Vladyslav Podoliako is the founder and CEO of Belkins.io, a leading B2B appointment setting agency, and Folderly, an email deliverability system. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on performance-based results, Vlad has successfully navigated the complexities of pricing in the B2B space. He is passionate about helping companies scale their businesses through effective client acquisition strategies.

In this episode, Vlad shares his journey from launching Belkins to evolving his pricing strategies as the company grew. Together, they explore the critical role of pricing in business growth, the importance of aligning pricing with customer value, and the unique challenges of pricing in the B2B landscape.

Why you have to check out today’s podcast:

• Understand the significance of aligning pricing with customer value and performance.
• Discover the importance of testing pricing strategies and gathering client feedback.
• Explore the psychological aspects of pricing and how they influence customer decisions.

“Pricing is like blood in the veins for a growing company. You should have a great pricing model that is scalable and profitable.”

– Vlad Podoliako

Topics Covered:

01:10 – Vlad introduces himself and discusses the common misinterpretation of his company names.

02:15 – The importance of pricing in Vlad's entrepreneurial journey and how it evolved over time.

04:36 – Overview of Belkins and its approach to client acquisition.

06:51 – Discussion on the pricing model based on sales qualified leads (SQLs) and its correlation with client ROI.

09:32 – Insights into product packaging and the pricing strategy for Folderly.

13:15 – The impact of high pricing on customer expectations and delivery pressure.

15:42 – The psychological aspects of pricing and how they relate to perceived value.

19:41 – Discussion on the entrepreneurial spirit in Ukraine and its impact on business success.

24:21 – In scaling your company, how often should you revisit your pricing?

26:50 – Vlad’s advice on being courageous with pricing and testing strategies.

28:01 – Thoughts on ChatGPT pricing for pro.

30:01 – Connect with Vlad.

Key Takeaways:

“Be courageous about your pricing. Test it out more than you strategize theoretically.” – Vlad Podoliako

“(on pricing) It's about how much tries you do before you succeed and how resilient you do that. All of these events, historically, we kind of have this in our blood, adaptability, resilience, and hard work.” – Vlad Podoliako

People/Resources Mentioned:

• Belkins: https://belkins.io/
• Folderly: https://folderly.com/
• OpenAI: https://openai.com/
• Sam Altman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Altman
• NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/
• Google: https://www.google.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/

Connect with Vlad Podoliako:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladPodoliako/ 
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/ 
• Email: [email protected]

This is an Impact Pricing Blog published on March 10, 2025, turned into an audio podcast so you can listen on the go.

Read Full Article Here: https://impactpricing.com/blog/creating-pricing-power-that-lasts-a-guide-for-long-term-holdings/

If you have any feedback, definitely send it. You can reach us at [email protected]. 

Now, go make an impact.

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/

Jared Smith is the CEO of PriceSmith, a consulting firm specializing in pricing strategies for distributors and light manufacturers. With a background in pricing systems from Vendavo and experience as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State, Jared brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He is passionate about helping companies optimize their pricing strategies to capture more value.

In this episode, Jared shares his journey from Frito-Lay to leading pricing innovation in the B2B distribution space. Together, they explore the key distinctions between B2B and B2C pricing models, especially the negotiation-heavy and data-rich nature of distribution.

Why you have to check out today’s podcast:

• Learn about the differences between B2B and B2C pricing strategies.
• Understand the role of pricing systems in managing large SKU portfolios in distributorship.
• Discover how to effectively segment customers for better pricing strategies.

“Invest in your master data and keep chipping away at it. Start with 80/20 of your products and get that right.” 

– Jared Smith

Topics Covered:

01:42 - Jared shares how he got into pricing after his MBA and experiences at Frito-Lay and in B2B distribution.

02:57 - Discussion on the differences between B2C and B2B pricing, including transparency and data access.

06:06 - Challenges in understanding why customers buy and the limitations of data analytics.

12:55 - Jared explains his focus on distribution and the unique challenges it presents.

14:40 - Discussion on the relevance and limitations of cost-plus pricing in distribution.

19:17 - Exploration of how to implement good, better, best pricing in distribution.

25:28 - Discussion on whether distributors publish prices or rely on quotes for transactions.

26:33 - Jared shares insights from Uber experiences and how they relate to distribution pricing.

31:27 - The impact of customer loyalty on pricing strategies and potential risks.

32:55 - Jared's key piece of advice on investing in master data for better pricing strategies.

33:58 - Connect with Jared.

Key Takeaways:

“Distribution is an amazing thing. Obviously, it's worldwide. And the simple fact of it, it has two very unique aspects. The first one, a lot of SKUs. And then, the second one is that you have a lot of customers.” – Jared Smith

People/Resources Mentioned:

• PriceSmith: https://www.pricesmith.com/
• Vendavo: https://www.vendavo.com/
• Oklahoma State University: https://www.okstate.edu/
• Pepsi: https://www.pepsi.com/
• Frito-Lay: https://www.fritolay.com/
• Coca-Cola: https://www.coca-cola.com/
• Apple: https://www.apple.com/
• LG: https://www.lg.com/
• Uber: https://www.uber.com/
• Lyft: https://www.lyft.com/

Connect with Jared Smith:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredpaulsmith/
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/
• Email: [email protected]

This is an Impact Pricing Blog published on February 17, 2025, turned into an audio podcast so you can listen on the go.

Read Full Article Here: https://impactpricing.com/blog/the-secret-to-using-ai-in-pricing-ask-expert-questions/

If you have any feedback, definitely send it. You can reach us at [email protected]. 

Now, go make an impact.

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/

James Wilton is the founder and managing partner of Monevate, a consulting firm focused on pricing strategies. With a background in consulting from McKinsey and A.T. Kearney, James has a wealth of experience in helping companies capture value through effective pricing. He recently published a book titled "Capturing Value," which delves into the strategic importance of pricing in business.

In this episode, James discusses the nuances of pricing and its critical role in understanding value within a company. He shares insights on how businesses can develop pricing strategies that align with their value propositions and enhance their overall success. James emphasizes the importance of aligning pricing strategies with corporate goals and understanding customer needs, particularly in the SaaS and B2B sectors.

Why you have to check out today’s podcast:

• Learn about the relationship between pricing, value, and corporate strategy.
• Gain insights on the differences between B2B and B2C pricing strategies.
• Understand the evolving landscape of usage-based pricing and its implications.

“Being a little bit more thoughtful of thinking about, what are those different levels of offering that I can give? What is the right price metric that really does help me scale across a few different segments? That can make a massive difference to how much value you're able to extract from your market.” 

– James Wilton

Topics Covered:

01:22 – James’ journey into pricing and consulting.

03:35 – The strategic importance of pricing in business.

04:47 – Understanding value and its impact on pricing decisions.

06:24 – The role of pricing in SaaS and B2B companies.

08:12 – Pricing strategy and corporate valuation.

15:05 – James shares insights on pricing AI, arguing that the fundamental principles of pricing remain the same, despite the unique challenges AI presents.

17:08 – James discusses how Monevate is using AI to analyze qualitative research, improving efficiency in summarizing interview results.

20:36 – Exploration of usage-based pricing, with James explaining its advantages and the importance of aligning pricing metrics with the value delivered to customers.

27:32 – James offers key pricing advice for companies, stressing the importance of creating a differentiated pricing structure to maximize value extraction from the market.

28:45 – Connect with James

Key Takeaways:

"Capturing value is about understanding what pricing should do for your company, to capture a fair portion of the value that you create for your customers." - James Wilton

"With AI models these days, you're seeing token-type models that fundamentally focus on the amount of work the system is doing. This results in a cost-based metric rather than a value-based metric." - James Wilton

"Value really is getting some kind of utility from something in its basic way." - James Wilton

People/Resources Mentioned:

• Monevate: https://www.monevate.com/
• McKinsey: https://www.mckinsey.com/
• Capturing Value: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRDVPQJ9
• A.T. Kearney: https://www.kearney.com/
• RELX: https://www.relx.com/
• Steven Forth: https://impactpricing.com/podcast/665-the-future-of-ai-monetization-trends-and-challenges-with-steven-forth/
• PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/

Connect with James Wilton:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdwilton 

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/
• Email: [email protected]

This is an Impact Pricing Blog published on February 10, 2025, turned into an audio podcast so you can listen on the go.

Read Full Article Here: https://impactpricing.com/blog/the-psychology-of-price-increases-why-a-two-stage-approach-might-work/

If you have any feedback, definitely send it. You can reach us at [email protected]. 

Now, go make an impact.

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/

Amit Godbole is the founder of ProdSquad, dedicated to simplifying e-commerce technology through improved product management practices. He serves as a fractional chief product officer at FCI CCM and coordinates regional product tank events with Mind the Product, a leading networking organization for product managers.

In this episode, Amit discusses the importance of pricing in product management and how it can significantly impact a company's success. He shares insights on how product managers can leverage pricing strategies to enhance value for customers and drive revenue. Amit emphasizes the need for product managers to take ownership of pricing decisions, especially in the SaaS industry, and highlights the value of understanding customer needs and market dynamics.

Why you have to check out today’s podcast:

• Discover how product managers can influence pricing strategies to drive business success. 
• Learn about the evolving role of pricing in product management and why it should be a core focus.
•  Gain insights on how to articulate value in terms of revenue, cost reduction, and risk mitigation. 

“Discounting typically means you do not value your product, your services, as much as your client does. So, discount should not be part of the strategy.”

– Amit Godbole

Topics Covered:

01:55 – Amit’s unexpected journey into pricing 

03:37 – The traditional view of product management and its evolution 

04:55 – The importance of pricing in SaaS and B2B companies 

05:54 – How product managers can experiment with pricing strategies 

07:33 – The significance of understanding customer value and willingness to pay 

09:30 – The role of pricing pages in B2B and B2C contexts 

11:23 – Strategies for creating effective pricing pages that communicate value 

12:34 – The impact of subscription models on pricing strategies 

14:50 – The importance of honesty in pricing and customer communication

19:12 – Value-based to context driven pricing

24:19 – Amit’s best pricing advice for product managers

25:10 – Mark's advice to new pricing analyst

Key Takeaways:

“Pricing, revenue, and commercial aspects were the biggest levers somebody could pull in to get a product to the success they want.” – Amit Godbole

“Product management professionals must understand that value has to be tied to revenue, or a dollar value, because that's the real value you can create.” – Amit Godbole

“More companies need to be honest or need to help customers choose the right solution. If that's not right for them, don't upsell that.” – Amit Godbole

People/Resources Mentioned:

• Mind The Product: https://www.mindtheproduct.com/
• Figma: https://www.figma.com/
• Zoom: https://zoom.us/

Connect with Amit Godbole:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitgodbole

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/
• Email: [email protected]

This is an Impact Pricing Blog published on February 4, 2025, turned into an audio podcast so you can listen on the go.

Read Full Article Here: https://impactpricing.com/blog/stop-thinking-of-rebates-as-discounts-heres-what-they-really-do/

If you have any feedback, definitely send it. You can reach us at [email protected]. 

Now, go make an impact.

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/

Mathew Kerbis is The Subscription Attorney who is on a mission to affordably serve latent legal market clients at scale via the subscription model and inspire attorneys to abandon the billable hour. He founded the law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.

In this episode, Mathew shares how he's leveraging subscription pricing to disrupt the traditional billable hour model in the legal industry, making legal services more accessible. He highlights his strategy of targeting an underserved market while offering premium pricing options for higher-value clients. Mathew emphasizes his business's profitability, operating with minimal expenses while maintaining a large margin and serving both small and large-scale clients.

Why you have to check out today’s podcast:

• Discover how subscription-based pricing is disrupting traditional legal service models, making legal help more accessible and predictable.
• Learn how addressing the vast underserved legal market can create new opportunities for both clients and lawyers.
• Gain insights on how offering premium pricing options alongside accessible subscription plans can balance profitability with customer satisfaction.

“Don't be afraid to experiment and to try something new. I experiment with my pricing to find what works. And so, you should experiment, too, and listen to Mark.”

- Mathew Kerbis

Topics Covered:

01:37 - How he was led into pricing

03:24 - Discussing the similarities between doctors transitioning to direct primary care (DPC) and lawyers adopting subscription-based pricing

05:05 - Explaining his flexible subscription model

08:48 - Sharing how instead of tracking time or focusing on cost accounting, he views his business costs as fixed expenses

11:03 - Optimizing efficiency and delivering value through his subscription model

14:04 - Arguing that while clients can access AI tools themselves, they can't match the expertise of a lawyer using them effectively

16:04 - Emphasizing that while AI can generate rapid insights, it requires human judgment to interpret results accurately

18:52 - What he meant when he said he drives prices down and discussing the unmet demand creating a significant opportunity despite price competition in the legal industry

21:53 - Targeting underserved clients while maintaining flexibility to serve both small businesses and larger clients

24:26 - Maintaining accessible pricing while using tiered subscription pricing to price higher

26:30 - Highlighting the importance of strategic pricing to remain competitive without risking client loss or revenue instability

27:30 - Mathew's best pricing advice

Key Takeaways:

"Ron Baker has educated me on how cost accounting isn't the way to think about what your actual costs are as a business owner." - Mathew Kerbis

"What's great about a month-to-month subscription is, I could drop the client just like they could drop me. And the fact that they have the flexibility to leave at any time actually makes them not leave." - Mathew Kerbis

“I still want to offer the accessible pricing, but I will have super premium pricing for the best customers that need it.” - Mathew Kerbis

"I don't assign any dollar number to my time or the hours that I spend because things don't take as long as they used to. I was using AI when I launched my firm because I knew less time equals more money doing what I do when you're not billing by the hour." - Mathew Kerbis

"Sure, you could use the legal AI tools that I'm using, but are you able to get the same output that a lawyer who is actually using the tool in the way in which it was designed can get better output?" - Mathew Kerbis

"Judgment is really important. I don't think AI replaces subject matter experts, frankly ever." - Mathew Kerbis

People/Resources Mentioned:

• Ron Baker: https://impactpricing.com/podcast/497-classic-trash-the-timesheet-exploring-opportunities-in-subscription-businesses-with-ronald-j-baker/
• Calendly: https://calendly.com
• Adobe Photoshop: https://www.adobe.com/
• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com
• ClaudeAI: https://claude.ai
• Perplexity Pro: https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/faq/what-is-perplexity-proUber:https://www.uber.com
• Grandview Research: https://www.grandviewresearch.com
• Walmart: https://www.walmart.com
• Target: https://www.target.com
• Sam Walton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Walton
• Jeff Bezos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Bezos

Connect with Mathew Kerbis:

• Website: https://mathewkerbis.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerbisverse/

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/
• Email: [email protected]

This is an Impact Pricing Blog published on January 27, 2025, turned into an audio podcast so you can listen on the go.

Read Full Article Here: https://impactpricing.com/blog/overcoming-fud-how-to-reduce-fear-uncertainty-and-doubt-in-pricing/

If you have any feedback, definitely send it. You can reach us at [email protected]. 

Now, go make an impact.

Connect with Mark Stiving:

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/