The GTM Podcast

GTM 106: Mastering the Transition from PLG to PLS with Andrew Johnston


Listen Later

Andrew Johnston is currently the Head of Sales at Superhuman, where he leads the go-to-market strategy as part of the executive team. Previously, he built the Mid-Market and PLS motion at Scale AI and led the global sales team at SendGrid following its acquisition by Twilio and its IPO.

Discussed in this Episode:

  • The key differences between product-led growth (PLG) and product-led sales (PLS).
  • When and why companies should consider transitioning from PLG to PLS.
  • The challenges of combining distinct sales teams during an acquisition.
  • How to effectively enable sales reps during a product expansion.
  • The importance of understanding your ideal customer profile (ICP) for successful PLS.
  • Strategies for moving upmarket, such as implementing paid pilots.
  • Creating career paths and incentives for sales reps in different segments.

Highlights:
(9:50) Andrew's definition of product-led growth and how it differs from product-led sales.
(12:16) The triggers for considering a transition from a PLG to a PLS approach.
(25:00) The challenges faced when combining SendGrid and Twilio's sales teams post-acquisition.
(32:49) How Twilio's unique "estimated ARR" commission structure impacted sales behavior.
(35:55) Using SendGrid as a "trojan horse" to expand Twilio's presence in customer accounts.
(42:00) One thing revenue leaders believe to be true that Andrew thinks is bull$***
(47:09) One thing that is working for Andrew in go-to-market right now.

Guest Speaker Links (Andrew Johnston):
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewfoxjohnston/

Host Speaker Links (Scott Barker):
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ssbarker/
Newsletter: thegtmnewsletter.substack.com/

Sponsors:

  • Brought to you by Apollo. Ever wonder what automating your entire outbound workflow could do for your revenue team? Apollo.io brings this to life by centralizing your entire go-to-market execution in one platform. Sellers using automation in their outbound efforts see a 70% increase in open rates and 4x more meetings booked while saving hours on manual, tedious tasks. 
  • Brought to you by IPS. Most recruiting firms fill an order, but IPS is a different breed of search firm. They dig into your business to understand its current state and the future vision and are relentlessly in pursuit of the very best leaders, sales people, marketers, and engineering talent out there. Whether you want advice, have one hard to fill role or a team buildout, we can't recommend IPS enough. 

The GTM Podcast
The GTM Podcast is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with the top 1% GTM executives, VCs, and founders. Conversations reveal the unshared details behind how they have grown companies, and the go-to-market strategies responsible for shaping that growth.

Visit gtmnow.com for more episodes and other interesting content.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The GTM PodcastBy GTMnow by GTMfund

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

142 ratings


More shows like The GTM Podcast

View all
This Week in Startups by Jason Calacanis

This Week in Startups

1,270 Listeners

a16z Podcast by Andreessen Horowitz

a16z Podcast

997 Listeners

The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch by Harry Stebbings

The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

513 Listeners

The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors by SaaStr

The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors

175 Listeners

Founders by David Senra

Founders

1,782 Listeners

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy by Colossus | Investing & Business Podcasts

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

2,291 Listeners

Masters of Scale by WaitWhat

Masters of Scale

3,968 Listeners

Y Combinator Startup Podcast by Y Combinator

Y Combinator Startup Podcast

209 Listeners

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

8,653 Listeners

30 Minutes to President's Club | No-Nonsense Sales by Armand Farrokh & Nick Cegelski

30 Minutes to President's Club | No-Nonsense Sales

388 Listeners

Grit by Joubin Mirzadegan

Grit

187 Listeners

B2B Marketing with Dave Gerhardt by Dave Gerhardt

B2B Marketing with Dave Gerhardt

41 Listeners

The Logan Bartlett Show by by Redpoint Ventures

The Logan Bartlett Show

192 Listeners

Revenue Builders by Force Management

Revenue Builders

148 Listeners

Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career by Lenny Rachitsky

Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

1,324 Listeners