Libsyn Directory

Understanding Why Strategic Account Management Builds Relationships, Ep #505

Release Date: 05/06/2026

Sales Reinvented

Sales prospecting and lead generation are the lifeblood of any thriving sales career—but they’re also some of the most misunderstood and mismanaged aspects of the job. Carole Mahoney, Darryl Praill, and Tim Hughes share insights that challenge traditional mindsets and equip listeners to approach prospecting with precision, empathy, and creativity. We explore the necessity of ongoing learning, time-blocking for prospecting, and seeking support from peers. My experts also discuss the risks of overvaluing a single champion in the sales cycle and the power of humanized content to...

Building Connections that Convert, Ep #518

Sales Reinvented

We’re digging deep into the essentials of prospecting and lead generation with guests Brynne Tillman, Jeff Bajorek, and Caryn Kopp this week. They share their top actionable do's and don'ts, revealing prospecting strategies that they have found to work. You’ll hear real-world success stories—from making warm connections on LinkedIn to the power of consistent, quality touchpoints and the importance of solving your client’s real challenges, not just following the standard playbook. Outline of This Episode [05:53] Challenges of prospecting and leads [07:09] Taking...

Unlocking the Science of Prospecting, Ep #517

Sales Reinvented

This episode of Sales Reinvented dives deep into the essential do’s and don’ts of prospecting and lead generation with advice from three industry trailblazers. I host Bill McCormick, Mary Grothe, and Tony Hughes to help you transform cold outreach into meaningful connections and qualified leads. You'll hear their top do's and don'ts for successful lead generation, compelling real-world sales stories, and get their lessons learned from overcoming challenges in the field. Outline of This Episode [01:49] Nurture prospects on LinkedIn by providing value and insight...

Spinning Sales Gold—Why Stories Sell, Ep #516

Sales Reinvented

Today’s “Best Of” episode brings together top minds in storytelling for sales success. In this episode, you'll hear practical do’s and don’ts from Philip Humm, Doug Keeley, and Patti Pokorchak, who share how to craft stories that engage, connect, and create real value for clients. Whether it’s making your customer the hero, keeping stories concise and relevant, or demonstrating the undeniable power of value-driven storytelling, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your sales conversations and results. Get ready to be inspired by compelling examples and...

How to Captivate Customers, Ep #515

Sales Reinvented

Storytelling isn’t just a buzzword in the world of sales, it’s a transformative tool that can turn mundane pitches into memorable, persuasive conversations. This week, I bring together industry experts Mark Smyth, Kristie Jones, and Park Howell to share their top storytelling do’s and don’ts for sales professionals. Whether you struggle to keep your stories concise, want to captivate your audience, or wonder how to make your data more compelling, this episode will give you actionable advice and inspiring real-world examples. Outline of This Episode [01:40] Guide the...

Don’t Just Tell—Engage, Listen, and Share Stories that Stick, Ep #514

Sales Reinvented

Sales isn't just about products, features, or numbers, it's all about forging genuine human connections. The best way to do this is by mastering the craft of storytelling. In this episode, I speak to some phenomenal sales experts, Mike Adams, John Livesay, and Kyle Gray, who share their favorite storytelling do’s and don’ts, and their personal strategies for winning business and building trust. Listen in as they share their wisdom and practical tips to help you refine your own sales storytelling. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Importance of knowing what a story is and isn't...

Mastering Sales Storytelling, Ep #513

Sales Reinvented

This week, my three expert guests, Mary Jane Copps, Paul Smith, and Roy Furr, cover everything from injecting humor and vulnerability into your stories to crafting narratives that move prospects closer to a sale. They discuss the importance of using stories with purpose: tailoring them to your audience, keeping them concise, and ensuring they support your sales process. They also share their thoughts on the dangers of boastfulness, going off topic, or using stories without a clear connection to your sales goals. Tune in for practical advice, real-world examples, and memorable lessons to help...

Mastering Referral Selling: Strategies, Stories, and Lessons from the Pros, Ep #512

Sales Reinvented

Referral selling remains a game-changer in modern sales, not just for filling pipelines with high-quality leads, but for building lasting business relationships rooted in trust. My guests, Stacey Brown Randall, Steve Hall, and Dr. Ivan Misner shared their most impactful referral selling strategies, missteps to avoid, and stories that deliver invaluable lessons for any sales professional looking to maximize their impact through referrals. The lessons shared in this episode will help you elevate your referral selling game to new heights. Outline of This Episode [01:04] Identify and revisit...

How to Build Powerful Referral Networks, Ep #511

Sales Reinvented

Referrals are the lifeblood of high-performing sales organizations, yet many teams overlook their full potential. In this Best Of episode of Sales Reinvented, I bring together three dynamic referral selling experts, Steve Benson, Lori Richardson, and Joanne Black, to share actionable strategies, hard-hitting do’s and don’ts, and memorable stories from their own careers. Outline of This Episode [0:00] When to ask for referrals [00:55] Importance of tracking referrals [02:03] Making the referral process fun and personal [05:48] Creating value leads to natural,...

Referral Rocket Fuel: Real Stories and Unbeatable Tactics from Top Sales Leaders, Ep #510

Sales Reinvented

In this “best of” episode, I’m sharing some golden nuggets from sales trailblazers, Jamie Crosby, Nick Kane, and Liz Heiman. They share the secrets behind scalable, trust-based referral selling to help you ditch haphazard “who do you know?” asks and start building referral systems that deliver. Today’s show is packed with actionable advice on referral selling—the dos, the don’ts, and lessons learned from real-world sales situations. Outline of This Episode [00:41] Jamie Crosby's top three referral selling do's and don'ts [05:12] Importance of organically building...

More Episodes

We’re lucky to have Mark Sellers with us this week. He’s the author of "The Funnel Principle" and "Blind Spots: The Hidden Killer of Sales Coaching," whose programs have been implemented in 20 countries. Mark shares his expertise on building effective key account teams, the importance of stakeholder mapping, and how to access senior decision-makers. Our conversation covers essential tools and methodologies, best practices for creating living, and the critical role of cadence in driving meaningful progress. You'll also hear a compelling real-world example from Mark’s coaching experience, along with a practical list of key account management do’s and don’ts.

Outline of This Episode

[00:00] Strategizing account growth
[05:03] Understanding stakeholders in accounts
[06:45] Importance of key account plans
[12:23] Key account management tips
[14:54] Building a global sales process

The Value Perspective

Key accounts are identified by the current value they deliver—often representing a significant portion of revenues or profits—or by their future potential to grow into major contributors. Drawing on the 80/20 principle, Mark highlights how companies like ITW prioritize the accounts that already provide substantial value (“the 80s”) while also identifying those with “80 potential” for strategic investment.

But the real challenge is not just identification; it’s executing strategies to maximize those accounts. Organizations often stumble here, emphasizing selection but failing to follow through with disciplined execution.

Building Teams for Success: Beyond the Solo Manager

One of the most common pitfalls in transitioning from selling to managing key accounts is treating the process as a solo endeavor. Organizations must assemble dedicated teams for key accounts, not leave managers struggling alone. This approach leverages diverse expertise, aligns strategic objectives, and prevents competing agendas within the team.

Too often, companies pile management responsibilities onto a salesperson whose instinct is to land deals and move on, rather than nurture long-term relationships. Success depends on both organizational support and the manager’s mindset.

Knowing Who’s Who in the Zoo

Effective key account management relies on understanding all stakeholders who influence your company’s position within the client account. Mark emphasizes the necessity of stakeholder mapping, identifying advocates, influencers, veto holders, and competitors’ supporters. Even when direct access to senior decision-makers like CFOs or CEOs is limited, having a plan to reach and engage relevant stakeholders is vital. “Top-to-top” meetings—matching executives on both sides—facilitate alignment and deepen relationships, ensuring objectives are mutually understood.

Discipline Drives Progress

Mark believes that there are two essentials when it comes to tools and methodologies: a robust key account plan and a systematic cadence for reviewing progress. The plan’s worth depends on consistent follow-up; monthly or quarterly reviews ensure tasks are completed and strategies evolve as needed.

Without cadence, even the best plans become stale reports. A structured playbook for these reviews fosters productive conversation and accountability—vital ingredients for moving the relationship forward. When it comes to key account plans, less is more. Mark advocates for concise plans—no more than two to three pages, supported by CRM for detailed information. Overly complex, document-heavy plans are rarely executed effectively. The best practice is to focus on live conversations that address progress, challenges, and next steps.