This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nijdoUc7NcA

Being a leader isn't about managing the day-to-day tasks of your team; it's about empowering them to handle their responsibilities effectively. Susie Matheson, the founder of The Small Stuff, shared valuable insights on this topic. She recounted her own experiences as a frontline sales manager, where she often took on administrative tasks for her team to free up their time. While this seemed helpful initially, it ultimately did more harm than good. It prevented team members from developing the skills they needed to succeed independently. Instead, leaders should focus on equipping their teams with the necessary tools and training, fostering autonomy, and holding them accountable to their KPIs. This approach not only enhances individual growth but also strengthens the overall team performance.

Susie Matheson is a seasoned sales professional and the founder of The Small Stuff, a company dedicated to sales training. Born and raised in the UK, Susie has a rich background in various industries, including paint, coatings, and automotive sales. Her career took her to Germany, where she honed her sales skills and developed a passion for helping others reach their sales potential. After years in sales management roles, Susie took a break in 2019 to travel, which led to the founding of The Small Stuff. Her experience as a sales manager taught her the importance of not just meeting KPIs but also understanding the human side of sales. Today, Susie and her team focus on empowering salespeople by providing them with the right tools and training to succeed.

What you'll learn:

• How can leaders empower their sales teams to be more autonomous and less reliant on managerial intervention?
• What are the key steps in developing an effective personal development plan for sales team members?
• How does consistency in leadership practices build trust and improve team performance?

We want to hear from you!

Sales leaders: What are the challenges you are faced with? Would you like some ideas on how to solve them? Hamish will shortly be releasing our first "Listener questions" episode and we want to hear from you! What's the burning question you want an answer to? What do you think of the show? Whatever your questions, comment on social media or email us at the address below, and we will possibly add your questions to future episodes.

Please submit your questions at: https://share.hsforms.com/1bauMW6liRNKbrZR0w6FPNwbn9ta

Resources:

Susie Mathison on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susiemathieson/

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Connect with Hamish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishknox/

Meet Hamish at a Sandler Summit: https://www.hamish.sandler.com/orlando

Fathom: https://fathom.video/invite/72CZPA

Humanic: https://app.humantic.ai/login/?referral_code=HamishKnox_SA

This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K-_Xk5h1Wj4

In today's rapidly evolving sales landscape, failing to embrace AI tools can leave your sales department lagging behind. AI is revolutionizing how sales teams operate, offering capabilities such as automating routine tasks, analyzing customer interactions, and personalizing sales pitches at scale. Julie Holmes emphasizes that AI can help sales professionals sell smarter, serve better, and save time. Integrating AI tools like call recording and CRM automation not only enhances transparency but also provides valuable insights for improving sales strategies. Sales leaders must recognize the necessity of AI to stay competitive and drive better sales outcomes.

Julie Holmes is a serial inventor, tech developer, and strategic innovator with over two decades of leadership experience in enterprise technology. As a dynamic entrepreneur and popular keynote speaker, Julie specializes in helping businesses innovate and differentiate in a fast-paced technological environment. Her expertise is highly sought after by major brands such as Oracle, PeopleSoft, Expedia, and American Express. Julie's down-to-earth approach and deep understanding of AI make her an invaluable resource for leaders and teams aiming to thrive in the new normal of technology-driven business.

What you'll learn:

• How can AI tools enhance transparency and provide actionable insights in the sales process?
• What specific AI applications can sales leaders implement to support their teams and improve productivity?
• How can sales teams use AI to personalize outreach and build better relationships with prospects?

We want to hear from you!

Sales leaders: What are the challenges you are faced with? Would you like some ideas on how to solve them? Hamish will shortly be releasing our first "Listener questions" episode and we want to hear from you! What's the burning question you want an answer to? What do you think of the show? Whatever your questions, comment on social media or email us at the address below, and we will possibly add your questions to future episodes.

Please submit your questions at: https://share.hsforms.com/1bauMW6liRNKbrZR0w6FPNwbn9ta

Resources:

The AI Daily Brief (Formerly The AI Breakdown): Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

Freakonomics Radio

HBS Managing the Future of Work

Julie Holmes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejulieholmes/

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Connect with Hamish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishknox/

Meet Hamish at a Sandler Summit: https://www.hamish.sandler.com/orlando

Fathom: https://fathom.video/invite/72CZPA

Humanic: https://app.humantic.ai/login/?referral_code=HamishKnox_SA

This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Fo8j45Ne1Y

Hiring the right salesperson for the stage your company is currently in is crucial to your success. As Karen Gordon emphasizes, the importance lies in understanding the unique needs of your company’s growth phase and finding someone who can meet those specific demands. Early-stage companies might require a salesperson who is versatile and capable of wearing multiple hats, from creating sales emails to collaborating with marketing. On the other hand, more established companies might need someone who excels in managing and growing a sales team. Hiring someone not ready for the role can lead to misaligned strategies, wasted resources, and missed opportunities, ultimately hindering your company’s growth.

Karen Gordon is a distinguished go-to-market leader with a career dedicated to building and scaling early and growth-stage startups. Most recently, she served as the Executive Vice President and a founding team member at GoodShuffle Pro, a SaaS platform for event companies. Under her leadership, GoodShuffle Pro grew from zero dollars to over five million in annual recurring revenue, leading to their Series A funding in January 2024. Currently, Karen is a consultant and advisor to businesses looking to scale, leveraging her extensive experience in revenue generation, marketing, and product management. Her expertise is sought after by companies aiming to achieve significant growth and operational excellence.

What you'll learn:

• What are the crucial factors to consider when hiring a salesperson for different stages of a company's growth?
• How can founders identify red flags and ensure they hire the right sales leader for their needs?
• What strategies can early-stage companies employ to build trust and effectively scale their sales efforts?
  

We want to hear from you!

Sales leaders: What are the challenges you are faced with? Would you like some ideas on how to solve them? Hamish will shortly be releasing our first "Listener questions" episode and we want to hear from you! What's the burning question you want an answer to? What do you think of the show? Whatever your questions, comment on social media or email us at the address below, and we will possibly add your questions to future episodes.

Please submit your questions at: https://share.hsforms.com/1bauMW6liRNKbrZR0w6FPNwbn9ta

Resources:

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - by Angela Duckworth

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action - by Simon Sinek

Who: The A Method for Hiring - by Geoff Smart, Randy Street

Multipliers, Revised and Updated: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter - by Liz Wiseman

Goodshuffle Pro - https://pro.goodshuffle.com/

Karen Gordon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgordon177/

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Connect with Hamish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishknox/

Meet Hamish at a Sandler Summit: https://www.hamish.sandler.com/orlando

Fathom: https://fathom.video/invite/72CZPA

Humanic: https://app.humantic.ai/login/?referral_code=HamishKnox_SA