Life Sciences Sales Lab

Shannon J Gregg

0.0 (0)
BUSINESS

Welcome to the Life Sciences Sales Lab, the only podcast dedicated to dissecting, analyzing, and optimizing sales strategies for the unique and dynamic world of life sciences. I'm your host, Dr. Shannon Gregg, a Salesforce.com consultant for the Life Sciences, and a professor of Professional Selling. Get ready to experiment, innovate, and drive real results in the lab of life sciences sales.

22 HR AGO

From Data to Decisions: The Future of Life Sciences Sales with Mehmet Oren

In this episode of the Life Sciences Sales Lab Podcast, we dive deep into the intersection of data, decision-making, and innovation in life sciences and technology. Host Dr. Shannon Gregg is joined by Mehmet Oren, a seasoned leader with experience across Genentech, Salesforce, and decision science, as they explore how reliable data drives meaningful business outcomes—and sometimes even life-saving decisions. From early master data management experiments to today’s AI-driven world, this conversation unpacks how defining success, measuring value, and building trust in data are essential to driving real impact. Mehmet shares powerful lessons from his career on aligning technology with human needs, embracing experimentation, and applying the “FDA approval principle” to both business and life: focusing on what is more effective, safer, or more meaningful. The episode also touches on leadership responsibility, storytelling in innovation, and how creativity—even through dance—can shape the way we think, work, and connect. If you’re navigating digital transformation, AI adoption, or data strategy in life sciences and beyond, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you define success and deliver value. 🎧 Tune in to discover how better data, better questions, and better stories lead to better decisions.

36 min
3 FEB

The Enterprise Engine: A Strategic Blueprint for Glacial Sales and High-Stakes Conversion with James Buckley

Enterprise sales in life sciences isn’t just about bigger deal sizes—it’s about playing a completely different game. In this episode, Dr. Shannon Gregg sits down with high-energy sales strategist James Buckley, host of the Sell Better Daily Sales Show, to unpack what it really takes to win complex enterprise deals in pharma. From painfully long sales cycles to ever-changing buying committees, James shares real stories from the field—and why SMB and mid-market tactics simply don’t translate at the enterprise level. They also break down practical event strategies that actually work, powerful discovery techniques that surface hidden blockers, and how top enterprise reps are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to sharpen messaging—not replace human selling. If you’re a sales leader navigating large pharma accounts or an AE preparing to step into enterprise, this episode delivers the mindset shift and real-world insight you need to win.

41 min
27 JAN

The Partnership Pivot: A Strategic Blueprint for Indispensable Alliances and Long-Game Growth

In the high-stakes world of life sciences, many sales teams are busy selling widgets, while top performers are focused on building lasting legacies. When sales becomes reactive, price-driven, and replaceable, it doesn’t just cost deals—it creates the mental fatigue of transactional selling. In this episode, Dr. Shannon Gregg is joined by Sergio Armani, Founder and CEO of ACG Clinical and host of the Pipeline to Partnerships podcast. With 35 years of leadership experience, Sergio shares how he applied Green Beret military strategy to life sciences sales and why he views research coordinators as the true “bank tellers” of clinical research. Together, they explore how elite sales professionals move beyond price competition to build trust, influence, and long-term partnerships. Sergio explains the power of relationship “flanking,” the value of transparent account planning, and why thinking in infinite terms leads to partnerships that endure market shifts. Whether you’re a seasoned sales leader or a business development professional seeking deeper impact, this episode offers practical insight to help turn a cold-call pipeline into a partnership powerhouse. 🎧 Listen now and rethink how you sell.

31 min
20 JAN

Creativity within the Box: The Innovation Blueprint for Life Sciences Sales

In highly regulated life sciences environments, creativity is often seen as a liability. But what if constraints are actually the catalyst for better, more effective sales strategies? In this episode, Dr. Shannon Gregg is joined by her colleague and mentor, Dr. Dorene Ciletti—Professor and Program Director at Point Park University and former sales leader in financial services and healthcare—to challenge the myth of “thinking outside the box.” Together, they explore why the most successful Sales Operations teams excel by thinking inside it. You’ll learn how regulation can drive sophisticated problem-solving, how improv techniques like “Yes, And” translate into real-world bid defense strategies, and why small, risk-aware innovations can create long-term Trusted Advisor relationships. From reverse brainstorming to reframing the scientific method as a creativity tool, this conversation offers practical, repeatable frameworks for selling smarter in complex, risk-averse environments. If you’re navigating strict SOPs, competitive buying committees, or high-stakes sales conversations, this episode delivers laboratory-tested approaches to turning constraints into conversion.

25 min
13 JAN

Complexity to Conversion: The Storytelling Formula for a High-Stakes Bid Defense

In life sciences sales, technical brilliance often breaks down when it meets human scepticism. How do you simplify complex science without diluting your expertise—and still earn trust? In this episode of The Life Sciences Sales Lab, Dr.Shannon Gregg is joined by legendary presentation expert Patricia Fripp to explore how clear communication, storytelling, and structure drive better sales conversations. This discussion reveals how top performers turn complexity into clarity—and clarity into confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn: How visual language helps scientific audiences remember your message, not just your dataA simple Situation–Solution–Success framework to build credibility through client storiesThe “Imagine With Me” technique to lower resistance and open minds to innovationWhy the last thing you say matters most—and how to use it as a competitive edgeHow effective rehearsal (not last-minute practice) elevates sales performance and team mentorshipWhether you’re preparing for a high-stakes bid defense or a virtual demo, this episode will help you transform dense information into a compelling do-along that moves decisions forward.

50 min
6 JAN

Flipping the Demo: The Results-First Blueprint for Winning Life Sciences Buyers

In the world of life sciences, we often fall into the trap of the "Harbor Tour"—dragging our prospects through every single feature, button, and technical spec of our software or service. But as our guest today discovered when the "scales fell from his eyes" as a buyer: your prospects don't want to see how the car battery works; they want to know the mileage. Dr. Shannon Gregg is joined by Peter Cohan, the founder of the Great Demo! methodology and author of Doing Discovery. Peter shares his journey from a bench chemist who successfully freeze-dried beer to a global sales leader who revolutionized the way we present solutions to scientific audiences. In this episode, we dissect: -Doing the "Last Thing First": Why flipping your demo upside down and leading with the end-state dashboard or report is the fastest way to engage senior leadership. -The "Curse of Knowledge": How to avoid the trap of assuming your prospect’s workflow and instead use discovery to surface their "perceived uniqueness." -Buyer Enablement vs. Sales Process: Why we must stop dragging prospects through our CRM stages and start mapping our actions to their internal buying journey. -The "Menu Approach": A tactical masterclass in handling large, diverse audiences (like 175 Swedish scientists) by letting them choose the agenda. -The Least Expensive Form of Proof: How to determine the "minimal viable proof" needed to secure an order—from social proof to technical demos—without wasting months on unnecessary POCs. Whether you are a Sales professional looking to reduce friction in the sales cycle or a leader aiming to truncate the "change management" burden for your clients, Peter’s insights provide a laboratory-tested framework for driving real results.

41 min
30/12/2025

The Value-Add Advantage: Navigating the Shift from 2D Transactions to 3D Partnerships

In this episode of Life Sciences Sales Lab, Dr. Shannon J. Gregg sits down with Bruce Wakeman to challenge one of sales’ biggest norms — the traditional product demo. They unpack why today’s life sciences buyers care less about features and more about measurable outcomes. From flipping the demo to leading with results, this conversation offers a practical blueprint for shortening sales cycles and increasing buyer confidence. If you sell into biotech, pharma, or healthcare, this episode will change how you approach every sales conversation.

28 min
16/12/2025

The Trusted Advisor's Edge: Navigating Regulation and Technology in Life Sciences Sales

In this episode of The Life Sciences Sales Lab, Dr. Shannon Gregg sits down with Rick Ward, Chief Commercial Officer and long-time leader in clinical technology, to explore what it truly takes to succeed in the complex world of life sciences sales. Rick shares his journey from unexpectedly entering the clinical trial space to helping scale some of the industry’s most influential technology companies. Together, they discuss why selling into pharma requires creating demand rather than responding to it, how change management and education shape every commercial conversation, and why the best salespeople become trusted advisors who understand the broader ecosystem—from regulation to global shifts to evolving therapeutic priorities. This episode is a deep dive into the realities of commercial growth in a risk-averse, ever-changing industry, and the shared mission we all have to make clinical research more efficient, effective, and impactful for patients.

28 min
09/12/2025

From Chaos to Conversion: Managing Motivation in the Face of Regulatory Change

In this episode of The Life Sciences Sales Lab, Dr. Shannon Gregg sits down with sales ops leader Angela Olshefski to tackle one of the hardest parts of life sciences sales: managing constant change. Angela shares real stories about improving Salesforce adoption, simplifying workflows, and supporting reps who feel overwhelmed. They discuss why bite-sized training works, how automation reduces admin work, and what keeps sales teams motivated.A practical, relatable conversation for anyone in sales operations, enablement, or life sciences sales.

24 min
01/12/2025

Scaling Success: The Blueprint for a High-Impact Life Sciences Pre-Sales Team

The Life Sciences Sales Lab dives into what it really takes to sell, scale, and succeed in the complex world of life sciences. Hosted by Dr. Shannon Gregg, the podcast explores the challenges of selling into pharma, navigating regulated environments, and driving digital transformation. Through real stories and insights from industry leaders, you'll learn why buyers are risk-averse, how sales cycles work, and why roles like solution consulting are critical. Whether you're in clinical tech, digital health, or life sciences sales, this podcast gives you a clear, practical look at how innovation truly happens in pharma.

37 min
18/11/2025

Financialization, AI, and the Future of GTM: Building the Next Sales Model

In the debut episode of The Life Sciences Sales Lab, Dr. Shannon Gregg sits down with industry expert Scott Ballenger to unpack the evolving world of life sciences sales. They discuss the shift from FOMO to FOMU in buyer behavior, how to shorten complex sales cycles, the rise of digital sales reps, and what life sciences can learn from other industries. Scott also shares timeless selling principles—listening, asking great questions, and consistently delivering value. A must-listen for anyone navigating modern GTM strategies in life sciences.

33 min

11 Episodes

Welcome to the Life Sciences Sales Lab, the only podcast dedicated to dissecting, analyzing, and optimizing sales strategies for the unique and dynamic world of life sciences. I'm your host, Dr. Shannon Gregg, a Salesforce.com consultant for the Life Sciences, and a professor of Professional Selling. Get ready to experiment, innovate, and drive real results in the lab of life sciences sales.

Creator

Shannon J Gregg
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

11
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Life Sciences Sales Lab
Provider