Tech Sales is for Hustlers

Starting at the bottom is both inevitable and essential and this is especially true in sales. The SDR role is a crucial starting point and learning how to master it is critical for a fruitful sales career.  

In this episode of Tech Sales is for Hustlers, Colby Cambra discusses the foundation of his success and explains how he’s been able to climb the ranks to senior Corporate Account Executive at CrowdStrike. From the in-person work environments he’s experienced to learning how to focus on the value of each conversation with a prospect, Colby largely attributes his career trajectory to the lessons and skills he began learning as an SDR.  

A sales career should be anything but stagnant. While many will begin as entry-level sales reps, that merely serves as the launchpad for the rest of their career endeavors. After all, once you take that first step in sales, the opportunities for growth are truly inexhaustible.  

In this episode of Tech Sales is for Hustlers, Max Hufft, now a Senior Solutions Architect at Veracode, explores his journey from being a memoryBlue SDR to transitioning into his present position, while discussing how the SDR position prepared him for his role and taught him the importance of believing in his company’s product.  

Success in sales is attainable to anyone willing to work hard and work consistently day in and day out. While underrepresentation and prejudice can be major stumbling blocks, Kendrick Trotter is an excellent representation of how they don’t have to be an entire roadblock.  

In this episode of Tech Sales is for Hustlers, Kendrick, now the CEO of Us in Technology describes his journey through sales, explains how he’s achieved success while being a member of a minority group, and unpacks how his company helps underrepresented ethnicities find a job.  

You can be the best student in class or the most dedicated mentee within your company, but you will never be able to master sales until you get real-world experience. This is what April Kemp continually emphasizes to her marketing and sales students.  

In this episode of the Campus Series Podcast, April Kemp, a professor at Southeastern Louisiana University, discusses the way she encourages her students to explore different jobs while hearing from people actively working in those industries, and pushing themselves to get hands-on experience while in undergrad.  

Sales reps often fear that cold calling is an intrusion on their prospect’s time. However, it’s really the act of presenting them with a fitting and convenient solution, which in turn saves them the time of doing countless hours of their own research. For this reason, Thom Lacalle challenges sales reps to enter each conversation confidently rather than apologetically. 

In this episode of Tech Sales is for Hustlers, Managing Director Thom discusses his first experiences with growing confidence in sales roles, while exploring the ways sales is often a team sport and the importance of managers leading their teams by example.  

Entering the professional world isn’t easy. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take the transition by storm. Anyone can succeed right from the start if they develop a strong confidence from within, possess a strong discernment of what they are and aren’t interested in, and practice a flexible mindset. 

In this episode of Tech Sales is for Hustlers, our hosts Marc and Chris welcome Brian Ball, an Account Executive at Simpplr. Brian relives his start at memoryBlue, explains how it motivated him to pursue his dreams, and unpacks what he would want to tell his younger self now that he’s reached success as an Account Executive.  

According to Dena Hale, sales is about two things: effective communication and helping people. Without both, you’ll either end up as a smooth-talking salesman with no clear purpose, or a person with good intentions but no concrete success.  

In this episode of the Campus Series Podcast, assistant professor at Stetson University Dena Hale unpacks her military experience and its influences on her career, shares her views on the sales role, and describes Stetson’s sales classes and how she gets her students interested in the industry. 

When it comes to working in sales, there are two things to always keep your focus on your customer and your brand. When you start your career with the habit of putting your customer’s needs first and making sure you know your brand inside and out, you'll have a strong foundation for success as you navigate more tenured positions and take on more responsibilities. 

In this episode of Tech Sales is for Hustlers, Stu Dyer, now the First Vice President of Data Center Advisory at CBRE, describes his growth as he’s navigated through different positions in his career. From working in the hospitality industry and sales to serving as a broker and now working as a VP in commercial real estate, Stu has accrued extensive wisdom and knowledge that he shares in this episode!  

Valuable sales experience can come from the most unlikely of places. From learning how to be a solid competitor as a high school athlete, to challenging yourself to sell your most expensive cocktails as a bartender, sales skills can be both learned and sharpened long before you land your first official sales job.  ⠀
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In this episode of Tech Sales is for Hustlers, Senior Sales Manager at Infinite Blue, Catherine Seaman recounts the many steps, experiences, and natural qualities that have built up her skillset and enabled her to thrive in her sales career ever since she started at memoryBlue.⠀

Embrace the change, be quick to listen, and get comfortable with numbers. According to Rafael from Florida International University (FIU), these are the essential actions to take when striving to be a good salesman. The quicker these become second nature, the quicker you will find success in sales.  ⠀
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In this episode of the Campus Series Podcast, Co-Director of the FIU Sales Program Rafael Soltero discusses his story and lessons learned while becoming a successful salesperson and respected teacher since moving to the US from Puerto Rico. Make sure to stick around until minute 38 for a Spanish portion of the episode featuring Seattle DM Gabriella Flores!