Episode description

SaaStr 789: What to Expect from a New CRO with Kathy Lord, CRO at Zensai and Jason Lemkin, SaaStr CEO and Founder

SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin sat down with Kathy Lord, CRO of Zensai (and formerly of Intacct), to talk about what CEOs and CROs should really expect from one another, especially in those critical first 90 days.

Kathy shares her journey and insights, and together they discuss the critical aspects CEOs and founders should align on when hiring a CRO or VP of Sales, the importance of having a real 90-day plan, and the differences in expectations between a CRO and a VP of Sales. Kathy provides actionable takeaways for ensuring alignment and setting realistic goals while addressing common pitfalls in hiring executive sales roles. This episode is packed with valuable strategies and real-world examples, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in scaling up SaaS companies.

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SaaStr hosts the largest SaaS community events on the planet.

Hey everybody - thanks to the 10,000 of you who came out to SaaStr Annual. We had a blast and big news -- we'll be back in MAY of 2025. That's right, the SaaStr Annual will be a bit earlier next year, May 13-15 2025. We'll still be back in the same venue, in the SF bay area at the 40+ acre sprawling san mateo county events center. Grab your tickets at saastrannual.com with code JASON50 for an extra discount on our very best pricing.

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