In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, the host welcomes Louise McEvoy, VP of US Channel Sales at Trend Micro, to discuss the growth of channel ecosystems and her experience as an Everest summiteer. McEvoy elaborates on Trend Micro’s mission to secure endpoints, data services, and cloud data for businesses of all sizes. Highlighting the relentless nature of cyber threats, she discusses the importance of AI in enhancing security measures and the significant processing power required to stay ahead of cybercriminals. She also addresses the complexities of ransomware and the dark web, shedding light on the extensive underground networks involved in cybercrime and the necessity for businesses to maintain vigilant and comprehensive security practices.

McEvoy also shares insights into Trend Micro's channel sales strategy, emphasizing the importance of partnering with specialized firms to extend their sales reach and expertise. She explains that while Trend Micro could employ a large direct sales team, leveraging channel partners allows the company to focus its resources on core activities such as threat intelligence and zero-day research. Furthermore, McEvoy advises both businesses and individuals to be cautious about sharing personal information, pushing back against unnecessary data collection, and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures are in place to protect sensitive data.

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser delves into the prevalent issue executives, CEOs, and entrepreneurs face in generating sufficient revenue and establishing trust with clients. He is joined by Todd Duncan, a multiple-time New York Times bestselling author and renowned sales leader, who shares his expertise on these topics. Duncan emphasizes the paramount importance of trust in the sales process, highlighting that tension and suspicion can severely hinder successful business relationships. He advocates for a referral-based approach to business, which eliminates call reluctance and fosters excitement, allowing salespeople to focus on nurturing relationships rather than merely closing deals.

Duncan underscores the need for effective communication, advising sales professionals to talk less about themselves and their companies and more about addressing the client's needs. His research indicates that concise sales pitches can significantly boost conversion rates. Furthermore, he introduces the concept of emotional economics, where building an emotional connection with clients can lead to substantial increases in sales and gross margins. The principle of reciprocity, where providing value to clients encourages them to reciprocate with business, is also discussed.

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser introduces Simone Severino, the founder and CEO of Strategy Sprints, to discuss revenue growth strategies. Jim highlights that revenue is a common constraint for many CEOs, with about 60% citing it as their primary challenge. Simone, joining from Austria, claims his techniques can double a company's revenue in 90 days.

Simone emphasizes the importance of addressing evergreen bottlenecks, particularly pricing power, to achieve significant revenue growth. He explains that by improving positioning and messaging, businesses can increase their pricing power by 25% without losing clients. Simone's approach is particularly suited for businesses involved in transformation, such as coaches, marketing agencies, and design firms, which offer high-ticket services.

Simone outlines his strategy, beginning with increasing pricing power by refining the value proposition and understanding the client's needs and outcomes. He suggests that for existing clients, companies can keep prices the same but deliver more value or seek referrals. For new clients, prices can be raised, focusing on building a strong sales pipeline.