GrowthLoop

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In this special restart episode of The GrowthLoop Podcast, Corey Tomlinson and Tish Looper catch up after a short break between episode with a candid, unscripted conversation about innovation, AI, and the value of moving fast.

Inspired by Liza Adams’ recent article on AI-driven content creation and "vibe coding," Corey and Tish unpack how the speed of execution has changed the game—from pitching ideas to building prototypes. They explore the shift from asking for permission to demonstrating early value, and why showing a clickable, tangible version of your idea is more effective than presenting a concept alone.

Other topics include:

• How AI tools accelerate content creation and expand audience reach
• The difference between vibe coding and agentic AI in operationalizing ideas
• Balancing AI automation with authentic human experience
• Why building faster creates more opportunity for growth

As usual, expect plenty of baseball metaphors (including thoughts on the first-ever MLB All-Star Game swing-off) and a behind-the-scenes look at how Corey and Tish think about GrowthLoop’s evolution.

If you’ve been sitting on an idea, this episode will challenge you to stop waiting—and start building.

Check out the Liza Adams article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dont-sit-idea-build-ai-liza-adams-lhfbc/

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In this empowering episode of GrowthLoop, hosts Tish Looper and Corey Tomlinson and welcome Sam Lancashire—award-winning trainer, bestselling author, and Chief Everything Officer at Creating Lightbulb Moments—for a candid conversation about overcoming adversity and transforming your mindset.

Sam shares her personal journey of launching a business, only to face a serious injury that forced her to rethink everything. Through it all, she embraced what she calls “rejection as redirection,” reframed no’s into 'not-yets,' and built a thriving coaching and training practice.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• Letting go of the need to control outcomes
• Breaking free from overthinking and perfectionism
• Using mindset shifts to turn setbacks into growth
• Embracing feedback—and feedforward—as a path to improvement

Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or navigating personal challenges, Sam’s story will inspire you to reframe obstacles and take meaningful action—imperfectly, but purposefully.

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In this episode of the GrowthLoop Podcast, Corey and Tish welcome Scott Kuffer, co-founder and COO of Nucleus Security, for an honest and energizing conversation about what it really takes to build a company designed to last. Scott shares the story of Nucleus’s accidental origin—how a solution born out of personal frustration became a fast-growing cybersecurity platform by popular demand.

Scott explains why Nucleus has always rejected the “blitzscaling” mindset in favor of intentional, sustainable growth—and how that approach has become a competitive advantage in an oversaturated market. He reflects on why alignment between founders, customers, and investors is critical, and how a clear-eyed focus on solving real problems for real people helped Nucleus grow from a side project to a commercial success.

They also get into hot takes on AI hype, the dangers of over-consuming startup advice, and the number one reason startups fail (spoiler: it’s not product-related). Whether you're a founder, builder, or curious listener, this episode delivers insight, candor, and just enough baseball talk to keep things interesting.

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Selling AI solutions and other innovative technologies isn’t just about showcasing a groundbreaking product—it’s about aligning with the right stakeholders and addressing their distinct motivations. In this episode of GrowthLoop, hosts Corey and Tish sit down with Harry Powell, SVP of Data & AI at Endava, to break down the four essential buyer personas influencing AI adoption:

• Business Executives – Focused on outcomes and ROI
• Analysts – Driven by meaning and insights
• Engineers – Concerned with data movement and reliability
• IT Managers – Focused on risk, security, and process stability

Harry shares how simplifying persona targeting can streamline go-to-market strategies, reduce friction in AI adoption, and improve long-term customer engagement. The conversation explores how to overcome resistance from risk-averse stakeholders, the role of experimentation in AI implementation, and the importance of crafting the right message for the right audience.

Along the way, the discussion takes a fun detour into AI-powered PowerPoint generation, the risks of chasing “shiny object” trends, and Harry’s personal take on the perfect gin and tonic ratio.

If you’re in sales, marketing, or leading an AI-driven transformation, this episode will help you refine your approach to selling AI by focusing on what truly matters to each decision-maker.

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In the Season 2 premiere of Growth Loop, hosts Corey and Tish dive into the transformative role of AI in driving business and career growth. Joined by guest Andy Nester, a seasoned marketing leader, the episode explores how AI and automation are reshaping traditional growth strategies. Andy shares insights from his two decades in B2B SaaS, emphasizing how tools like AI can enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and unlock team creativity.

Key discussion points include:

• The Growth Loop Continuum Model: A data-driven framework aligning marketing, sales, and customer success to fuel scalable growth.
• AI's "Superpowers": How businesses can leverage AI for ideation, content generation, data analysis, and feedback loops.
• AI Adoption Challenges: The importance of cultivating curiosity and breaking complex tasks into actionable steps for meaningful AI integration.
• Leadership and Culture: How fostering a supportive, experimental approach to AI empowers teams and enhances customer outcomes.
• Real-World Applications: Examples of AI in product strategy, customer success, and creating personalized, impactful experiences at scale.

The conversation underscores the need for organizations to embrace AI as a tool to amplify human talent, not replace it. Andy also highlights the rapid pace of AI innovation, urging businesses to act now to stay competitive.

Listen for actionable advice on navigating AI adoption, balancing automation with human connection, and fostering a culture of innovation within your organization. Don’t miss Andy’s practical tips for using AI to achieve faster, more sustainable growth while maintaining data security and compliance.

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In this special year-end episode, co-hosts Corey Tomlinson and Tish Looper reflect on their inaugural year of the Growth Loop podcast. They revisit highlights from 2024, including valuable insights from guest contributors like Sandor Kovacs and Sarah Hartland, who discussed themes such as accountability, growth through failure, and humanizing business with AI-driven transformation.

The duo also candidly share their personal growth, from overcoming fears to embracing new tools like AI to streamline production. Tish emphasizes the core principle of GrowthLoop: a customer-centric approach that aligns marketing, sales, and customer success to achieve sustainable growth.

Looking ahead to 2025, Corey and Tish tease their plans for expanding the podcast, hosting diverse guests, and evolving GrowthLoop from a concept into an actionable framework and new content for businesses. Their commitment to authenticity, learning, and community engagement promises an exciting journey for listeners in the coming year.

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In this follow-up episode of GrowthLoop, hosts Corey and Tish welcome back Sandor Kovacs of Run Rhino to delve deeper into the critical role of accountability in leadership. Drawing from nearly three decades of business experience, Sandor explores the concept of being "cause in the matter," emphasizing the power of owning outcomes, whether in professional projects or personal growth.

Key topics include:

• Defining accountability as the sole responsibility for outcomes, irrespective of external circumstances.
• How adopting accountability transforms team dynamics and fosters mutual respect and trust.
• Practical advice for leaders to instill a culture of accountability within their organizations, including the importance of setting unwavering standards and avoiding the pitfalls of excuses.
• The relationship between accountability, integrity, and effective leadership, with examples from Sandor's coaching experiences.
• Simple, actionable frameworks for holding yourself and others accountable, such as focusing on facts over excuses and asking pivotal questions like, "What could you do differently?"

This episode offers relatable anecdotes, actionable strategies, and a profound perspective on what it takes to lead with integrity and accountability. Whether you're managing a team, mentoring an employee, or working on personal development, Sandor’s insights will inspire you to rethink your approach to accountability.

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In this episode of Growth Loop, hosts Corey and Tish welcome back Sandor Kovacs, the founder of Run Rhino, to dive deeper into the topics of leadership, accountability, and integrity. Sandor shares insights from his 28 years of business experience, including a personal transformation where he realized he was not fully stepping into his potential as a leader. He discusses the importance of staying true to one’s values and commitments, revealing how his renewed focus on integrity led to the creation of his new venture, DorWay.

The conversation covers key lessons about maintaining accountability, handling failure, and the challenging journey of embracing success, all framed within Sandor’s experiences of navigating leadership. Listeners will hear practical strategies for holding themselves and others accountable, including creating clear agreements and fostering growth through tough conversations. Sandor’s reflections on integrity as the foundation of empowerment and fulfillment provide a compelling takeaway for leaders looking to operate at their peak potential. Whether you're leading a business or striving for personal growth, this episode offers actionable wisdom on how to stay aligned with your goals and lead with purpose.

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In this episode of Growth Loop, hosts Tish and Corey dive into the crucial second part of their discussion on the customer lifecycle, with a special focus on managing feature requests and fostering long-term customer advocacy. Tish shares her insights on why companies must carefully assess customer feature requests through the lens of strategic alignment, urgency, and feasibility. They explore how saying “no” to a customer can be just as important as saying “yes” in maintaining focus on corporate goals and customer satisfaction.

Key takeaways include the importance of continuous listening—not just to customers but also to internal teams—and how a thoughtful, iterative approach to product development can foster loyalty and create long-term advocates. Tish and Corey emphasize how a "continuous growth loop" empowers businesses to manage customer expectations, adapt their strategies based on feedback, and ultimately drive sustainable growth.

If you're seeking actionable strategies to improve customer satisfaction, loyalty, and profitability, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you build lasting customer relationships and fuel your business's growth.

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In this episode of The Growth Loop, Corey and Tish dive into the first of three pillars of the Growth Loop model: lifecycle management and the buyer's journey. They break down essential strategies for understanding the buyer's mindset, from shaping customer experiences to driving long-term loyalty and retention. Corey and Tish explore the key distinctions between the Total Addressable Market (TAM) and the Sellable Addressable Market (SAM), and discuss how identifying the right subset of customers can significantly impact business growth. They also touch on the importance of research and analytics in creating frictionless, personalized customer experiences that turn buyers into loyal advocates. By the end of the episode, listeners will have actionable insights into customer acquisition, satisfaction, and retention, ultimately driving revenue and business success. Tune in to learn how to make the customer journey a core component of sustainable growth.