SBI, The Growth Advisory

In this episode, Mike Hoffman sits down with Domenic Colasante, CEO of 2X Marketing, to unpack what it takes to drive growth in 2025’s uncertain market. They explore how AI is reshaping go-to-market strategy, why traditional buyer journeys no longer exist, and how leaders can blend machine intelligence with human judgment to find clarity amid the noise. Dom shares lessons from running a 1,500-person AI-first marketing firm and explains how to turn productivity gains into measurable impact.

This episode, Tony Erickson, Managing Partner of SBI Growth Advisory, sits down with Nicole Rogas, President of RevSpring, to talk about what it really takes to make an impact fast in today’s commercial leadership roles. She challenges the old idea of a six-month “listening tour” and shows how AI accelerates impact, while sharing how leaders can balance speed, accountability, and relationships in a high-pressure environment. 

Key takeaways: 

• Why leaders can’t afford six months of listening and how to make moves in the first 30 days. 

• How AI can pinpoint GTM friction quickly, while human leadership drives the fixes. 

• Why relationships remain the ultimate advantage, even in an AI-powered future. 

In this episode of The Climb, Cliff Simon, CRO of Carabiner Group, a part of SBI, is joined by Will Allred, Co-Founder of Lavender, where they talk through developing messaging that aligns with the goals of the brand in order to build a cohesive story through digital presence, brand identity, and in-person events.With a strong focus on the value of building a strong personal and brand identity, Cliff and Will outline the evolving nature of social media and strategies to drive engagement.Key Takeaways:Overall goal is to educate the market, establish brand identity, and become top of mind in consumers.Consider: how many logical steps does your audience have to make to tie your content to your brand.Marrying the brands digital presence with in-person interactions is essential.

In the latest episode of the GTM Value Creation Corner Podcast, JD Miller, author of The CRO’s Guide to Winning in Private Equity, joins Anthony Erickson, SBI’s Managing Partner, to share actionable insights for navigating boardroom conversations with confidence.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

- Preparing for tough questions and concerns.

- Communicating effectively with the limited day-to-day context of the board.

- Striking a balance between transparency and strategic intent.

In this episode, Anthony Erickson, SBI Managing Partner, hosts JD Miller, author of “The CRO’s Guide to Winning in Private Equity,” to explore the critical role predictability plays in achieving consistent growth in today’s fast-moving business environment. Together, they break down the common challenges business leaders face when trying to predict outcomes and provide practical solutions for improving forecasting. Key Takeaways: • Game-changing tools and frameworks for improving forecasting reliability.• Striking the right balance between trusting the numbers and listening to your intuition.• Prioritizing predictability across all levels of an organization is key to drive alignment.

In this conversation, Mike Hoffman speaks with Sudhakar Ramakrishna, President and CEO of SolarWinds, about the role of AI in IT and business and the challenges of commercial efficiency and productivity. Sudhakar shares insights on how SolarWinds has integrated AI into their products to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. They also discuss the importance of talent management and how AI can assist in identifying and enabling better talent within organizations.

Key talking points:

Join Mike Hoffman and Nick Mehta, CEO of Gainsight, as they discuss the importance of customer success management as a driver of commercial efficiency and focusing on its role in enhancing customer retention and expansion for sustainable growth. Their conversation highlights AI's impact on streamlining interactions and personalizing experiences, boosting satisfaction. Additionally, they discuss the need for businesses to regularly reevaluate their strategies is emphasized to adapt to evolving market dynamics and customer expectations for greater efficiency.

Key Talking Points:

• The role of customer success in driving Commercial Efficiency at Gainsight

• AI's transformative impact on customer interactions

• How CEO’s can reevaluate business strategies for enhanced efficiency

Taking the helm of a carve-out can be a substantial shift for CEOs accustomed to leading larger organizations. Though the challenges may appear daunting, success starts with a thoughtful evaluation of the available talent and resources, followed by a focus on executing high-impact goals that accelerate your return on go-to-market. Join Mike Hoffman, SBI CEO, and Jeff Williams, Aptia President and CEO, as they discuss the critical priorities for carve-out organizations and share the unexpected insights Aptia gained on their path to independence.

Businesses across a wide range of industries are adopting AI as a key driver of growth. While it has brought unprecedented levels of success for some, the prevalence of AI also highlighted critical shortcomings in the grid infrastructure that is struggling to keep up with the energy demands of today’s cutting-edge technologies.

The importance of effective communication in today's dynamic market cannot be overstated, especially for publicly traded companies. CEOs must master the art of conveying their message to the street while managing their reputation and risk.