Spray-and-pray job applications aren’t getting anyone hired. So what actually works when the competition is this intense?

In this episode, Alex Raymond is joined by Carly Agar, the founder and CEO of Carly Agar Training, to talk about how account managers can navigate the current job market with more clarity and control. What do hiring managers really care about? How do you stand out when hundreds of people are applying for the same role? Carly shares why intention matters more than volume, and how treating your job search like a high-value client strategy changes everything.

Alex and Carly also talk about what it means to truly “own” your book of business and why that mindset separates top candidates from the rest. Carly offers advice on building internal champions, tracking the right metrics, and shaping your reputation, so that when you’re not in the room, people are still talking about you in the right way.

And yes, AI comes up. Carly explains why account managers who lean into it, learn from it, and help their teams use it well are positioning themselves for long-term success. If you’ve been wondering how to level up or move forward with more purpose, this episode is your playbook.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:07 What the Job Market Looks Like in 2025

05:35 Why Spray-and-Pray Applications Fail

07:13 Smarter Strategies for Job Searching

08:05 How to Uncover Your Dream Role

10:13 Making an Impact Without Switching Jobs

13:33 Building Internal Champions and Mentors

15:41 How to Get Promoted Without Just Hitting KPIs

16:24 Thinking Like a CEO of Your Book of Business

17:29 Career Paths: Leadership vs. Strategic Accounts

19:30 The Skills That Actually Set You Apart

21:09 How Account Managers Can Leverage AI

22:15 Advice for Owning Your Career Growth

Links

Connect with Carly Agar:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-agar/

Website: https://www.carlyagar.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

AI isn’t just changing the tools we use, it’s reshaping the entire conversation around business value, accountability, and risk. 

In this episode, Alex Raymond sits down with Mark Stouse, the CEO of ProofAnalytics.ai, to talk about how AI is driving a seismic shift in how companies operate. The core message: transparency and accountability are no longer optional, and gut instinct won’t cut it.

Mark explains how AI is collapsing the “gray zone” of ambiguity in business, forcing teams to prove value with hard data. He also shares a critical legal shift from early 2023: a Delaware court ruling that expanded fiduciary duty to all company officers, not just CEOs and CFOs, making risk management everyone’s responsibility.

You’ll hear how customer success is more than a renewal engine. It’s a strategic early warning system that should be treated as both a value creator and a multiplier. And you’ll learn why the old accounting mindset, focused only on past performance, can’t keep up.

If you're leading customer accounts, managing renewals, or influencing post-sales strategy, this conversation will reframe how you think about risk, impact, and your role in the AI-powered business landscape.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

03:25 AI as a Super Technology & What It Changes

04:44 How Fiduciary Duty Now Includes Functional Leaders

06:12 Case Study: CRM Data Fraud and Legal Risk

09:54 AI, Legal Accountability & Market Volatility Collide

12:54 Why Traditional Accounting Thinking Falls Short

14:31 Causal Analytics vs. Predictive Tools: What Leaders Need

17:34 The Long Game: Proving Impact in Customer Success

19:28 Customer Success as an Early Warning System

22:28 The Problem with BI Dashboards and Misread Data

25:46 How to Start Risk Conversations at Your Company

27:21 Forecast Risk vs. Enterprise Risk

28:00 Why T-Shaped Skills Matter in the Age of AI

29:24 What the Future of AI Looks Like for Teams

Links

Connect with Mark Stouse:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstouse/

Website: https://www.proofanalytics.ai/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Customer success was supposed to be the future. So why are so many CS teams under-resourced, misunderstood, and fighting to stay relevant?

Alex Raymond sits down with Parker Chase-Corwin, the CEO and principal consultant of Xperience Alchemy who’s helped dozens of B2B companies rethink how they approach retention, risk, and long-term value. They unpack why CS never quite delivered on its promise, why the function has become a catch-all for upstream problems, and what needs to change if companies want better outcomes and fewer surprises.

Is customer success really one team’s job? Or does it require every part of the company to take ownership? Is your CS team driving strategy or just cleaning up after everyone else? This episode is a must-listen for account managers, CS leaders, and anyone who believes customer outcomes should be more than just a quarterly talking point.

Learn more about AMplify at www.amplifyam.com 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:20 Why Customer Success Is Struggling

03:05 The Branding Problem in CS

05:28 From Customer Success to Customer Experience

07:03 Does CS Have a Future?

14:07 Solving Problems Upstream

17:20 Proactive Account Management

31:21 Risk Management That Works

39:53 Rethinking Customer Experience Teams

43:18 Where to Start and What to Prioritize

Links

Connect with Parker Chase-Corwin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkercorwin/

Website: https://www.xperiencealchemy.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most account plans feel like busywork. Why? Because they’re built in a broken system that rewards documentation over results.

In this episode, Alex Raymond explains why so many account plans fail to drive real impact and what to do instead. He introduces a framework: three customer goals, three key contacts, and three specific actions for the next 90 days. No fluff. No filler. Just a clear plan you can actually use.

Are you building your plan to impress your boss, or to deliver value your client will notice? Are you tracking assumptions, or asking the right questions?

If you’ve ever felt like your account plan was more theater than strategy, this episode will help you shift into something far more effective. Alex also shares details on the upcoming Account Planning Bootcamp inside the AMplify community, where you can dig deeper and start building plans that actually grow your accounts and your career. Learn more here: www.amplifyam.com/account-planning-bootcamp 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Why Most Account Plans Fail

10:41 What Is Dynamic Account Planning?

13:10 The Rule of Three Framework

30:35 Should You Share Your Plan with the Customer?

34:05 Making Your Plan a Living Document

Links

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most account managers are chasing career growth, but few stop to ask whether their next opportunity might already be within reach.

Alex Raymond talks with Swati Garg, the founder and CEO of Melo Associates, about what hiring managers are prioritizing right now, and what many candidates are getting wrong. What skills actually stand out in a crowded field? How do you show you’re ready for more responsibility? And why are so many companies missing the mark by defaulting to external hires?

Swati shares what’s shifting in the job market, including the rising demand for strategic thinking, stronger negotiation chops, and real fluency with tools powered by AI. She also breaks down why internal promotions aren’t just cost-effective, they’re often the best way to keep top performers engaged and growing.

If you’ve been stuck thinking the only next step is people management, this episode offers a broader view. Swati talks through alternative paths like CS operations, enablement, and even product or marketing roles, reminding us that knowing your customer deeply is a competitive edge across teams. She also gives practical advice for anyone on the job hunt: be intentional, do your prep, and stop treating the interview like a one-way evaluation.

Whether you’re hiring or exploring your next move, this is a smart, honest look at how to grow your career without losing momentum.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Career Growth in Account Management

02:53 Current Job Market for Customer Success and Account Managers

05:10 Hiring Internally vs. Externally

07:39 The Importance of Internal Talent Retention

08:59 Evolving Roles in Customer Success

12:29 Must-Have Skills for Account Managers

16:05 The Importance of Business Acumen

17:42 Navigating Job Searches and Maintaining Morale

24:10 Career Progression Paths for Account Managers

28:00 Exploring Non-Linear Career Paths

30:30 The Role of Chief Customer Officer

33:09 Assessing Company Fit During Interviews

39:45 Words of Wisdom for Job Seekers

Links

Connect with Swati Garg:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swatigargmhrir/

Website: https://meloassociates.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Securing Megadeals requires more than just a strong pitch. It demands a deep understanding of deal orchestration and stakeholder management.

In this episode, Bora Brännström, the co-founder of Megadeals Advisory, joins Alex Raymond to share insights on navigating the complexities of large, multi-million dollar contracts. Bora breaks down what makes a deal truly complex, from influencing decision-makers at every level to managing a web of cross-functional relationships. He points out a common challenge many companies face—rainmaker dependency—and how relying too heavily on a few key individuals can hinder growth, especially for scale-ups.

So how can account managers scale success in such a high-stakes environment? Bora points out the importance of proactively engaging with multiple stakeholders, leveraging internal references, and using targeted media to build trust across the organization. Can a systematic approach to deal orchestration be the key to driving consistent growth? Bora and Alex’s discussion offers strategies for anyone looking to step up their game in managing complex deals and building stronger relationships with key stakeholders.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction 

02:19 Defining Megadeals

04:44 Four Criteria of Complex Deals

07:03 Challenges in Scaling Sales Teams

10:13 Finite vs. Infinite Markets

14:45 Expanding Within Existing Accounts

17:31 Stakeholder Mapping

20:52 Ideal Stakeholder Map (ISM)

25:35 Accessing Key Decision Makers

30:40 Proactive Account Management

34:54 Actionable Steps for Account Managers

40:58 Building a System to Eliminate Rainmaker Dependency

43:40 Specialization and Support for Rainmakers

Links

Connect with Bora Brännström:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bora-br%C3%A4nnstr%C3%B6m-a193a9a/

Website: https://www.megadeals.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most companies treat onboarding like a finish line, but it’s the starting gate for retention, customer success, and long-term revenue.

Alex Raymond welcomes onboarding expert Donna Weber, the author of “Onboarding Matters,” to challenge the idea that implementation equals success. If a customer isn’t using a product in a meaningful way, does it even matter that they have access to it? Donna explains why the first 90 days determine whether a customer sticks around or drifts away, and how her orchestrated onboarding framework helps companies guide customers to real value, not just a completed setup.

Donna also breaks down a common mistake: declaring victory too soon. Product deployment isn’t the finish line. Without quick wins and clear adoption, customers second-guess their decision, leading to churn. Donna shares ways to shift the focus from closing deals to building long-term success, with insights on user adoption, time to value, and the hidden cost of bad onboarding.

A must-listen for account managers and customer success teams who want to turn onboarding into a growth strategy.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction 

01:46 The Critical Role of Onboarding

04:36 Onboarding vs. Implementation

06:23 Declaring Victory Too Early

09:42 Defining Onboarding: The Orchestrated Onboarding Framework

11:05 Review and Ongoing Optimization

14:09 Delivering Quick Wins

17:08 The Concept of Buyer's Remorse

19:10 Quick Wins vs. First Value

22:33 Trade-offs in Onboarding Approaches

24:29 Value Journey and Team Structure

26:14 Applying Onboarding Concepts Beyond SaaS

30:46 Incentives and Long-term Profitability

34:31 Team Structure and Responsibilities

37:04 Measuring Success in Onboarding

41:59 Linking Metrics to Business Impact

43:25 Key Takeaways for Successful Onboarding

Links

Connect with Donna Weber:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnaweb/

Website: https://www.donnaweber.com/

https://www.donnaweber.com/post/accelerate-success-the-power-of-quick-wins-in-customer-onboarding

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

RevOps is more than a back-office function. It is a game-changer for sales operations, account management, and long-term revenue growth.

Alex Raymond sits down with Katherine Nino, the head of global revenue operations at Makosi, to talk about how RevOps goes beyond traditional sales enablement and shapes the entire customer lifecycle. They discuss the power of client health scores, how data-driven insights help account managers stay ahead of churn, and why a culture shift around risk and collaboration is essential.

Katherine shares her approach to building a health score model that cuts through data overload and makes it easier for teams to focus on relationships. She also challenges outdated views on sales handoffs, training, and accountability, making the case for a more connected approach to retention and growth.

Join Alex and Katherine’s discussion to discover a clear roadmap for leveraging RevOps to improve client satisfaction, reduce churn, and drive sustainable revenue growth.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:53 What is RevOps?

03:07 Strategy and Transformation

05:05 Data Structure and Reporting

08:20 Evolution of RevOps

10:10 Orchestration and Collaboration in RevOps

14:42 Building a Client Health Model

18:39 Proactive Client Management

20:01 Developing and Testing the Health Model

24:00 Implementation and Success of the Health Model

27:31 Role of Account Managers in Using the Health Model

32:10 Improving Data Quality and Compliance

38:08 Mindset Shift for Account Managers

42:52 Regular Data Hygiene Practices

44:03 Importance of Training and Development for Account Managers

Links

Connect with Katherine Nino:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkatherinenino/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most companies chase new customers without realizing retention is where real growth happens. Bob Mathers joins Alex Raymond to share why the smartest businesses focus on keeping customers for five years and how the right strategy can turn retention into a competitive advantage.

In this episode, Bob breaks down the 5-Year Customer Model and explains why high churn is often a sign of deeper problems. Are companies setting themselves up for long-term success, or are they still stuck in outdated sales-driven models? Bob challenges leaders to rethink how they structure teams, run QBRs, and measure success. Instead of leaving retention to customer success teams alone, he lays out a case for making it a company-wide effort.

Bob and Alex’s discussion is a must-listen for account managers and business leaders ready to move beyond quick wins and start playing the long game.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

02:08 Bob Mathers’ Journey to Customer Success

04:52 The 5-Year Customer Model

05:03 Frustration with Customer Success Conversations

06:06 Shift from On-Prem to SaaS Models

08:10 The Burden of Generating Value

09:09 The Role of Customer Success in Long-Term Retention

11:35 The Role of Customer Success Managers

14:48 The North Star Goal: Five-Year Customer Retention

17:04 Ideal Customer Profile and Marketing Alignment

20:03 Commitment to Long-Term Goals

21:08 The Role of the CEO in Driving Change

22:02 Single-Digit Incremental Improvements vs. Mindset Shift

25:09 Core Functions, Behaviors, and KPIs

26:46 The Role of Data in Customer Success

27:18 Is a 5-Year Customer Good Enough?

28:06 The Role of the Chief Customer Officer

29:00 The Future of Customer Success and CCOs

32:32 The Role of Product in Customer Success

35:05 Optimal Structure for Customer Success Teams

39:48 Closing 

Links

Connect with Bob Mathers:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmathers/

Website: https://bobmathers.ca/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Customer success is at a crossroads. Does it need a complete rebrand? A new strategy? A bigger role in driving revenue?

In this episode, Alex Raymond talks with Rav Dhaliwal, a veteran in customer success and account management, about what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change. Rav shares why customer success teams struggle to define their own value and how that disconnect affects both customers and company growth.

One of the biggest challenges? The divide between sales and customer success. Both teams focus on helping customers see value, yet outdated structures keep them working in isolation. Rav explains why shared goals and incentives could create stronger results for everyone.

Rav also questions whether the term “customer success” still makes sense. Is it time to rethink the function entirely? Should it evolve into something bigger? If customer success is truly a competitive advantage, leaders need to stop treating it as an afterthought.

This episode pushes past buzzwords and into the real conversations happening inside companies today. If you’d like to know where customer success is headed, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

01:55 Rav’s Career Journey and Insights

02:57 The Evolution of Customer Success

06:19 Linking Customer Success to Revenue

08:17 Incentives and Organizational Alignment

09:11 Misconceptions About Customer Success

10:09 The Need to Retire the Term “Customer Success”

13:05 The Future of Customer Success

15:26 Customer Success and Revenue Ownership

19:30 Organizational Design: CCO vs. CRO

22:39 Skepticism About the CCO Role

25:05 The Importance of a CCO in Complex Organizations

29:40 Typical Friction Points in Alignment

35:04 The Competitive Advantage of Great Customer Success

37:04 Integrating CS into the Sales Process

42:15 Growing the Deal with CS Involvement

Links

Connect with Rav Dhaliwal:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravinderdhaliwal/

Medium: https://ravsterd.medium.com/

Connect with Alex Raymond:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/

Website: https://amplifyam.com/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm