Elevating Performance (HD)

By College of Coaches

Elevating Performance is for leaders and sales pros seeking an edge. Hosted by Mark A. Dronen with expert guests, each episode delivers sharp insights on leadership, sales ecosystems, and emerging tec... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Elevating Performance (HD):

How many episodes does Elevating Performance (HD) have?

The podcast currently has 76 episodes available.

Elevating Performance (HD) episodes:

August 22, 2025EP 11, Ch 1 – Mastering SaaS Sales with Paul H. Pearce
Join us as we dive into the world of SaaS sales with Paul H. Pearce, President of the Americas for Great Demo and a member of the College of Coaches. Paul is a recognized leader in SaaS discovery and demo methodologies.
With an MBA from Eastern Illinois University and distinguished service in the Illinois Air National Guard, Paul has led global sales teams in SaaS organizations. He now coaches’ sales organizations worldwide, emphasizing effective discovery techniques. An avid outdoorsman, Paul resides in South Dakota.
Key Topics
Discovery and demo methodologies for SaaS Sales leadership and strategic alliances
Effective discovery techniques in sales
Guest
Paul H. Pearce, President Americas
Great Demo!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Paul H. Pierce
00:36 The Importance of Discovery Methodologies in SaaS Sales
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
2min
August 22, 2025EP 11, Modern Sales Mastery – Insights on Selling Smarter in the AI Era with Paul H. Pearce
Paul H. Pearce, President Americas for Great Demo! discusses the evolving landscape of sales presentations, emphasizing the importance of engaging clients with impactful content right from the start. Paul details how AI is transforming sales methodologies, enhancing discovery processes, and providing real-time insights.
Drawing parallels between military training and sales practices, they highlight the significance of discipline, clarity, and effective communication in achieving sales success. The discussion also touches on the need for sales professionals to adapt to changing buyer behaviors and leverage AI to become trusted advisors rather than mere vendors.
Key Topics
Engage clients by presenting impactful content upfront.
AI accelerates sales processes and demands more insights.
Discipline and repetition in sales training build readiness.
Clarity in communication is essential for effective demos.
Winning sales teams focus on solving problems, not just performing.
Begin sales conversations with the desired outcome in mind.
Most information presented is forgotten quickly; focus on key points.
Salespeople must adapt to changing buyer trust and behaviors.
AI can enhance sales methodologies and provide valuable insights.
Become a trusted advisor by understanding client needs.
Guest
Paul H. Pearce, President Americas
Great Demo!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Paul H. Pierce
00:36 The Importance of Discovery Methodologies in SaaS Sales
00:58 Introduction of Great Demo! and Doing Discovery
01:53Transforming Sales Demos: From Features to Outcomes
03:25The Psychology of Effective Demos
05:16Understanding Buyer Behavior and Sales Strategy
06:28 The Impact of AI on Sales and Coaching
07:31 AI-First Approach in Business
08:58 Leveraging AI for Effective Storytelling
11:38 Selling Insights from AI Data Analysis
13:22 Engaging Clients with the End in Mind
15:22 Transforming Demos into Conversations
16:07 Overcoming Objections in Sales Training
16:46 The Psychology Behind Effective Presentations
18:25 Military Training and Corporate Sales Parallels
21:01 The Importance of Methodology in Sales
23:50 Understanding the Forgetting Curve
24:52 Leadership's Role in Sales Training Accountability
26:14 The Importance of Questions for Authentic Leadership
28:31 Building a Strong Foundation Through Hard Work
30:58 Lessons from Early Career Experiences
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
33min
August 20, 2025EP 09, Ch 5 – Career Insights: Networking and Mentorship in Tech with Diana Gibson
Diana Gibson shares her extensive experience in the tech industry, offering valuable insights on career growth, the importance of networking, and the need for continuous learning.
Diana emphasizes the significance of curiosity, mentorship, and humor in leadership, while also highlighting the benefits of intergenerational learning in the workplace.
Key Topics
Dream big and don't be afraid to try new things.
Be curious and learn something new every day.
Networking is crucial for career advancement.
Mentorship can go both ways; learn from younger generations.
Humor can create a more approachable atmosphere.
Listening is more important than speaking in communication.
Embrace diverse workforces and adapt to different communication styles.
Always seek help and guidance when needed.
Fostering a lighthearted environment encourages collaboration.
Don’t assume you know what someone is going to say and listen actively.
Guest
Diana Gibson, Former Vice President at Microsoft
Chapters
00:00 Reflecting on Career Wisdom
00:20 Be Curious, Not Judgemental
01:04 The Importance of Networking
02:25 Learning Between Generations
03:25 Listening and the Power of Laughter
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
6min
August 20, 2025EP 09, Ch 4 - Aligning for Success: Visionary Leadership and Strategic Acumen with Diana Gibson
Diana Gibson discusses the intricacies of scaling operations and the importance of team structure in achieving successful delivery capabilities. The conversation delves into the critical role of customer success, emphasizing the need for alignment between sales, delivery, and support teams.
The discussion highlights the significance of understanding customer goals and the value of a customer-centric approach, particularly in emerging companies. Diana shares insights on best practices for instilling a customer-focused mentality within organizations and the challenges that come with it.
Key Topics
Scaling operations requires careful consideration of team structure.
Understanding the skills needed for successful scaling is crucial.
Alignment between sales and delivery teams is essential for success.
Emerging companies can have a richer customer success mentality.
Curiosity and learning from others are key to improvement.
Instilling a customer-centric approach can be challenging but beneficial.
Integration of teams leads to better outcomes for clients.
Guest
Diana Gibson, Former Vice President at Microsoft
Chapters
00:00 Scaling Operations and Team Structure
02:19 Customer Success: Key Characteristics and Integration
04:31 Customer-Centric Approach in Emerging Companies
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
7min
August 20, 2025EP 09, Ch 3 - Embracing Change: The Key to Successful Integration and Customer Success with Diana Gibson
Diana Gibson shares the critical role of change management in driving successful integration and scaling new capabilities. Learn how strategic Adoption and Change Management plans can lead to customer success and organizational growth.
Key Topics
The evolution of change management from a neglected aspect to a core component of business strategy.
Insights into the importance of leadership support and communication in Change Management.
How integrating Change Management with Project Management ensures successful adoption of new solutions.
The impact of change management on customer success and organizational alignment
Guest
Diana Gibson, Former Vice President at Microsoft
Chapters
00:00 The Evolution of Change Management
02:07 Integrating Change Management in Corporate Culture
04:17 The Importance of Leadership in Change Management
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
5min
August 20, 2025EP 09, Ch 2 - Scaling Strategies for Tech Driven Companies with Diana Gibson
Diana Gibson shares her extensive experience in organizational growth and capability building, particularly in tech-driven companies like Microsoft. She discusses the various strategies organizations can adopt when scaling, including acquiring new capabilities, building them internally, or partnering with other organizations.
Diana emphasizes the importance of integration planning, change management, and ensuring customer satisfaction throughout these processes. She also highlights common pitfalls that can lead to failure, such as lack of leadership buy-in and neglecting the human aspect of integration.
Key Topics
Acquisitions often include integrating consulting and support services.
Building capabilities internally requires careful planning and skill development.
Partnerships can be more efficient than building capabilities in-house.
Integration planning is essential for successful acquisitions.
Technical skills can be taught, but customer-facing skills are crucial.
Leadership buy-in is necessary to avoid friction during integration.
Failing to manage change can lead to talent loss.
The 'Not Invented Here' mentality can hinder organizational growth.
Guest
Diana Gibson, Former Vice President at Microsoft
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Diana Gibson and Her Background
00:30 Building New Capabilities in Organizations
01:37 Risks and Rewards of Partnering
02:46 Lessons Learned in Integration and Change Management
04:26 The dangerous 'Not Invented Here' Mindset
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com
...more
6min
August 20, 2025EP 09, Ch 1 - Visionary Leadership and Strategic Acumen: A Conversation with Diana Gibson
Introducing Diana Gibson, a powerhouse who retired as Vice President of Customer Success at Microsoft in 2022. Discover Diana's incredible 17-year journey at Microsoft, where her visionary leadership steered nine different businesses and spearheaded global migrations for their largest customers.
Learn from her extensive experience scaling technology startups and leading international teams in Fortune 500 companies.
Key Topics
Diana's journey from international leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies to her impactful tenure at Microsoft.
The challenges and successes of migrating Office 365 and Azure payloads for major clients.
Insights into driving global program management and leading diverse teams.
Guest
Diana Gibson, Former Vice President at Microsoft
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Diana Gibson's Career Journey
00:37 Leadership and Strategic Acumen at Microsoft
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
2min
August 19, 2025EP 14, AI in Marketing: Transforming Strategies and Embracing Growth with Marc Rosenstock
Marc Rosenstock does a deep dive into AI-driven marketing and leadership. Discover how Marc, a visionary in big data and predictive analytics, details how AI is leveling the playing field for SMBs. He shares crucial insights into embedding AI into daily tasks, optimizing marketing workflows, and understanding AI-first partner ecosystems.
Learn why adopting an "AI-First" mindset is vital for future success. Plus, Marc offers powerful personal advice on embracing risk and authenticity to thrive amidst rapid change.
Key Topics
AI integration in marketing streamlines processes, making them more efficient and effective.
Embracing mistakes and learning from them is essential for personal and professional growth.
The evolving technology landscape requires adaptability and a willingness to learn.
Guest
Marc Rosenstock, President, Rosenstock Consulting
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mark Rosenstock and His Expertise
00:37 The Evolution of AI in Marketing Strategies
01:01 The Impact of AI on Marketing Mindset
04:15 Adopting AI in Daily Workflows
06:43 Innovative Applications of AI Voice in Business
08:59 AI in Marketing: Transforming Functional Flows
11:04 Enhancing Creative Production with AI
11:52 AI's Role in Post-Production Efficiency
12:10 AI Applications in Home Improvement and Design
13:41 Understanding the Partner Ecosystem and AI Integration
16:53 The Shift to AI-First Mindset in Marketing
18:42 Designing for AI: New Paradigms in Content Creation
20:07 Leveraging AI for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
22:05 Embracing Risks and Authenticity
24:22 The Importance of Learning from Mistakes
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
26min
August 19, 2025EP 14, Ch 1 – AI in Marketing with Thought Leader Marc Rosenstock
Introducing Marc Rosenstock, a pioneer in big data and AI-driven strategies. Discover how Mark's expertise in developing marketing, sales, and go-to-market strategies for middle market brands is shaping the future of commerce.
Key Topics
Mark's journey from big data at Procter & Gamble to AI innovation in marketing.
The role of predictive analytics in crafting effective go-to-market strategies.
Insights into AI applications for small and medium-sized businesses.
Guest
Marc Rosenstock, President, Rosenstock Consulting
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mark Rosenstock and His Expertise
00:37 The Evolution of AI in Marketing Strategies
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
2min
August 19, 2025EP 14, Ch 2 – Navigating the AI Landscape in SMB Marketing with Marc Rosenstock
Marc Rosenstock discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on marketing and business practices, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). He emphasizes the importance of adopting a 'permanent beta' mindset, where continuous learning and adaptation are crucial in the face of rapid technological advancements.
The discussion also highlights innovative applications of AI, such as real-time feedback systems in call centers, and the democratization of innovation, where ideas can emerge from unexpected sources.
Key Topics
Artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing strategies for SMBs.
A mindset of continuous learning is essential in today's fast-paced environment.
AI can enhance efficiency in daily tasks and marketing activities.
Collaboration with partners using AI is crucial for success.
Real-time feedback systems can improve call center interactions.
The democratization of innovation allows ideas to emerge from anywhere.
Understanding AI's impact on personal and professional tasks is vital.
Guest
Marc Rosenstock, President, Rosenstock Consulting
Chapters
00:00 The Impact of AI on Marketing Mindset
03:17 Adopting AI in Daily Workflows
05:45 Innovative Applications of AI Voice in Business
About Elevator 321 and the College of Coaches
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We should talk. Reach us at Elevator321.com.
...more
9min

FAQs about Elevating Performance (HD):

How many episodes does Elevating Performance (HD) have?

The podcast currently has 76 episodes available.