In this episode of SaaS Therapy, host Todd Kirk and co-host Casey Trujillo welcome Carson Heady, a sales expert from Microsoft. They discuss Carson's extensive sales background, the transition from hardware to SaaS, and the essential skills for successful selling. Carson emphasizes the importance of building trust with customers, understanding their needs, and navigating the complexities of AI in sales. The conversation also covers the significance of expanding relationships beyond IT, the best and worst sales advice, and strategies for preparing for executive conversations. Carson shares insights on collaboration with team members and finding opportunities in point solutions, concluding with actionable homework for listeners to enhance their sales success.

Takeaways

Your network is your net worth.

Building relationships is key to successful sales.

Trust is earned by understanding customer needs.

AI should be used meaningfully, not just for the sake of it.

Focus on making your customer the hero of the story.

Control the controllables in your sales process.

Small tweaks can lead to significant improvements.

Don't be afraid to reach out to multiple contacts in an organization.

Understand the motivations of your team members for better collaboration.

Sometimes, doing the opposite of your instincts can lead to success.

Contents

00:00 Introduction to SaaS Therapy and Guest Introduction

00:59 Carson Heady's Sales Journey and Background

02:40 Transitioning from Hardware to SaaS Sales

04:20 Key Qualities for Successful Selling

05:38 Building Trust and Understanding Customer Needs

07:28 Navigating AI in Sales Conversations

10:51 Differentiating in a Competitive AI Landscape

14:42 Leveraging AI for Efficiency and Productivity

19:34 Advice for New Sellers and Building Relationships

25:20 Closing Deals with Transparency

27:32 Navigating Tough Conversations

32:05 Collaborating with Team Members

37:20 Building Relationships for Success

41:14 Finding Opportunities in Point Solutions

44:59 Challenging the Status Quo

Resources

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Credits

Show direction: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Debra Wilson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show design: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kensie Smith⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenna Mollinet⁠