Sales Lead Dog Podcast

Join us as we explore the intriguing journey of Joshua Hall, Managing Director of Hilscher North America, from his roots as an engineering student to a visionary in sales leadership. Listen in as Joshua unravels the significance of curiosity in both personal growth and team development. His belief in sales as a structured process and his commitment to coaching and mentoring shine through in our candid conversation. It's a tale that begins humorously with a simple laptop purchase at Circuit City and evolves into a career of technological sales expertise and leadership. Our dialogue with Joshua takes an insightful turn as we reflect on the nuances of reading customers beyond the visual cues, especially when body language is out of the equation. He shares valuable lessons learned from his days at Honeywell, emphasizing the art of questioning and listening intently—skills paramount in both sales and leadership. The discussion takes a personal angle, highlighting Joshua's decision to step into management, driven by his pursuit of an MBA and a crucial conversation about career advancement. Discover how Joshua navigated the challenges of overseeing a diverse team at a young age, crafting a narrative that's as inspiring as it is educational. Wrapping up, we delve into the philosophies that have shaped Joshua's approach to leadership. His story about coaching youth baseball serves as a powerful metaphor for his management style, emphasizing the importance of engagement and understanding the 'why' behind actions. Joshua also imparts his views on handling failures constructively, embracing a stoic mindset, and drawing inspiration from historical figures like Ulysses S. Grant. Tune in for an episode filled with anecdotes, wisdom, and strategies that can help any sales professional or leader become a top dog in their field. Joshua Hall is recognized for his dynamic leadership and proven ability to foster transformative change, drive sales excellence, and ensure organizational success. Currently leading as the Managing Director for Hilscher North America, he continues to leverage his extensive expertise and strategic acumen across the industry. His career journey spans from an initial role as an Inside Sales Engineer at Honeywell to his recent impactful tenure as the Vice President of Sales at HARTING Inc. In every position, Joshua has seamlessly integrated deep technical knowledge with robust strategic growth initiatives. He is especially committed to talent development, employing active coaching and service leadership to enhance team capabilities and achieve substantial organizational growth. Quotes: "Curiosity has been the compass guiding my personal growth and my investment in nurturing my team's development." "Preparation over improvisation has always been a cornerstone of my approach to sales and leadership." "Embracing failures as stepping stones and adopting a stoic mindset have been key strategies for excelling in sales leadership." Links: Joshua’s Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-hall-b270767/ Hilscher North America - https://www.hilscher.com Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/

Ever wondered how a technical mindset could revolutionize your sales approach? Mark Rooney, Strategy Director at Bry-Air, joins us on Sales Lead Dog, to share his journey from engineering to sales leadership and the pivotal strategies that have fueled his success. With tales of his transformation and the lessons learned along the way, Mark unravels the art of structured problem-solving and the undeniable influence of continuous learning and networking to not only meet targets but exceed them. Navigating through the labyrinth of sales, we probe the importance of understanding the customer's decision-making process and the role of engaging with all relevant stakeholders. As we stroll down memory lane, we reflect on our early career blunders, shedding light on the finesse required to know when to persevere with a potential deal and when to gracefully bow out. As we pivot to the nuances of leadership, Mark and I dissect the challenges of team management and the delicate balancing act of internal responsibilities with customer interactions, ensuring the internal gears are as well-oiled as the external ones to enhance customer satisfaction. In our final act, we delve into the architecture of constructing a robust sales team tailored for the technical realm. Mark stresses the significance of communication and problem-solving skills, often overshadowing specific educational pedigrees. We dissect the transformative power of learning from lost deals, leveraging these experiences as a catalyst for team mentoring and sales strategy optimization. Moreover, we explore the strategic role of CRM systems in prioritizing opportunities and streamlining processes, underscoring the criticality of data and analytics in sales triumph. For those ready to join the pack leaders in sales, connect with Mark and discover more episodes of Sales Lead Dog where we uncover the tactics of sales mastery. Mark is a results-driven executive with 14 years of experience in strategy and sales in the manufacturing sector. He has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and market expansion through strategic initiatives and effective sales execution. He is skilled in identifying market opportunities, developing innovative strategies, and building strong relationships to achieve business objectives. Quotes: "So I love a diverse group. I'll say that, when it comes to the highly technical, I would say you know, it's pretty standardto. You know, look for an engineering background just because it makes more sense. But with that being said, if there were, you know, other candidates that didn't have the engineering degree but we're still a great fit, then absolutely I would love to talk to them." "So the top three, I would say is really the sales funnel and how you use that to manage your short-term activities, but also long-term. And so I think, when I talk to my salespeople, is making sure that we're devoting enough time to those opportunities that are closing in the next 30, 60, 90 days, but also looking out towards the end of the year or into next year and making sure that we have, you know, a good backlog of upcoming opportunities that will support." "Challenges are a part of any career journey. It's important to keep pushing forward and use those challenges as learning experiences. They help you grow and get better." Links: Mark’s LinkedIn Bry-Air, Inc. Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

Adam Kustin, the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Health Network One, joins us with a wealth of wisdom on merging the might of sales and marketing into a formidable alliance. His unique journey from marketer to sales maestro showcases not just the value of curiosity and determination but also the collaborative force that is unleashed when these two worlds unite. As we chat, Adam unpacks the nuances of strategy and the personal touch required to navigate the competitive landscape of healthcare sales, offering an enlightening perspective on the power of face-to-face interaction and understanding client needs from the ground up. Within the bustling managed care marketplace, capturing attention can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Yet, Adam's experience proves that on-site engagements and a compelling value proposition can cut through the noise. Our dialogue reveals how showing up and engaging personally at industry events can trump digital efforts, and how retention and physical presence can turn the tide in your sales pipeline. Adam's insights are a testament to the persuasive influence of in-person networking and solving client problems where they live. Leadership is an art, and Adam illustrates this through his own crescendo from coordinating recruitment efforts to spearheading a successful marketing squad, all without an official sales department to start with. He stresses the importance of mentorship and the courage to ask for help, along with the necessity of continuous learning and maintaining robust professional relationships. Moreover, Adam's reflection on the pivotal role of communication skills in sales and marketing, along with strategic moves like hiring a sales operations director, can light the way for anyone aiming to climb the career ladder. Join us for a session that's as rich in knowledge as it is in practical takeaways for those eager to refine their sales acumen. Adam Kustin leads sales and marketing for Health Network One, a leader in managing full-risk specialty provider networks for Medicaid and Medicare health plans. He and his team are accountable for brand positioning, corporate communications, demand generation, and new customer acquisition. Prior to HN1, Adam led business development and strategy for several advertising agencies. He’s also held senior marketing roles in consumer packaged goods, professional services, and commercial electronics. A proud Florida Gator, he earned his MBA in Marketing and Finance from Tulane University. Quotes: "Sales and marketing are not just departments that need to collaborate; they are integral parts of a unified strategy that must work seamlessly together for optimal results." "Curiosity, perseverance, and the willingness to embrace new challenges are key drivers of success in any career, especially in healthcare leadership." "Relationship capital and mentorship are invaluable resources in the journey of career advancement. Seek out mentorship early, and build those connections that last a lifetime." Links: LinkedIn Health Network One Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

Join us on a journey with Karine LeBlanc, a sales visionary, as we discuss the human touch in the tech-dominated world. Karine, VP of Sales for IAIRE, LLC., brings a breath of fresh air to the conversation by merging the high-stakes world of sales with the irreplaceable value of human connection. Her insights into IAIRE’s cutting-edge solar air conditioning systems demonstrate how innovation fuels compelling sales narratives. Furthermore, she delves into the creation of her book "How to be Human in a Technical World," offering a beacon for those in technical fields to remain grounded in their humanity. Karine's candid revelations about the hurdles she faced while writing and the pivotal role of mentorship in shaping her path provide a masterclass in personal and professional growth. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for both neophyte leaders in sales and seasoned veterans seeking to enrich their approach. We unveil the trials and triumphs of transitioning to a sales leadership role with a leader who recently made the leap, focusing on the power of authenticity and vulnerability in fostering a credible relationship with both team members and clients. The conversation shifts to the bedrock habits that underpin success, from the maintenance of customer relationships to the philosophy of being a beacon of assistance rather than just a salesperson. Discover the strategies and personal routines that have helped forge successful careers, and learn how simple acts like daily exercise and mental stimulation can pave the way to professional victory. Meet Karine Leblanc, the dynamo who wears many hats—engineer, bestselling author, and international professional speaker. As the VP of Sales at iAIRE, she's not just crunching numbers; she's crafting winning sales teams with her unique blend of engineering prowess, coaching finesse, and relationship-building wizardry. Armed with a mechanical engineering degree from Montreal's Ecole de Technologie Superieure and a slew of certifications, she's a powerhouse. Karine is a John Maxwell coach, trainer, and speaker, a certified behavioral analysis consultant, a Genos certified practitioner and an eSpeakers certified virtual presenter. Oh, and did we mention she's a Heroic Public Speaking graduate Alumni? But wait, there's more! Karine's not your typical engineer™. She's shattered ceilings by serving on ASHRAE's board of directors, and her accolades include the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award and John F James International Award. Plus, she's the Past-President of the National Speaker Association Los Angeles Chapter, and her contributions to her alumni earned her the title of Leadership Ambassador. To top it off, she's also an Amazon-published author! Get ready to be inspired by this engineering maverick who's anything but conventional. Karine Leblanc is here to transform your perspective and make learning a blast! Quotes: "How to be Human in a Technical World was born out of the realization that in our focus on technology, we often forget the human aspect that's so crucial in our field." "Mentorship has been the driving force behind my success. It's about finding the right person to guide you and being open to learning and growing continuously." "Authenticity in leadership is not just about being yourself, it's about being honest about what you know and what you don't. That vulnerability fosters credibility and long-term respect." "When I took the VP of Sales role, I emphasized the importance of restraint in making immediate changes and the value of observing before acting." Links: LinkedIn KarineLeBlanc.com IAIRE, LLC. Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

Step into the future of healthcare with our latest episode featuring Jordan Sternberg from Signature MD, where we uncover the paradigm shift to concierge medicine. Unlock the secrets to a more personalized patient care experience as Jordan discusses the multitude of benefits this model offers to both practitioners and their patients. By fostering independence and improving financial stability, doctors are finding a renewed joy in their practice, ensuring that quality care goes hand-in-hand with a satisfying work-life balance. As we journey through Jordan's own evolution from salesperson to sales leader, absorb the transformative lessons of mentorship and servant leadership that have shaped his career. Our conversation is a treasure trove for current and aspiring leaders, highlighting the art of learning from setbacks and fostering an ethos of cautious optimism. Standing testament to the resilience required in the world of sales, Jordan's experiences with Care Club offer a powerful narrative on the importance of evolving personal and team strategies for success. Bringing the episode home, we cast a spotlight on the critical traits of sales leadership and how CRM technology can greatly augment a sales team's performance. Discover through Jordan's insight how empathy and transparency become the linchpins of effective leadership. When it comes to driving a team towards excellence, we find that empowering rather than micromanaging is the key. As we bid farewell to Jordan, our gratitude extends to you, our listeners, for your commitment to growing alongside us in the journey of sales leadership mastery. Jordan Sternberg is the SignatureMD Executive team as the Senior Vice President of Sales with 14 years of Healthcare sales leadership and sales operations experience. With his varied tenure spanning from his early days at ZocDoc to the recently Amazon-acquired Google Venture company One Medical, then at CareCloud managing representatives based in the USA and internationally in Pakistan, Jordan has consistently led the effective restructuring of membership sales and retention teams to achieve record sales growth and expansion. Prior to joining SignatureMD, Jordan worked with Dental Whale in Sunrise, Florida as the Head of Sales where he led a sales and customer experience team covering over 19,000 dentists across the country. Jordan resides in Palm Beach Gardens, FL with his wife, Amanda, and their two sons, Grady and Maddox. When he’s not working, Jordan enjoys spending time with his family outdoors and spending time in the gym. Quotes: "It's about communication. If you are a good communicator... you can be a strong leader and it works out well for everyone and I think your team respects you more for being honest." "I believe that there's always a good to everything... I am always happy... it's how we get up and how we motivate each other to do better." "As a leader, you don't take the wins, your team takes the wins, you take the losses." Links: Linkedin: Jordan Sternberg Company: SignatureMD Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

Unlock the secrets to scaling the heights of sales and leadership with our esteemed guest, Dustin Ruge. His trailblazing approach emphasizes adaptability, precision in goal-setting, and the kind of persistence that turns obstacles into stepping stones. We dissect the intricate dance of salesmanship that has propelled industry heavyweights to their zenith, and distill the essence of goal setting—a relentless pursuit that shapes the trajectory of careers and corporations alike. Transitioning from ace salesperson to a visionary sales leader is an art form in itself, one that Dustin and I explore with candid insights from the trenches. We unravel why the best sellers aren't always the best leaders and share strategies from my book for spotting those with the potential to inspire and drive teams. The chapter on sales training further deepens the conversation, as we debate its real-world efficacy and underscore the importance of tailoring training methods and ensuring accountability for lasting mastery. But what's skill without strategy? The later part of our discussion pivots to the art of assembling an unstoppable sales force, taking cues from sports legends. I reveal the critical edge that comes with strategic networking and an acute understanding of an organization's heartbeat within the first three months. And as the talk rounds off, we spotlight the indispensable role of CRM systems in sales success, stressing the seamless synergy needed between sales and customer success to avoid the pitfalls that can derail the handoff process. Tune in for these transformative insights that might just redefine your sales playbook. Dustin W Ruge is known as one of the most respected and trusted sales, marketing, and business growth coaches in the nation. In addition to his numerous books and publications, Dustin frequently appears and is referenced in major news and trade publications, business shows, and trains and keynotes at conferences across the nation. Dustin’s career includes over 27 years’ experience ranging from technology startups to Fortune 500 companies where he has received numerous awards and recognition for his work. Quotes: "Adaptability is not just a trait; it's the lifeblood of successful sales and leadership." "Sales skills are the undercurrent of success across industries; even the tech giants were once great salespeople." "In the dance of salesmanship, it's not just about the steps you take but also about the rhythm of your persistence that turns obstacles into stepping stones." Links: DustinRuge.com Email: Dustin.Ruge@gmail.com Link to Dustin's Book Catalog LinkedIn Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

Unlock the secrets to a customer journey that will set your sales apart from the competition, as Paul Butterfield of Revenue Flywheel Group reveals the synergy of marketing and sales. Journey with us through Paul's rich history in sales, from his encyclopedia-selling days to spearheading enablement on a global scale. Discover how the right methodology can transform your understanding of the customer and why aligning sales stages with the customer's buying process isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a necessity for success. Embrace the "Three I's" of personal growth—integrity, intelligence, and intensity—and learn how to sift through the noise to find sales strategies that truly elevate your game. Paul and I dissect the common pitfalls that hinder sales teams, such as ineffective prospect qualification and the misalignment between marketing and sales. By implementing structured approaches like Rev-ops assessments and SWOT analyses, we illuminate the path to improving sales effectiveness and setting realistic growth expectations. The conversation crescendos as we discuss the art of balancing efficiency with a customer-focused approach, offering practical tips to streamline account planning and CRM documentation. Paul imparts wisdom on developing a sales process that mirrors the customer's journey, a strategy that not only speeds up sales but deepens customer relationships. As we welcome Paul into the Sales Lead Dog pack, you're invited to explore the innovative solutions at Revenue Flywheel Group, promising to propel your sales team's efficiency and effectiveness to new heights. Paul Butterfield has designed, built and led high impact revenue enablement strategies and teams for Vonage, G.E., NICE InContact, and Instructure. He’s coached Go-to-Market leaders from Expedia, ABB. Aspen Media, Orbitz, and Red Wing Shoes in change management and sales methodology adoption. Prior to his career as a revenue enablement leader he led channel and direct sales organizations for world-class companies including Intuit, Microsoft, and Hewlett Packard. Paul was the Executive Board President of the Revenue Enablement Society from 2022-2024. He produces and hosts the podcast “Stories From the Trenches” and is a regular keynote speaker on revenue enablement strategies and sales methodologies. Links: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrbutterfield/ Company: https://www.revenueflywheelgroup.com Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

Unlock the secrets to thriving in the competitive world of sales leadership with Parker Bentham, the strategic mastermind behind Brondell's revolutionary home products. As Chief Revenue Officer, Parker recounts the exhilarating rise of the company, from revolutionizing the North American bathroom experience with electronic bidet toilet seats to embracing environmental stewardship with water filtration and air purification advancements. This episode journeys through the intersection of innovation and customer-focused product development, illustrating how Brondell's dedication to the planet's health and consumer happiness propels their market success. Embark on a deep exploration of collaborative problem-solving and its profound impact on fostering a vibrant work culture. Parker and I dissect the essence of an idea meritocracy, where contributions are weighed on merit, not hierarchy, allowing for the best ideas to flourish. We navigate the delicate art of balancing individual accountability with a synergistic team environment, tackling the nuances of managing egos and championing shared victories. The episode also contrasts the 'hunter' mentality in sales with a supportive team framework, mapping out pathways to sustainable growth. Step into the Sales Lead Dog pack, where we dissect the critical role of CRM systems in fine-tuning the sales process for maximal impact. Parker imparts invaluable wisdom on enhancing lead management, while we underscore the power of a unified vision and the intricate dance between consensus and decisive leadership. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a masterclass for those eager to sculpt a resilient sales team poised for long-term success. Join us, and empower your sales leadership journey with strategies that set the best apart. Links: parker.benthin@brondell.com Parker Benthin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkerbenthin/ Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

Join us for an engaging conversation with Christopher Amrod, the fractional VP of Sales for InnovateMap. Christopher has a fascinating journey that took him from an accounting executive to a frontline manager for a Series C company. We'll unravel the secrets behind his disciplined, people-focused approach to sales and how his love for sports and appreciation for hard work have shaped his successful career. Christopher also gives us a peek behind the curtains of his time at Reebok and his unique experience with product fit testing. Navigating from the nuances of frontline management to the broader picture of executive leadership, we delve into the challenges of leading a team and the importance of empathy. Christopher shares invaluable insights from his own experiences as a frontline manager and offers advice for those seeking a mentor. He also emphasizes the importance of striking the right balance between work and life, underscoring the need to disconnect from work and focus on other aspects of life. Finally, we turn our discussion to the critical role of CRM in business growth. Christopher shares his hands-on experience with CRM rescues and highlights the need for setting up a CRM with the right business purpose in mind. We explore the common challenges that can arise in the absence of subject matter expertise and how to ensure alignment within departments. Whether you're a sales leader or an interested professional, this episode is packed with practical advice and insights. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation with one of the industry's best! Chris has 14 years of sales experience in B2B SaaS, starting as an individual contributor and methodically climbing the ranks from front-line manager to senior leadership. He has been part of the $2M to $10M ARR journey with a startup that was acquired for $100M. He has led sales teams for Series C and Series D companies that grew revenues from $20M to $40M ARR (in 2 years) and $17M to $23M ARR (in 6 months) respectively, and are currently valued at $1B and $1.5B. Most recently, as the CRO of a bootstrapped company, Chris grew topline revenue 78% by selling to Fortune 1000 companies. He is currently supporting early-stage companies as a Fractional VP of Sales, and he serves as an expert advisor for Primary Venture Partners' portfolio companies. Chris has a compelling track record of success building and leading high-performing revenue teams can be attributed to my disciplined approach to coaching and developing sales professionals, fostering team selling dynamics, and my knack for designing and implementing customer-centric sales processes reinforced by world-class sales methodologies. Quotes: "I think you were alluding to perspective, right? And my background is really in B2B SaaS. So I've spent the better part of 14 years with growing Stage B, two B software companies, and I've been part of several different journeys." "And you don't necessarily need to operate in the B two B SaaS space to still build kind of like a healthy, sustainable business and to learn from other operators who have done it outside of your industry sector. So it's been really rewarding, taking some of the best practices in terms of how to build and scale A team with a software company, refine it a little bit so it reflects the nuance of either like a services based company or maybe a marketplace type environment, and then implement that there because they're all suffering from very similar self inflicted wounds, so to speak." "Discipline will always trump motivation. I think motivation is a feeling, and feelings come and go. One day you could be motivated, and the next day you might not be, but discipline is like a way of operating." "Leaders don't always have to make the best decision. They just need to make sure the best decision is made." Links: Christopher.Amrod@gmailcom LinkedIn: Christopher Amrod Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at...

When David Cady, Chief Revenue Officer of Virtuous, made a career jump from teaching high school English to sales, he carried with him a perspective that sales is a teaching role. He's discovered that stepping back and really understanding customers' needs, especially when introducing transformative CRM technology, is what creates successful sales. It's a lesson that he, a former teacher, is keen to impart. But David's wisdom doesn't stop at the sales strategy. He also has a unique viewpoint on leadership, one that emphasizes self-accountability, motivation, and continuous growth. He shares how he managed to find the right balance between his roles as a teacher and a results-driver, and how these experiences have shaped his approach to nurturing future leaders. Interestingly, David has developed a healthy detachment from results, choosing to concentrate more on the process with a goal to improve by 1% each day. In our conversation, David opens up about the challenges he's faced in his leadership journey, including a heavily personal experience of a sales role loss. This sobering experience reshaped his perspective on the importance of staying committed to the process, not just chasing outcomes. Shifting gears, we delve into the nonprofit sector to discuss the significance of building strong donor relationships, the struggles of donor retention, and the role of understanding donors’ motivations. David's insights, particularly on how technology like a good CRM can help enhance generosity, is bound to be of value to anyone interested in the nonprofit sector, leadership, or sales strategy. David is the CRO at Virtuous, a CRM, Marketing and Online Giving platform designed to reimagine generosity in the nonprofit space. David has spent the last 17 years leading teams at some of the best tech companies in the world and the last 7 years building the GTM motion at Virtuous including Sales, Marketing, Partnerships and Revenue Operations. David’s all about building, creating, and helping others along the way. You’ll generally find him kicking back in sunny Arizona with his wife and trio of awesome kids, hunting down the next great foodie spot, or soaking up some outdoor time in every spare moment he gets. Quotes: "I think there's this idea of opportunistic, risk taking and calculated risk. I think that is number one. It's sort of born out of this maybe opportunistic or altruistic belief that you can continue to do more and believe that more is possible with effort and input and sort of you always have more to learn." "Sales and deals are generally not closed in one day, especially CRM sales. We're many times selling transformation, right? This is a large transformation. I always joke it's open heart surgery that we sell and you have to deeply understand their why." "The biggest thing that I love is helping people see things in themselves they didn't see possible. That's the biggest joy for me in leadership.” "My success will always be defined by how I work and what I do, and not necessarily the scoreboard, which is hard, right, because that's not always what you're taught in a go to market or sales environment." "Sales is sometimes looked at as a four letter word. It requires people to believe that we're playing the game on hard mode. Doing sales the easy way is cutting corners as shortcuts as things that doesn't serve customers. So not everyone can actually do it, but done the right way, all we're doing is bringing customers close to a solution or outcome that they're already expressing they need." Links: David Cady LinkedIn Virtuous LinkedIn Virtuous Website Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

What if you had a roadmap to guide you through the intricate maze of sales, leadership, and business growth? How about if you could get that advice straight from a top industry expert? That's exactly what you'll get from our conversation with Bob Poznanovich, Chief Business Growth Officer at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Bob reveals the secrets of his success, blending ambition and sales acumen with a deep understanding of customer psychology. It's a compelling story of metamorphosis, from his role as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development to a leader who shapes organic growth and sees challenges as entrepreneurial opportunities. Transitioning from salesperson to sales manager and eventually, a leader, isn't a stroll in the park. This week, we unlock the strategies that helped Bob successfully navigate this journey. Sharing his experience in anticipating market trends and implementing creative go-to-market strategies, Bob gives listeners invaluable insights on maximizing current capacity, while also exploring new revenue opportunities. He also candidly discusses the challenges of aligning an organization and cultivating a growth mindset, with plenty of practical tips on how to transform strategic goals into actionable successes. The final segment brings a riveting discussion on healthcare innovation. Bob delves into his experience of product development from the PC era to the launch of a virtual care product in 2020. He gives a glimpse into the future as he talks about his collaboration with Apple, the potential of AI and wearables in healthcare, and how patient feedback can shape better outcomes. With his deep understanding of customer needs and strategies to overcome their resistance to change, it's a goldmine of knowledge for anyone interested in sales, business growth, and healthcare innovation. Join us this week for an episode packed with professional insights, personal experiences, and inspiring leadership lessons. As the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation's chief business growth officer, Bob Poznanovich is responsible for bridging the gap between product development, marketing and sales to help the nonprofit reach more people with its lifesaving substance use and mental health care and resources. Prior to joining Hazelden Betty Ford, Poznanovich co-founded and served as the CEO of AiR Healthcare—a behavioral health organization that provides solutions to individuals, families and employers dealing with behavioral health issues. Before that, he spent over 20 years as a senior business development executive in the technology industry. He is co-author of the Hazelden Publishing title, It Is Not Okay to be a Cannibal: How to Stop Addiction from Eating Your Family Alive. Quotes: "I've done a lot of work not only perfecting the sales perspective, but also the buying perspective" "Not many people talk about selling as a buyer, as opposed to selling as a salesman… there is there is a psychological buying process that people go through when they're making a decision." "I think if you look at that way to being innovative in the area of growth, of selling to more, which is looking at products and services that we don't have. So part of this vision was that we've got to create x number of millions of dollars in growth over the next year for products and services that don't exist while we're also selling and maximizing the capacity of what we currently have and then looking for ways to get more value so we could sell for more." "And when you go to customer one, he goes, I got this problem. Go to customer two, I say, I got this problem. I could say to customer two, what about customer one's example, right? Do you have that problem, too, right? Now, when I go to see a third guy, I got three problems tee up, right, his plus the previous two. And I could start this dialogue where I get smarter in every sales call I get to see that the patterns and opportunities exist." "I think in any sales job, no matter what...

One of Chris’ favorite things about hosting the Sales Lead Dog Podcast is the opportunity to listen to guests like Gale Crosley. Gale is a very experienced sales leader, and in this episode we focus on driving strategic growth and the many of the aspects of leadership that are required. Gale Crosley, CPA, CGMA is a strategic revenue growth consultant, who has helped almost 500 accounting firms worldwide over the past 20+ years to achieve profitable, sustainable organic growth. Early in her career she spent several years in technology at IBM and tech start-ups, after beginning her journey as an auditor at Arthur Andersen and PwC. She has been selected one of the Most Recommended Consultants in Inside Public Accounting’s Best of the Best for 16 years, and one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today for 16 years. She brings all her experiences to the current transformation facing the accounting profession. Links: LinkedIn: Gale (Gunderson) Crosley, CPA, CGMA LinkedIn: Crosley+Company Website: Crosley and Company (crosleycompany.com Get this episode and all other episodes of Sales Lead Dog at https://www.empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog

On this episode, marketing expert Russell Lundstom joins Sales Lead Dog to discuss the necessity of fully integrating the marketing and sales processes inside your business. Russell shares advice on first, tracking your company’s data, then second, diagnosing where issues within your sales process might lie. After that, Russell provides insight on fine tuning your business’ strategies, wherever the problem lies, to better fit the needs of your clientele. Russell Lundstrom is a born and bred entrepreneur. Having started multiple 7-figure businesses, and helping hundreds of other businesses repeat that success, he is now on a mission to simplify the world of marketing. Passionate that entrepreneurs are the mind, heart, and engine of the world, he is driven to improve the world through better business. After 35+ years on the front lines of marketing, Russell created the step-by-step marketing framework called the Marketing Plan Formula. This simple 5 step process reveals the most profitable marketing strategies through reverse engineering the unique keys to success already contained within your business. Russell is now on a mission to teach this process to every entrepreneur on the planet. Quotes: “99% of your marketing problems have nothing to do with marketing. It's really you don't know your numbers.” “That's one of the biggest problems I don't see is the integration of the marketing people all the way through to the sale.” “If I'm tightly integrated with my salespeople, they can make my job 1000 times easier just by asking those two questions. What's the problem, and where do you go to solve it?” Links: Russell Lundstrom's LinkedIn Marketing Plan Formula Website Marketing Plan Formula Free Sales Lead Dog Marketing Workshop #salesleaddog #marketing #sales #leads #conversion #engagement

In this episode of Sales Lead Dog, Jeremy Painkin joins Chris to talk about being a people-centric sales leader, the power of grit in a salesperson, and how Jeremy builds his sales team around diversity and a few core attributes. Jeremy also discusses leveraging CRM as a tool to help the sales team achieve their “why” of why they do what they do. Jeremy Painkin is an accomplished professional with a versatile skill set and a proven track record of success in the corporate world. With a background in business strategy, Jeremy has consistently demonstrated his expertise in driving growth, optimizing operations, and achieving business objectives. Throughout his career, Jeremy has held key leadership roles in prestigious organizations, where he has leveraged his exceptional analytical abilities to identify and seize opportunities for improvement. Through his strategic vision, he has guided teams towards setting and surpassing ambitious goals, resulting in significant revenue growth and increased market share. Jeremy's strong leadership skills and collaborative approach have made him a trusted advisor among his peers and colleagues. Recognized for his ability to motivate and inspire others, he has successfully fostered a culture of innovation and excellence within the teams he has managed. His natural talent for building and maintaining relationships, both within and outside of the organization, has been instrumental in creating long-lasting partnerships and driving business success. As a passionate advocate for social impact, Jeremy also lends his expertise to various philanthropic initiatives, where he actively contributes to creating positive change in his community. He strongly believes in the power of business to drive positive social and environmental outcomes and actively seeks opportunities to align his work with his principles. With his diverse skill set, leadership acumen, and commitment to excellence, Jeremy Painkin is a valued professional who consistently delivers results and adds value to any organization of which he's a part. Quotes: “I learned really early on that you got to be people focused, because you can't do it yourself.” “Be willing to have those tough conversations and tell people you know the good and the bad, and I think you want that in return. I want that just as much as they want to receive that.” “Selling to me is just people. It's understanding people that have problems with pain, and helping them solve it.” On being a sales leader, “We should get behind that and support people in whatever it takes to get them what they want. Because ultimately, it's not your why it's their why. Why are they doing it? No one cares why I'm doing it. They care why they're doing it. But looking for those leaders, I definitely learned to probably be more people centric, and less, less stick.” “The more diverse of a team you have, the more difference of opinions that you have and the more differing viewpoints that you have, which only help make you more successful because it diversifies your entire team.” “What people are looking for is a team” Links: Jeremy Painkin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremypainkin/ Community Brands: https://www.communitybrands.com/ #sales #podcast #salesleaddog #leadership #salesleaddog #teambuilding

Chief Revenue Officer Bradley Pierce of Guardspace joins the pack to talk about mobile app security and his career path to where he is now. Bradley also discusses the role of interpersonal relationships and mentorship in guiding career paths, how resilience can help us cope with the challenges and transformations we encounter, and his strategies around building a team as a sales leader. Bradley is currently the CRO at Guardsquare, the leader in mobile application protection. He has held several senior leadership positions and has over 25 years of experience building and scaling high-performance teams, driving revenue growth, and creating value for customers and investors across various domains, such as risk management, compliance, cloud, and AI. Quotes: “Never be too full of yourself. I mean, I'm a CRO, and they're people that look at me and say, Well, you're a CRO, you've achieved, but I have so much more to learn and to gain. And I would say continue to be inquisitive, right? It's the people who are 80 years old and go run marathons. It's the people that learn and pick a painting. It's the people that decide to go take a trip to places unknown. Once you stop learning...you're in trouble.” “One, it's about alignment. And I can't answer that for you. I can say what we can offer. I can say what we can do, I can give you, I've offered to give people references, people who used to work for me so it's not, you know, we always ask when we're interviewing, "’ want your references.’ I say ‘Here's, here's people who've worked for me, individual contributor roles. Here's other people, reach out to them, find out who I am. Do you think you can work with me?’” “If you just take a pause back, you recognize that everyone's human, you recognize that really, for the most part, people come from place of good, and ultimately it's not about you.” Links: Bradley Paster | LinkedIn Guardsquare: Overview | LinkedIn Leader In Mobile App Security | Guardsquare Empellor CRM Sales Lead Dog Podcast Empellor CRM LinkedIn #sales #podcast #change #salesleaddog #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #interviewing #recruitment

Interested in learning about AI generated synthetic data, leadership development, and sales as an interdisciplinary process across your company’s teams? In this episode, Mike Eckhoff, Chief Revenue Officer at AI MOSTLY, joins Sales Lead Dog to share his expertise on these topics and more. Mike and Christopher also discuss what makes a CRM tool effective and successful and the importance of honesty in sales. Mike leads sales, customer experience and revenue growth for MOSTLY AI, the leader in Generative AI Synthetic Data. Most recently, Mike led sales for Armory, the first Continuous Delivery platform built on open source software developed by Netflix and Google. He has over 20 years of experience leading enterprise sales with CA, HP Software, Tricentis and others. Mike specializes in building scalable sales teams to deliver consistent revenue growth through repeatable sales motions. Quotes: “We've got to be generous with our time, and that's the most valuable resource that a sales rep has is their time. So deciding where and when to spend your time is probably the hardest part of the job today.” “It's not something you can tell someone that you're honest, you have to show it.” “CRM has to be a value add for the frontline sales rep. And for the frontline sales manager, if CRM is a task, you know, I've had places where you had to put a calendar entry to update your CRM once a week. If that's the case, then you might as well throw it away, because it's not serving the purpose.” “The entire business is sales. And if we aren't able to deliver results, you know, with accuracy in a predictable manner, it affects the entire business. And so I always want to include those other groups into the sales process” Links: mike.eckhoff@mostly.ai https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeleckhoff/ https://mostly.ai/ Empellor CRM Sales Lead Dog Podcast Empellor CRM LinkedIn #sales #podcast #change #salesleaddog #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #marketing

Today, Mark joins Sales Lead Dog for a second time to talk about his recent book, "Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy." Before the Covid pandemic, Mark predicted that the final frontier of marketing is community, and now, post-pandemic and in our current world, building community has become even more essential. In today’s episode, Mark speaks about how to build authentic communities by examining your company’s culture and community leadership. Join us to learn about community, the last great marketing strategy. Mark W. Schaefer is a globally-recognized author, keynote speaker, futurist, and business consultant who blogs at {grow} — one of the top five marketing blogs of the world. He teaches graduate marketing classes at Rutgers University and has written 10 best-selling books. Mark’s new book Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy describes an essential new path to connect to customers in the modern digital world. His many global clients include Pfizer, Cisco, Dell, Adidas, and the US Air Force. He has been a keynote speaker at prestigious events all over the world, including SXSW, Marketing Summit Tokyo, and the Institute for International and European Affairs. Mark has appeared as a guest on media channels such as CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and CBS News. Quotes: “Put down your algorithms for a minute, put down your automation for a minute. And let's look at what human beings really want. Let's remind ourselves what marketing and sales are supposed to do. And one of the chapters was about belonging and community. When I finished writing the book, I thought, that is the most important chapter in the book, that is the future of marketing. When all this other spammy stuff starts to fade away, we're still going to have each other, we're still going to have community. And that's what's that's really going to be the future.” (2:00-2:36) “This book is about creating community or considering community, because it is the greatest overlooked sales and marketing opportunity in the history of sales and marketing opportunities.” (4:20-4:33) “Most communities fail. And the reason that they fail, the number one reason that they fail, is because they're designed to sell things.” (10:47-10:59) “What can you do in this world, as a company, that you could do better? If you had customers along the ride with you? What do you want to be known for 10 years from now? What's your legacy? What would happen if we brought our customers along with us and actually let them lead the thing? That's where the magic starts to happen.” (12:09-12:31) “The very first question you have to ask is, do we have a culture that can sustain this?” (21:21-21;27) “Community is an implied social contract. What other marketing or sales promotion do we have that's an implied social contract? There isn't one.” (21:49-22:02) Links: Mark Schaefer: LinkedIn Business Grow Website Amazon: “Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy” Empellor CRM Sales Lead Dog Podcast Empellor CRM LinkedIn #sales #podcast #change #salesleaddog #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #marketing #Belongingtothebrand #community

Our featured guest for episode #93 of Sales Lead Dog is Joe Khoei, the founder and CEO of SalesX. Listen to the new episode to learn how businesses can use ad click data and CRM technology to reduce cost per closed lead and improve their chances of closing deals. Joe also discusses the value of advertising technology for knowing what customers really want and need, producing the best results for your business and your customers. Joe Khoei is the Founder and CEO of SalesX, an agency that helps companies develop profitable customer acquisition programs via search marketing, display advertising, mobile marketing, analytics and creative services. With two decades of experience in Silicon Valley, Joe has been privileged enough to help hundreds of businesses prosper and has mentored many entrepreneurs. That is why he started SalesX in 2010: to assist companies by providing them with SEM tools to reach the right people at the right time. From Day One SalesX invested in their clients through education and coaching programs that let them harness the energy within their organizations.

In today’s episode, Simon breaks down how sales leaders can increase their market relevance in the context of today’s economy and ever-changing technologies. Simon also examines what it means for salespeople to be the educators of their companies and how salespeople can learn from other teams in their companies, creating a company culture of shared leadership and responsibility. Simon Severino helps agency owners automate 85% of their B2B sales. He is the CEO of Strategy Sprints and Host of the top 2.5% podcast called "Strategy Sprints." He created the Strategy Sprints™ Method that doubles revenue in 90 days by getting owners out of the weeds. Simon teaches Certified Strategy Sprints™ Coaches to scale agencies via better systems. As a member of SVBS (Silicon Valley Blockchain Society) he enables cross-stage capital flows and helps minimize execution risks in tech scale-ups. His team is trusted by Google, Consilience Ventures, BMW, Roche, Amgen, AbbVie, and hundreds of frontier teams. He is a TEDx speaker and has appeared on over 800 podcasts. He writes for Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine about scaling digital agencies. Quotes: Links Strategy Sprints Website Simon Severino’s LinkedIn “Strategy Sprints” book on Amazon Empellor CRM Website Empellor CRM LinkedIn Empellor CRM Twitter

The owner of The Digital Branch, Trevor Breininger, based in Toronto, Canada, joined us on the podcast this week. Trevor is a solutions-focused leader with progressive career growth, proven business development success, and a purpose-driven sales professional who thrives at the nexus of client service, technology, and business. On this week’s episode Trevor discusses his passion for utilizing technology and his years of experience in sales to give his customers the best results. For years, Trevor was grinding for sales companies until he realized he could take his experience and processes to grind for himself. Now he creates sales successes for his own customers working for his own business. Tune into this week’s episode to hear from Trevor Breininger, owner of The Digital Branch to learn why his eventual decision to step out on his own and grind for himself ultimately led to greater fulfillment in his career. Quotes: Links: Trevor Breininger LinkedIn The Digital Branch LinkedIn The Digital Branch Website Empellor CRM LinkedIn Empellor CRM Website Empellor CRM Twitter