October, 2024

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The Top 20%: Lessons on Scaling in the B2B SaaS Market

Force Management

A recent piece by McKinsey notes that 80% of startups who landed Series A funding failed within eight years (n=3164). Using interviews with B2B SaaS leaders who beat those odds by scaling from startup to over $100MM in ARR, McKinsey's recent playbook examines how these companies set up their organizations, common challenges they overcame and the actions leaders can use to emulate these pathways to success.

B2B 151
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GDPR & Cold Calling: How to Stay Compliant

Hubspot Sales

GDPR compliance is a messy process to begin with, but trying to stay ahead of the regulation while B2B cold calling presents a whole other set of problems. In trying to wrap my brain around how to make cold calls under GDPR, I discovered two things: It’s totally doable (and legal) and it’s actually not that hard if you have a set of systems in place to carry it out.

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Outbound Strategies for Authentic Sales Success feat. Mark Hunter

Sales Gravy

Join host Jeb Blount Jr. as he welcomes legendary sales expert, Mark Hunter, to The Sales Gravy Podcast! In this episode they dive into actionable Outbound strategies, discuss the latest AI trends, and reveal why authentic relationships are the cornerstone of every successful sale. Key Takeaways – Success in outbound selling relies on maintaining strict discipline, consistent activity, and following a structured process to keep momentum and drive results. – Results in prospecting don’t happen ov

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The Difference Between Customer Satisfaction vs. Customer Loyalty

Brooks Group

Recently I was talking to one of our sales trainers about the difference between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. He said a client’s sales team was confusing the two. It made me realize that other sales teams might be doing the same thing and thought it would be helpful to provide insight here. Customer satisfaction is what a customer feels when a sales professional (or company) fulfills their needs, wants, and expectations.

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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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Increase Lead Engagement With Nutshell SMS

Nutshell

Leveraging text messaging is a great way to stay better connected with leads throughout the sales process. And with native texting in your CRM, you get the full picture of how text conversations are driving revenue and strengthening relationships. Now introducing Nutshell SMS—no integration needed! With SMS, your team can have text conversations with your Nutshell contacts, track text history in your timelines, and use texts in your sales automation process to engage your leads.

CRM 77
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Is it Time to Fire Your Key Account Manager?

DemandFarm

A recent McKinsey study predicts that AI could replace ~30 percent of work hours by capitalizing on autonomous AI by 2030. The same study states that up to 375 million workers globally might have to reskill or upskill due to AI automation. That’s a lot of human work hours up for grabs by robots! So is AI expected to eat up your Key Account Manager’s jobs as well?

More Trending

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Retail Banking Industry Value Chain: Deep Dive

Flevy

Retail banking is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. As customers shift toward digital banking and self-service channels, traditional banks are forced to rethink their value proposition. Customers now expect seamless, personalized experiences , but they also demand robust security and trustworthiness. In a highly competitive market, banks must balance customer expectations with regulatory requirements and risk management, all while ensuring profitability.

Banking 52
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Building Relationships on LinkedIn: Engage, Don’t Pitch feat. Brynne Tillman

Sales Gravy

In this episode of The Sales Gravy Podcast, host Jeb Blount Jr. sits down with LinkedIn expert and OutBound speaker Brynne Tillman to discuss the keys to leveraging LinkedIn for sales success. Brynne shares essential information on avoiding common mistakes like the dreaded "pitch slap," the importance of personalization over automation, and how to truly engage with prospects on LinkedIn.

Sales 96
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Latest Podcasts: Leading Teams to Success

Force Management

Last month, the Revenue Builders Podcast shared stories from the sales world and beyond of leaders who built, coached and motivated elite teams. From Bowling Green University football coach Brian White to accomplished Human Resources expert Hollie Castro, these leaders have some wisdom to impart on building great relationships and coaching greatness out of the individual.

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Researh.com Names Nutshell a Top CRM

Nutshell

Nutshell has recently been recognized by Research.com as one of the top CRM software companies providing B2B solutions, solidifying its place among the industry’s best. This acknowledgment highlights the platform’s ability to deliver powerful, user-friendly tools tailored to the unique needs of B2B organizations. Research.com is a trusted platform known for its thorough research and software reviews, offering valuable solutions for both business and academic sectors.

CRM 71
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AI Strategies for Sales Managers: How to Cut Down on Tedious Admin Work

What if you could help your sellers stop wasting 72% of their day on non-selling activities and focus on bringing in revenue? Incorporating AI in your enablement workflows can help you cut down on busy work, get projects done faster, and let your team (and you!) focus on making a bigger impact. We put together this guide to show you how to use AI to cut time and costs for projects, including collateral creation, development of training videos, and automating tedious processes.

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5 ways a new client services director can transform your agency

Account Management Skills

I first met Emily Brown when she was a few months into her new role as head of client services at digital marketing agency Receptional. She ended up signing up for my one year Account Accelerator training and coaching programme. 16 months later and the impact she has had on the agency has been profound and as Matt Loughlin, Receptional’s Commercial Director says “transformational”.

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Spotting Coaching Abilities in Your Sales Management Candidates

The Center for Sales Strategy

Think for a moment about a manager in your career who made you a better professional. What was it about them that helped you grow and uplevel? While they surely had some expertise to share, no doubt it was their ability and commitment to give you their attention and coaching.

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Beyond the Inbox: How AI Enhances Email Marketing’s Relevance and Impact

Customer Think

Despite the emergence of many new and exciting consumer-facing channels over the years, email still sits at the top of the channel food chain for marketers. And while not the most dynamic concept, email marketing – when done right – still has the proven ability to make an impact.

Marketing 126
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An Introduction to Enterprise Sales for Key Account Managers

DemandFarm

A multinational software company might spend nearly a year negotiating a $5 million deal with a Fortune 500 company. This process involves multiple product demonstrations, engaging with IT, procurement, and finance stakeholders, and significant customization to meet the client’s needs. Ultimately, the software company signs a long-term deal that will generate millions in revenue.

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2024, The Year of the Customer

2023's struggles fueled a shift: companies are ditching wasteful strategies in favor of data and AI-powered growth. Enter 2024, the year GTC takes center stage. Discover 5 ways a customer-centric approach unlocks new revenue and delivers lasting success.

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Insurance Industry Value Chain: Deep Dive

Flevy

The insurance industry is one of the bedrocks of economic stability, enabling businesses and individuals to manage risk, preserve capital, and navigate uncertainty. As digital transformation continues to reshape industries, the insurance sector faces both tremendous challenges and opportunities. Insurers are shifting to customer-centric models , leveraging advanced data analytics to offer personalized policies, and adopting cutting-edge technology to streamline operations.

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Mastering sales territory management for better results

PandaDoc

Effective sales territory management is key to maximizing revenue and ensuring that your sales team operates efficiently. But what does it entail, and how can you optimize it? Key takeaways Historical data can be leveraged to determine new market potential and which areas are the most cost effective in terms of travel for sales teams, when needed. Thoroughly researching new areas and understanding their laws and regulations will help you successfully break into new territories.

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Advice for New Sales Managers: 10 Tips

Brooks Group

Congratulations! You’ve just been promoted to sales management. As you start this new chapter in your career, you’re likely experiencing a lot of emotions. You’ve worked hard for this opportunity, and now you have the chance to coach and mentor others and lead your team to new heights. Yet, alongside the thrill, there’s an undercurrent of nervous energy.

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How to Master Social Listening in Sales

The Center for Sales Strategy

Social listening is a powerful tool that can provide crucial insights to help guide decision-making. Most businesses know this and may already have some social listening tactics. But does your current social listening strategy drive sales? Keep reading as we explore how social listening is linked to sales and offer some tips to help you grow your sales by improving your social listening.

Sales 123
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1st, 2nd, and 3rd Party Intent Data: Which Is Right for You?

How do 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party intent data compare? 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party data each have specific advantages and disadvantages. It comes down to four factors: accuracy, cost, control and quantity. This infographic explains the pros and cons of each and helps you understand which one is best for meeting your business objectives. Intent data can be a great way to fill your pipeline and close more deals.

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Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Key Account Manager’s Secret Weapon

Account Manager Tips

The post Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Key Account Manager’s Secret Weapon first appeared on The KAM Coach Learn how Key Account Managers can leverage cross-functional collaboration to boost client satisfaction, drive revenue growth, and become a strategic leader within their organizations.

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SPIFFs: A Sales Leader’s Guide to Strategic Incentives

DemandFarm

Moving the needle on key metrics often requires more than just quotas and commissions. Many organizations struggle to keep their sales teams consistently motivated, especially when they need to push specific products or meet urgent targets. This is where SPIFFs—short-term sales performance incentives—come into play. But why are SPIFFs so effective? 75% of sales leaders say they drive results when implemented strategically.

Sales 40
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3 Quick Tips To Humanize AI for Customer Service

Groove HQ

Is your business struggling to manage an influx of support tickets? Maybe you’ve decided to turn towards automation and AI-based tools to supplement your human support team. Unfortunately, all the responses your AI tool generates come across as “robotic”. You tried it out for a bit, but your customers complained. The problem might not be the […] The post 3 Quick Tips To Humanize AI for Customer Service appeared first on Groove Blog.

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The Four Corners Analysis

Flevy

Strategic Analysis remains at the heart of any successful organizational effort, providing a comprehensive view of both internal capabilities and external market conditions. It informs critical decisions on resource allocation, market opportunities, and risk mitigation, ensuring organizations remain agile and forward-thinking. Within this, competitor analysis takes center stage.

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How to Leverage Intent Data for Better Outcomes

Speaker: Susan Spencer, Principal of Spencer Communications

Intent signal data can go a long way toward shortening sales cycles and closing more deals. The challenge is deciding which is the best type of intent data to help your company meet its sales and marketing goals. In this webinar, Susan Spencer, fractional CMO and principal of Spencer Communications, will unpack the differences between contact-level and company-level intent signals.

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Shifting Gears: Transforming Traditional Automotive Software Delivery in the Digital Age

Planview

The automotive sector is undergoing a paradigm shift, transitioning from its traditional hardware focus to a software-centric industry. To remain relevant and competitive, automotive companies must embrace digital transformation across their operations. Adapting to technological innovations and making strategic decisions is key to thriving in this rapidly evolving environment.

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Cultivating Coaching Skills in Your Sales Leaders

The Center for Sales Strategy

Successful leaders coach. Period. It’s a skill that is absolutely necessary to succeed in sales and sales leadership. Sellers who don’t receive coaching and feedback get off track, pursuing the wrong leads, prioritizing the wrong activities, and focusing on the wrong goals. In contrast, sellers who receive good coaching tend to stay on track, finding and connecting with strong prospects, focusing on potential, and realized key accounts, meeting and exceeding their goals.

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Mastering Sales With Agility feat. Stephen Drum

Sales Gravy

In this episode of The Sales Gravy Podcast, host Brad Adams interviews Stephen Drum, a retired Navy SEAL Master Chief, renowned keynote speaker, and author. Drum shares his unique insights on leadership, team building, and performance under pressure, drawing from his extensive military experience and his work as the co-creator of the US Navy Warrior Toughness program.

Sales 97
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How to Promote Continuous Improvement in The Workplace

Kainexus

Tony Hsieh, the former CEO of Zappos, famously said, “If you get the culture right, most of the other stuff will just take care of itself.” He might not have been thinking of a continuous improvement culture specifically, but he’s right. Culture is the foundation on which success is built. Strong leaders build the foundation for the culture they want to achieve.

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The 2023 Supply Chain Crystal Ball: Challenges and Solutions

Speaker: Olivia Montgomery, Associate Principal Supply Chain Analyst

Curious to know how your peers are navigating ongoing disruption? The supply chain management techniques that dominated the last 30 years are no longer supporting consumer behavior or logistics and manufacturing capabilities. So what’s working now? What should your plans for 2023 include? By researching the supply chain challenges and solutions that businesses – especially small and midsize businesses – are currently experiencing, we’ve learned what’s working and what’s not.

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How to Win More Deals with Effective Sales Funnel Management

Brooks Group

Effective sales funnel management is important for optimizing your sales team’s performance. A well-managed sales funnel will move prospects through the sales process faster, reduce stalled opportunities, and help your team win more business. What Is a Sales Funnel? The sales funnel describes how customers move through the sales process. The funnel starts when a buyer first becomes aware of your company and ends when they become a paying customer.

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[Infographic] 45 Tips to Master the Executive Sale

RAIN Group

Selling to senior executives demands more than a strong solution and value proposition. It requires a deep understanding of senior executives, business strategy, risk mitigation, industry trends, and much more—along with the ability to communicate effectively at the highest level. With 85% of sales leaders reporting challenges in dealing with multiple decision-makers, mastering executive sales has become crucial.

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How a new head of client services impacts the agency, with Emily Brown & Matt Loughlin

Account Management Skills

Welcome to episode 124. This will be particularly interesting for you if you want to know how much the head of client services role can impact the agency’s business. Listen in if you don’t currently have a client services team and you’re perhaps thinking about having one, or your client services function isn’t performing as you’d like it to and you’re exploring options for perhaps bringing in a head of department.

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5 Misconceptions About Talent and Strength Management

The Center for Sales Strategy

Recently, I have been spending a lot of time talking with managers about their underperforming salespeople. I want to help leaders win, and having AEs who are not performing is a huge problem for most. This made me reflect on how leaders hire and where they spend their time. Unfortunately, many leaders spend a lot of their time with AEs who have a “talent” deficit.

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The GTM Intelligence Era: ZoomInfo 2025 Customer Impact Report

ZoomInfo customers aren’t just selling — they’re winning. Revenue teams using our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform grew pipeline by 32%, increased deal sizes by 40%, and booked 55% more meetings. Download this report to see what 11,000+ customers say about our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform and how it impacts their bottom line. The data speaks for itself!