Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows

John Barrows

John Barrows is a leading B2B sales trainer and founder of JBarrows Consulting. His clients include Salesforce, LinkedIn, and Okta. Each Week he gives you actionable sales tips to close more business and brings on industry leaders.

  1. Coaching the Coaches in Sales with Saif Khan

    3D AGO

    Coaching the Coaches in Sales with Saif Khan

    In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John sits down with Saif Khan, Regional VP of EMEA and APAC at Semrush, one of the top SaaS platforms helping digital marketers drive visibility, traffic, and growth. But this episode isn’t just about tools or tactics—it’s about the real human side of sales leadership. From growing up in a council estate in West London to building elite sales teams across two continents, Saif shares how a single ride-along with his uncle sparked his lifelong passion for sales. He breaks down how five years in retail taught him more about buyer psychology than any formal sales training ever could—and why emotional intelligence, not just methodology, is the real differentiator in today’s market. The conversation dives into: • How burnout creeps in even during “success” • Why Saif hit pause on his career for a solo journey through Southeast Asia • The coaching crisis in frontline management • The line between AI augmentation and AI dependency—and what it means for the future of leadership. Whether you’re an SDR, a VP, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with real stories, fresh takes, and valuable lessons for anyone navigating the evolving world of modern sales. Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together! Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter Connect with Saif on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saif-khan-cism/ Check out Saif's Website Semrush: https://www.semrush.com/ Check out these additional links for Semrush Employment Opportunities: https://careers.semrush.com/jobs/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/technically-her/id1871241654?l=en-GB Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7nBfeFVia9d7ClK7CVOBcV?si=9ef5467e40644435 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semrush_life/# Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SemrushLife LinkedIn: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/semrush/posts/?feedView=all" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    58 min
  2. HR Truth Bombs for Managers with Ashley Herd

    FEB 9

    HR Truth Bombs for Managers with Ashley Herd

    In this episode, John sits down with Ashley Herd, a former General Counsel and HR executive turned founder of Manager Method — a movement and book that gives managers the real-world tools no one else teaches. She’s also a LinkedIn Learning instructor, podcast host, and a powerful advocate for human-first leadership. Ashley brings a sharp legal and HR background from brands like KFC and McKinsey, and shares how those experiences opened her eyes to a problem most companies ignore: we don’t train our managers. This conversation dives into: Why most managers are set up to failHer signature framework: Pause. Consider. Act.How to shift from micromanagement to trustThe three leadership styles: Tight Jeans, Sweatpants, and Cozy JoggersWhat KFC taught her about recognition and cultureHow to support employees during grief, loss, and hard times If you’re a frontline manager, a senior leader, or someone trying to improve your org’s leadership culture, this episode is packed with honest insight, practical frameworks, and real empathy for the people doing the hardest job in business: managing other people. Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together! Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyherd/ Check out Ashley's Website: https://www.managermethod.com/ Get Ashley's Book "The Manager Method" Here: https://www.amazon.com/Manager-Method-Practical-Framework-Support/dp/B0F88XQ919/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OXJB8FFOLV4P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gCPkw0XjqseVzVOGs73g3eB07oBsCIPccO7Bg_F6_pJUk_7hYRf_o4C7UEKTRNAKfZZubHS4muiYeQwrCl2bTruXHFHdVzSIcOgY2Ro0vyR55Lg6emhKDYAInm1NlGQq4aRtfUIBaphOf1El-r00xw.zVw99DEqK3s5Fks8X-BIFrh6_YByNw6CA-exZYjmUhw&dib_tag=se&keywords=ashley+herd&qid=1770643943&sprefix=Ashley+Herd%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1

    1h 8m
  3. Unstress Your Leadership Style with Guest Amy Leneker

    FEB 2

    Unstress Your Leadership Style with Guest Amy Leneker

    Amy Leneker is a recovering workaholic turned joy strategist—and her message couldn’t be more timely. In this episode, Amy joins John to share insights from her upcoming book Cheers to Monday, a science-backed guide to breaking the cycle of burnout and embracing joy as a leadership strategy. A former C-suite executive and advisor to Fortune 100 companies, Amy opens up about hitting rock bottom—not once, but twice—and what it taught her about stress, success, and what really matters. She introduces her “Un-Stressing Method”: See, Sort, Solve, Celebrate—a practical and empowering framework that helps leaders manage their own stress while reducing the stress they place on others. They also dive into concepts like the Stockdale Paradox, the difference between happiness and joy, and why emotional honesty is the new leadership superpower. This episode is packed with actionable tools, honest reflection, and a refreshing take on what it really means to thrive in today’s high-pressure world. Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together! Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyleneker Check out Amy's Website: https://www.amyleneker.com/ Connect with Amy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amy.leneker/ Get Amy's Book "Cheers to Monday" Here: https://www.amazon.com/Cheers-Monday-Surprisingly-Simple-Method/dp/1394388802 Check out Amy's Podcast "Less Stress, More Joy" Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/less-stress-more-joy-with-amy-leneker/id1864772376

    56 min
  4. The NeuroStrategy™ Behind Buyer Behavior with Jake Stahl

    JAN 26

    The NeuroStrategy™ Behind Buyer Behavior with Jake Stahl

    In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with Jake Stahl, a former top-tier sales trainer turned psychological strategist and the creator of NeuroStrategy™—a groundbreaking approach that merges psychology, instructional design, and neuroscience to transform how companies train, sell, and scale. As the founder and CEO of Orchestraight, Jake has reimagined the sales enablement process through a psychological lens, revealing what really drives human decision-making. In this conversation, he and John explore how sales reps can better connect, communicate, and build trust by understanding the subconscious factors that influence every deal. They dive into topics like neuro-linguistic programming, instructional design, and the science behind engagement, unpacking how these tools can elevate your entire sales process—from first touch to closed won.If you’re tired of generic tactics and want to understand the deeper why behind successful selling, this episode delivers insight, science, and practical frameworks to sharpen your edge. Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together! Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter Connect with Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakestahl/ Check out Jake's Website: https://orchestraight.com/ Connect with Jake on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jakethemindmechanic/ Get Jake's Book "Own the Room" Here: https://www.amazon.com/Own-Room-Communicate-Heard-Respected/dp/1968318259/ Check out the Own the Room Podcast with Jake Stahl Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-the-room/id1800525151

    1h 4m
  5. Transparency Wins More Deals with Todd Caponi

    JAN 19

    Transparency Wins More Deals with Todd Caponi

    Todd Caponi, bestselling author of The Transparency Sale and now The Transparent Negotiation, joins to talk about what sellers and leaders are still getting wrong about closing deals. He breaks down the four key levers every negotiation hinges on, and why transparency, when used right, is your strongest closing strategy. From reframing discounts as a payment for revenue predictability to exposing how fake deadlines and end-of-month pressure tactics actually kill pipeline momentum, Todd shares how to negotiate with integrity, speed, and trust. Plus, there are some hilarious history lessons along the way involving sweaters, cheeseburgers, and sales tactics from the 1800s that still (shockingly) show up in boardrooms today. Whether you’re a frontline seller tired of price-pushing or a CRO trying to build a high-trust revenue engine, this episode will give you modern, actionable negotiation strategies that actually work. Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddcaponi/ Check out Todd's Website: https://toddcaponi.com/ Get Todd's Book "Four Levers Negotiating" Here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Four-Levers-Negotiating/Todd-Caponi/9781637748404 Visit the "Four Levers Negotiating" Website Here: https://toddcaponi.com/four-levers-negotiating/ Check out Todd's Podcast "The Sales History Podcast" Here: https://saleshistory.buzzsprout.com/

    50 min
  6. The Sales Side of Hiring with Michael King

    JAN 12

    The Sales Side of Hiring with Michael King

    In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John welcomes Michael King, founder of King Recruiting and one of the sharpest minds when it comes to hiring, recruiting, and building exceptional teams. Michael has worked with high-growth companies for years and knows exactly where the hiring process breaks down — and more importantly, how to fix it. John and Michael talk about why traditional recruiting is broken, how founders and sales leaders need to sell the opportunity (not just list requirements), and the mistake most companies make by not aligning hiring to their go-to-market motion. Michael breaks down why recruiting should be treated like a pipeline — with leads, qualification, and conversion — and how to attract top-tier talent in a hyper-competitive market. If you’re a founder, sales leader, or anyone responsible for building teams in today’s market, this episode is packed with perspective-shifting insights and tactical frameworks you can use immediately. Whether you’re hiring your first AE or scaling a GTM org, Michael’s approach will help you get it right. Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together! Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelking/ Check out Michael's Website: https://kingrecruiting.net/ Get Michael's Book "Be There When I Return" here: https://www.michaeltking.com/

    58 min
  7. Confidence, Careers, and Community with Kim Nicholas

    JAN 5

    Confidence, Careers, and Community with Kim Nicholas

    This episode takes a meaningful turn from the usual sales conversations. John sits down with Kim Nicholas, Executive Director of Genesys Works Chicago, to talk about creating real opportunity for underserved youth and how businesses benefit in the process. From her own upbringing in Chicago’s public school system to launching one of the first charter schools in the area, Kim has been on a lifelong mission to bridge the gap between potential and access. Now through Genesys Works, she’s helping high school students step directly into paid internships with major companies—developing job skills, confidence, and careers. Kim shares the “Discipline Life” framework she created—rooted in self-perception, respect for others, and productive persistence—and explains how this mindset is transforming lives and communities. If you’re looking for a story about belief, purpose, and the real ROI of doing good, this conversation is for you. Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together! Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-nicholas-day/ Check out Kim's Website: https://genesysworks.org/locations/chicago/

    1 hr
  8. The business coach who helped me define my WHY with Jonathan Domsky

    12/29/2025

    The business coach who helped me define my WHY with Jonathan Domsky

    This conversation is one that hits close to home. Jonathan Domsky isn’t just a business and life coach for entrepreneurs — he was my coach during one of the most difficult periods of my life. After losing my dad and watching my business wobble, I felt like I was stuck in neutral. Outwardly things looked fine, but internally, I was spinning. Jonathan helped me reconnect with my core values, rediscover my “why,” and realign the direction of both my business and life. In this episode, we dig into what it really means to grow — not just your company, but yourself. We talk about the hidden tension between external achievement and internal fulfillment, how most people misunderstand their values, and why your next level of success starts inside. Jonathan’s approach doesn’t stop at goal-setting and accountability. He helps leaders untangle the inner knots that are quietly holding them back. If you’re a high-performer who’s hit a wall, or just feeling like something’s off, this episode might be the reset you didn’t know you needed. Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together! Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-personal-growth-coach/  Check out Jonathan's Website: https://untangled-coaching.com/  Check out Jonathan's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@untangledcoaching3354/videos

    58 min
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4.6
out of 5
198 Ratings

About

John Barrows is a leading B2B sales trainer and founder of JBarrows Consulting. His clients include Salesforce, LinkedIn, and Okta. Each Week he gives you actionable sales tips to close more business and brings on industry leaders.

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