Revenue Rehab

Tegrita

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MARKETING
UPDATED WEEKLY

Revenue Rehab

For Chief Marketing Officers and Chief Revenue Officers; transparent (and entertaining) conversations to develop collective solutions and takeaways to the biggest challenges faced by revenue teams. Relax, Re-ignite, Re-evaluate, Re-build and Re-connect with Brandi Starr on Revenue Rehab; it’s like therapy, but for marketers. Continue the conversation online using the hashtag #RevenueRehab and follow us on IG/Twitter @RevenueRehab.

1D AGO

Misalignment Isn’t the Problem. Broken Communication Is. #ChangeMyMind

This week on Revenue Rehab, Brandi Starr is joined by Brittany Hansen, a seasoned SaaS executive and marketing leader who believes that most revenue issues aren’t caused by structure or strategy, but by broken internal communication—and she’s ready to prove it. In this episode, Brittany challenges the common industry belief that misalignments can be solved with org charts, OKRs, or new tools, arguing instead that clarity, consistency, and honest feedback loops are what truly drive alignment and results. She unpacks why CMOs and CROs must address communication breakdowns at every level to build trust, avoid costly silos, and deliver on their brand promises. Ready to confront the real root of disruption—or do you think she’s got it wrong? Episode Type: Problem Solving Industry analysts, consultants, and founders take a bold stance on critical revenue challenges, offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else. These episodes explore common industry challenges and potential solutions through expert insights and varied perspectives. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1: Alignment Isn’t a Math Problem—It’s a Messaging Problem [04:49] Brittany Hansen asserts that “revenue is like a math problem” is a damaging myth, and pushes back on the idea that public-facing alignment is all that matters. She explains, “when you don't have internal alignment on who you are and what your messaging is, that's reflected to everybody.” Brandi challenges this view by asking why traditional alignment efforts miss the mark, provoking a debate about the centrality of message consistency across all functions. Topic #2: Post-Mortem Meetings Are Non-Negotiable for Sustained Growth [13:24] Brittany fiercely advocates for regular, honest post-mortem meetings and structured feedback loops, countering the “move fast, skip reflection” mindset common in high-growth companies. She emphasizes that without these rituals, “communication is just a bunch of fluff...learning after the fact creates that full circle for any business.” Brandi questions the practicality of these meetings, especially in busy organizations, sparking a conversation about how leaders can operationalize these rituals without falling into over-engineering. Topic #3: Curiosity and Psychological Safety Drive Alignment [25:22] Brittany challenges the assumption that pushback against alignment processes comes from difficult employees, arguing instead that resistance is a critical signal leaders should embrace. She urges executives to “get curious” and make it safe for team members to voice concerns, stating, “so rarely in life is there somebody who is just an anarchist and wants to burn your company down for the sake of watching it burn.” The conversation explores how psychological safety and curiosity—not heavy-handed enforcement—are the real levers for creating alignment and surfacing valuable organizational insights. The Wrong Approach vs. Smarter Alternative The Wrong Approach: “Getting forceful about it and demanding answers.” – Brittany Hansen Why It Fails: Approaching alignment issues with force or by demanding compliance breeds resistance and shuts down open dialogue. This top-down approach discourages honesty, creates fear, and leads to toxic positivity, where real problems remain unaddressed because employees don’t feel safe speaking up. The Smarter Alternative: Instead, leaders should “get curious.” This means making it safe for employees to voice concerns, asking open questions to understand root causes, and fostering a culture where candid feedback is welcomed. By encouraging honest conversations and establishing regular feedback loops, organizations can uncover misalignments and address them collaboratively for lasting improvement. The Most Damaging Myth The Myth: “Revenue is like a math problem. Right. And I think the other is that we are. We are who we display publicly and that's all there is to it.” – Brittany Hansen Why It’s Wrong: According to Brittany, treating revenue purely as a math or structural issue ignores the critical role of internal communication and alignment. When companies focus solely on external appearances or metrics without ensuring everyone internally shares a unified understanding and message, misalignment seeps into every customer interaction. This disconnect is visible to consumers, undermining trust and revealing issues beneath the surface. What Companies Should Do Instead: Leaders must prioritize internal alignment on company identity, messaging, and goals—going beyond surface-level metrics or outward branding. Invest in transparent, consistent communication across all departments to ensure everyone can accurately articulate what the company does and stands for. This unified internal clarity creates trust with customers and eliminates damaging surprises. The Rapid-Fire Round Finish this sentence: If your company has this problem, the first thing you should do is _ “Get curious.” – Brittany Hansen Take immediate action by asking questions and seeking to understand where misalignment or communication gaps exist within your organization. What’s one red flag that signals a company has this problem—but might not realize it yet? “There’s so many silos and silent, silent conversations... when nobody’s showing up on Slack and there’s elephants in the room and you can feel it.” Watch for a lack of open communication, silos between teams, and unspoken issues—these often signal deeper alignment problems. What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to fix this? “Getting forceful about it and demanding answers.” Don’t try to mandate alignment through top-down force or pressure. Forcing answers undermines trust and discourages honest communication. What’s the fastest action someone can take today to make progress? “Have a conversation. Ask someone the questions.” Start by deliberately opening a conversation—reach out directly to team members and ask about their understanding, concerns, and viewpoints right now. Immediate Takeaway for Revenue Leaders: Foster curiosity, break silos with direct dialogue, avoid a forceful approach, and take fast action by simply starting honest conversations—these are the first steps to resolving alignment and communication issues within your revenue organization. Buzzword Banishment Brittany’s buzzword to banish is "viral." She dislikes this term because while everyone wants to go viral for exposure, they rarely consider whether their message is reaching the right audience or whether it authentically represents their brand. Brittany argues that virality does not guarantee meaningful impact and that brands should focus on niche relevance and knowing their audience, rather than chasing unpredictable, hollow visibility. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-a-hansen/ Website: Viiision.com Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

33 min
APR 16

The World Doesn’t Need Your Company. It Needs Movements That Matter. #ChangeMyMind

This week on Revenue Rehab, Brandi Starr is joined by Karthi Ratnam, a category design expert who believes that creating movements, not just products, is the key to market success—and she’s ready to prove it. In this episode, they challenge the notion that category creation is prohibitively expensive and slow, arguing instead that a bold vision and leadership can redefine industries and drive exponential growth. From debunking myths to offering strategic insights, Karthi lays out her case for why revenue leaders need to rethink their approach to category design before it’s too late. Do they have it right, or will you change their mind? Episode Type: Problem Solving Industry analysts, consultants, and founders take a bold stance on critical revenue challenges, offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else. These episodes explore common industry challenges and potential solutions through expert insights and varied perspectives. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1: Challenging the High Cost Myth of Category Design [04:24] Karthi Ratnam challenges the belief that it's prohibitively expensive to create a new category, labeling this a myth that holds companies back. She argues that the real barrier is not financial but rather a lack of vision and willingness to take risks, comparing it to wanting to go to heaven without the willingness to take necessary steps. Brandi Starr highlights the comfort companies feel with established practices, leading to a discussion on the necessity of disrupting the status quo to lead a market. Topic #2: Building a Movement vs. Building a Brand [09:24] Karthi Ratnam differentiates between building a movement and a brand, using historical movements as analogies for category creation. She suggests that movement builders prioritize the category and problem over the brand, highlighting Apple's journey as an example. This challenges traditional marketing practices, prompting Brandi to ask how this approach applies to companies that aren't inherently personal, especially in B2B markets. Topic #3: The Role of a Charismatic Founder in Movement Building [13:39] Karthi Ratnam emphasizes that successful category creation hinges on a dynamic and charismatic founder who can rally support beyond conventional marketing. The discussion challenges the notion that any company can build a movement, with Karthi arguing that not everyone should attempt category creation. Brandi questions how this applies in larger organizations where the personality of a single leader might not be the focal point, emphasizing the balance between idealism and operational effectiveness. The Wrong Approach vs. Smarter Alternative The Wrong Approach: “So the wrong way to do it right, is to be very myopic about it, to think extremely short term in that, to assume that A, because you're creating a category, you're going to win, like really, really fast, you're going to see wins, but that exponential growth takes a little bit of time.” – Karthi Ratnam Why It Fails: This approach fails because creating a category is not about quick wins; it involves longer-term vision and effort. Companies that expect immediate results may become discouraged when they don't materialize, which can lead to abandoning the initiative prematurely. It's about more than just investment—it's about having the vision and courage to disrupt existing norms. The Smarter Alternative: Companies should recognize that while they can see wins along the way, the journey to category dominance involves gradual exponential growth. Leaders must commit to a long-term vision, focusing on truly disruptive innovation rather than just financial considerations. Embrace the risk of the unknown and be prepared to weather the challenges along the path to establishing a new category. The Most Damaging Myth The Myth: “The biggest myth is that it's super expensive to create a category, and it's really hard to have it realize potential in the short and medium term.” – Karthi Ratnam Why It’s Wrong: Companies often hide behind the belief that financial constraints are their main barrier to category creation when, in fact, it is the lack of vision and willingness to take risks that truly hold them back. This myth causes organizations to remain static, instead of embracing disruptive opportunities that could redefine their market position. What Companies Should Do Instead: Focus on a strong vision and have the courage to disrupt the status quo. Companies should prioritize innovative thinking and be willing to navigate the uncertainties of creating new categories to lead movements that matter. The Rapid-Fire Round Finish this sentence: If your company is trying to create a category, the first thing you should do is _ "Have the founders start evangelizing your point of view." – Karthi Ratnam What’s one red flag that signals a company has a category problem—but might not realize it yet? "Lack of alignment on the point of view." What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to fix this? "Becoming emotional." What’s the fastest action someone can take today to make progress? "Take the first step." Buzzword Banishment Karthi's buzzword to banish is "revenue marketer." She dislikes this term because she believes all marketing should inherently be in service of revenue, making the distinction unnecessary. Karthi argues that separating "revenue marketers" from other marketers suggests a false divide, diminishing the contributions of brand marketers who also aim to drive revenue. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karthiratnam/ Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

42 min
APR 9

Chasing New Logos Is Stunting Your Business. #ChangeMyMind

This week on Revenue Rehab, Brandi Starr is joined by Steve Nolan, a high-energy executive with a knack for scaling businesses and driving strategic revenue growth, who believes focusing solely on new client acquisition is a costly mistake—and he’s ready to prove it. In this episode, they challenge the obsession with acquiring new logos, arguing that prioritizing customer success and retention strategies is the true pathway to sustainable growth. From debunking myths to sharing actionable insights, Steve Nolan makes the case for why revenue leaders need to realign their focus towards leveraging existing customer relationships before it's too late. Do they have it right, or will you change their mind? Episode Type: Problem Solving Industry analysts, consultants, and founders take a bold stance on critical revenue challenges, offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else. These episodes explore common industry challenges and potential solutions through expert insights and varied perspectives. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1: The Overlooked Potential of Customer Success [05:58] Steve Nolan argues that focusing predominantly on new customer acquisition at the expense of supporting and expanding current customer relationships is detrimental to revenue growth. He emphasizes that companies often ignore the value of the customer success team, which he describes as "maintaining, retaining, and growing your existing customer base," and suggests greater integration among marketing, sales, and customer success. Brandi Starr concurs, highlighting the importance of customer knowledge in understanding market needs. Topic #2: The Real Cost of Customer Churn [08:54] Nolan challenges the conventional practice of sales teams chasing new deals while ignoring existing client relationships, which results in hidden reputational damage and revenue loss. He stresses that companies fail to recognize that "the cost of a lost customer" is more than just lost revenue—it's also about reputation. Brandi adds that negative experiences can seriously hamper new business acquisition when negative customer experiences circulate in professional networks. Topic #3: Misaligned Sales Compensation Structures [24:10] Nolan points out that traditional sales compensation structures often encourage behavior that undermines company stability. He argues that aligning compensation more with customer-centric practices can motivate sales teams to cultivate longer-term client relationships rather than chasing quick wins. Brandi acknowledges that changing comp structures is challenging but necessary to ensure cohesive strategies that benefit the entire organization. The Wrong Approach vs. Smarter Alternative The Wrong Approach: “Hiring a lot of salespeople and buying more leads.” – Steve Nolan Why It Fails: Simply increasing headcount and lead volume doesn’t guarantee stable and scalable revenue growth. This approach overlooks internal factors inhibiting success, such as misalignment among sales, marketing, and customer success teams, and can result in high churn rates when leads are not effectively managed or converted into lasting relationships. The Smarter Alternative: Companies should focus on aligning their sales, marketing, and customer success teams to work strategically together. By understanding and optimizing the customer journey, training teams, and utilizing data to drive decisions, businesses can enhance customer retention and upsell opportunities, ensuring sustainable growth. The Most Damaging Myth The Myth: “Companies automatically go to head count. Well, we need to grow by 20%, so let's just hire more people instead of looking at what's keeping those existing people from being more successful and." – Steve Nolan Why It’s Wrong: Many companies misunderstand that simply hiring more salespeople and increasing marketing leads can grow revenue. This approach overlooks the inefficiencies within the current sales force and marketing strategies that could be optimized to improve performance without additional headcount. It fails to address the root causes of underperformance and misalignment between sales and customer success teams, ultimately leading to wasted resources and missed opportunities. What Companies Should Do Instead: Companies should focus on enhancing the effectiveness and training of their existing teams, especially in aligning marketing, sales, and customer success. By improving processes and finding friction points in the revenue flow, businesses can achieve meaningful growth without merely expanding headcount. Emphasizing cross-functional collaboration and strategic customer engagement can unleash the potential of the existing workforce and resources. Rapid Fire Round Finish this sentence: If your company has this problem, the first thing you should do is _ “Get the leaders of each of the revenue teams in a room and diagnose this and set a policy around it.” What’s one red flag that signals a company has this problem—but might not realize it yet? “A consistently growing pipeline, but declining revenue.” What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to fix this? “Hiring more salespeople and buying more leads.” What’s the fastest action someone can take today to make progress? “Map your revenue flow from lead to renewal and find the biggest friction points.” Buzzword Banishment Steve’s buzzword to banish is "time boxing." He dislikes this term because he feels the English language already provides simpler ways to convey the concept, such as sticking to an agenda or ensuring discussions don't go too deep. Steve is frustrated by its overuse in meetings and hopes for its quick disappearance. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolansteven Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

43 min
APR 2

Aligning Teams for Revenue Growth: A Strategic Sales-Marketing Case

This week on Revenue Rehab, Brandy Starr is joined by Jamie Walsh, a seasoned expert in go-to-market strategies with over 10 years in B2B SaaS. Together, they break down how a company overcame the entrenched challenge of sales and marketing misalignment, turning a reactive and fractured go-to-market approach into a proactive, revenue-aligned engine. They discuss Jamie's strategic use of empathy and targeted alignment with top sales performers, sharing real-world insights on achieving cohesive team operations and driving significant revenue growth. If you’re looking to enhance alignment and efficiency in your sales and marketing teams, this episode is for you. Episode Type: Case Study Revenue leaders who’ve been in the trenches share how they tackled real challenges—what worked, what didn’t, and what you can apply to your own strategy. These episodes go beyond theory, breaking down real-world implementation stories with concrete examples, step-by-step insights, and measurable outcomes. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1: Overcoming Sales and Marketing Misalignment [00:00:35] Brandy Starr introduces sales and marketing misalignment as a costly challenge resulting in inefficiency. Jamie Walsh recounts his experience with siloed teams and how he built a proactive revenue-aligned machine. The discussion emphasizes the importance of co-owning success and consistent messaging to avoid expensive pitfalls. Topic #2: Leading Through Empathetic Leadership [00:08:55] Jamie Walsh shares how his unique background in various roles within the company enabled him to lead with empathy. By understanding different team motivations, he fostered trust and credibility, essential for aligning sales and marketing. His approach included open conversations and understanding, which helped bridge the gaps between departments. Topic #3: Strategic Competitive Enablement [00:22:34] Jamie Walsh discusses the introduction of a competitive enablement program that targeted top competitors. He highlights how focusing on the top five competitors led to significant wins, including closing the largest deal in company history. This strategic decision showcases the impact of prioritizing resources and aligning efforts for maximum competitive advantage. The Big Win Through strategic deal support and competitive enablement, Jamie Walsh helped his company close the largest deal in its history, demonstrating the power of proactive sales and marketing alignment. Key Learning If you were talking to someone with the same challenge that you were before solving this, what's the first thing you'd tell them? Jamie emphasized the importance of having clarity on objectives right from the start. He advised identifying the biggest problems that need tackling within a short time frame, like 90 days, to make a noticeable impact. Building a plan that focuses on efficiency and alignment with clear goals ensures meaningful progress. Buzzword Banishment Jamie’s buzzword to banish is "optimize." He dislikes this term because it is overused and implies that the opposite would be to degrade, which doesn't make much sense. Jamie believes that the constant use of "optimize" doesn't add value, as it's a given that everyone wants things to work at their best. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiepwalsh/ Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

28 min
MAR 26

MQLs Aren’t Dead—But Your Definition Might Be

In this Starr-Led solo episode of Revenue Rehab, Brandi Starr takes a But Also approach to the frequently heard declaration that MQLs (Marketing Qualified Leads) are dead. While acknowledging common frustrations around the inefficacy of current MQL definitions, she contends that the real problem lies in the lack of clarity and alignment between sales and marketing on what constitutes an MQL. Brandi outlines a collaborative approach to redefining MQLs that can harmonize sales and marketing teams and enhance pipeline quality. This episode is essential for CMOs and CROs who seek to improve lead processing and bolster revenue outcomes by fostering better interdepartmental cooperation. Episode Type: Starr-Led Brandi Starr cuts through industry noise with bold, unfiltered insights on revenue growth. These solo episodes challenge outdated advice, debunk myths, and break down industry reports to reveal what really drives results. Expect sharp commentary, data-backed analysis, and actionable strategies to refine your marketing and sales approach. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1: Importance of Defining MQLs Clearly [02:15] Brandy emphasizes that the term "Marketing Qualified Lead" (MQL) isn't the issue; rather, it's the lack of a clear, agreed-upon definition. Incorrect definitions lead to sales ignoring leads, causing friction between sales and marketing. She argues that an MQL should be an agreement between sales and marketing on when sales should engage. Topic #2: Focus on Middle of the Funnel [23:29] Brandy stresses that fixing the middle of the funnel is crucial for revenue growth. The middle of the funnel involves nurturing leads to reach the qualification that warrants sales involvement, thus impacting revenue. She points out that this stage can be vast and complex but is essential for orchestrating the buyer's journey effectively. Topic #3: The Fallacy of Volume-Based MQL Metrics [25:31] Brandy challenges the conventional approach of measuring success based on MQL volume. She argues that focusing on volume leads to misaligned incentives and poor-quality leads. Instead, she advises aligning goals with pipeline impact and improving the quality of leads, which leads to faster conversion, larger deal sizes, and enhanced collaboration between sales and marketing. Why Should Revenue Leaders Stop Ignoring This Problem Right Now? Because the MQL misunderstanding is sabotaging your sales-marketing synergy. Brandy argues that misaligned marketing qualified lead definitions cause sales to ignore leads, waste time, and crumble trust between departments. Ignoring this alignment crisis results in pipeline chaos, delayed deals, and missed revenue—addressing it is your fast lane to grow What’s the First Action Someone Should Take to Apply This Insight Today? Brandi says: If you can't quickly pull up the documented definition of an MQL for your organization, you have a problem. Sit down with sales and draft that clear, agreed-upon definition now—that's your first step to aligning and driving better revenue results. Takeaways Brandi emphasizes the critical need for alignment between sales and marketing to improve lead quality and ultimately impact revenue. She challenges leaders to shift their mindset from focusing on MQL volume to ensuring MQLs are aligned with true buyer intent and sales interest. The next steps? Leaders should clarify what truly signals buyer readiness by having deep conversations with sales and making sure there is clear, agreed-upon qualification criteria. The core message—define when sales should engage effectively to speed up deals, increase win rates, and get sales and marketing on the same page. Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

27 min
MAR 19

From Messy Data to Measurable Impact: A Case Study in Lead Management

This week, our host Brandi Starr is joined by Mehak Chowdhary, a dynamic leader in marketing, growth, and brand strategy. With 15 years of experience under her belt, Mehak has successfully scaled businesses across diverse sectors like sports, climate tech, SaaS, and E-commerce, working internationally from Europe to Asia. In this episode of Revenue Rehab, Brandi and Mehak dive deep into the transformative journey of turning a chaotic lead process into a high-converting, automated pipeline. They explore the intricacies of Mehak's "route to qualified lead" framework, which originated from a landscape of mismanaged lead flow and evolved into a streamlined system of efficiency and precision. Join the discussion as they explore what it takes to transform a dysfunctional pipeline, why ICPs should be more than a static list, and how the right alignment between sales and marketing can speed up change. If you’re tired of sorting through unqualified leads and want a pipeline that delivers real results, this episode is for you! Episode Type: Case Study Revenue leaders who’ve been in the trenches share how they tackled real challenges—what worked, what didn’t, and what you can apply to your own strategy. These episodes go beyond theory, breaking down real-world implementation stories with concrete examples, step-by-step insights, and measurable outcomes. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1 Breaking Down the CRM Transformation [07:02] Mehak Chowdhary delves into the problem of visibility of who's where in an actual funnel. She recalls receiving an Excel sheet when she asked for data, highlighting the chaos and inefficiency. Mehak refers to this as the "copy paste monster," emphasizing the lack of data traceability and qualification. This moment is pivotal in transforming the process into a structured CRM framework. Topic #2 Evolving the Ideal Customer Profile [09:34] Mehak Chowdhary shares the importance of starting with the basics and evolving the ICP over time. She explains, "first up was that, if, is there a way to take this ICP and put it into the CRM system in a way that you're able to understand who they are," highlighting a step-by-step enhancement of understanding customer behavior. Brandi Starr affirms this by acknowledging the gradual ticking away at the ICP to gain a clear understanding of customer data. Topic #3 Navigating Sales and Marketing Alignment [29:48] Reflecting on overcoming challenges, Mehak Chowdhary highlights, "the fact that the teams could align and work together, the point that you were alluding to, that sales and marketing come together, that's really a game changer for companies if done well." This alignment is crucial for seamless operation, demonstrating how bridging departmental divides was a decisive factor in their success. What’s One Thing They Would Do Differently Mehak’s ‘One Thing’ is to invest in implementing CRM and automation right from the start. "Please invest the time and the money in a CRM and some good people. If you could think in terms of technology, you'll also build a lot of clarity and question yourself on how the whole process is going." This involves thinking strategically about your customer profiles and translating them into actionable data within your CRM system, allowing for the creation of well-planned systems and continuous optimization in your revenue processes. Buzzword Banishment Buzzword Banishment: Mehak’s Buzzword to Banish is the phrase 'secret sauce.' Mehak dislikes this term because she feels it suggests there is some sort of proprietary magic formula behind success, which undermines the hard work marketers put into learning about the industry and optimizing the marketing funnel. It implies that success comes from a mysterious trick rather than well-planned systems and continuous optimization. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehakchowdhary/ Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

38 min
MAR 12

AI Is Making Marketing Specialists Obsolete #ChangeMyMind

This week our host Brandi Starr is joined by Jorge Alvarez, seasoned B2B SaaS marketing leader and co-founder of Evolve IQ. Meet Jorge Alvarez, a powerhouse in the marketing realm with over two decades of experience in driving growth at fintech and data organizations. With four successful stints as a CMO and a history of managing a $500 million investment portfolio at American Express, Jorge has mastered the art of data-driven marketing strategies, ABM, and funnel optimization. Currently, he integrates the latest generative AI tactics to revolutionize team efficiency and deliver high-impact results at Evolve IQ. In this episode of Revenue Rehab, Brandi and Jorge explore how AI is transforming the marketing landscape. They delve into whether AI is making marketing specialists obsolete or is it merely the next evolution in team structure. This conversation navigates the balance between human expertise and AI capabilities, offering insights into the future of marketing roles and strategic leadership. Episode Type: Problem Solving Industry analysts, consultants, and founders take a bold stance on critical revenue challenges, offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else. These episodes explore common industry challenges and potential solutions through expert insights and varied perspectives. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1 The Future of Marketing Teams with AI [00:05:46] Jorge Alvarez discusses the transformative role of AI in marketing, emphasizing how it will alter team structures: “The power of AI, it's huge. And when you start digging deeper into agentic AI and the possibilities that that enables, you see that it's going to change fundamentally. The way we work, like the way we set up our teams is going to be very different.” Topic #2 Specialists vs. Generalists in the Age of AI [00:08:27] Alvarez provides insight into the ongoing debate about the necessity of specialists vs. generalists in marketing as AI becomes more prevalent: “The way I see it is that you have your CMO that should be super experienced… and then you have generalists that are actually executing on those tasks and they work alongside maybe an engineer that is taking care of setting up the agents in the proper way.” Topic #3 Preparing for an AI-Driven Future [00:29:44] On adapting to new AI technologies, Alvarez shares advice for those early in their marketing careers: “I would say start learning about all sorts of tools, start implementing them at your job, if it's possible. Right…I see, I follow many, many podcasts and, you know, YouTubers and on a weekly basis, the number of advancements we get…it’s going to, if you don’t, it’s going to hit you in the face at some point.” What’s One Thing You Can Do Today Jorge's ‘One Thing’ is to dive into implementing AI with simple workflows and activities. “Just start jumping into it and testing different ways. You'll find yourself pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and possibilities these tools bring. Start small, explore what AI can offer in your tasks, and gradually incorporate it into your workflow to maximize its potential.” Rapid Fire Round In this rapid-fire round, Brandi Starr asked Jorge Alvarez four critical questions about balancing AI and human resources in business. When asked, “If your company is struggling to figure out where to leverage humans versus AI, what’s the first thing you should do?” Jorge’s advice was simple: Start implementing AI in small ways. Don’t overthink it; just begin testing and iterating. In response to “What’s one red flag that signals a company has this challenge but doesn’t realize it yet?” Jorge pointed out that if a company outright bans AI, that’s a sign they’re falling behind. When asked, “What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to determine human versus AI?” he emphasized that failing to revisit AI tools regularly is a huge misstep as what didn’t work two months ago may be game-changing today. Finally, to the question, “What’s the fastest action someone can take today to make progress?” Jorge doubled down: Start experimenting. The sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll uncover opportunities. Buzzword Banishment Jorge’s Buzzword to Banish is ‘ABM’ (Account-Based Marketing). Jorge argues for its banishment because “people throw ABM for many things that are not ABM and it kind of cheapens a little bit the impact of such an amazing methodology.” Brandi agrees, pointing out that it is not only overused, but often used incorrectly. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgealvareznyc/ CMO Blueprint: https://cmo-blueprint.beehiiv.com/ Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

38 min
MAR 5

DEI Cuts are Revenue Cuts #ChangeMyMind

This week on Revenue Rehab, our host Brandi Starr is joined by two powerhouse guests, Sharon Nyangweso and Anna Radulovski. Meet Sharon Nyangweso, the innovative founder and CEO of Quake Lab. Sharon champions a radical problem-solving approach with an equity lens that is measurable, strategic, and grounded in design thinking. Her work revolves around dismantling invisible systems to promote inclusivity and equity in businesses. Anna Radulovski is the visionary founder of Women Tech Network, boasting a membership of 150,000 across 179 countries, along with leading initiatives such as Coding Girls and Executive Women in Tech. Anna is passionate about breaking barriers and redefining the tech landscape for women. In this Problem Solving episode, Brandi, Sharon, and Anna explore the critical importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as fundamental business drivers. As companies reconsider their DEI strategies under external pressures, our guests delve into the damaging myths around DEI, the impact on revenue, and why prioritizing equitable practices is not just morally right but strategically essential for sustainable business success. Episode Type: Problem Solving Industry analysts, consultants, and founders take a bold stance on critical revenue challenges, offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else. These episodes explore common industry challenges and potential solutions through expert insights and varied perspectives. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1 The Business Imperative of DEI [07:47] “Our big original sin when it comes to this space... is thinking about equity as a moral imperative rather than a business imperative," Sharon Nyangweso notes. "The challenge is... you decide, oh, this is no longer beneficial to me because the social capital is either reducing or it has come up against too much backlash... However, for the organizations that started seeing it as a business imperative, that does have a moral aspect, but it is first and foremost a business imperative.” This approach demonstrates the potential long-term impacts of DEI on business metrics such as market share and customer loyalty. Topic #2 Diversity Beyond Ethnicity [16:55] “I think there is this misconception that DEI is strictly race, gender, and sexual preference," Brandi Starr mentions. She highlights the often overlooked segments like people with disabilities or mental health issues. "By doing things that help to accommodate some means, you are actually benefiting more." This discussion emphasizes how inclusivity in policies, like remote work, impacts a diverse range of individuals, ultimately benefiting the organization comprehensively. Topic #3 The Curb Cut Effect and Inclusivity [34:13] “If you are designing for the population who is most kind of marginalized... you are inadvertently going to capture the largest amount of people," Sharon Nyangweso explains. "A great example is with these curb cuts... initially created for people using mobility devices, yet they benefited an incredible influx of other people." This example illustrates how solutions designed for inclusivity often provide broader benefits, increasing operational efficiency and market reach. Rapid Fire Round In the rapid-fire round, Brandi Starr asked Sharon Nyangweso and Anna Radulovski four critical questions about tackling DEI challenges. When asked, “If your company has a DEI problem, what’s the first step you should take?” Anna emphasized the importance of analyzing data to pinpoint specific issues, as DEI challenges are often nuanced. In response to, “What’s one red flag that signals a company has a DEI problem but might not realize it yet?” Sharon highlighted that relying solely on training is a warning sign, indicating a lack of deeper systemic change. When asked, “What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to fix DEI challenges?” Anna pointed out that companies often expect underrepresented groups to solve DEI issues simply because they belong to those groups, which can lead to tokenism instead of real progress. Finally, to the question, “What’s the fastest action someone can take today to make progress on DEI?” Sharon recommended conducting an organizational audit to uncover challenges and guide targeted action. Links: Sharon Nyangweso Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequakelab/ Links: Anna Radulovski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaradulovski/ Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live

49 min

5

out of 5

6 Ratings

For Chief Marketing Officers and Chief Revenue Officers; transparent (and entertaining) conversations to develop collective solutions and takeaways to the biggest challenges faced by revenue teams. Relax, Re-ignite, Re-evaluate, Re-build and Re-connect with Brandi Starr on Revenue Rehab; it’s like therapy, but for marketers. Continue the conversation online using the hashtag #RevenueRehab and follow us on IG/Twitter @RevenueRehab.

Creator

Tegrita
Years Active

2022 - 2025
Episodes

158
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025
Show Website

Revenue Rehab

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