Biz Dev Titans

By Barnes Lam ([email protected])

Welcome to Biz Dev Titans, the podcast that explores the ever-changing landscape of telecommunications and business development. Hosted by industry veteran Barnes Lam, this show delivers in-depth insi... more

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FAQs about Biz Dev Titans:

How many episodes does Biz Dev Titans have?

The podcast currently has 6 episodes available.

Biz Dev Titans episodes:

April 16, 2025Episode 6 – Top 25 Women Mentors in Tech to Follow in 2025
Key Topics Covered:
Adriana’s journey from Caracas to CMO: resilience, culture, and career pivots
How to “tropicalize” global brands for markets like Latin America and the Caribbean
The role of mentorship and legacy-building for women in tech
Bridging professional success with personal purpose—especially as a mother of a neurodivergent child
Why listening, empathy, and empowerment are underrated marketing tools
Advice for aspiring marketers in fast-moving industries like tech and finance
How to prepare teams that thrive long after you’ve left

Mentioned in This Episode
Bravo – Adriana’s current role as CMO
Mindvalley – The experience that reshaped her leadership mindset
Upnotch – Global mentorship platform for executives
Autism advocacy – Supporting content strategies for neurodivergent families
BlackBerry & Ogilvy – Early career stepping stones
Kuala Lumpur (KL) – The city that sparked personal transformation (and great foot massages)

Adriana’s Wisdom Highlights:
“Marketing is about people. Listen first, then lead.”
“We can have it all—as women, professionals, and community builders.”
“Some of my biggest achievements aren’t on paper. They’re in the people I helped rise.”
“Leadership isn’t about holding a title. It’s about preparing others to take yours.”

About Adriana Pirela
Adriana Pirela is an award-winning Chief Marketing Officer with deep expertise in tech, fintech, and global brand strategy. She’s led marketing initiatives in over 30 countries, mentored emerging leaders through platforms like Upnotch, and was named one of the Top 25 Mentors for Women in Tech in 2025. A proud Latina, mother, and advocate, Adriana combines heart and hustle to create marketing that resonates and leadership that uplifts.

Connect with Adriana Pirela
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adripirela

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27min
April 09, 2025Episode 5 – Strategic Selling, Smart Cities & Staying Resilient – With Bruce Katzel
Key Topics Covered:
How COVID reshaped Bruce’s approach to relationship-building and sales
The mindset behind closing a $5.5M deal (on a napkin!)
5G, IoT, and the challenges of scaling next-gen infrastructure
The game-changing role of AI in traffic, telecom, and enterprise
Why big pipelines matter—and how to build them right
Overcoming rejection, burnout, and the long sales cycle
Mentorship, resilience, and paying it forward in your career

Mentioned in This Episode
NoTraffic – AI-powered traffic management platform
Franklin Covey & Solution Selling frameworks
The evolution of BSS/OSS and smart city infrastructure
How cloud-native and AI tools are disrupting legacy industries
The power of community, mentorship, and long-term relationships

About Bruce Katzel
Bruce Katzel is a high-impact sales executive with expertise in IoT, 5G, AI, and telecom solutions. He’s led major digital transformation projects, built cross-vertical partnerships, and worked closely with startups and enterprises alike. Now, he’s focused on mentoring the next generation of sellers, helping companies craft smart go-to-market plans, and championing meaningful, purpose-driven growth.

Connect with Bruce Katzel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-katzel-595493/
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28min
April 02, 2025Episode 4 – Global Partnerships, Strategic Growth & Disrupting the Status Quo – with Greg Wade
Key Topics Covered:
The origin and power of the Strategic Partnership Catalyst approach
Gregory’s career-defining pivot from operations to business development at AT&T
How he helped launch North America’s first intelligent call-routing network
Overcoming cultural barriers while leading teams in Asia, especially Korea
Adapting to a globalized market: why “what works in Denver may not work in Delhi”
The role of Generative AI in reshaping future partnerships

Greg’s Wisdom Highlights:
“Innovation is sparked when you disrupt the status quo—with partnerships at the center.”
“Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. Define it for yourself, then pursue it with focus.”
“If you want to work globally, start by listening more than you speak.”
“Being open to other cultures, ideas, and business models is how you stay relevant.”

Mentioned in This Episode
Intelligent Call Routing Infrastructure
AT&T’s formative training and influence
Business expansion across Asia-Pacific
Strategic use of AI and partnerships in a fast-changing world

About Gregory Wade
Gregory Wade is a senior executive in global business development and strategic partnerships. He’s held top roles at leading organizations including AT&T, Samsung, Blackberry, and Trastonik, and has worked extensively across six continents. Known for his ability to unite diverse stakeholders and challenge the status quo, Gregory helps businesses scale faster through partnership-driven growth strategies.
Connect with Gregory Wade
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorymwade/

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22min
March 24, 2025Episode 3 – The Leadership Secrets of Fred Lutz for Building Effective Teams
Show Notes:
Early Leadership Lessons: How Fred’s natural ability to connect with others shaped his leadership style from a young age.
Mentorship Impact: The influence of a key mentor who taught Fred the value of listening and understanding the people you lead.
Team Building: The importance of assembling diverse, high-performing teams and the key traits that make them successful.
Facing Challenges: Balancing family life with a demanding career and navigating the ever-changing business landscape.
The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership: Why being authentic and transparent is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Advice for Emerging Leaders: Fred shares valuable tips on how to become an effective leader, including the importance of objectivity, vulnerability, and having a trusted support system.
About Fred Lutz
Fred Lutz is a senior operations executive with extensive leadership experience both domestically and internationally. With a proven track record in reorganization and consolidation, Fred has been recruited by various firms to lead operations and improve performance in complex, multicultural, and competitive markets. He has worked in both public and private sectors, specializing in labor relations, union negotiations, and culture transformation.

Fred’s expertise spans operational integration, turnaround management, and niche business sector creation and growth. He also brings valuable international experience, having worked in the Middle East, navigating labor complexities and fostering cross-cultural collaboration. Fred’s leadership philosophy emphasizes the power of listening, building diverse, high-performing teams, and creating environments where people thrive and succeed.

With a career dedicated to solving complex challenges, Fred continues to mentor and empower the next generation of leaders.

Connect with Fred Lutz:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredlutz1
Company Website: https://www.baiconnect.com/
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24min
March 24, 2025Episode 2 – Overcoming Startup Challenges with Peter Ho
Show Notes
The Three Keys to Startup Success:
People & Talent: Building the right team is critical. Having the right people in the right roles ensures strong execution.
Product-Market Fit: If the product doesn’t fit the market, traction will be difficult. Founders need to be adaptable and willing to pivot.
Execution: Every decision impacts the next move—attention to detail and strategic planning are essential for scalability.
The Reality of Startups & Market Readiness:
Many startups fail not because of bad ideas but due to poor timing.
Founders often walk away too soon instead of waiting for the market to mature.
Example: EV adoption in Southeast Asia remains slow due to cheap petroleum.
Malaysia’s Startup Ecosystem & Future Outlook:
Malaysia aims to reach 5,000 startups by 2025 and develop five unicorns.
The government is investing in AI initiatives to push startups toward AI-powered solutions.
Founders should focus on how AI can drive revenue and close sales rather than just integrating AI for the sake of it.
About Peter Ho
Peter Ho is an accomplished business leader with a wealth of experience in e-commerce, project management, and product management. He has worked with multiple Fortune 500 companies, overseeing complex projects, managing diverse teams, and driving strategic growth. His expertise in business operations and market execution has made him a key player in developing successful products and optimizing large-scale business processes.

Beyond his corporate career, Peter is also an entrepreneur, having launched and managed ventures that showcase his ability to identify market opportunities and create innovative solutions. His strong professional network, combined with his strategic mindset, enables him to navigate dynamic business landscapes and drive impactful results.

Connect with Peter Ho:
LinkedIn: https://my.linkedin.com/in/peterho06

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37min
March 18, 2025Episode 1 – Building Strong SaaS Partnerships with Zachary Konopka
Show Notes
Zach discussed effective strategies for business development, including:
Disciplined CRM usage and consistent outreach
Involvement in professional associations
Leveraging conferences and events for high-quality networking
Zach shared a story about building a lasting relationship that led to a new job opportunity years later
Key lessons Zach learned include embracing diversity, change management, and the importance of perseverance
Zach provided 3 tips for success:
Be relationship-driven
Focus on client pain points
Maintain consistent presence

About Zachary Konopka

Zachary Konopka is a seasoned business development and partnerships leader with over 20 years of experience in the SaaS industry. As the Head of Partnerships and Development at White Label Communications, he specializes in driving revenue and strategic growth across SaaS, ISV, and Enterprise clients.
Known for his ability to build lasting relationships based on trust and mutual success, Zachary has a proven track record of helping businesses scale through innovative technology and strategic partnerships.
Connect with Zachary Konopka:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zkonopka1/
Company Website: https://www.whitelabelcomm.com/
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25min

FAQs about Biz Dev Titans:

How many episodes does Biz Dev Titans have?

The podcast currently has 6 episodes available.