Gen Z sales reps are entering the workforce fast—and sales leaders need to be ready. By 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that Gen Z will make up 30% of the U.S. workforce. If you’re not managing a Gen Z seller yet, it’s only a matter of time. In this episode of Closing Time, we sit down with Tony Morando, Chief Sales Officer at World Emblem. Tony has climbed the sales ranks over two decades and now leads a multigenerational team spanning the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. He shares ...
Jun 26, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 154
The North American economy is uncertain, so what should your agency be doing to stay profitable and keep growing? In this episode of Closing Time, we sit down with Jon Morris, founder of Fiscal Advocate, a firm that helps marketing agencies make smarter financial decisions through real planning—not just bookkeeping. Jon shares the offensive and defensive strategies every agency should be using to navigate today’s unpredictable market. From identifying what’s really stalling growth to maximizing ...
Jun 09, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 153
Email fatigue is real—and it’s hitting B2B marketers hard in 2025. With inboxes flooded by AI-generated outreach, outdated content, and automation overload, it’s no wonder open rates are tanking. So what can you do to stand out and stay relevant? In this episode of Closing Time, we’re joined by Jack Kosakowski, CEO of Creation Agency (U.S.), who shares 7 practical tips to revive your marketing email nurture strategy. From smarter segmentation to more tactical content and tech stack hacks, this e...
Jun 02, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 152
Do you know the scroll rate or the engagement rate on your landing pages and website? Google does, and they are using those metrics to determine how you show up in search results. In this episode of Closing Time, Jennifer Denney of Elevated Marketing Solutions talks about the key metrics on your website and landing pages, and how improving them can lead to an improved user experience, lower cost-per-click, and more visibility in search. Plus, she unpacks Google’s latest update and what it really...
May 26, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 151
Product-led growth thrives when customers can explore, try, and succeed—without ever needing to talk to sales. But designing that seamless, self-serve experience? That’s the hard part. In this episode of Closing Time, Geoff Coutts sits down with Dave Boyce, Executive Chair and EVP of Product at Winning by Design, to explore how AI is transforming the PLG motion. From AI-guided demos and onboarding to post-sale copilots and intelligent product recommendations, they discuss how AI can fill in the ...
May 19, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 150
How do you know if LinkedIn is really influencing your pipeline? Val Riley sits down with Deivis Rupslaukis, founder of DERU Digital, to explore practical ways to track LinkedIn ad impact—from adding “How did you hear about us?” to your forms, to manually cross-referencing CRM data, to using attribution tools like LeadsRx. Plus, Deivis shares a clever workaround for LinkedIn’s lack of impression capping—and why showing your ads to the same accounts might be tanking your results. If you're spendi...
May 12, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 149
What really drives a customer to click, convert, and come back? This week on Closing Time, we’re joined by Jon MacDonald—founder of The Good and author of Behind the Click—to explore the psychology behind every stage of the customer journey. From mental shortcuts to mobile optimization, Jon breaks down the five key phases and shares what smart marketers do to reduce friction, build trust, and drive action. He also weighs in on Google’s latest update and what it means for your landing pages—espec...
May 05, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 148
Do your customer success managers assist customers? Yes. But do they also handle renewals? Upsells? Expansion? Cross-sell? If it feels like every company writes its own script for this role, you are correct. In this week’s episode of Closing Time, host Geoff Coutts welcomes Kristi Faltorusso, Chief Customer Officer at ClientSuccess, to chat through the evolving role of customer success. Kristi shares her experience in leading customer success teams with a wide range of revenue responsibilities. ...
Apr 28, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 147
You saw the LinkedIn beef between Apollo.io and Seamless.ai—but did you catch that LinkedIn shut them both down? Media platforms hold the power, and if you want to keep playing the game, you’ve got to play by the rules. In this episode of Closing Time , we’re joined by Tim Davidson, founder of B2B Rizz, to unpack the risks of trying to game the LinkedIn algorithm. From automation flags to fake engagement tactics, Tim shares where people go wrong—and why authenticity is the long game that actuall...
Apr 21, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 146
AI is transforming sales—but not everyone’s doing it right. In this episode of Closing Time, Nick Caruso, CRO at KnowledgeNet.ai, joins us to break down the smart (and not-so-smart) ways sales teams are using AI today. From AI SDRs and real-time lead research to bots talking to bots, Nick shares how to skip the gimmicks and use AI in B2B sales to drive real outcomes—not just activity. Whether you're playing catch-up or looking to level up, this is your shortcut to getting AI right in your B2B sa...
Apr 14, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 145
Pipeline looking thin? Sitting back and hoping for inbound leads won’t cut it—not in today’s market. Top-performing reps know that building a predictable pipeline means getting smart about outbound. In this episode of Closing Time, Geoff Coutts sits down with Jed Mahrle, founder of PracticalProspecting.io, to break down seven buying signals that help reps reach the right prospects at the right time. Outbound will always be tough—but with Jed’s playbook, you’ll be miles ahead of anyone still doin...
Apr 07, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 144
Think cold calls and cold emails are your only shot at generating pipeline on a tight budget? Think again. In this episode of Closing Time, Chris Merrill, CEO of Better Media (the folks behind Sell Better & Market Better), shares tactical, low-cost strategies that go way beyond the inbox or the dialer. From live events and webinars to podcasting and building niche communities, Chris unpacks creative ways to drive demand—without draining your budget or your team. Whether you're a lean team, a...
Mar 31, 2025•18 min•Season 2Ep. 143
Hot off the Google press...if your landing page content doesn’t match your ad AND if it doesn't have navigation, your ad might not even get served (no matter how much you’re willing to pay). Google is officially emphasizing the importance of relevant content and easy-to-navigate landing pages. In this episode of Closing Time, landing page expert and founder of The Scroll Lab, Tas Bober, breaks down what Google’s latest update means for marketers. She dives into why B2B and B2C landing pages shou...
Mar 17, 2025•18 min•Season 2Ep. 142
If you think influencers are just for B2C marketing, think again. B2B buyers are still people—and people trust people more than ads. Enter B2B influencers. In this episode of Closing Time, Robyn Nissim, founder of Social Proof Agency, breaks down why 2025 is the year of the B2B influencer. She shares how to find the right creators, structure partnerships for long-term impact, and measure success beyond vanity metrics. Whether you’re looking to build awareness or drive conversions, this conversat...
Mar 10, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 141
Are you truly connected to your customers? Too many marketers think they know their buyers—but can you name seven of your customers by first and last name? If not, you might be suffering from disconnected marketing. In this episode of Closing Time, host Val Riley sits down with Casey Cheshire, Chief Evangelist at Ringmaster Conversational Marketing, to discuss why go-to-market needs to become connect-to-market. Casey points to three areas where you should be making better connections with your a...
Mar 04, 2025•14 min•Season 2Ep. 140
It’s cold season—cold calling, that is. And while we’re at it, let’s toss in cold emails too. If you’re a sales rep waiting around for inbound leads to magically appear, you’re leaving money on the table. It's time to prioritize cold outreach in 2025. “But no one answers the phone anymore!”—hogwash! Meet Troy Munson, CEO of Dimmo and proud cold-caller. In this episode of Closing Time, he breaks down how cold calling actually works in a post-pandemic, remote-first world—if you’ve got the right to...
Feb 24, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 139
Hiring a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is a big commitment—especially for growing companies that may not have the budget for a full-time executive. That’s where fractional CMOs come in. A fractional CMO provides high-level marketing leadership without the full-time price tag. But how do you find the right fit for your business? Andrew Dod, an experienced SaaS marketing leader and fractional CMO, shares what companies should consider before making this hire. Watch the episode on YouTube . Want ex...
Feb 17, 2025•14 min•Season 2Ep. 138
A messy pipeline doesn’t just frustrate your sales leader—it kills deals. When sellers don’t have a clear picture of where each opportunity stands, they waste time chasing the wrong prospects, struggle to forecast accurately, and ultimately lose revenue. So why isn’t pipeline hygiene every team’s top priority? Because it takes time, discipline, and a little help from our friends at 30 Minutes to President's Club. In this episode of Closing Time, Insightly SVP Geoff Coutts welcomes Nick Cegelski,...
Feb 03, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 137
Hiring your first marketing agency? Get prepared now. In this episode of Closing Time , we break down everything you need to know before making the leap—like when it’s the right time to bring on outside help, how to choose between full-service or boutique agencies, and the key questions you should ask during the selection process. What’s the tipping point for outsourcing? How can you ensure the agency’s communication style aligns with your team? And most importantly, how will you measure their i...
Jan 27, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 136
Discounting in B2B sales is one of the quickest ways to erode trust and credibility—so why does it happen so often? In this episode of Closing Time, John Barrows, CEO of JB Sales Training and author of I Want to Be in Sales When I Grow Up, breaks down why proactive discounts often do more harm than good, how they devalue your offering, and why they signal to buyers that your pricing isn’t credible. John also shares actionable strategies for keeping deals moving without relying on discounts, from...
Jan 20, 2025•24 min•Season 2Ep. 135
Still waving a whiteboard in desperation on your sales videos? Or kicking off with a screen share in your intro? Let’s leave those habits in 2024. Chris Bogue, sales coach and author of The Complete Guide to Selling on Video , believes video is a goldmine for storytelling and connection—if done right. In this episode of Closing Time, Chris shares actionable tips for mastering video prospecting in 2025 using lessons from his side hustle: improv comedy. Learn how to take what you’re given, present...
Jan 13, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 134
Pricing a SaaS offering is probably the hardest issue most leadership teams will tackle. In this episode of Closing Time, we sit down with Bill Wilson, founder and CEO of Pace Pricing, a B2B SaaS pricing consultancy. Bill brings his expertise to unpack the complexities of SaaS pricing, from determining who within an organization should own pricing decisions to common mistakes companies make—and how to avoid them. Bill also dives into actionable strategies for creating a pricing page that resonat...
Jan 06, 2025•21 min•Season 2Ep. 133
No matter your industry, media isn’t optional—it’s essential to your go-to-market strategy. Think launching a B2B podcast is enough to check the media box? Think again. In this episode of Closing Time, Ben Shapiro, founder of I Hear Everything, explains why businesses need to think bigger. Discover how to use media as a strategic channel—just like email or events—and learn how to repurpose a single piece of content across multiple platforms to drive ROI and real value. Don’t miss these actionabl...
Dec 16, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 132
Few decisions shape your business quite like choosing a CRM. That’s why you need a solid CRM buying guide to steer you clear of the pitfalls. Meet Jason Kramer, Founder and CEO of Cultivize, a CRM consultancy. In this episode of Closing Time, Jason shares the must-ask questions to ensure your CRM fits your needs today—and scales with you tomorrow. Plus, he reveals why a top-down commitment is the secret to avoiding common implementation traps and driving lasting success. Watch the episode on You...
Dec 09, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 131
Is fractional sales leadership right for you? In this episode of Closing Time, LinkedIn Top Voice and fractional sales leader Louie Bernstein shares what it takes to succeed in this unique role. Louie covers the essentials, from finding clients to setting contract terms and pricing engagements. Plus, he dives into the highs and challenges of the job to help you decide if it’s the best next step for your career. Watch the episode on YouTube. Want expert advice delivered monthly to your inbox? Sub...
Dec 02, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 130
With so many sales frameworks to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the rules and lose sight of what makes each approach effective. We met Sales Coach Jeff Bajorek in a recent episode of Closing Time, where he walked us through the highs and lows of various sales methodologies like the MEDDICC sales methodology, Miller-Heiman strategic selling, Sandler sales methodology, and the Challenger sales method. Jeff is back to help you tailor these methods to fit your unique selling style, navigate l...
Nov 18, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 129
Challenger vs. Sandler vs. Miller-Heiman vs. MEDDICC. How do you choose a sales methodology? In this episode of Closing Time, we welcome Sales Coach Jeff Bajorek as he walks us through the what, why, and when of the top sales methodologies on the market. Whether you are a new sales leader searching for the right program or a salesperson wanting to get a bit of knowledge of what’s out there, this episode is for you. Watch the episode on YouTube. Want expert advice delivered monthly to your inbox?...
Nov 11, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 128
Today’s most successful agencies know that real growth comes from putting the customer at the center of every strategy. But shifting to a truly customer-centric approach means rethinking traditional marketing tactics and rallying entire teams around a shared vision. In this episode of Closing Time, Tony Mohr, former CEO of strategic marketing agency Quarry and now Managing Director of Marketing Services at Marketbridge, shares insights on navigating the challenges for modern agency marketers, st...
Nov 04, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 127
The stigma is gone when it comes to sales enablement. Once the red-headed stepchild, sales enablement has grown into a key part of a successful go-to-market program. Join Danny Wasserman of Databricks in this episode of Closing Time as he talks about all things enablement - from answering the question ‘What is sales enablement’ to the tech stack, paths to an enablement career, and metrics that your enablement team should own. We’ll also delve into when a team is ripe for an enablement leader and...
Oct 28, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 126
Mergers and acquisitions are seemingly everywhere. The latest Deal Barometer forecasts that the 2024 US corporate M&A deal volume will increase by 20%, and US private equity M&A deal volume will be up by 16%. What does that mean for sales leaders managing teams through the process? How do you keep selling business as usual when there’s nothing usual about the business? In this episode of Closing Time, meet Pete Briggs, Sales Director at Epassi, who has led teams through the rollercoaster...
Oct 21, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 125
