Episode 46 features one of Mike’s all-time favorite senior sales executives.  Dennis Sorenson is a seasoned global sales leader with a reputation for building high-performance teams. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Revenue and Sales at Alegeus and Mike claims that no client has stretched or challenged him more than Dennis. Listen as Dennis drops gem after gem offering… His sales management secret for effectively “managing up” and how to keep your executive boss from distracting and derailing you  That consistency is one of the most underrated characteristics of g ..read more

In Episode 45 Mike puts the wraps on 2022, shares highlights, stats, reflections, and frustrations from a fantastic year, while challenging sales leaders to… Celebrate significant victories  Identify the time and energy “draculas” sucking the life out of them and stealing their passion and productivity Articulate two BIG business goals for 2023 and tie significant rewards to achieving those goals Become more selfishly productive by better time-blocking high-payoff sales management activities Provide better support to drive even more production from their A-Players Quickly coach ..read more

Mike tackles two topics in Episode 44 inspired by sessions he led this past week.   1. Your Sellers’ “Why” and Motivation to Sell Matter — a lot Mike shares his dad’s powerful advice that has served as the foundation for his successful sales career. He also addresses the significant mental and emotional baggage that hinders hesitant sellers from proactively pursuing prospects, pushing past resistance, and persistently following-up. When we understand “why” we sell and view ourselves as professional problem solvers instead of as pests, everything changes! Hear the strong message Mike ..read more

Sales team meetings don’t have to be drudgery for the sales leader or salespeople, and they shouldn’t be painful and unproductive either! In Episode 43, Mike… Reminds leaders of the purpose and impact of great team meetings  Rants about the most common sales meeting sins Challenges sales managers that if you cannot answer this question with an emphatic “yes” then something needs to change quickly:  Do your salespeople leave sales team meetings with more energy and better equipped to sell than when the meeting began?   Unpacks several suggested agenda topics that will radically ..read more

The feedback and appreciation for Mike’s recent special web session: "Boom Times or Bust - The 5 Keys to Winning More New Sales” has been so positive, it prompted him to share the full recording with podcast listeners. In this audio recording, Mike… Explains what he is seeing that prompted him to offer this session Cautions sellers and sales leaders to beware of fads and bandwagon jumpers in the sales improvement space Shares his confusion about a giant company that asked him to propose a virtual selling training program  Unpacks five foundational keys for a successful new business devel ..read more

While waiting for a connecting flight at Chicago O’Hare last week, Mike dialed in for an impromptu Q&A session with a sales team going through the New Sales. Simplified. Video Coaching Series. That Q&A evolved into an impactful coaching conversation around overcoming a prospect’s resistance to meeting in-person. In this episode, Mike recaps three powerful tips for securing the meeting after the contact resists the salesperson’s initial request to meet. He also spends a few minutes thanking the sales community for supporting New Sales. Simplified. and celebrating its 10 years as a bests ..read more

Mike provoked the sales leaders gathered at the Sales Execution Simplified event in London with this statement that generated a healthy dialogue in the room:  Struggling salespeople (who are neither hitting their sales numbers nor maintaining a healthy pipeline) should have a feeling of discomfort as they leave their 1:1 accountability meeting! In this short episode recorded in Belfast, Mike shares highlights from his trip to the UK during the historic week following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, and regarding the all important 1:1 regular manager-salesperson accountability meeting ..read more

Episode 38 is a must listen for every sales leader - veteran, new, or aspiring.  Mike continues the powerful conversation with super impressive new sales leader Drew Ellis as they cover Drew’s transition from top-producing individual contributor into leadership. Hear how Drew… Built frameworks for leading his team before he even had the job Hired for culture, grit, and fit Was secure enough to bring people onto his team better than himself Implemented disciplines around proactive new business development and sales process Stressed the importance of “first dates” and continually filling t ..read more

In this powerful episode Mike hosts impressive sales leader Drew Ellis, a mid-market vice president for SAP.  Drew is the very first guest whom Mike did not know personally to be invited on the show.  Their new relationship started with a LinkedIn message thanking Mike for Sales Management. Simplified. The online dialogue led to a Zoom meeting where Drew shared the trajectory of his sales, and now sales management, career. Mike was so blown away by Drew’s sales acumen and passion for sales leadership and excellence that he asked Drew to come on the podcast. In Part One of this conver ..read more

Special guest, former Major League Baseball first round draft pick, Jacob Turner, and Mike talk about the discipline, determination, and desire required to succeed at the highest in level of sports and sales. Hear Jacob’s journey from high school standout, to “bonus baby” (signing a $5,000,000+ contract at 18 years old) through the ups, downs, and disappointments of his MLB career to his transformation into a successful, confident sales professional and strategic wealth advisor. Enjoy Jacob’s evolution from an admittedly “anti-sales” person to someone who has embraced the role and profession o ..read more