The Grow Fast Podcast

In this episode of The Grow Fast Podcast, host Mark Shriner sits down with Eli Portnoy, a seasoned entrepreneur who has founded multiple successful startups, to explore the critical importance of customer feedback in B2B businesses. Portnoy shares his journey from working at Amazon to launching innovative companies like Think Near and Sense 360, ultimately leading to the creation of Back Engine, a platform designed to help businesses better understand and act on customer insights.

The conversation delves deep into the challenges of scaling B2B companies and the common pitfalls of misinterpreting customer needs. Portnoy reveals a startling statistic that 85% of sales team explanations for lost deals are incorrect, highlighting the critical need for a more systematic approach to gathering and analyzing customer feedback. Through his experiences, he illustrates how companies often build the wrong solutions by fixating on specific feature requests instead of understanding the underlying problems customers are trying to solve.

Drawing from a survey of 150 SaaS founders, Portnoy demonstrates a clear correlation between mature customer feedback practices and business performance. He offers practical advice for companies looking to improve their customer listening skills, including assigning a feedback owner, ensuring the CEO regularly talks to customers, and implementing a weekly company-wide feedback summary. The episode provides a compelling blueprint for businesses seeking to transform their approach to customer insights and drive meaningful growth.

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In this episode of The Grow Fast Podcast, we are doing a deep dive into the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG) with a special focus on branding, marketing, and the critical alignment between sales and marketing teams.

Our guest, Andrew Thomas, brings a wealth of experience from leading brands like PepsiCo, Chicken of the Sea, and, currently Archer Meat Snacks, offering a unique perspective on navigating the complex landscape of modern food marketing. Andrew's journey through brand management is a masterclass in adaptability and strategic thinking.

From his early days at General Mills to leadership roles in both large corporations and nimble startups, he has consistently demonstrated an ability to drive growth by understanding consumer needs and creating compelling brand narratives. His approach goes beyond traditional marketing communications, focusing on how brands can truly connect with consumers and make healthier eating more accessible. In this episode, we'll unpack the intricacies of rebranding, explore the evolving consumer demand for transparency in food labeling, and learn how data-driven insights can transform marketing strategies.

Whether you're a marketing professional, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about the forces shaping the food industry, this conversation promises to provide valuable takeaways about building brands that resonate with modern consumers.

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In today's fast-paced startup ecosystem, founders face unprecedented challenges in building successful businesses. Navigating the complex world of venture capital, product development, and market expansion requires not just innovative ideas but a strategic approach to growth.

In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, we dive deep with Vijay Rajendran, an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and author who has worked with hundreds of startups across more than 80 countries. Vijay brings a wealth of knowledge from his time at 500 Global, where he led corporate innovation partnerships and helped portfolio companies raise capital and expand their networks. His recent book, "The Funding Framework," offers founders a systematic approach to fundraising, challenging the notion that securing investment is purely a matter of luck or connections.

Through his work as an executive coach and investor, Vijay has developed keen insights into what makes founders successful in today's competitive landscape. Join us as we explore the critical traits of successful entrepreneurs, the importance of storytelling in pitches, strategies for maintaining mental health while building a startup, and the transformative potential of AI in traditional industries. Whether you're a founder, investor, or simply curious about the startup world, this conversation promises to provide valuable perspectives on accelerating business growth in an ever-changing market.

The Grow Fast Podcast is brought to you by Breeze Docs, the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective way for companies to respond to RFPs.

Breeze Docs

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In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, host Mark Shriner sits down with marketing expert Jeff Wenberg to explore the evolving landscape of digital marketing. Jeff shares his journey from aspiring musician to successful marketing professional, detailing how he transitioned from doing voiceovers on Fiverr to becoming a strategic marketing consultant who helps businesses effectively communicate their value propositions.

The conversation delves deep into the critical aspects of B2C marketing, with Jeff emphasizing the importance of connecting with potential customers by addressing their specific problems rather than simply listing product features. Using real-world examples, he illustrates how reframing messaging can dramatically improve marketing effectiveness, transforming struggling businesses into thriving enterprises by helping them understand and articulate their true value to their target audience.

As the discussion unfolds, Mark and Jeff also explore the emerging challenges and opportunities presented by AI and large language models, discussing how these technologies are reshaping search patterns and marketing strategies. They touch on personal growth, sharing insights about habits, productivity, and the importance of understanding customer needs. The podcast offers listeners a comprehensive look at modern marketing techniques, blending practical advice with personal anecdotes and forward-thinking perspectives on business growth.

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In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, host Mark Shriner sits down with Christian Ray Flores, a remarkable entrepreneur, performance coach, and philanthropist who has lived in six countries across four continents. From his early days navigating political upheaval in Chile and the Soviet Union to becoming a top pop star in Russia, Christian shares an extraordinary journey of resilience, adaptability, and personal transformation that has shaped his unique worldview and approach to life and business.

Christian delves into his current work as a performance coach, revealing the critical importance of inner development and emotional self-regulation for high achievers. He discusses his innovative approach to personal branding in the age of AI, and shares insights from his philanthropic efforts with the Ascend Academy in Mozambique, where he helps children from extreme poverty develop skills, confidence, and hope for a better future. His mission is rooted in the belief that with the right mentorship and opportunities, individuals can transcend their circumstances and create meaningful change.

Throughout the conversation, Christian offers practical wisdom on building a fulfilling life, including his morning routine for peak performance, the importance of community, and strategies for continuous personal growth. He candidly discusses his own challenges, including overcoming depression and rebuilding his life after achieving international music success, providing listeners with inspiring and actionable insights into personal development, resilience, and finding one's unique path in an ever-changing world.

Xponential Life

https://www.xponential.life/

Ascend Academy

https://www.ascendmission.fund/

In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, Mark Shriner interviews Adam O'Connor, Chief Commercial Officer at Gear Inc., a global outsourcing firm specializing in call center services and trust and safety operations.

Adam provides insights into the complex world of business process outsourcing (BPO), highlighting their extensive network of 26 locations that cover 76 different languages across Asia, South America, North America, and Europe. The conversation delves deep into the nuances of call center operations, exploring how companies like Gear Inc. recruit, train, and manage multilingual teams to provide high-quality customer service.

Adam emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, finding the right talent, and creating a partnership approach rather than simply offering a low-cost solution. He also discusses the emerging role of AI in the industry, noting that while technology is advancing, the human element remains crucial in providing exceptional customer experiences.

Throughout the interview, Adam shares his extensive international sales experience, offering perspectives on cultural differences in business negotiations, the challenges of global team management, and the broader impact of BPO on local economies. He highlights how outsourcing can provide significant economic opportunities in developing countries, with BPO jobs often paying 150-200% more than local employment, thereby lifting entire communities and creating pathways for professional growth and development.

In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, host Mark Shriner interviews David Hirschfeld, Founder and CEO of Tekyz, a software development firm with extensive experience working with startups. Hirschfeld shares insights from his 35-year career in software development, emphasizing the importance of building exceptional development teams and helping companies scale effectively. He discusses his philosophy of hiring extremely smart, experienced professionals who can think critically and contribute meaningfully to a project.

The conversation centers on Hirschfeld's "Launch First" methodology, a strategic approach to product development that prioritizes understanding market needs before building a minimum viable product (MVP). Instead of immediately investing $50,000-$150,000 in an MVP, he recommends creating a high-fidelity prototype for $10-$25,000, conducting thorough market research, and identifying early adopters. This approach allows companies to validate product-market fit by securing pre-launch sales and generating revenue to fund further development.

Hirschfeld illustrates his approach with a case study of a healthcare AI startup that pivoted from monitoring wearable devices to creating an AI nurse capable of managing patient transitions and providing personalized healthcare communication. He also discusses the rapidly evolving AI landscape, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation. Throughout the podcast, Hirschfeld stresses key principles for fast business growth: hire smart people, test everything, document successful processes, and remain flexible in product development.

Tekyz Corp

https://tekyz.com/

Scaling Smarter Podcast

https://tekyz.com/podcast/

This episode of The Grow Fast Podcast features Kevin Dominik Korte, a Board Member and IT Innovation & Growth Strategist with expertise in digital transformation, identity management, and open-source IT infrastructure. With over 50 startup investments—several reaching IPO stages—Kevin shares insights on how investors evaluate go-to-market strategy, sales effectiveness, and scalability. Kevin emphasizes the importance of early sales traction, advising startups to focus on building a niche customer base rather than chasing a broad market. Drawing from his experience in strategy formulation and market expansion, he highlights how industry mastery fosters organic referrals and investor confidence. 

He also explores the blending of sales and marketing, noting that personalized outreach—such as cold calling and targeted LinkedIn engagement—often outperforms broad marketing campaigns. Additionally, he stresses the importance of recurring revenue, churn rates, and customer engagement in assessing business viability. Kevin shares lessons from his career, including his success in establishing Univention’s first overseas subsidiary and positioning it as a leader in IT governance and identity management. Currently an Advisory Board Member to Moxey and a mentor to startups at NewChip, he closes with practical advice for founders, recommending public speaking training and Crossing the Chasm to refine their sales approach and scale effectively. 

You can watch the video of the Grow Fast Podcast with Kevin Dominik here:  

Youtube 

Kevin Dominik Korte

www.korte.co  

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Breeze Docs 

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This episode of the Grow Fast Podcast featuring Joshua Stout, LinkedIn Certified Marketing Expert™ and Director of Advertising at Influent, focused on leveraging LinkedIn for B2B marketing success. Joshua shared his journey of scaling an agency and developing expertise in LinkedIn advertising, highlighting how businesses can effectively use the platform to generate demand, build trust, and drive conversions. He explained the key differences between demand capture (Google Ads) and demand generation (LinkedIn Ads), emphasizing the importance of a multi-channel strategy to nurture leads and optimize ad performance. Joshua also discussed the role of branding and content marketing in LinkedIn campaigns, stressing that businesses should invest in long-term brand awareness before expecting immediate returns on ad spend. 

Another key topic was the strategic approach to LinkedIn advertising and content optimization. Joshua provided insights into setting up a full-funnel ad strategy, including top-of-funnel brand awareness, middle-of-funnel engagement, and bottom-of-funnel conversion campaigns. He shared best practices for A/B testing, targeting decision-makers, and utilizing LinkedIn’s advanced professional filters to reach the right audience. Additionally, Joshua explored how AI is transforming digital marketing, from automating audits and strategy planning to enhancing ad targeting with data-driven insights. The conversation wrapped up with advice on building a strong LinkedIn presence, balancing thought leadership with personal branding, and leveraging both organic content and paid ads to establish credibility and drive business growth. 

You can watch the video of the Grow Fast Podcast with Joshua Stout here:  

Youtube 

Influent 

http://influent.nyc

The Grow Fast Podcast is brought to you buy Breeze Docs, the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective way for SMBs to respond to RFPs. 

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This episode of the Grow Fast Podcast featuring Todd Caponi, an award-winning sales leader and author of The Transparency Sale and The Transparent Sales Leader, explored the evolving principles of sales and the critical role of transparency in fostering trust and long-term success. Todd, whose expertise spans sales methodology, learning theory, and decision science, shared insights from his research on sales history, emphasizing that while technology and tools have advanced, the core principles of sales—focused on service and guiding buyers—have remained consistent over centuries. He discussed how the overwhelming availability of information has made the buying process harder for customers and how sales professionals can embrace transparency to guide them more effectively. Todd introduced the concept of "flawesome" salesmanship, where companies openly acknowledge their imperfections, fostering trust and accelerating decision-making. With a track record that includes helping a technology company achieve a successful IPO and a $3B exit, as well as winning the American Business "Stevie" Award for VP of Worldwide Sales of the Year, Todd's insights are grounded in proven success.

Another major topic was Todd's "5F Framework" for revenue leadership, which emphasizes focus, field, fundamentals, forecasting, and fun. He explained how this structure helps sales leaders plan effectively, maintain consistency, and optimize team performance. Todd also shared examples from his workshops and leadership programs, designed to equip teams with actionable tools for improving communication, qualification, and negotiation. The discussion wrapped up with a look at how technology, including AI, can enhance sales processes when used through the lens of service rather than scale, encouraging sales professionals to prioritize genuine connections over automation.

You can watch the video of the Grow Fast Podcast with Todd Caponi here:  

Youtube 

TODD CAPONI 

www.toddcaponi.com  

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