressive career spanning roles at Sharp Electronics, EMC, XIV, and J.P. Morgan. Key discussions include bridging business goals with technical solutions, the importance of executive briefing centers (EBCs), effective POC processes, and the role of sales engineers in building long-term customer relationships. Rich also highlights Dynatrace's growth, their innovative approach to application performance monitoring, and the company's commitment to outserving competitors. The conversation concludes with Rich providing advice for his younger self, acknowledging key mentors, and emphasizing the critical partnership between sales and engineering teams.KEY TAKEAWAYSUnderstanding Customer Challenges: Rich emphasizes the importance of thoroughly understanding customer pain points and business objectives to tailor technical solutions that drive significant business impact.Building a Shared Vision: Establishing a clear, shared vision with customers can guide them through the transformation process, even when encountering obstacles.The Role of Data: Access to and management of data is crucial for delivering seamless customer experiences and driving organizational transformation.Innovative Customer Solutions: Real-world examples, such as the proactive door monitoring solution on a cruise line, illustrate the tangible benefits of Dynatrace's technology in enhancing customer satisfaction.Cultural Values at Dynatrace: A supportive, accountable culture with a focus on acting accountable and continuous improvement is key to the company's success and employee satisfaction.QUOTES"It's all about the data. If you can provide a platform that provides seamless access to data, it really can help transform a company.""The ultimate home run is you have a proposed sales proposal that the CFO gets really excited about because you're saying, here's how we're going to help you generate revenue, save money, get a competitive advantage, or stay out of jail.""It's important to establish what perfect could look like and then set a journey to get there, which kind of pulls in all the teams at Dynatrace serving a customer."Find out more about Rich Kucharski through the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richkucharski/This episode is sponsored by The Alexander Group, our GTM & Sales Compensation Partner. Alexander Group provides revenue growth consulting services to the world’s leading sales organizations. When clients need to grow revenue, they look to Alexander Group for data-driven insights, actionable recommendations, and results.

05-20
43:12

E166 - Can AI Really Solve The Pipeline Problem? Featuring Lee Hacohen

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl is joined with Lee Hacohen, Head of Sales at Red Eye, to discuss the pressing issue of pipeline problems in sales and how AI can provide a solution. Sponsored by Alexander Group, the episode dives deep into the evolving landscape of sales, the impact of AI, and practical strategies for leveraging technology to enhance sales productivity. Lee shares his journey from broadcasting to becoming a sales leader, insights on AI’s role in sales, and actionable advice for sales professionals facing pipeline challenges.KEY TAKEAWAYSAI in Sales: AI can handle repetitive tasks like identifying prospects, gathering contact information, and personalizing initial outreach, freeing up sales reps to focus on high-value activities.Human vs. Machine: AI is not replacing salespeople but augmenting their capabilities by handling tasks that machines excel at, such as data processing and initial contact personalization.Personalization at Scale: Tools like Reggie enable sales teams to send highly personalized emails and LinkedIn messages efficiently, improving engagement rates.Importance of Training: Continuous training and adaptation are crucial as the sales landscape evolves with technological advancements.Building and Growing: Identifying companies in their growth phase and leveraging AI can significantly impact sales success.QUOTES"There's certain things machines do really well and there's certain things people do really well. AI is here to augment, not replace, the salesperson.""In order to actually connect with someone and get their attention in an inbox that has 60 emails, you have to show them that you know them.""AI can personalize messages based on company performance and individual profiles within seconds, a task that would take a human significantly longer."Find out more about Lee Hacohen through the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhacohen/This episode is sponsored by The Alexander Group, our GTM & Sales Compensation Partner. Alexander Group provides revenue growth consulting services to the world’s leading sales organizations. When clients need to grow revenue, they look to Alexander Group for data-driven insights, actionable recommendations, and results.

05-13
50:40

E165 - Coaching Conversations: Human Behavior Change in Sales Coaching featuring Rachel Cossar

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl features a conversation with Rachel Cossar, CEO and co-founder of Virtual Sapiens. The discussion revolves around the potential of AI to transform sales coaching by analyzing and improving sales behaviors and human interactions. Rachel, a former professional ballet dancer and now a tech entrepreneur, shares how her company uses AI to help professionals master their virtual and in-person presence, making communication more effective. The episode touches on various topics, including the importance of nonverbal communication, the genesis of Virtual Sapiens, the unique challenges of sales coaching, and how Virtual Sapiens provides individualized feedback for improvement. The conversation also delves into AI's role in behavioral change, the scalability of Virtual Sapiens' technology, and the importance of privacy in AI tools. Rachel shares personal insights, including her transition from ballet to tech entrepreneurship, and the supportive role her mentors and co-founder have played in her journey.KEY TAKEAWAYSVirtual Sapiens utilizes AI to help professionals master their presence, whether in virtual or in-person interactions.Coaching conversations empowered by AI can revolutionize sales behaviors and enhance confidence.Through partnerships with global firms like BTS, Virtual Sapiens integrates AI seamlessly into learning management systems for personalized coaching experiences.Behavioral nonverbal cues play a significant role in building trust and rapport, especially in virtual communication.Effective use of body language and framing can significantly impact how professionals are perceived in virtual meetings.QUOTES"We're at the intersection of AI and human interaction, using AI as a coach in real-time to help humans become more aware of certain blind spots and integrate feedback for behavior change.""The way you show up on video matters—it's the only digital channel where body language truly counts.""First impressions on video are powerful—your setup, background, framing, and lighting all contribute to how you're perceived as a professional.""Nonverbal cues, like hand gestures, can amplify your presence in virtual meetings, making you more engaging and trustworthy.""Mastering presence in virtual interactions requires awareness of behavioral nuances and leveraging them effectively to build connections."Find out more about Rachel Cossar through the links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-cossar/This episode is sponsored by Spotlight.ai, our Value Intelligence sponsor. Spotlight.ai provides a Value Intelligence AI-driven platform to transform sales discovery, auto build differentiated business cases, and optimize value positioning for field and remote teams.

05-06
43:51

E164 - First Line Sales Managers Really Run the Company featuring Michael Norton

In this episode of Tech Sales Insights, Randy Seidl and Michael Norton delve into the pivotal role of frontline sales managers in modern companies. From their diverse responsibilities to the challenges they face, they explore how these unsung heroes shape organizational success. With insights from industry veterans and personal experiences, they dissect the evolving dynamics of sales management and offer strategies for navigating the complex landscape of sales leadership.KEY TAKEAWAYSFrontline sales managers serve as the linchpins of cohesion within organizations, orchestrating sales strategies, managing cross-functional relationships, and driving revenue growth.Understanding and adapting to the diverse communication styles and learning preferences of sales team members, spanning different generations, is essential for effective sales management.The balance between administrative tasks, such as CRM management, and frontline engagement is crucial for sales managers to maximize their impact.While training is vital for sales team development, empowering salespeople to take ownership of their growth and success is equally important.Successful sales managers excel not only in training but also in facilitating the onboarding process to accelerate new hires' integration and performance.QUOTES"Sales managers are the unsung heroes of business today. They manage up, down, and sideways, orchestrating strategies and relationships to drive success.""Understanding the diverse learning and communication styles of sales team members is key to effective sales management in today's multigenerational workforce.""A successful sales manager strikes the balance between administrative duties and frontline engagement, maximizing their impact on revenue growth."Find out more about Michael Norton through the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msnorton/This episode is sponsored by Phone Ready Leads, the Audience Activation sponsor of the Sales Community. Sales teams using Phone Ready Leads® average a 21.3% dial to connect rate with key decision makers (A live conversation every ~5 dials), and average ~10 conversations with key decision makers for every 50 outbound dials they make.https://phonereadyleads.com/

04-22
54:24

Recommend Channels