Topline

In our first episode of 2025, Sam, AJ, and Asad continue the conversation on how AI is reshaping innovation and product development. They explore how the real game-changer isn't just about coding anymore—it's about sparking original ideas and unleashing creativity in this tech-driven era. Asad brings an interesting perspective on management, suggesting that trimming down on traditional managers might just be the secret sauce for boosting efficiency. The trio also gets personal, sharing their own leadership hurdles and aspirations for the year, from evolving their leadership styles to fine-tuning company processes.

Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now.

Attention CEOs and Founders! Join Pavilion at the CEO Summit on January 23rd in vibrant New Orleans. Don't miss out—reserve your spot today!

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter.

In this episode of the Topline, hosts Sam, AJ, and Asad look back at the defining moments of 2024, sharing personal reflections and key lessons on growth. They dive into the transformative role AI is playing across industries, from its impact on SaaS applications to the enduring value of human expertise in an automated world.

Looking ahead to 2025, Asad makes a bold prediction about HubSpot's trajectory, while the group tackles some of the biggest challenges companies face today, like distribution and valuation. They discuss why strong distribution channels are more critical than ever—and what that means for businesses striving to stay competitive.

Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now.

Attention CEOs and Founders! Join Pavilion at the CEO Summit on January 23rd in vibrant New Orleans. Don't miss out—reserve your spot today!

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter.

In this episode of the Topline podcast, hosts Sam, AJ, and Asad sits down with Janet Gehrmann, co-founder of Scoop Analytics, to dive into the ever-evolving world of tech startups. Janet shares the story behind Scoop Analytics and its mission to make data access and presentation effortless for business users. Together, they discuss the challenges of pivoting in response to market changes, finding the right balance between a founder's conviction and the need to stay flexible, and the exciting revival of San Francisco's tech scene. They also explore the rising trend of CEOs stepping aside after funding rounds, digging into the pressures of startup leadership and the importance of having a strong support network for founders.

Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now.

Attention CEOs and Founders! Join Pavilion at the CEO Summit on January 23rd in vibrant New Orleans. Don't miss out—reserve your spot today!

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter.

Topline by Pavilion is proud to debut the Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now: https://www.joinpavilion.com/the-revenue-leadership-podcast

Roxanne Bras Petraeus, CEO of Ethena, joins Sam, AJ, and Asad on Topline this week. Roxanne peels back the curtain on Ethena's early success in securing major clients like Figma and Netflix, highlighting the company's strategic approach to client acquisition and effective use of press coverage. The conversation also explores the evolving employer-employee relationship, focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the importance of fair, systematic processes to address unconscious bias. They then delve into the pivotal role of compliance training in shaping workplace behavior, emphasizing that impactful programs should create space for open dialogue, encourage self-reflection, and strengthen organizational culture overall.

Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now.

Attention CEOs and Founders! Join Pavilion at the CEO Summit on January 23rd in vibrant New Orleans. Don't miss out—reserve your spot today!

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter.

This week on Topline, Sam, AJ, and Asad sit down with Nick Mehta, CEO of Gainsight, to discuss the evolution of customer success (CS) and its growing impact on business strategy. Nick explains why sustained investment in CS is crucial, how customer success managers can thrive by combining technical and commercial skills, and the role AI plays in transforming customer interactions. The episode also delves into how pricing models shape CS strategy and what the future holds for AI-driven customer engagement. Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now. Attention CEOs and Founders! Join Pavilion at the CEO Summit on January 23rd in vibrant New Orleans. Don't miss out—reserve your spot today! Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter.

In Episode 85 of Topline, Sam Jacobs and Asad Zaman welcome Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, for a deep dive into the shifting landscape of venture capital and market trends. The discussion spans the resurgence of IPOs, the state of M&A activity, and how startups are adapting in a post-2021 economy. They explore the role of AI in reshaping growth strategies, the rising importance of capital efficiency, and the nuanced dynamics of late-stage funding. Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now. Attention CEOs and Founders! Join Pavilion at the CEO Summit on January 23rd in vibrant New Orleans. Don't miss out—reserve your spot today! Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter.

In this episode of the Revenue Leadership Podcast, host Kyle Norton sits down with Mark Kosoglow, co-founder & CEO of Operator.ai, to unpack the art of building a repeatable sales motion. Mark takes us through his journey—from selling shoes in a mall to leading high-performing sales teams at Outreach and Catalyst. Along the way, he highlights the critical role of process, measurement, and building the right team. The conversation dives into the challenges of creating consistent sales strategies, why proper instrumentation matters, and how enablement can accelerate onboarding for new hires. If you like what you heard from Kyle today, make sure to follow The Revenue Leadership Podcast for new episodes every Wednesday. Want more content from the Topline media family? Listen to Topline Podcast with Sam Jacobs, AJ Bruno, and Asad Zaman. Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners. Subscribe to Topline Newsletter written by Asad Zaman.

In this Sunday's episode, Sam, AJ, and Asad explore today's market dynamics looking at recent economic shifts, from Federal Reserve rate cuts to the crypto surge, and the challenges of business predictability. They also explore how sales compensation is evolving, especially with the rise of usage-based pricing models. Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now. Attention CEOs and Founders! Join Pavilion at the CEO Summit on January 23rd in vibrant New Orleans. Don't miss out—reserve your spot today! Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter. Resources: Pavilion Q3 Pulse Report Clouded Judgment State of Opencloud - Battery Ventures

In this week's episode, hosts Sam, AJ, and Asad dissect the election results and what it means for business leaders and workplaces. They tackle the tricky balance of handling political conversations in the office, highlighting the importance of keeping organizational goals in sight while respecting diverse employee viewpoints. They also look at how media is changing, pointing out the growing appeal of long-form content and authenticity in both politics and business. Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now. Attention CEOs and Founders! Join Pavilion at the CEO Summit on January 23rd in vibrant New Orleans. Don't miss out—reserve your spot today! Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter.

We welcome back David Obrand, CEO of Salesloft, for a lively discussion on navigating the shifting world of enterprise sales. David dives into his company's strategic move toward enterprise growth, highlighting why focusing on profitability and staying adaptable is crucial in today's unpredictable economy. They also explore how AI is shaping sales, the hurdles of staying competitive, and how go-to-market strategies are evolving to meet the moment. Topline by Pavilion is also proud to debut The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton. Listen now. If you haven't already, make sure to check out David's first Topline appearance where he discusses the three pillars of navigating the enterprise market. Want more? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and subscribe to Topline Newsletter.