Sales Talk for CEOs

Sales Talk for CEOs

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

Episodes

January 15, 2025 14 mins

Referrals are an often-overlooked yet highly effective way to boost sales. In this episode, Alice Heiman dives into the transformative impact of a formal referral selling process. Learn why referrals outperform cold outreach, how they lead to higher-quality leads, and why they drive stronger customer retention. With real-world statistics and practical advice, you’ll gain the tools to build a referral system that consistently delive...

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Dan Pontefract, author of Work-Life Bloom, joins Sales Talk for CEOs to share a groundbreaking approach to leadership. Key takeaways include redefining CEO responsibilities to include care, balancing humanity with execution, and fostering engagement through positive reinforcement. Dan also introduces a unique framework for navigating work-life cycles, offering practical advice for CEOs to inspire their teams and drive sustainable s...

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Meta Description
Discover the journey of a CTO turned co-founder who mastered founder-led sales and embraced the power of niche specialization to scale a thriving business. Learn how strategic focus and teamwork drive success.

About Guest

Jamon is a software developer, business owner, husband, father of four, and new grandpa, located in southwest Washington state. He is co-founder of Infinite Red, Inc., a fully rem...

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Discover how CEOs can lead their teams to secure larger corporate deals, transition upmarket, and build strategies for landing transformative accounts with expert insights from Jamal Reimer.


About Guest
Jamal Reimer is an experienced coach, best-selling author, product developer, and ambitious multi-million-dollar Enterprise Seller with more than 2 decades of experience in the field. After closing three 50-million...

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Alice Heiman reveals critical strategies to ensure your sales team is at peak performance before expanding your team.

Connect with Alice Heiman
LinkedIn Profile:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceheiman/
Alice’s Website: https://aliceheiman.com/
Alice Blog: https://aliceheiman.com/want-more-sales-hiring-more-salespeople-may-not-be-the-answer/

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November 26, 2024 45 mins

Chapters

01:54 Dave Brock's Entry

Introducing guest Dave Brock, a seasoned sales expert and author, discussing the dynamics of executive involvement in sales.

02:07 The CEO's Role in Sales

Understanding the strategic involvement of CEOs in sales, particularly in early-stage companies.

02:46 Current Roles and Insights

Dave illustrates his current role advising large companies and the unique challenges of early-stage com...

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Chapters

01:06 Guest Introduction

01:13 Dakota's Dual Business Model

02:39 Origin Story of Dakota

03:10 Transition from Employee to Entrepreneur

05:06 Early Days and Initial Client Acquisition

06:37 Growing the Company and Sales Team Development

07:42 Implementing the 'Dakota Way'

09:01 CEO's Role in Sales Process

10:32 Sales Team Expansion and Developing Leadership

12:07 Introducing AI in Sales

13:14 Utilizing AI...

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Episode Details

Chapters

00:01 Introduction and Importance of Modern Sales Strategies

01:40 Understanding and Organizing Sales Opportunities

03:16 Differentiating Leads from Opportunities

04:47 Tracking and Managing Opportunities

06:13 The Funnel vs. The Pipeline

07:33 Analyzing Pipeline Health and Sales Quotas

09:02 The Significance of Periodic Reviews

10:51 Avoiding Common Pipeline Review Mistakes

12:24 Conducting Effecti...

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Chapters

01:21 Guest Introduction

Introduction to guest Jay Aigner, a founder of a QA software testing company, sharing glimpses into starting his business.

01:39 Current Company Operations 

Jay Aigner explains his company's role in alleviating QA bottlenecks and providing quality assurance services to software companies.

02:17 Initial Inspiration for Starting a Business

Jay recounts his career journey leading up to entrep...

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Imagine freeing up hours in your day while boosting your team’s productivity and engagement. With the right AI tools, that’s possible. In this Sales Talk for CEOs episode, Alice Heiman speaks with Gillian Utesch, CEO of Broken Glass Ceiling Marketing, about how AI-driven tools can help your team to streamline marketing, personalize engagement, and tackle sales in a whole new way. Here’s what you need to know about AI to enhance you...

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Imagine your sales team leveraging tools that analyze data, predict trends, and create personalized messages in real-time. This isn’t some futuristic fantasy—it’s happening now in today’s AI-driven sales landscape. As Alice Heiman puts it, “Salespeople who don’t use AI will be replaced by those who do.”

In this episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Alice explores how AI can reshape your go-to-market (GTM) strategy. Let’s dive into the key...

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Imagine if the key to faster growth and deeper connections was something as simple as being yourself—authentically. In this episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Erin Hatzikostas reveals how authenticity, when used intentionally, becomes a powerful tool for CEOs to lead with confidence, build trust, and create a lasting impact in their organizations.

Key Insights from the Episode:

1. Authenticity is a Strategic Advantage
Erin Hatzikost...

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

Key...
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    Accurate sales forecasting is critical for sustainable growth, with companies that effectively forecast being 10% more likely to increase their revenue year-over-year. Yet, many CEOs struggle with this crucial aspect of their business. If accurate forecasting remains a challenge, it may be time to examine the health of the sales funnel.

    In a recent episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Alice sat down with Hamish Knox, a renowned sales con...

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    One question is on the minds of many CEOs: What exactly should sales leaders be doing to ensure their teams are performing at their peak? The answer, while multifaceted, revolves around a critical shift in focus—prioritizing customer experience and empowering sales teams to excel.

    Shifting Focus: From Internal Metrics to Customer Experience

    Traditionally, sales leadership has often been about hitting targets, managing intern...

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

    Creating an Ideal Candidate Profile...

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    August 6, 2024 37 mins

    What if the key to your company’s success lay hidden in a challenge you’re currently facing? David Dulany's journey from sales frustration to creating a thriving business is a testament to this idea.

    In this episode of Sales Talk for CEOs, Alice Heiman speaks with David Dulany, founder of Tenbound, about his transition from working at Achieve Global to founding a company focused on sales technology tools. David shares insights ...

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

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    In the complex world of company leadership structures, the role of the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) has sparked debates on its necessity and timing. In this episode of "Sales Talk for CEOs," Alice Heiman dives into the nuances of the CRO role, helping CEOs determine if and when it might be essential for their company.

    Deciphering the CRO Role:

    The emergence of the CRO role aims to bridge the gaps between sales, mark...

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

    Vision Precedes Everything

    John emphasizes...

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