On this episode of "ambush on air," I sat down with three powerhouse women in the Microsoft ecosystem to discuss how companies of different sizes are navigating the marketing landscape. We explored how startups, mid-sized businesses, and large corporations each approach differentiation and customer engagement.

From leveraging TikTok and LinkedIn to tailoring strategies based on company size, the conversation was packed with insights on staying agile, authentic, and ahead of the curve. Whether you're a small business or a big player, this episode has something for everyone! 💥

#MarketingStrategy #MicrosoftEcosystem #BusinessGrowth #AMBUSHOnAir

Hello!  It's your host Sam Bush, back with another deep dive on "ambush on air"! 🎙️ This time, I had the pleasure of chatting with the ever-brilliant Natalie Jackson, Director of Demand Generation at CBIZ, and we went all in on the game-changing power of personalization in B2B marketing.

We didn’t just skim the surface, either. Natalie and I got into the nitty-gritty of shifting gears from traditional lead generation to a more dynamic demand generation approach. It's all about getting creative, staying curious, and truly understanding your buyer group – because in today’s market, one-size-fits-all just doesn’t cut it.

We also tackled the challenges of ABM (Account-Based Marketing) or as Natalie calls it, “Audience Based Planning - ABP”, and how tech plays a pivotal role in executing campaigns that hit the mark. Personalization isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the future, and if you’re not adapting it beyond a simple first name or company name, you’re already falling SO behind.

Catch you in the next episode – and remember, stay curious and keep breaking the mold.

See what I did there for all you Swifties!

But seriously, this episode is the start of a provocative series I’m running on Ambush On Air with my friend and fellow ambusher - May Pryor. We had a kickoff chat and had so many topics and ideas in the first two hours that we decided to make this a regular hang.

During our ‘Musings with May’ segment, we are going to shake up your view on modern marketing and give you some ideas on how to drive pipeline, enablement, education, and more in your marketing strategies. 

This first epi - well —> It’s all about how we think Marketing is going through a crisis of EPIC proportions. Tune in to hear our take on a few things driving this crisis and what we are seeing across the board. (And Marketing isn’t the only B2B SaaS team going through it right now - but that’s for another day, another segment, my friends!)

Here's a peek at what May is up to: https://www.creatrspark.com/ 

Join Sam Bush of ambush on air: as she chats with Monique Hayward and Candyce Edelen about the power of personal branding in 2024. During this episode, these ladies discuss how businesses can thrive while leveraging thought leaders with individual brands that bleed into professional branding.

In this episode:

• Building Your Brand: Insights from Monique and Candyce on creating a standout personal brand.

• Mindset: Overcoming scarcity thinking and leveraging personal brands for business growth. (Scarcity vs. Abundance)

• Retention vs. Attrition: Does personal branding impact employee loyalty?

• 2024 Best Practices: Effective strategies for personal branding in today’s market.

Extras:

• Free Checklists: Boost your LinkedIn with guides on networking and profile optimization.

• Read Monique’s Article: Get Your Hustle On
  

Fresh from a trip to Bellevue last week, Sam Bush, host of Ambush On Air, interviews Ben Reid, from Ciellos, to recap and uncover key takeaways from their time in the Pacific Northwest.

First off, Microsoft just announced that they are now at 40,000 customers using Business Central so no better time to get SIs and ISVs together with key Microsoft business leads. This high-energy 24-hour event was packed with partner-led discussions and networking, emphasizing the latest strategies and insights in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Ben’s key takeaways include leveraging content for SMBs and adapting to new, stricter specialization requirements, which will offer enhanced benefits. Sam focuses on the value of low-code solutions, leading with AI, and preparing for increased volume in future developments. The episode also touches on the evolving landscape for specializations and the future outlook for 2025.

Key Takeaways:

1. Leverage Content: SMBs should utilize relevant content and resources to align with cloud solutions and AI strategies.
2. Specialization Shift: Microsoft is moving from simple designations to a more stringent requirement for demonstrated specialization and excellence.
3. Low-Code and AI: Emphasize low-code solutions and lead with AI while selling Microsoft cloud solutions.
4. Future Predictions: Expect even greater advancements and opportunities in 2025.
5. Networking Opportunities: The summit provided extensive networking and partner-led discussions, which are crucial for building connections and understanding new trends!

Here are some key links:

Co-sell with Channel Sales in SMB – Key Resources

• Partner Led Sales Resource Engagement Form: https://customervoice.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=v4j5cvGGr0GRqy180BHbRyucLTX7rapHjRlyG9z6qzRUNkxPTDlDRUtPR1ZDQ1BEM1AxSEExSk1MRSQlQCN0PWcu
• Use to get assistance with any SMB deal
• This is THE KEY link
• Incentives Guide: https://aka.ms/incentivesguide
• Pre-sales Activities Overview: SupplierWeb (microsoft.com)
• Information on BC Deployment Offer (new customers): https://aka.ms/d365deploymentoffer
• Information on BD Migration Offer: https://aka.ms/bcdeployment
• BC Concierge: https://aka.ms/bcconcierge

FY25 Business Applications Scaling the Partner Plays

• All Available BizApps Campaigns-in-a-box: partner.microsoft.com/en-us/asset/collection/business-apps-solutions-play-marketing-campaigns#/
• Learn the Solution Plays: https://aka.ms/fy25-gtm-co-sell-ba
• Use FY25 GTM programs: https://aka.ms/bafundedengagements

In this podcast episode, Jacob Pepper, BDR at Fidesic, and I explore how Gen Z and Millennials are reshaping the workplace landscape, discussing their divergent approaches to technology and social media. 

Jacob highlights how Gen Z's preference for autonomy and digital native tendencies contrasts with Millennials' collaborative mindset, influencing hiring processes and organizational dynamics. We also delve into the gradual shift away from outdated legacy solutions towards more adaptable platforms like Dynamics 365 BC, reflecting younger generations' demand for agile, moldable technologies.

We even delve into TikTok, LinkedIn, and Twitter - you’ll never hear me call it 'X' - and how each platform resonates differently with these generations.

Sam Bush, the host, introduces herself and shares her career journey as a B2B marketer. She discusses her values as a marketer and the purpose of the podcast. She also outlines the topics and guests she plans to cover in future episodes.

Takeaways:

• Sam Bush's career journey from art to B2B marketing
• The importance of transparency, mentorship, demand generation, and product-centric marketing
• The purpose of the podcast and the topics and guests lined up for future episodes