Conversations with Women in Sales
Conversations with Women in Sales is a top podcast hosted by Lori Richardson. Every episode features a woman in sales who is doing incredible work, or an interview with a male ally, or conversation on a related topic. For the past 100+ episodes, guests share practical advice for advancing one's sales career. The podcast is dedicated to the memory of Barbara Giamanco, who founded CWWIS in 2018. Each episode features topics like: leadership, career management, dealing with imposter syndrome, overcoming adversity, sales and marketing alignment, B2B sales, strategic partnerships, building confidence, content creation and promotion, social media, building inclusive sales teams, and more.
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192: Be a Lifelong Learner in Sales, Ayana Gardner, Zoom
01/08/2025
192: Be a Lifelong Learner in Sales, Ayana Gardner, Zoom
Ayana Gardner was recently named as one of "300 Women Making an Impact in B2B SaaS" so it is great that she kick off our first episode of 2025. Ayana is a ZCX Channel Leader at Zoom. We are also starting 2025 with our Q1 sponsor, RapidScale. Ayana has been in sales for a number of years and loves her current position which involves working with Zoom channel partners - a huge opportunity in B2B sales as so many companies sell through channels of one type or another. Because she works for Zoom Ayana is virtual, and does virtual events and enablement within her role. Ayana talks about being a lifelong learner- how our company we work for will provide some foundational training and learning, but it is up to us to learn what we think we need or want so we can grow. More about Ayana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayanagardner702/ More about Women Sales Pros - we have a website, we are on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe to our 2x a month news, and share the podcast with others! We'd love a 5 star rating and comments on iTunes if you are so moved! It really makes a difference. subscribe: Contribute: Past News Issues: Partnerships Unraveled Podcast that Ayana mentions:
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191: This Woman WAS Tapped on the Shoulder about a Sales Role, Tania Doub, Mindful Quadrant
12/31/2024
191: This Woman WAS Tapped on the Shoulder about a Sales Role, Tania Doub, Mindful Quadrant
I always laugh about how so many women do wait to be tapped on the shoulder by a leader in the company to move into a different role - this did happen to Tania who began her career in her 20's in marketing. Tania now is a successful author, former corporate enterprise seller, and now runs Mindful Quadrant. We had a great conversation covering a lot of ground. Tania is working on a new version of her great planner currently sold as "Work It - a Modern Day Sales Planner" and wrote a book called, "Work It, Girl - a Modern Day Career Guide for Women in Sales" Having worked at LiveRamp, Salesforce, Yext, Segment, and other sales organizations, Tania has been through a lot and learned a lot fo share with others newer to a sales career. Follow Tania: More about Women Sales Pros - we have a website, we are on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe to our 2x a month news, and share the podcast with others! We'd love a 5 star rating and comments on iTunes if you are so moved! It really makes a difference. subscribe: Contribute: Past News Issues: (all episodes accessible here)
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190: Advocate For and Believe in Yourself, Elitsa Zaimova, Sales Director at Preply
12/29/2024
190: Advocate For and Believe in Yourself, Elitsa Zaimova, Sales Director at Preply
When Elitsa and I spoke, we had many stories about competent women in sales and leadership roles who wait to get the "tap" on the shoulder to be promoted. Our male counterparts TELL their boss that they expect to be promoted many times and they initiate introductions with some of their C-level leaders, heads of other teams in their company and proudly state their accomplishments. Are we too shiy to also do that, or is it in how we were raised - "don't brag," my dad would tell me. Today in 2025 we say, "It isn't bragging if it is true." Listen to Elitsa share about her career. Born in Bulgaria, Elitsa visited the US a number of times, going back and forth, then moved to the DC area in 2011 and started working for CEB (which became Gartner later). She got great sales training (these were the "Challenger" folks) and really fell in love with sales. Due to an opportunity for her husband, she moved to Ukraine back in 2015 (no hint of a future war then). What was amazing was that when they did hear of turmoil happening at the beginning of 2022, they had to immediately leave Ukraine - while she was quickly building a virtual and in person sales team AND was six months pregnant. Any one of those three things is tough, but all together is incredible. Listen to her story, and also how she created her original role at Preply by giving feedback to the CEO. More about Elitsa: More about Women Sales Pros - we have a website, we are on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe to our 2x a month news, and share the podcast with others! We'd love a 5 star rating and comments on iTunes if you are so moved! It really makes a difference. subscribe: Contribute: Past News Issues:
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189: Journey from BDR to Enterprise Sales and Ultimately into Security, IT and AI, April Marks, Pangea
12/23/2024
189: Journey from BDR to Enterprise Sales and Ultimately into Security, IT and AI, April Marks, Pangea
April Marks leveraged the communication skills she got in college to help her launch into a sales career - first as a BDR, then right into an Enterprise Sales role. She is currently at Pangea. My current role enables customers to leverage processes integrating API-based security services and strategically managing enterprise accounts, currently at Pangea. I am driven by the mission to streamline security processes, which resonates with Pangea's innovative approach to delivering comprehensive services through a single framework. My commitment to fostering a collaborative culture and bringing diverse insights to the table ensures alignment with many organizational values and goals. In my experiences, I've led strategic customer engagements, expanding their use of services during crucial business periods such as new technical use cases, DevOps transformations, onboarding, and M&A events. I successfully proposed DevSecOps and AI processes, demonstrating my proficiency in these areas, and partnered closely with customers to tailor security solutions that matched their unique needs. My approach always involves a thorough understanding of customer metrics and standards, which has been instrumental in exceeding goals and securing marketable assets for the company. More about April here: April's recommeneded reading: The Dark Side Of Interpersonal Communication, Brian H. Spitzberg Positive Communication for Leaders, Mirivel More about Women Sales Pros:
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188: Excelling in the Male Majority Boys Club, Kaivona KP Parker,
11/30/2024
188: Excelling in the Male Majority Boys Club, Kaivona KP Parker,
Kaivona Parker works with companies and individuals to help get more underserved folks into tech sales and support and champion them to success. We talked about the notion of people saying to bring your "whole self" to work, but in reality we can't all do that. Kaivona wants to help build up those in sales to help them grow and flourish. She trains, coaches, and is an all around sales enablement pro, with career stops at Grainger, Yelp, Nestle', and Teachable, among others. Listen and share your thoughts - we'd love to hear them. Kaivona Parker: Women Sales Pros: @womensalespros on Instagram 2x a month newsletter about getting more women in sales; championing female sellers and sales leaders, and shining a light on our male allies: sign up: Contribute a story: Past News Issues:
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187: Ask Like an Auctioneer, Dia Bondi, Author, Speaker, Coach
11/29/2024
187: Ask Like an Auctioneer, Dia Bondi, Author, Speaker, Coach
The book has a mission: to help 1 Million women ask for more and get it. But it’s not just for women. It’s for you if you want to: Get the raise of your life Land that partnership that can change everything Expand your influence in your domain Secure that whale of a client Refuse to lowball yourself Use asking as a success strategy I was thrilled to interview Dia because as a former fundraising auctioneer myself, I know a bit about Dia's successes - A Communications Coach for two decades, Dia Bondi works with top CEOs, VC-backed founders, innovators, and creatives to speak powerfully and elevate their impact. After training as an auctioneer, Bondi translated the strategies she learned from the fundraising auctioneering stage into a program that helps women ask for more in their career and life. Based on the wildly successful keynotes and workshops, Ask Like an Auctioneer is an actionable guide that shows you the secret to getting out of your comfort zone and into your “zone of freaking out” (ZOFO). Women Sales Pros @womensalespros on Instagram, here on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-sales-pros/
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186: Rising in Sales Roles and Being Authentic, Anna Randall, TigerEye
11/26/2024
186: Rising in Sales Roles and Being Authentic, Anna Randall, TigerEye
Anna rose from inside sales support to a sales role at Oracle, to startup PlanGrid, then Autodesk (acquired PlanGrid) and now at TigerEye as VP of Sales. How did she do it? Anna is very conversational and I really enjoyed hearing her tips in doing well in sales and also what she has to say about AI. Listen to what she has to say about being a "lone wolf" and why you don't want to be that. Follow Anna here: Follow Women Sales Pros: @womensalespros on Instagram Sign up for our 2x a month e-news: subscribe: Contribute: Past News Issues:
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185: Moneyball Leadership: Win the Game by Changing the Way You Lead, Jaime Diglio, InFirst
10/30/2024
185: Moneyball Leadership: Win the Game by Changing the Way You Lead, Jaime Diglio, InFirst
Do you know what you want in your career? Many of us know we don't like where we are at or our role, but we don't know what we DO want. Jaime Diglio's new book, "Moneyball Leadership" is not just for leaders - it is a quick read for anyone wanting to get out of the "war room" as Jaime puts it, and into the "win room". Mindset is so important in business - especially sales and sales leadership. Jaime explains: "Today’s leaders are burning out at higher rates than ever before because they're measuring the wrong things and using outdated methods that work against the results they are trying to achieve — losing them money, time, and energy every day. In Moneyball Leadership, I reveal a better way to win that most are blind to. I offer a unique, proven blueprint you won’t find anywhere else, revealing the secret formula behind my clients' successes." Jaime will teach how to play (money)ball and Master the New ROI: Return on Interactions, changing how you see the game you’ve been playing your whole life. More on Jaime here: Jaime's TEDx talk: "From War Room to WIN Room - Change Your Room, Change Your Life" Follow Women Sales Pros on LinkedIn and Instagram 2x month e-newsletter with interviews and resources for more #womeninsales
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184: Career Opportunities for Women in Enablement, Sarah Gross, RingCentral
10/23/2024
184: Career Opportunities for Women in Enablement, Sarah Gross, RingCentral
My guest today is Sarah Gross, VP of Global Enablement at RingCentral. Sarah and I go way back, and most recently she became a new mom which has given her new perspectives about women and work. Sarah is also a top sales enablement professional who helps design process and support for sales teams like the ones at RingCentral. When Sarah and I first met, she was with Gartner, and has also worked at Procore and Vorsight in addition to others. Sarah calls enablement the "octopus" of an organization because it is the only department that touches every other department. Follow Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfricke/ Follow Women Sales Pros on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-sales-pros/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensalespros/ 2x month newsletter on all things women in sales: signup: Contribute: Past Issues:
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183: Say What They Cant Unhear, New Book by Tamsen Webster
10/09/2024
183: Say What They Cant Unhear, New Book by Tamsen Webster
Brilliant business author Tamsen Webster has just released her newest book, Say What They Can't Unhear: The 9 Principles of Lasting Change. Tamsen describes the new book: The book is a compact and actionable guide that will get leaders (and others!) thinking differently about where change comes from and how to initiate it. By introducing and exploring nine “persuasion proverbs,” I highlight the behavioral, cognitive, and psychological principles that underpin lasting change, and offer a powerful alternative to the standard tactics of influence and persuasion. The outlined concepts are easy to remember, simple to implement, and will give readers the tools to transform any audience of lukewarm prospects into passionate believers. We started off talking about "ethical persuasion" - a huge important aspect in professional selling. Join the conversation and check out Tamsen's book. More on Tamsen More on Women Sales Pros All podcast episodes
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182: You can Get Sales Skills No Matter Where You Grow Up; Misky Sharif, Revolut
10/04/2024
182: You can Get Sales Skills No Matter Where You Grow Up; Misky Sharif, Revolut
Her parents were Somali refugees who ended up in the U.K. As a child, Misky Sharif learned to be careful around the drugs and crime in her low income neighborhood. She rose above it, while learning as she grew up. How many kids would dodge all of the negative and find something positive in that? Listen as Misky explains how. Misky overcame obstacles and currently is in FinTech as an Account Executive for Revolut, and if you are in sales and don't have an "accomplishment bank" - take a listen to the full episode - great action item to start one on your own today! Misky Sharif can connect via LinkedIn Womnen Sales Pros can be found on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and other social posts.
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181: Sales Within Pre- and Post- Sales Functions, Deirdre Sommerkamp, Skillibrium
09/24/2024
181: Sales Within Pre- and Post- Sales Functions, Deirdre Sommerkamp, Skillibrium
Now more than ever, we are seeing the importance of how sales fits in pre-sale and after the sale, and how sales needs enablement like the examples Deirdre offers are what helps grow . Learning, practicing, executing and coaching is the repeatable cadence Lori and Deirdre talk about creating "work life harmony" and the value of keeping in touch with those you've enjoyed working with previously. We talk about "just in time" coaching and how adults learn. Deirdre helps Skillibrium to: Assess your team's skills Remediate with Learning paths Practice with Stand and Deliver Implement an Operational Cadence Execute with Sales Playbooks Predicably grow revenue Promote based on objectivity and Deliver exceptional experiences. More is at Women Sales Pros tracks top podcasts, books and speakers and has a 2x a month newsletter in addition to this award-winning podcast. @womensalespros
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180: Women in Sales Paid Less, Stay Longer, Produce Better Results, with Megan Ackerson, CHRO, Xactly
08/28/2024
180: Women in Sales Paid Less, Stay Longer, Produce Better Results, with Megan Ackerson, CHRO, Xactly
Xactly is a tech platform for assisting companies with compensation and forecasting with the sales team, and has been around since 2005. They started sharing research about men in sales roles versus women in 2014 or so - quite some time ago, and just released their 2024 research results which includes the following: ● Representation disparities: The gender ratio in sales is alarming. Women are underrepresented in sales roles, constituting only 34% of the sales force and only 29% of sales managers. ● Female salespeople earn less: On average, men earn 3.5% more than women as salespeople, and 3.7%* more as sales managers when it comes to fixed pay. Without adjustment of outside factors, men earn 9% more than women as salespeople, and 13% more as sales managers. ● Pay gaps widen over time: At the start of salespeople’s careers, men earn 2.2% more on average than women. After 2 years, this gap widens by 30%. After 5 years, the gap increases even more significantly, with a 77% increase. ● The gaps differ from industry to industry: The pay gap varies significantly across sectors, with female sales professionals in the Life Sciences and Pharma space reporting a 9% gap in pay and Manufacturing space with an 8% gap. It might be more opportune for women in sales to enter the Financial Services industry, where no pay gap was reported. ● State-by-state disparities: The state sales people live in seems to correlate with the pay disparities. Colorado and New Jersey hold the largest pay gap between men and women at 7%, with Georgia and Washington claiming the lowest pay gap at 1%. ● Performance remains unaffected: Despite the overwhelming disparities in representation and pay, female sales professionals consistently outperformed their male counterparts. Female salespeople outperformed men by 1.5%, and female sales managers outperformed by 3%. ● Loyalty is not a factor: Women tend to show greater loyalty to their Sales teams, staying with the same organization on average four months longer than their male counterparts. ● Unfair impact on quota assignments: Many organizations do not seem to recognize women’s higher performance. On average, male salespeople are assigned 3% higher quotas, and male sales managers are assigned 5% higher quotas, suggesting that sales teams assign men to higher potential sales territories or opportunities. Follow for more research, interviews, and recommendations to add more women into sales and sales leadership roles. Sign up for our newsletter for 2x month insights, ideas, and stories - and submit your own! Sign up: Contribute: Past News Issues:
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179: Convo with a Long Time Woman in Tech, Back when Both Bathrooms were Male, Gretchen DeKnikker
08/16/2024
179: Convo with a Long Time Woman in Tech, Back when Both Bathrooms were Male, Gretchen DeKnikker
Gretchen launched Unbound and Unbothered, a career coaching business for women in tech in 2021. She helps high achievers who are stuck, stifled or at a crossroads ditch the stress and overwork to have a life and a job without burning out. Since she and I both got into tech in the "early days" (me earlier than her) we had a great conversation - I reference the title because we both worked for at least one company where the bathrooms were both for the guys since we were the first or second female hires. Be sure and follow Gretchen here: Follow Women Sales Pros on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and Facebook. Our 2x month newsletter, is all about celebrating women in sales with upcoming events, feature articles, and stories about our male allies supporting us. Past issues of . Please share this podcast episode if you find value in it! We love reviews on iTunes!
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178: Thoughts From a Woman Who Had a Billion Dollar Quota, Marva Bailer, Skillibrium Advisor
07/12/2024
178: Thoughts From a Woman Who Had a Billion Dollar Quota, Marva Bailer, Skillibrium Advisor
"A billion dollar quota is like a 100K quota - you have to be comfortable talking about money with others" - one of the topics guest Marva Bailer and I bond on in our conversation shared today. I'm thrilled that our sponsor, Skillibrium, brings on advisors like Marva so that we can have real discussions around how to be successful. Marva was in sales before she learned how to drive - she and I share that young entrepreneurial spirit as well. Marva got into health, wellness and personal development before it was cool - and these are big topics in a successful sales career today. Join us for a fun conversation about coaching, personal growth, and professional development as well - share your thoughts, and please share the podcast with one other woman or male ally if you can. @womensalespros on Insta @marvabailer on Insta
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177: When Former Teachers Get Sales Careers, Ashley Philipps, Author
06/28/2024
177: When Former Teachers Get Sales Careers, Ashley Philipps, Author
Ashley Philipps is the author of the new book, . Being a former teacher myself, I am always up for hearing about others who left the admirable profession of teaching due to the lack of pay, and who got into sales roles. Ashley's book showcases other careers, but she did go into B2B sales and we talk about that on this episode. You will also hear my tip for those in the job market - what is the best way to approach someone who is well connected, instead of saying, "Hey if you know of anyone hiring...." What do you say instead? Ashley's book will certainly help teachers who feel like they are underappreciated, underpaid, and who are interested in continuing to be a teacher as a professional seller. The good news about the B2B sales profession is that IT is also an admirable profession - a helping profession. Even with new AI tools, complex sales won't happen without empathetic, communicative, collaborative sellers like many former teachers can be. Follow
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176: Is Being a Seller or Manager a Sink or Swim Proposition Now, Michelle Benfer, Bill
06/20/2024
176: Is Being a Seller or Manager a Sink or Swim Proposition Now, Michelle Benfer, Bill
I have known Michelle Benfer over the years and it was great to catch up with her in her role as SVP Sales, Business Line Owner at BILL. [Bill is (according to their website) the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow—all on one platform.] Michelle is a sales leader and in our conversation we talked about how things have changed in sales, how there is some "bad behavior" happening more than before due to the tougher economy and some advice for reps about taking control of their destiny and the big job that front line sales managers have. Fun fact: Michelle's mom was her sales role model, setting up calls like today's BDRs and SDRs do. When her parents started thinking about college for her and her siblings her mom got a job at Boston College so her kids would get free tuition (perk of working at a university). Mom was smart! More about Michelle Benfer, ex Hubspot, Limited Partner at Stage 2 Capital - now at Bill.com More from Women Sales Pros - sign up for our 2x month newsletter Page on LinkedIn "Women Sales Pros" or connect with Lori Richardson #seeitbeit
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175: Insights from a Sales Nerd, Sara Storm, Break the Box and Skills.
05/31/2024
175: Insights from a Sales Nerd, Sara Storm, Break the Box and Skills.
What is it like when two data focused people get together and talk? It does get a bit nerdy, but that's what I like about Sara, who lives in Stockholm, Sweden. Sara has been doing nearly all roles - from individual contributor - like SDR, BDR, AE and all the way up to VP and CRO. Now she is running two companies, "Break the Box" and "Skills." Like many of us who came from little money, Sara was amazed when she got her first paycheck in her sales career and said to herself, "I will never have to be hungry again." That's why we talk about sales being a game-changer for those new into professional selling. If you are having a tough time at the moment - stick with it because sales can be such an amazing career if you are motivated, good at it, and have support from the company you're at. Sara talks about her journey from selling consumer products where half of the sellers were women to being the only woman in the room and how she adjusted - and what many of us learn over time to "fit in" versus being ourselves - it is an interesting point in our conversation. Also, Sara gives a great tip on what to say when someone sales something really inappropriate in front of you and others. Check it out. Connect with Sara here on LI: Learn more about Women Sales Pros here - we support all of the women in sales orgs and communities: https://womensalespros.com/ Sign up for our e-newsletter:
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174: Signs of a Toxic Work Environment in Sales, Gabrielle (GB) Blackwell, Lattice
05/23/2024
174: Signs of a Toxic Work Environment in Sales, Gabrielle (GB) Blackwell, Lattice
We have had sales leader Gabrielle (GB) Blackwell on before (episode 85) and happy to have her back discussing some of her recent posting about toxic boss behavior in the sales workplace. GB and I were talking about more women than usual leaving B2B sales - something I am posting more about now as well. GB shares her story about some really unhealthy situations she's found herself in previously - note we did not name names - it's not about that. It is about helping others in the same spot to see the red flags we may have missed or thought they were just part of being there. I stand by what I say: "Go where you are celebrated, not tolerated." GB talks about how if you are a woman, be sure and get feedback. Get feedback not about your personality, but about skills. This is something GB noticed she'd get. If you are a manager and simply write off a rep and don't give them any feedback, that's a form of abuse. (note: Manager, it is your JOB to support and develop all of the reps on your team) What have we missed? Share in comments on LinkedIn or elsewhere. Keep this conversation going. Let's not lose women because of something that is changable with support of women in sales and our male allies. Reach Gabrielle here: More Conversations with Women in Sales here: https://womensalespros.com/podcast/
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173: No Shame in Sharing Your Journey, Jaime Konzelman, Rackspace
05/01/2024
173: No Shame in Sharing Your Journey, Jaime Konzelman, Rackspace
How can you be in intergrity and hide part of your story? That was one of the big takeaways from my conversation with Jaime Konzelman, sales leader at tech company Rackspace. Jaime wrote a memoir called, "Dealmaker" that chronicles her life from college into exotic dancing and on into a stellar B2B sales career. Jaime has done big deals - hundreds of millions of dollars worth, at companies like IBM, Unisys, and Xerox. She leads teams of sellers now. Jaime knows her stuff. Let us know how you like the episode - and please give us a rating on iTunes if you will - and a comment - and share with other women to help inspire them. More on Jaime: More podcast episodes from Women Sales Pros: Shoutout to our sponsor, Skillibrium!
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172: Another Teacher Goes into B2B Sales, Meredith Chandler, Meredith Chandler Consulting
04/25/2024
172: Another Teacher Goes into B2B Sales, Meredith Chandler, Meredith Chandler Consulting
When Meredith graduated from college, she taught English as a second language in Spain. She had graduated in 2011 and from Spain saw and heard that her friends back in the San Francisco Bay / Silicon Valley area were all getting tech jobs. Friends encourged her to hurry back and get on with a big tech company. Using her background as an NCAA varsity field hockey athlete, she walked into a sales role at Yelp - a super fast growing company at the time. We talked about office dynamics at some of the companies Meredith went on to work for. She said that she had left amazing opportunities because the in-office dynamic was so intolerable. A boy's club. Listern to her journey and currently Meredith is at pclub.io working to grow sales there, and also at Connect with
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171: A Role Model for Anyone Working Bigger Deals, Dr. Barbara Weaver Smith, The Whale Hunters
03/29/2024
171: A Role Model for Anyone Working Bigger Deals, Dr. Barbara Weaver Smith, The Whale Hunters
If you have ever wanted bigger deals to build or to work on, you need to know our guest this episode, Dr. Barbara Weaver Smith. Having known Barbara for the last 10 or so years, I don't know why she hasn't been on the show sooner - and today she is talking about a new service she's launched utilizing generative AI, "Barbara AI" and the launch of her online Whale Hunters Institute. Barbara runs The Whale Hunters and is entirely focused on helping people win bigger deals through a process she's refined over the last 20 years. She is author of "Whale Hunting with Global Accounts" and co-author of "Whale Hunting - Land Big Sales and Transform Your Company" Listen to Barbara's journey from education to non-profits to sales and how she is still contributing massively to the sales field through her new online institute. She's the first person in sales I have seen using AI the way she does. Barbara Weaver Smith Find more stories of amazing women in sales at Women Sales Pros and "Conversations with Women in Sales podcast. If you LIKE what you hear, PLEASE review on iTunes - it means a lot. Women Sales Pros consults with companies to help them find, hire, and retain more great women for their sales teams. https://womensalespros.com/
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170: Learn How to Really Sell and Become Too Good To Be Ignored, Cherilynn Castleman CGI
03/20/2024
170: Learn How to Really Sell and Become Too Good To Be Ignored, Cherilynn Castleman CGI
It started for both Cherilynn and me by selling Girl Scout cookies. Like me, she LOVED selling cookies, and it seems to be one of the commonalities in our sales careers. Cherilynn Castleman wants to empower 1 million women for C-suite success by 2030! She is a force to be reckoned with - listen to our conversation and how we both want everyone to know how selling is really helping others. Learn sales skills and become "too good to be ignored" - as Cherilynn says. Follow her on LinkedIn: Women Sales Pros hosts this podcast and also "The News" newsletter for things happening around the sales ecosystem for women in sales. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and wherever women in sales is being discussed.
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169: From Criminology Studies to Sales, Hannah Ajikawo, Revenue Funnel
02/29/2024
169: From Criminology Studies to Sales, Hannah Ajikawo, Revenue Funnel
Hannah and I had a rousing conversation about all things sales. Hannah is founder of Revenue Funnel and is based in London. She and I talked about many topics - including: A Conversation with Hannah Ajikawo - Journey from Sales to CEO and Founder of Revenue Funnel In this episode, Hannah Ajikawo, CEO and Founder of Revenue Funnel, discusses her journey through experiences in Sales to forming her company. Raised in inner-city areas heavily influenced by crime, Hannah obtained a degree in Criminology and Social Policy before finding her way into Sales. She discusses her experiences working across various companies, and how her curiosity about the functioning of companies led her to setup her own business. Hannah also talks about the importance of networking and continuous learning for success in Sales. She advocates for keeping focus on improving specific areas based on individual needs. Furthermore, she emphasizes the critical role Sales plays in personal development, stepping into power, and generating wealth. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation 00:38 Hannah's Journey into Sales 01:01 Transition from Academia to Sales 02:24 Challenges and Triumphs in Sales 05:42 Personal Struggles and Career Progression 09:32 The Shift to Consulting 10:34 The Importance of Authenticity 12:24 Advice for Job Seekers 18:09 Hannah's Involvement in Sistas in Sales 21:32 Recommendations for Aspiring Salespeople 28:32 Conclusion and Contact Information Reach Hannah on LinkedIn: Reach Lori Richardson and Women Sales Pros on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scoremoresales/
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168: Staying Focused in Challenging Times - Quick Episode with Jen Mueller, Talk Sporty to Me
02/16/2024
168: Staying Focused in Challenging Times - Quick Episode with Jen Mueller, Talk Sporty to Me
In a candid conversation, communication expert and sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners, Jen Mueller shares her perspective on maintaining focus and supportive beliefs amidst challenging times, such as a difficult economic climate or personal setbacks. She discusses the significance of honesty in assessing failures and emphasizes the importance of competing against oneself to improve. Jen also highlights the value of small, incremental successes in boosting confidence. She provides insights from her experience with athletes, drawing parallels between the sports and professional world, underscoring the need to start fresh after every setback, utilizing team support, and focusing on strengths. Finally, Jen suggests proactive measures such as celebrating small victories to build momentum towards success. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:40 Discussing Mindset in Difficult Times 01:39 The Importance of Honesty and Self-Competition 03:02 The Power of Starting Fresh and Focusing on Strengths 05:20 The Role of Teammates and Celebrating Small Wins 07:03 Conclusion and Contact Information Welcome new Premier Sponsor Skillibrium. Find all of our episodes on iTunes or at Your host for Conversations with Women in Sales is Lori Richardson.
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167: Buyer First by Carole Mahoney of Unbound Growth - Book Review
02/05/2024
167: Buyer First by Carole Mahoney of Unbound Growth - Book Review
Carole Mahoney has written an excellent book for sales professionals and entrepreneurs on collaborative selling and in changing the sales industry. She mixes in stories, anecdotes and statistics to help one learn and improve around critical sales skills and mindset for success. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:59 Carol's Journey and Book Contribution 02:48 The Impact of 'Buyer First' on Salespeople 04:57 The Concept of Collaborative Selling 09:20 The Importance of Mindset in Sales 10:56 Overcoming Non-Supportive Beliefs 17:49 Personal Growth Through Writing 'Buyer First' 19:39 Dealing with Bad Sales Days and Final Thoughts Find Carole on LinkedIn Order BuyerFirst on Amazon or here: https://carolemahoney.com/books/buyerfirstbook/
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166: Interview of Lori Richardson and She Sells book, with Caroline Jones, Rep Matters
01/24/2024
166: Interview of Lori Richardson and She Sells book, with Caroline Jones, Rep Matters
I hadn't planned an episode about "She Sells" but jumped at the chance when a wonderful interviewer, Caroline Jones, offered to ask me about it. This session is dedicated to those who helped me with their stories and stats which are included in the book. It is exciting, too, that it just won "FIRST PLACE" in Top Sales Magazine's Sales Book of the Year. Wow. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:26 Discussing the Impact of 'She Sells' 03:06 The Importance of Male Allies in Sales 05:20 The Journey to Writing 'She Sells' 07:11 Addressing Gender Disparity in Sales 07:50 The Impact of the Pandemic on Women in Sales 15:21 The Importance of Diverse Representation in Sales 18:59 Overcoming Biases in the Hiring Process 26:13 Career Growth Opportunities for Individual Contributors 28:51 Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity in Sales 33:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Thanks to Caroline - check out her podcast, "Rep Matters" Find "She Sells" on Amazon - Kindle or paperback. Writing a review really matters - please consider it for either the book OR the podcast! Join the Women Sales Pros newsletter where we share interviews and discuss upcoming events from all of the women in sales communities. Need some help finding more women for your sales team or retaining them? Check out Women Sales Pros or reach out to Lori directly through website or LinkedIn. Visit us on Instagram or X @womensalespros
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165: How the Universe Conspires in Sales and Business, Kristie Jones, Sales Acceleration Group
01/04/2024
165: How the Universe Conspires in Sales and Business, Kristie Jones, Sales Acceleration Group
Kristie's parents were both in real estate sales and Kristie grew up hearing her parents talk at the dinner table about commissions, sales, and more. After getting a degree in Journalism from University of Kansas, she ended up as a waitress and then worked for the legendary Kansas City department store called The Jones Co (later became Macy's) Kristie worked as a sales leader for companies like Network Solutions, Gainsight, and Netskope. Listen how the universe conspired for her to start her own sales consultancy. This year, 2024, Kristie's new book, "Selling Your Way In" will launch. Get updates about the . Follow Kristie Jones on Podcasts brought to you by Women Sales Pros. Reach out to help sponsor our efforts! Women Sales Pros has updates on our and on Reach out to Lori Richardson through her Know of a female sales rep or leader we should interview? Reach out to Lori. Thanks for listening, and the ultimate gift is for you to share on LinkedIn AND/OR post a review on iTunes plus a blurb as to what you liked about it. Thanks in advance.
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Conversations with Women in Sales Year in Review, Lori Richardson, Women Sales Pros
12/13/2023
Conversations with Women in Sales Year in Review, Lori Richardson, Women Sales Pros
We had a big year at Women Sales Pros and now are going through the review of all of our wonderful podcast guests in 2023. I would like to thank all of our guests for their focus and contribution to topics we discussed such as: Getting into sales in the first place as a woman or another "only" Growing in your sales career Becoming a sales leader - what is required? Dealing with a "male majority" environment and if you are a leader, how you can improve it. Various industries, like avation, SaaS, and manufacturing. Fundamentals for sellers. And other topics. We also discussed how you can give us a "5 Star" rating and you can post comments on iTunes which greatly helps our visibility. I'll personally give you a shout out if you and two other people go to iTunes, listen to an episode, and rate it - if all 3 rate it, I'll talk you up on the next episode. Donate to the Sales Education Foundation's Giamanco Memorial Scholarship for Women in sales programs here: Follow us @WomenSalesPros on Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Facebook. Send us names of amazing women we should interview - or male counterparts. They must be in B2B selling or managing currently. Thank you to our listeners, we'd be nothing without you!!
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163: Greatness is Defined by Character, not Gender; Male Ally Riley Blaisdell, Paycor
10/19/2023
163: Greatness is Defined by Character, not Gender; Male Ally Riley Blaisdell, Paycor
Riley Blaisdell is currently a Major Market Account Executive at Paycor. In his AE role, I'd say Riley has done more for helping shine a light on women in sales than many senior leaders I know. He has done this through his growing visibility on LinkedIn. Right now during "Women in Sales" month, he's talking up different women in sales each day. I noticed that Riley has this list of women he gladly shares anytime one of the "bro's" in sales will post a number of guys and here will come Riley's list of some amazing women in sales and sales leadership he's been introduced to. We wanted to talk Riley up in this episode to show that as a male ally, you don't have to wait until you have a power role in your company to speak up and support the effort for more #womeninsales - you can do it now. If you like the episode, please comment and share it. Ultimately a 5 star review and comment about the podcast on iTunes is a winning move we'd love to see. - connect with him! He references the work of If you enjoy this podcast, consider a donation to the Barbara Giamanco Memorial Scholarship to give scholarships to women in Sales Education Foundation recognized Universities and Colleges More at - where we're working to help change the face of sales. Follow , as well as President Recommend a woman in a sales role or awesome male ally! They could be featured next.
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