Mastering Human Skills and Growing into Leadership w/Ron Whitson

Welcome to the Pre-Sales Podcast! Today we have a fantastic guest joining us—Todd Janzen. Todd brings a wealth of experience from his impressive career in pre-sales, including his time at Salesforce and now as SVP of Customer Success and Buyer Enablement, Consensus In our conversation, we dive into the presales craft, influence in GTM, and more. One of the standout points was Todd's focus on the statistic that 83% of B2B buyers engage in self-discovery before ever speaking to a sales representative. We also explore Todd's unique journey into pre-sales, starting from his early days in consulting to becoming a solution engineer at Salesforce. He shared insights on how he developed innovative approaches to enhance demo environments and improve the overall buyer experience, emphasizing the need for solution engineers to unlock their full potential throughout the customer journey. So, grab a seat and get ready, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Sarah Idriss is a PreSales + Product dream state, blending customer feedback with product roadmap in innovative ways, and It's my pleasure to have her on the PreSales Podcast.  Episode Takeaways:  Relationship of Product + PreSales (and beyond). The vital role PreSales plays in shaping product development and ensuring alignment with customer needs. What makes a good product...and what makes a great product? What differentiates good products from great ones: integrating PreSales feedback into product innovation. Feedback loop - how to fine-tune product features. Using PreSales insights to fine-tune product features, leading to more market-ready and successful launches. Customer-centric product and presales focus, how to build something that matters Product & PreSales are each other's best weapons to get great outcomes, but their primary drivers are often different. Sarah talks about her drive to build the best product to give the most value to as many people as possible at scale. Embracing the different drivers of PreSales and Product teams helps her forge more effective relationships between both departments to get the ultimate win. Sarah can be best reached at [email protected] Thank you for tuning in!

Hello and welcome to the PreSales podcast, is your host and PreSales Collective general manager Chris Mabry.  Today I’m speaking with Julia Lustig, SE Leader at Seismic and Co-Host of the Revenue Circus Podcast. We explore how to create content on Linkedin,  the future of solution consulting examining how this role is evolving in response to new challenges and technologies. We also discuss the importance of collaboration across departments and how AI is reshaping the pre-sales landscape. You can find Julia Lustig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-lustig/ Remember, these insights are not just theoretical; they are actionable strategies you can implement in your own work. Thanks for tuning in, at PreSales Collective we are all about connecting and learning and growing together. we look forward to seeing you next time!

Episode Title: The Power of Technical Mastery in PreSales with Dan Hellerman Host: Chris Mabry, General Manager of PreSales Collective Guest: Dan Hellerman, Technology Enthusiast and Co-Founder of Saleo Episode Summary: In this episode, Chris Mabry sits down with Dan Hellerman to discuss the essential role of technical mastery for PreSales professionals. Dan shares his deep passion for technology and explains how a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of a product can be a game-changer in demo environments. From managing the complexities of SaaS environments to the critical role AI plays in shaping more effective demos, Dan dives into the nitty-gritty details that can make or break a PreSales experience. Key Topics Covered: The Balance Between Technical Depth and Sales Focus: Dan highlights the differing expectations between buyers, sellers, and solution engineers when it comes to technical details. While sellers often prioritize closing deals and driving revenue, buyers and SEs may be more focused on understanding the product's technical intricacies. Dan shares why it’s important for PreSales professionals to bridge this gap and provide both perspectives. Why Technical Mastery is a "Superpower" for PreSales Professionals: Dan believes that those who take the time to deeply understand the products they are demoing—and even build demo environments from scratch—have a distinct advantage. This technical fluency allows them to address complex questions and instill confidence in buyers. Dan's Journey in Software Development and Entrepreneurship: With a background in designing and developing software, Dan reflects on his career leading up to co-founding Saleo. His hands-on experience gives him a unique perspective on how to approach technical demos and product storytelling. Navigating Buyer Skepticism in Demos: Drawing from his own experiences as a buyer, Dan explains how technical curiosity and detailed questioning often lead to skepticism in demo environments. He shares strategies on how to manage this and build trust with technically savvy buyers. The Role of AI in Optimizing Demo Environments: Dan also touches on how AI is transforming demo environments and helping PreSales teams streamline their processes, making demos more interactive, personalized, and effective. Quotes to Highlight: "Technical mastery is the superpower that sets PreSales apart—it’s about telling the product's story in a way that resonates with both sellers and buyers." "In my experience, the most compelling demos are the ones where you can really get into the technical weeds and show not just what a product does, but how it does it." Guest Bio: Dan Hellerman is a co-founder of Saleo and a passionate technology enthusiast with a rich background in software development. He has a keen interest in solving complex technical problems and leveraging technology to drive business value. Links: Connect with Dan Hellerman on LinkedIn: Dan Hellerman LinkedIn

This episode delves into Ron Whitson's career journey as a presales professional, highlighting essential lessons learned along the way. While his technical skills initially secured my role, it was mastering human skills that truly accelerated his success.  Episode Takeaways Imposter syndrome never really goes away To excel as a presales professional, focus on human skills There’s always something new to learn if you look for it Guidance on growing into leadership as a presales professional Closing Advice One of the best pieces of advice I received was from an IBM executive: “Run to the problem.” In presales, identifying issues and devising solutions proactively can set you apart. Connect with Ron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronwhitsonse/ Timeless Behaviors Book: https://timelessbehaviors.com/    

Liz Anderson directs the PreSales Collective Enablement programming, from PreSales Academy through leadership training, channeling her PreSales experience through to world-class programming and facilitation.  Liz has well over a decade of experience and PreSales from organizations, large and small, from Slack to startups. Episode Takeaways Presales enablement is essential to prioritize and needs a balance between technical and soft skills. Learning is best done with others both for practice and for accountability. You are responsible for your own growth; create a plan that includes improving on things you’re already good at. You can connect with Liz Anderson here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizandersonpresales/ PreSales Enablement Programming: https://www.presalescollective.com/programs/live-courses For team training - please reach out!! Thank you for tuning in.  

Join Chris Mabry and Daniel Kish as they explore Daniel's unique career journey from chemical engineering to product marketing, with experience across military consulting, Salesforce, Gong, and Conveyor. He shares insights on the value of understanding technical details and balancing cost, performance, and time—lessons learned from his Special Forces tenure. Daniel emphasizes that effective product marketing requires collaboration beyond the marketing department, particularly with presales teams. He advocates for proactive outreach and communication councils to align messaging and strategy. The episode also delves into Conveyor's AI-driven tool for automating security reviews, reducing the administrative burden on sales engineers, and linking AI tools to CRMs for deeper insights and impact on revenue. Daniel encourages a curious, adaptable approach to career growth in product marketing and presales. Connect with him at [email protected] or on LinkedIn to keep the conversation going.

Today, I’m speaking with Patty Hager, Vice President of SMB Solution Engineering at Salesforce, Patty and I discuss AI in Go To Market and presales, we dive into her insight on forecasting the future job of an SE, and much more. Patty is passionate about inclusion in PreSales with her work as a council member of Women in Solutions Excellence PSC and director of WISE at Salesforce, and a previous PSC Ambassador. I also share insight into my experience in this area. You can connect with Patty here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattyhager/ Patty Hager shared her upcoming volunteer experience with Bridge to Rwanda through Salesforce's unique 1-1-1 philanthropic model. This initiative dedicates 1% of the company's equity, products, and employees' time to global community support.  You can find the organization here: https://www.bridge2rwanda.org/ Conclusion: Looking Ahead The integration of AI, continuous learning, and meaningful community involvement are crucial for the modern presales professional. By forecasting future job roles and staying ahead of industry trends, professionals can ensure their indispensable value to their organizations and clients. Best Ways to Get Involved and Stay Connected For more insights and to connect with Patty Hager, follow her on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for updates on her volunteer trip to Rwanda and join the PreSales Collective community for further engagement and learning opportunities.  

Today I speak with Matthew Young James, Senior Solutions Engineer at Codat, a 2024 PSC Ambassador, and the NYC PreSales guy. Cross-departmental relationships are not a choice in our profession, they are a part of everyday life - and I’d argue that they are one of the main reasons we exist We dive into his experience facing challenging relationships and let him share what he would have done differently. I also shared insight into my experience in this area - it was a fun conversation!  Nobody wants to take work home with them but sometimes it’s less of a choice - Matthew and I talk about how to do this better. Matthew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewyoungjames/ If you tuned in, please share your favorite takeaway with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pscgm/    

Today, I’m speaking with Evan Powell, Co-Founder of Reprise. We discuss market trends, where PreSales and Solutions folks can take advantage of the need in GTM today, and he shares his insights from designing enterprise solutions with what he refers to as a Demo Program. I love talking with Evan because he gets it. From D&D to his journey in Sales, he understands the challenges we face here in PreSales and loves the community. The title for todays episode is Founder Stories: Demo Programs meet buyers where they are w/Evan Powell We talk about: Buying in 2024 is different - we need to meet the prospect where they are Selling is a team sport - a Demo Program is necessary to enable your entire GTM team and help your buyer Trends in AI and Demo Automation One of my biggest takeaways is this: Now is the time to expand your influence. Executives are hungry for the information you have and the unique skills you bring to the table. Don’t squander the chance. There are so many golden nuggets here - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and thank you for tuning in. Thank you for joining me today on this epic adventure with Evan Powell You can find Evan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanwapowell/ Evan's email [email protected], And Reprise.com Thank you for tuning in. At PSC we are about learning, connecting, and growing. I believe investing in these three pillars will greatly increase your success and happiness at work and in life.