Sales Lead Dog Podcast

Ashley Welch, The $3 Million Dollar Bus Ride

“Your deal gets won or lost in discovery,” says Ashley Welsh, Somersault Innovation and co-author of the book Naked Sales. In this energizing interview with host Christopher Smith, Ashley talks about Somersault Innovation’s approach to sales -- which is all about co-creating, collaborating, empathizing, and curiosity. 

Ashley’s training is definitely not your standard sales approach. She believes wholeheartedly that story-telling and empathy are the roots of a good sales relationship, and that you need to embrace vulnerability to find success. She tells the story of a $3 million bus ride that one of her clients took in order to understand the real pain points of Greyhound drivers. Going out and experiencing a product is, for Ashley, the best way to prove to a customer that you understand them -- and what their customers need, too. 

Tune in to hear about an uncommon approach to selling that centers our humanity; and some amazing success stories that prove it really works. 

 

Quotes

• “You are also a problem finder. Not just a problem solver.” 
• “And the other thing we talked about in discovery is this idea of you are becoming a problem finder not just a problem solver like you're looking for more problems that may even be outside the range of what you can solve for because if you can understand the whole landscape of your customer and their customers. Then you put yourself in the position of trusted advisor.” (7:33-7:53)

 

Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awelch1/   

Website: https://www.somersaultinnovation.com/

 

Empellor CRM Website

https://www.empellorcrm.com

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/empellorcrm

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

https://meetfireside.com/podcast-production-service/

 

Rich Van Doorn, Learning From Failure

“Failure is important. The reality is that a winner has to be somebody who is willing to fail. That’s all it comes down to….You can’t win without being at risk of failure.” explains Rich Van Doorn, Chief Revenue Officer & President at AVASO Technology Solutions. As a manager for multiple sales reps, Rich explains that it is always difficult to watch his people fail. However, while ignorance (or the lack of knowledge about a given topic) is easily remedied, stupidity is a more difficult problem to solve, as this quality suggests a lack of drive and an unwillingness to learn.

This outlook on failure as a learning tool aligns well with Rich’s personal beliefs about success. Rich explains that the key contributors to his own success were perseverance, mentorship, and personal marketing. It was these traits that ultimately propelled Rich to his current role as CRO at AVASO, a global IT outsourcing provider that serves a total of 190 countries! Rich urges listeners to consider not only how to market for a given product, but also how to market themselves as competent and valuable assets for their companies.

Tune into this week’s episode of Sales Lead Dog to learn more about Rich’s journey from salesperson to sales leader. From the importance of long-term sales relationships to lessons about failure to (of course!) the pros and cons of CRMs, Rich Van Doorn and host Christopher Smith explore what it takes to make the sales process not only efficient, but also human. 

Quotes:

• “A winner has to be somebody who is willing to fail.” (28:12)
• “Marketing isn’t just about who you’re working for, it’s about finding a way to market yourself. We forget that we’re a product, and we always think that what we have to market is something else in front of us, and we’ve gotta be careful and recognize that we’re one of those things.” (6:50-7:10)
• “A lot of sales folks don’t understand who’s truly the real decision maker….so who to go after when you’re trying to get a referral. We think it’s procurement, we think it’s finance, but the people who are really making the decisions aren’t often who you think they are. And when you find out who it is, you can tune the dial pretty fast and hone in on it, and then the business really starts coming in. And that’s where you can really start driving exponential value in your organization.” (15:35-16:10)
• “One of the things my grandad said is, ‘You got two ears and one mouth, and God gave you them in proportion for a reason.’” (18:30-18:35)
• “Are you willing to give up a sale for the relationship? And that’ll really tell me whether or not you are in it for the customer.” (21:18-21:29)
• “Failure is important. The reality is that a winner has to be somebody who is willing to fail. That’s all it comes down to….You can’t win without being at risk of failure.” (28:12-28:29)

 

Links

https://www.avasotech.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rvandoorn/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/avaso-technology-solutions/ 

 

Empellor CRM Website

chris.smith@empellorcrm.com

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

Kayleb Bowes, Know Your Why

“I’m still a work in progress,” says Kayleb Bowes, Vice President of Sales at Nationwide Laboratory Services. Throughout his career, Kayleb has been committed to learning and growing. And for him, that all comes down to knowing his why. 

As a medical sales rep and leader, Kayleb can find part of his why in his company’s mission -- Nationwide is helping doctors diagnose patients and save lives every day. But for him, it goes deeper than that. Beyond the numbers, Kayleb measures his team’s success by company culture. He wants people to feel appreciated, cared for, and to have fun. And having that human-centered approach helps him stay connected to the importance of his work as a sales leader. 

This week, hear Kayleb talk about how he motivates his team through wins and losses, and his transformation from CRM hater to CRM lover once he realized just how important CRM technology is to fulfilling your mission. 

Quotes

• “So I would say that there's not one way to be successful in a sales career, right. I'm not to go off script, but to be genuine. I think that's something that you can't teach -- to be genuine and to kind of create your own style.” (8:50-9:05)
• “Be Genuine and Create Your Own Style.” (12:30-12:34)
• "I'd rather take somebody that doesn't have the knowledge, so you can train the knowledge but I don't. for me personally I don't think you can train someone to work hard..." (25:06-25-15)
• "I would go back to the three priorities that I told you earlier, right, I can't put the first one on them right because that's not everyone else's priority... again it goes back to, to the why, what is their why?" (26:55-27:06)

Links

Nationwide Laboratory Services (nationwidelabtesting.com)

Nationwide Laboratory Services: Overview | LinkedIn

Kayleb Bowes | LinkedIn

 

Empellor CRM Website

Empellor CRM | Customer Relationship Management

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

Empellor CRM : Company Page Admin | LinkedIn

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

https://meetfireside.com/podcast-production-service/

 

William Standifird, Prospect Needs Come First

“I’m looking for courage, character, and compassion,” says William Standifird of Access ESP. In this episode of Sales Lead Dog, host Chris Smith talks with William about how he hires, how he uses data, and how it all centers on the needs of his prospects. 

Access ESP sells a green technology product to help extract gas and oil from wells -- which means their sales cycle can be a few years long. Because of this, having a balanced team that is using CRM technology in a smart way is pivotal. William talks about the importance of forecasting, how he holds his sales team responsible for their own data, and how he tries to keep his team balanced by focusing on selling personas when he’s hiring. 

This week, tune in for a great conversation about building a team and a selling framework that supports the needs of your prospects. 

Quotes:

• “Be careful not to have your hands on the steering wheel when you do not have to.” 
• “I think that's the biggest thing that new managers and sales leaders, you know, need to avoid so trust your people, you know, ask them what they need, and give them what they need. Be careful not to have your hands on the steering wheel, when you don't need to.” (15:12-15:25)

Links

Company Website https://www.accessesp.com/home/

Company LN https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessesp

William LN www.linkedin.com/in/william-standifird-mba-69085021

 

Empellor CRM Website

https://www.empellorcrm.com

 

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/empellorcrm

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

https://meetfireside.com/podcast-production-service/

John Maczynski, Focus On The Important, Not The Fluff

“When a client is asking something, what are they really asking for?” asks John Maczynski, CRO for CXperts. John is the master of cutting the fluff out of sales and focusing on the basics - real people talking to other people about what they need. 

John’s start in sales came during a relocation. His wife started med school, and he found himself in a new part of the country, and in a new part of his company. But he thrived in a sales environment, because he had been a buyer in his previous role. He knew from the get-go what buyers want, which is authenticity, a solutions-based approach, and frank conversations about what the selling company can really provide -- and what they can’t. John doesn’t see himself as a sales person, he sees himself as a consultant, and a problem solver. “In that case,” John says, “you are going to be a trusted ally, not an adversary.”

In terms of CRM implementation, John’s focus is on actionable implementation of your data. You want your data to be able to solve your problems in the future, not just report on the past. Being able to use your data as a learning tool to identify the difference between your wins and your losses is a huge asset for any organization. 

Quotes:

“The single most important driver to a great customer experience is being able to treat your employees well.” (5:41-5:49)

"And in our case, you know the the chief service that we provide is, you know, customer service and and dialogues with our customers customers. And so from that standpoint. The single most important driver to a great customer experience as being able to treat your employees well." (5:28-5:49)

Links

https://cxperts.us/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxpertsus

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmaczynski/

 

Empellor CRM Website

https://www.empellorcrm.com

 

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/empellorcrm

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

https://meetfireside.com/podcast-production-service/

Dave Sandhoefner, Customers Have a Thirst For Value

“Passion is a skill,” says Dave Sandhoefner, CRO at Delaget. And so is sales. In this episode of Sales Lead Dog, Dave talks with host Chris Smith about how to bring value to both your customers and your staff by continually working to understand what they need, and what you can offer them. 

Dave began his career in video production, and though he loved his job, the meager salary just wasn’t going to cut it long-term. He moved to the sales team at IBM, and though he wasn’t a “natural” at sales, he discovered that learning on the job and developing his passion transformed him into a top performer and leader. During that process, Dave solidified his idea that we can’t just develop relationships - we always need to bring value. 

Now Dave is the CRO at Delaget, an analytics company that services the restaurant industry, including big names like Taco Bell and KFC. In his work as CRO, Dave focuses on bringing value to customers and employees alike, with a focus on lasting relationships that are mutually beneficial. Tune in this week to hear Dave’s perspective on how to maximize value for everyone, both on your team and in your CRM. 

 

Quotes:

“Value, at its core, is where I try to start all relationships.” (8:20-8:25)

“Its customer value, understanding what's important to them and trying to match your solutions with that. If you don't have a matching value you can have the greatest relationship but it's not necessarily a valuable relationship or one that works for your customer.” (7:48-8:03)

Links

www.delaget.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesandhoefner/

 

Empellor CRM Website

https://www.empellorcrm.com

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/empellorcrm

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

https://meetfireside.com/podcast-production-service/

 

Tyler Carey, Empathy and Humility Create Trust

For Tyler Carey, Chief Revenue Officer at Westchester Publishing Services, being a good sales leader means understanding other perspectives. On this episode of Sales Lead Dog, Tyler talks with host Chris Smith about the power of empathy and humility, and the reality that “There’s really no task that’s beneath you as a sales rep.”

Tyler has held jobs at a variety of companies, including early startups, and he implemented the CRM at Westchester Publishing Services, a leading provider of digital and print services for publishers around the world. But despite his head for data, Tyler is all about connection, and his biggest lesson as a sales rep and sales leader was learning how to let other people share their experience. 

Tune in this week for thoughtful commentary on the power of listening, the surprising benefits of working the registration table at a conference, and the best way to track your failures -- so even when you lose, you are learning how to win.

 

Quotes

• “There’s really no task that’s beneath you as a sales rep.” (17:16-17:19)
• “Just because something works well for you, doesn't mean it’ll work well for everybody else.” (22:12-22:17)

 

Links

https://www.westchesterpublishingservices.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/westchester-publishing-services/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylercarey/

Empellor CRM Website

https://www.empellorcrm.com

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/empellorcrm

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

https://meetfireside.com/podcast-production-service/

Joey Kercher, Unicorn Puff

“I want to be able to text you,” says Joey Kercher of Unicorn Puff, a B2B services company that offers marketing and coaching support to companies looking to scale their business or get out of a sales rut. Joey talks with host Chris Smith about his human-centered approach to sales, which focuses on building lasting relationships with clients and thinking about who they are as people, not just prospects. 

As one of three identical triplets, Joey knows what it takes to stand out. His life-long entrepreneurial spirit most recently brought him to Unicorn Puff, where his role is that of a sales and business coach for struggling and scaling companies. In that coaching role, Joey focuses on relationship building. For Joey, understanding the pain points of customers and being able to connect with them on a personal level is a game changer. Though sales people often don’t look beyond a closed deal, Joey sees sales as the initial phase of a lifelong relationship. 

From intentionally including typos in your LinkedIn messages to networking tips from the point-of-view of an experiential marketer, Joey shares it all in this episode of Sales Lead Dog. 

Quote

• “There’s not just one way of selling to someone, it’s the whole duration of that relationship” (23:14-23:23)

 

Links

www.unicornpuff.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/unicornpuff/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeykercher/

 

Empellor CRM Website

https://www.empellorcrm.com

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/empellorcrm

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

https://meetfireside.com/podcast-production-service/

Bob Marsh, Good Questions Lead to Closed Deals

How do you show your team that you’re really listening? This week on Sales Lead Dog, host Chris Smith talks with Bob Marsh, Chief Revenue Officer at Bluewater Technologies Group, about his leadership style, and the habits and processes that he uses to really listen to his team, even as a CRO. 

Bob takes a people-oriented approach to everything he does as a CRO. His 30/60/90 day plan, which he implemented when he started at Bluewater, was designed to help him make sustainable, smart changes with greater employee buy-in. His tips for success? Listen, ask great questions, and don’t be afraid to get in the weeds sometimes and really connect with direct sellers -- just because you have a fancy title, doesn’t mean you have to keep your distance. 

Join us this week as Bob shares his unique philosophy on what it truly means to be a leader. 

Quotes

• “People love to talk, so help them talk.” (7:25-7:29)
• “Understand that the purpose of your role is to make other people better” (18:42-18:46)

Links

https://bluewatertech.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluewater-technologies/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmarsh5/

 

Empellor CRM Website

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

 

Angel RIBO, Don’t Wait. Don’t Fret. Get Going.

"Take imperfect action now,” says Angel RIBO, founder of the CEO Confidant and expert in helping corporations expand their business to a global market. In this episode of Sales Lead Dog, Angel talks with Chris about what it really means to embrace your mistakes and move forward. 

Angel learned everything he knows from making mistakes. He shares a story about a major multinational corporation he thought he had in the bag -- after all, the CEO was also from Spain! But a few cut corners lost him the sale, and it took 5 years to finally snag that major client. Angel admits that as shameful as it is to admit to the mistakes made along the way, it’s the only way to move forward. In his work both as a sales leader and a guide for major companies looking to scale up, doing something is always better than doing nothing. Everything is a learning experience. As long as you are authentic to yourself, you’ll find a way to stay afloat. 

You’ll want to check out this energizing talk with Angel RIBO about making mistakes, imposter syndrome, caring for your customer, and so much more. 

Quotes:

• “There is no perfect path to where you want to go but the reality is the sooner you make certain mistakes the sooner you are going to get there.” (10:59-11:10)

Links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelribo/

(99+) The CEO Confidant (TM) powered by Divine Human Ventures: Overview | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ceo-confidant-tm-powered-by-divine-human-ventures-creating-profitability-custodians/

Angel RIBO - The CEO Confidant | SpeakerHub - https://speakerhub.com/speaker/angel-ribo-ceo-confidant

Empellor CRM Website

https://www.empellorcrm.com

Empellor CRM LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/empellorcrm

Podcast production and show notes provided by FIRESIDE Marketing

https://meetfireside.com/podcast-production-service/