In this episode, Brian Dietmeyer talks with Tonya McKinney about the persistent challenges and evolving dynamics of aligning sales and marketing strategies in large organizations. They explore why, despite advancements in technology and methodology, many companies still struggle with sales and marketing misalignment and its impact on revenue generation. This insightful discussion is packed with real-world experiences and strategies for enhancing collaboration between sales and marketing teams to drive business success.

Timestamps:

00:17 - Introduction of Tonya McKinney and her role at IBM.

02:02 - Discussion on the age-old issue of sales and marketing disconnect.

03:59 - Tonya's insights on digital strategy and customer experience.

08:57 - Exploring integrated marketing and its necessity across sales functions.

13:28 - The concept of 'A Marketer Raised by Sales Wolves' and its implications.

19:43 - The rapid adaptation required in marketing campaigns.

25:26 - Utilizing AI in sales and marketing for competitive advantage.

31:40 - Essential strategies for leveraging marketing to drive revenue.

37:30 - Closing thoughts and the importance of sales and marketing alignment.

In this special episode, Brian Dietmeyer talks with Harvard Business School senior lecturer Frank Cespedes. Their conversation focuses on how to execute sales strategy and initiatives at the deal level. Frank says “Day-to-day sales activities must reflect strategic priorities—or the overall vision remains idle in slides and boardrooms.” Frank is the author of Aligning Strategy and Sales as well as Sales Management That Works (HBS Publishing). Forbes says "perhaps the best sales book ever" and Gartner, “a must read.”

Timestamps:

00:54 - Introduction of Frank Cespedes and discussion on his professional background and contributions to sales strategy.

01:07 - The influence of Cespedes' book "Aligning Strategy and Sales" on Brian's business approach.

02:25 - The impact of economic factors like interest rates on sales strategy execution.

06:14 - The motivations behind Frank Cespedes' focus on linking sales and strategy.

10:44 - The role of sales reps in executing company strategy and solving customer problems.

16:20 - Discussion on the importance of frontline sales managers in strategy execution.

19:02 - How technology and AI can enhance sales coaching and strategy execution.

22:54 - Differentiating between deal coaching and skill coaching in sales management.

27:12 - The evolving nature of strategic planning in response to market changes.

29:07 - Closing remarks and future topics of discussion.

In this episode, Brian Dietmeyer talks to Nick Caruso, Chief Revenue Officer at KnowledgeNet.ai, about the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on sales and business processes. They explore the democratization of AI technology, its role in enhancing sales strategies, and the future of AI in everyday business applications. This insightful conversation also touches on the emotional intelligence capabilities of AI, offering a glimpse into how AI can serve as both a strategic tool and a personal coach in the professional realm.

Timestamps:

00:01 Introduction of Nick Caruso and the topic of AI in sales.

00:35 Nick Caruso's welcome and brief introduction.

01:30 Discussion on the relevance of cold calling in the AI era.

04:50 How AI is transforming sales processes and efficiency.

10:19 AI's role as a coach and its emotional intelligence capabilities.

17:23 AI's potential to transform business decision-making and strategy.

25:06 The distinction between AI and traditional internet searches.

30:34 How personalization in AI interactions enhances user experience.

33:06 Conclusion of the discussion and final thoughts.

In this episode, Brian Dietmeyer talks to Nick Caruso, Chief Revenue Officer at KnowledgeNet.ai, about the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on sales and business processes. They explore the democratization of AI technology, its role in enhancing sales strategies, and the future of AI in everyday business applications. This insightful conversation also touches on the emotional intelligence capabilities of AI, offering a glimpse into how AI can serve as both a strategic tool and a personal coach in the professional realm.

Timestamps:

00:01 Introduction of Nick Caruso and the topic of AI in sales.

00:35 Nick Caruso's welcome and brief introduction.

01:30 Discussion on the relevance of cold calling in the AI era.

04:50 How AI is transforming sales processes and efficiency.

10:19 AI's role as a coach and its emotional intelligence capabilities.

17:23 AI's potential to transform business decision-making and strategy.

25:06 The distinction between AI and traditional internet searches.

30:34 How personalization in AI interactions enhances user experience.

33:06 Conclusion of the discussion and final thoughts.

In this episode, Brian Dietmeyer talks to Alice Heiman, founder and chief sales energizer at Alice Hyman LLC, about the critical topic of "Diagnosing Before Prescribing" in sales. They explore the common pitfalls in sales interactions where solutions are offered before a thorough understanding of the customer's unique problems is achieved. This insightful discussion delves into the evolution of buyer-seller dynamics, emphasizing the importance of understanding the buyer's self-diagnosed issues and the consequences of misdiagnosis. Alice shares her extensive experience and strategies to enhance sales approaches, making this a must-listen for sales professionals looking to refine their diagnostic skills and improve customer interactions.

Timestamps:

00:01 Introduction to the episode and guests.

00:54 Discussion on the importance of diagnosing before prescribing in sales.

01:29 Alice Heiman's perspective on customer self-diagnosis and its impact.

03:45 The evolution of buyer research and its implications for sales strategies.

10:07 The role of deep questioning and understanding in effective sales.

19:03 The necessity of guiding buyers through their decision-making process.

25:47 How sales professionals can effectively engage with well-informed buyers.

31:19 Closing thoughts and the importance of sales training in decision-making processes.

In this episode, Brian Dietmeyer talks to Andrew Sykes, CEO of Habits at Work and a seasoned TEDx speaker, about transforming the reputation of sales into the most trustworthy profession on the planet. They delve into the profound impact that trust can have on sales interactions, exploring how salespeople can bridge the gap between being perceived as self-serving and being genuinely helpful. This insightful conversation is a must-listen for anyone in sales looking to elevate their approach and foster genuine connections with their clients.

Timestamps:

00:12 - Introduction of Andrew Sykes and his mission to elevate the trustworthiness of sales.

01:23 - Discussion on why sales is perceived negatively and how to change this perception.

03:09 - Exploring the definition of sales as helping others make progress in their lives.

10:06 - The concept of 'identity trust' and its importance in sales interactions.

13:30 - How first impressions and ongoing actions build or erode trust.

17:10 - Balancing personal sales targets with genuinely helping customers.

23:44 - The importance of instilling trustworthiness as a skill in the next generation of sales professionals.

In this episode, Brian Dietmeyer talks to Chuck Howlett about the evolution and impact of university-level sales degree programs. They dive into Chuck's extensive background in sales education, including his roles at Northern Illinois University and the University of Idaho, and discuss how these programs prepare students for real-world sales environments. This conversation sheds light on the increasing importance of structured sales education and its role in shaping the next generation of sales professionals.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Click here for the NIU Journal of Selling

Click here for the Sales Education Foundation

Click here for Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE)

Timestamps:

00:02 Introduction to the episode and guest Chuck Howlett.

00:30 Chuck's background and current roles in sales education.

00:50 Discussion on the emergence of sales training at university levels.

01:02 Brian shares his teaching experience at NIU.

01:47 Overview of the growth in university sales programs across the U.S.

03:08 Challenges in recruiting sales professionals from non-sales academic programs.

04:11 Details on the types of degrees and certifications offered in sales programs.

05:03 Discussion on the historical perspective of sales roles in career choices.

06:30 Real-life sales training experiences within university programs.

09:18 Insights into top university sales programs and their impact.

11:08 Employment opportunities and readiness of graduates from sales programs.

13:41 The role of soft skills in sales education and their importance in the industry.

14:36 Closing thoughts on the contribution of sales education to the professional field.

In this episode, Brian Dietmeyer talks to Carrie Welles about global negotiation strategies. They explore the nuances of negotiating across different cultures and how focusing on similarities rather than differences can lead to successful international business dealings. With anecdotes from their extensive experience in over 47 countries, this discussion provides valuable insights for anyone looking to enhance their negotiation skills on a global scale.

Click here for Brian's LinkedIn article on Global Negotiation.

Timestamps:

00:11 - Introduction to the topic of global negotiation.

00:37 - Brian shares his initial experiences and insights on global negotiation.

01:09 - Discussion on cultural similarities in global business.

02:14 - Carrie prompts Brian about his first international negotiation consulting assignment.

03:56 - Exploring the preparation differences in global negotiation practices.

06:18 - Discussion on the importance of understanding cultural nuances in negotiations.

08:05 - Concluding thoughts on effective global negotiation strategies.

10:08 - Closing remarks and cultural sign-offs.