This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y_j9kYl_dq8

Life is unpredictable, and opportunities can arise unexpectedly. Preparing your business for sale, even if you don't plan to sell anytime soon, is a strategic move. It’s akin to maintaining your house for potential buyers; you fix the leaky roof, repaint the walls, and tidy up the garden. Rick Fox, an experienced Chief Revenue Officer at Brightway, emphasizes the importance of this proactive approach. Running your business as if it's always on the market not only enhances its value but also ensures smooth operations and financial health. By maintaining thorough records, optimizing processes, and keeping your team aligned with business goals, you can attract potential buyers and investors. Plus, this level of preparedness often results in a more efficient, profitable, and enjoyable business to run.

Rick Fox, currently the Chief Revenue Officer at Brightway, brings a wealth of experience to the table. With a career that began in sales and insurance, Rick built his own successful independent insurance agency. Recognizing the importance of formal education, he paused his career to complete his degree before returning to expand his business. He later transitioned to the technology side of insurance, holding significant roles such as Head of Agency Sales at Vertifor and President of Agency Revolution. Rick’s expertise lies in scaling operations, enhancing customer experiences, and driving revenue growth through innovative product offerings. His deep understanding of both the insurance and technology sectors makes him a sought-after leader and strategist.

What you'll learn:

• How can businesses maintain operational efficiency while preparing for a potential sale?
• What are the critical steps in aligning a sales team with the overarching goals of the company?
• Why is it essential to maintain passion and enthusiasm in sales, and how can leaders impart this to their teams?

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:

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 - by Travis Bradberry, Jean Greaves

The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation - by Matthew Dixon, Brent Adamson

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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

Bringing your CEO into a sales deal can be a game-changer, but only if done strategically. When executed correctly, involving the CEO can provide the gravitas and assurance needed to close complex deals, especially when selling to large organizations. However, without proper preparation, it can backfire, causing misalignment and confusion. Key triggers for involving the CEO include high-dollar deals, prestigious accounts, and significant lifetime value. The CEO's role should be clearly defined to convey confidence, vision, and commitment to the prospective client. Proper orchestration and practice are essential to ensure the CEO enhances rather than hinders the sales process.

Alice Heiman, the Chief Sales Energizer, is an expert in elevating sales for companies with exceptional growth potential. With over two decades of experience, Alice works closely with CEOs and sales leadership to build strategies that drive new business and grow existing accounts. Known for her energetic and strategic approach, Alice's clients benefit from her extensive knowledge in sales, which she also shares as a board member for several companies and as a lecturer at the University of Nevada.

What you'll learn:

• What are the key indicators that it's time to bring the CEO into a sales deal?
• How can sales leaders effectively prepare their CEO for a sales meeting to ensure alignment and success?
• What strategies can sales leaders use to manage and guide the CEO's involvement without losing control of the sales process?

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:

Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love it, by April Dunford.

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men - by Caroline Criado Perez

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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

Acquisitions can be a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty for sales teams. It's essential to maintain focus and clarity to ensure a smooth transition and continued success. David Farrell, a seasoned sales leader with over 24 years of experience, shares invaluable insights on what to do and not do when your company is about to be acquired. Key strategies include maintaining a replicable process that is attractive to potential buyers and ensuring your team is performing at its best to secure job security. Transparency and honest conversations with your team about their career paths and the organization's future can help mitigate anxiety and maintain morale. Above all, it's crucial to focus on your results and reputation—these will be your strongest assets during and after an acquisition.

David Farrell brings a wealth of experience in the human resources technology space, having sold to companies ranging from one employee to 125,000 employees. Starting his career in media and entertainment, David shifted to sales to better support his lifestyle. He quickly excelled, moving up from selling to small businesses to leading large market sales teams. His career includes roles such as Chief Sales Officer, where he successfully navigated multiple acquisitions, ultimately becoming a leader of leaders at his current organization, overseeing three different divisions, including one in Canada. David's journey is a testament to the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and strategic thinking in sales leadership.

What you'll learn:

• How can you maintain team focus and performance when rumors of an acquisition start circulating?
• What are the key considerations for a sales leader during the middle of an acquisition process?
• What should sales leaders do post-acquisition to ensure their team and themselves are positioned for success?

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:

Who Moved My Cheese - by Spencer Johnson

The JOLT Effect: How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision - by Matthew Dixon, Ted McKenna

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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