132: Ron Koenigsberg – Watch, Do, Teach
Salesology® - Conversations with Sales Leaders
Release Date: 03/31/2025
Salesology® - Conversations with Sales Leaders
Guest: Vaughn English Guest Bio: Vaughn English is a growth-focused sales leader with over 10 years of experience driving revenue across industries including digital marketing, 3D visualization, tourism, and insurance. He has a proven track record of building high-performing outreach strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and closing complex B2B deals. Vaughn specializes in leveraging CRM platforms, marketing automation, and creative campaigns to engage prospects and accelerate the sales cycle. From launching national tourism campaigns to scaling 3D content solutions for enterprise...
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Guest: Melissa Palmer Guest Bio: Melissa started her sales career by accident, but quickly learned. She enjoyed connecting a customer with a solution and helping solve their problems and protect their interests. She is very good at building lasting relationships because her intention is always honest. She soon learned the best way to truly protect the customer is to also protect the company she represents; there has to be a win-win scenario, or no one wins in the long run. In management, she can do the greatest good as she works with the sales team to do just that, focusing on...
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Guest: Ben Filkouski Guest Bio: Ben graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2018. Upon graduating, Ben worked for Goldleaf Development, a Multi-Family Developer in Dane County, where he obtained his Real Estate License. In September of 2019, Ben joined Madison Commercial Real Estate. Since joining Madison Commercial Real Estate, Ben has become a Partner with the firm, obtained his Real Estate Brokers License, and earned his CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation. Ben currently serves on the board of Commercial Brokers Group Inc. (CBG) a...
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Guest: Matthew Freed Guest Bio: I’ve spent the last 20 years in sales and sales leadership, and I still find it incredibly rewarding. Most of that time has been in manufacturing and distribution, where I’ve had the opportunity to lead high-performing teams and work closely with customers. I currently lead a team across the Midwest and am passionate about building lasting culture, driving results, and simplifying the complicated. A big part of my leadership style is helping sellers achieve their goals while supporting them in becoming the best versions of themselves. I...
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Guest: Nick Sowards Guest Bio: Started cleaning machines in California at 18 years old at my grandfather’s company. Graduated into selling machines at 19, then left his company at 20 to sell new machines. Left California in 2004 and joined Absolute Machine Tools, selling their imported brands. In 2015, became GM for Absolute, running their Chicago facility. 2017 needed a change in my life and left Absolute with joining Ellison Technologies in December 17, and the ride has been great thus far! I'm a sales manager for NE Ohio and a territory manager for Lake and 1/2 of Cuyahoga...
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Guest: Erick Haas Guest Bio: Erick Haas is an experienced Ag Sales Manager with LandPro Equipment overseeing 17 Ag Salesmen while bringing 15 years of expertise in the John Deere dealer network. Erick’s AOR is primarily Western NY, Pennsylvania, and a portion of Ohio. His background includes Precision Agriculture, Training, Recruitment, and being a John Deere Certified Trainer. Erick is deeply committed to his Central NY community, serving as President of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, several program advisory boards, a 4-H Leader, and President of the...
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Guest: Mike Kochenderfer Guest Bio: Michael Kochenderfer is a seasoned sales leader with a proven track record of driving growth and building high-performing teams. As Regional Sales Manager at RECO Equipment, Inc., he is recognized not only for increasing revenue but also for his mentorship and coaching skills. Michael is dedicated to fostering professional development within his team, creating a positive and supportive work environment. His leadership has been instrumental in managing complex projects, including overseeing the most intricate commercial installations in DIRECTV's...
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Guest: Tom Wardach Guest Bio: After serving for a few years as an officer in the US Army, I ventured into the business world, and that wasn't even my original plan! After almost 35 years in my current industry, I never thought that I would be in it for that long. And yet after more than 3 decades, here I still am. I have had the capacity to work for some great companies and wonderful teams in sales, personnel, customer service, product, and information management. Key Points: Background and Career Path · Tom attended a military college in South Carolina and served...
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Guest: Karen Barbour Guest Bio: With nearly 40 years of surety experience, Karen Barbour founded The Barbour Group in 2002, a nationally licensed surety agency focused on construction bonding and advocacy, with offices in Maryland and Tennessee. TBG is a certified DBE, WBE, WOSB, and WBENC firm. Her advocacy sparked in the late 1990s when achieving a Federal Acquisition Regulation change permitting annual bond forms to support five-year contracts instead of one bond for five years, giving small and minority 8(a) firms the capability of bonding such projects. Karen serves on the...
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Guest: Josh Blackman Guest Bio: Josh Blackman is a licensed attorney, real estate broker, insurance broker, and general contractor. Mr. Blackman has some 45 years of business experience as a computer programmer, technical writer, practicing attorney, and entrepreneur. He has founded some six varied profitable companies, including a newsletter publisher, an email/postal-list marketer, a property manager, a real estate brokerage, a construction firm, a real estate holding company, and an insurance brokerage. His business experience includes overall managerial and administrative,...
info_outlineGuest: Ron Koenigsberg
Guest Bio:
Ron Koenigsberg is an award-winning commercial real estate broker with over three decades of experience and the founder of American Investment Properties, Inc.
Recognized as a top-performing broker nationwide, Ron has successfully navigated countless transactions, establishing himself as an industry leader and trusted advisor. As the author of "Power Broker: How to Succeed in Life and Business", Ron shares his proven insights into sales excellence, relationship-building, and personal growth. Known for his engaging style and practical advice, Ron leverages humor, warmth, and real-world experience to empower others to achieve greater professional success and personal fulfillment.
Key Points:
Dyslexia and Overcoming Challenges:
Ron shares his experience of being born with dyslexia, a condition that went undiagnosed during his childhood. Despite struggling with reading and comprehension, he found his strength in "human engineering," which led him to sales. His father's influence, especially through Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People, helped him realize that 85% of success is due to people skills, not technical knowledge.
Sales and Human Connection:
Ron emphasizes that sales success relies on building relationships, not just knowledge. He shares that the key to success is understanding people and communication, which is more important than expertise in a specific field. He mentions that 85% of successful entrepreneurs and business leaders start their careers in sales because it builds essential people skills.
Teaching Sales to His Team:
Ron adopts a "watch, do, teach" approach with his sales team. He emphasizes leading by example and actively teaching his team, building their skills through practical experience. He fosters a supportive environment, always looking to guide and encourage his salespeople, focusing on making them better rather than criticizing them.
Streamlining the Prospecting Process:
Originally, Ron tried to contact a large number of property owners (around 10,000), but eventually realized that focusing on a smaller group of 800 key individuals worked better. This "narrowing down" approach allowed for deeper, more meaningful connections, and ultimately led to more successful relationships.
Persistence in Sales:
Ron emphasizes the importance of persistence in sales. He shares that 80% of sales happen after the fourth ask and encourages his team to keep pushing and not be discouraged by rejection. He uses a CRM to manage and track relationships, remembering personal details about prospects, as he believes in the power of personalization.
Building Resilience:
Ron believes resilience is crucial for sales success and business leadership. Despite setbacks and rejections, resilience helps maintain motivation and drive. He practices what he preaches by remaining calm in tough situations and sharing his own experiences with his team to help them develop emotional resilience.
Hiring Challenges and Social Media:
Ron admits that recruiting talent has been his biggest challenge in growing his business. He has recently focused more on social media, growing his LinkedIn following from 1,000 to 14,000 in a year, using it to attract talent and build his brand.
His Book, Power Broker:
Ron wrote a book titled Power Broker, focusing on success in sales and business. It’s particularly aimed at aspiring commercial real estate brokers. The book was written with his sons in mind, sharing his knowledge and lessons for them to use in their lives. The book has resonated with a wider audience and is available in various formats, including Audible and Amazon.
Family and Legacy:
He shares his desire for his children to be involved in his business, though they are still young. He wants to build a successful company that attracts his sons to work with him in the future.
Overcoming Dyslexia:
Ron reflects on the impact of dyslexia on his life, acknowledging that it has shaped his resilience and approach to challenges. He stresses that dyslexia taught him how to overcome obstacles and build resilience, which is key to thriving in sales and business.
The interview highlights the power of resilience, human connection in sales, persistence, and the importance of teaching others as a key to leadership and success.
Guest Links:
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