Revenue Builders

• Data-Driven Decision-Making with Parm Uppal

  In this episode of the Revenue Builders Podcast, hosts John McMahon and John are joined by Parm Uppal, the Chief Revenue Officer at Benchling. Parm shares his journey through various sales and executive roles, illustrating his approach to using data as a cornerstone for the development and coaching of sales teams. They delve into the intricacies of simplifying vast amounts of data to draw actionable insights and avoid overwhelming sales reps. The conversation also explores the importance of distinguishing between skill and knowledge issues among reps, hiring the right sales leaders for startups, and maintaining a clear focus on the ideal customer profile (ICP). Parm gives practical advice for newly appointed CROs, stressing the importance of a 90-day listening tour and aligning with cross-functional teams. Additionally, the discussion touches on the impact of AI tools in sales processes and the evolving role of data in modern sales strategies. This episode offers a treasure trove of insights and best practices for sales leaders at various stages of their careers.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESLearn more about Parm Uppal:https://www.linkedin.com/in/parmuppal/Read Force Management’s Guide to Increasing Company Valuation: https://hubs.li/Q038n0jT0Enjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox: https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0HERE ARE SOME KEY SECTIONS TO CHECK OUT[00:01:05] Introducing Parm Uppal: Career Highlights[00:01:54] Using Data to Develop Sales Reps[00:03:45] Simplifying Data for Effective Coaching[00:05:09] Identifying and Solving Sales Problems[00:07:30] Leading Indicators and Coaching Strategies[00:10:36] Balancing Data and Observation in Sales[00:23:29] Adapting to Buyer Changes and Market Shifts[00:35:30] Building the CRO Scorecard[00:36:58] The Importance of a 90-Day Listening Tour[00:38:48] Commanding the Plan and Talent[00:41:08] Key Metrics for Success[00:48:15] Challenges in Recruiting and Retention[01:01:34] Emerging Tools in SalesHIGHLIGHT QUOTES[00:02:15] "You can't just walk into that conversation with an opinion because everybody's got an opinion."[00:02:37] "We have so much more data nowadays. If you don't simplify it, and you don't take a step back... it can overwhelm you."[00:19:55] "It's activity with accomplishment versus activity without purpose."[00:31:00] "You can't cookie-cutter sales methodologies from one context into another without understanding the unique market dynamics.

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  1:07:29
• Learning from the Grind with Steve Fitz

  In this short segment of the Revenue Builders Podcast, we revisit the discussion with Steve Fitz, veteran sales leader and CRO of Modern Health, about the power of persistence in sales. We explore why embracing the grind is essential for long-term success, how rejection fuels growth, and why resilience separates top performers from the rest. This episode is packed with insights on mindset, career longevity, and why playing the long game always wins.KEY TAKEAWAYS[00:00:26] Sales is a grind, and embracing it is key to long-term success.[00:01:04] The best sales reps don’t fear rejection—they master the art of the “no” and find a way back.[00:01:47] Career success comes from commitment; jumping around too often limits long-term impact.[00:02:55] A grinder’s mindset means working harder, more often, and at times others won’t.[00:04:21] Employers value perseverance over job-hopping—grit signals trust and loyalty.[00:06:04] Running away from challenges stunts growth; learning is in the struggle.[00:07:02] Mindset shift: Change “I have to” into “I get to” for lasting motivation.QUOTES[00:01:04] “You gotta love rejection as a sales rep. You gotta love the art of ‘no’ and then find a way back.”[00:02:55] “To be successful today, you have to do it better, more often, and at times others are unwilling to.”[00:06:04] “Grinding is learning. The struggle becomes your foundation—if you play it right.” [00:07:02] “The mindset shift is everything. It’s not ‘I have to’—it’s ‘I get to.’” – Steve FitzListen to the full conversation through the link below.https://revenue-builders.simplecast.com/episodes/lessons-from-the-grind-tackling-complex-enterprise-salesEnjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox:https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0Check out John McMahon’s book here:Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/1K7DDC4Check out Force Management’s Ascender platform here: https://my.ascender.co/Ascender/Force Management is hiring for a Sales Director. Apply here: https://hubs.li/Q02Zb8WG0Read Force Management's eBook: https://www.forcemanagement.com/roi-of-sales-messaging

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  7:30
• Revenue, Retention and Recruiting with Mike Earnest

  In this episode of the Revenue Builders Podcast, hosts John McMahon and John Kaplan delve into the intricacies of recruitment and retention in B2B sales with Mike Earnest of Wiz. They discuss the critical importance of creating a strong recruitment culture, defining key traits for top recruits, and effective sourcing strategies. The conversation also covers how to manage and retain talent through authentic leadership, development opportunities, and consistent expectations. Earnest shares personal experiences and practical advice for sales leaders, making this episode a comprehensive guide for sustaining high-performing sales teams.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESLearn more about Mike Earnest:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-earnest-1a0a607/Read Force Management’s Guide to Increasing Company Valuation: https://hubs.li/Q038n0jT0Enjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox: https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0HERE ARE SOME KEY SECTIONS TO CHECK OUT[00:00:42] The Importance of Recruiting in Sales Leadership[00:01:59] Three Rules of Recruiting[00:03:08] Building a Culture of Promotion[00:08:56] Traits to Look for in New Recruits[00:15:57] Challenges and Strategies in Recruiting[00:32:44] Sourcing Top Talent[00:37:03] Defining the Ideal Candidate Profile[00:38:10] Proactive Pipeline Generation Strategies[00:39:23] Leveraging New Hires for Recruitment[00:42:08] Creative Recruitment Tactics[00:46:29] Retention Strategies for Top Talent[00:51:17] Challenges of Leadership Transitions[01:00:28] Supporting New ManagersHIGHLIGHT QUOTES[00:01:10] "You have to create a culture of recruiting. It’s our pipeline generation as leaders."[00:03:09] "You better have a culture of promotion."[00:10:25] "It's doing the hard things when no one's watching." – Mike Earnest, defining grit.[00:11:47] "What I hear so many people say is they got grit and you think they got grit, but you guys are talking past each other."?[00:23:55] "A lot of times people say they want to do it, and then when they get up there and they don't have real persistence and determination to gain those new skills, everything kind of unravels."[00:24:20] "I used to tell people that forced management: You're absolutely going to fall on your face here. I promise you."

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  1:08:38
• Features and Business Outcomes with John Donnelly

  In this short segment of the Revenue Builders Podcast, John McMahon and John Kaplan sit down with John Donnelly to discuss the critical intersection of value, technical expertise, and business outcomes in enterprise sales. They explore why many sales professionals struggle with discovery, how to shift from feature-based selling to value-based selling, and the role of champion building in complex deals. If you're in B2B sales or SaaS, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you close bigger deals and drive long-term customer success.KEY TAKEAWAYS[00:00:52] The importance of active listening in sales conversations.[00:01:24] Why enterprise sales still leans on feature-selling despite the focus on value.[00:02:57] Answering the fundamental customer question: "Why do I care?"[00:04:07] The most common mistake salespeople make in the discovery phase.[00:06:08] The power of balancing technical expertise with business outcomes.QUOTES[00:00:52] "If the person you're speaking with doesn’t feel heard, you're not going to get very far."[00:02:57] "Customers don’t care about your features unless they understand how it affects them."[00:04:07] "Sales is not a box-checking process. Rushing through discovery leads to missed opportunities."[00:06:08] "The best salespeople stand at the intersection of technical expertise and business outcomes." – John McMahonListen to the full conversation through the link below.https://revenue-builders.simplecast.com/episodes/no-shortcuts-accelerate-your-sales-process-with-john-donnellyEnjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox:https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0Check out John McMahon’s book here:Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/1K7DDC4Check out Force Management’s Ascender platform here: https://my.ascender.co/Ascender/Force Management is hiring for a Sales Director. Apply here: https://hubs.li/Q02Zb8WG0Read Force Management's eBook: https://www.forcemanagement.com/roi-of-sales-messaging

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  6:58
• Complex Sales: Critical Stages in a Customer’s Buying Process

  In this episode of the Revenue Builders Podcast, hosts John McMahon and John Kaplan are joined by Patrick Ball, Chief Revenue Officer at Crux. Patrick shares his journey through various roles and companies, highlighting his unique insights into customer engagement and sales processes. Learn about Patrick's detailed approach to streamlining sales, from initial discovery to Business Value Assessments. Discover how a well-orchestrated engagement model can drive success in complex B2B sales environments, featuring real-world examples from the financial services industry. ADDITIONAL RESOURCESLearn more about Patrick Ball:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paball/Read Force Management’s Guide to Increasing Company Valuation: https://hubs.li/Q038n0jT0Enjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox: https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0Check out John McMahon’s book, The Qualified Sales Leader: https://www.amazon.com/Qualified-Sales-Leader-Proven-Lessons/dp/0578895064/HERE ARE SOME KEY SECTIONS TO CHECK OUT[00:01:48] Streamlining Customer Engagement[00:02:11] Importance of a Well-Orchestrated Sales Process[00:03:29] Handling Objections and Red Flags[00:06:54] Understanding the Product and Market[00:09:03] Mapping the Buyer’s Journey[00:11:20] Iterative Sales Process and Internal Alignment[00:16:32] Customer Engagement and Forecasting[00:19:46] External Data Assessment Workshop[00:31:53] Engaging in Business Value Assessment[00:32:35] Quantifying Value with Customers[00:34:57] Challenges in Financial Services[00:35:19] Importance of Champions and Metrics[00:39:07] Using BVA for Prospecting and Discovery[00:48:52] Handling Procurement and Negotiations[00:53:04] Recruiting for Enterprise SalesHIGHLIGHT QUOTES[00:02:40] "53 percent of buyers select a vendor based on the buying process they experience."[00:12:47] "The process is about establishing many wins in the sales cycle, like moving through stages and closing on smaller commitments."[00:27:51]  "Effective sales processes turn chaotic ad-hoc meetings into structured, goal-oriented engagements."[00:29:41] "Credibility comes from showcasing you have a process that leads to outcomes the customer can't achieve on their own."[00:40:59] "You have to tap into curiosity; it's critical in a complex sales environment."

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