Straight To Voicemail

Share Your Genius
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

What are the best brands doing to stay relevant, build trust, and create content smarter? At Share Your Genius, we have the same questions, so we're tapping the best in the space for their answers—one voicemail at a time. Join us each week for quick hits of insights from b2b marketers and leaders.

  1. 23h ago

    The Crawl, Walk, Run Approach to AI Automation | Paul Kortman, Connex Digital

    AI is everywhere, but most leaders are paralyzed trying to figure out where to start. The pressure to implement "AI transformation" or build agentic workflows can feel overwhelming, and that overwhelm leads to inaction. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Adam Sockel hears from Paul Kortman, Founder of Connex Digital, about his crawl, walk, run framework for implementing AI and automation in revenue organizations. Paul's advice cuts through the noise: stop trying to eat the elephant in one bite. Start with the smallest pain point, automate it, and build from there. You'll learn: Why starting with low-hanging fruit beats mapping out a full transformationThe difference between deterministic automation and agentic workflows, and when to use eachHow to get value from AI today without overcomplicating your stackJump into the conversation: (00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Paul Kortman (00:20) The crawl, walk, run framework explained (01:24) Starting with agents: one task, done well (02:20) Deterministic vs. agentic automation (03:23) Why you shouldn't try to map it all out first Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who've been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you'll want to play again. Don't miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore our big little wins newsletter for more B2B content strategy insights.

    5 min

  2. 3d ago

    How do you balance empathy and business results? | Liesel Mertes, Founder & Workplace Empathy Consultant, Handle With Care Consulting

    Empathy at work is not a break from accountability. Leaders often treat empathy and business results as competing priorities, as if caring for people means lowering standards. In reality, the support employees receive during hard moments can influence whether they stay, contribute, and trust they place in their managers. So, how can organizations build more empathetic workplaces without losing sight of performance? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey hears from Liesel Mertes, Founder and Workplace Empathy Consultant at Handle with Care Consulting, about why empathy belongs at the center of modern leadership. Liesel shares what the data shows about empathy at work, why managers and teammates play such a critical role in the employee experience, and how simple practices can make support more consistent across an organization. You’ll learn: Why empathy and accountability are not oppositesHow empathy impacts retention and performanceWhat practical empathy looks like at work Jump into the conversation:(00:00) The Question Leaders Keep Asking(00:32) Why Empathy Belongs in the Business Conversation(01:30) The Moments That Decide Whether Employees Stay(02:14) Empathy as a Human Advantage in an AI-Driven Workplace(02:43) Policies That Show Whether Care Is Real(03:24) The Manager and Teammate Gap(04:08) Start With Something, Not Silence(04:38) Build Follow-Up Into Your Calendar(05:00) The Stoplight Check-In for Stronger Team Awareness(06:08) The Empathy Avatars and Additional Resources(07:24) Continuing the Conversation Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore our big little wins newsletter for more B2B content strategy insights. https://shareyourgenius.com/blog/  Follow Rachel Downey on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelelstsdowney/ Follow Liesel Martes on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieselmertes/ Handle with Care Consulting https://www.linkedin.com/company/handle-with-care-consulting/

    9 min

  3. Jun 16

    How is AI changing B2B buying behavior and making partnerships more important for distribution and trust? | Bryn Jones, Co-Founder, PartnerStack

    Navigating the software market has never been more complex. As AI reshapes how buyers research, evaluate, and select technology, B2B companies face a new reality: purchasing decisions are often influenced long before a prospect ever visits their website. So how can businesses build trust and stay visible in an increasingly AI-driven buying journey? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey hears from Bryn Jones, Co-Founder of PartnerStack, to explore the evolving power of B2B partnerships. Bryn breaks down how partnerships can amplify trust, drive distribution, and even influence AI-driven buying behavior. Drawing from real-world examples, he explains how companies can orchestrate their partner ecosystems to stand out in a crowded market. He shares practical insights on orchestrating partner networks, navigating competitive landscapes, and experimenting with new approaches to distribution and growth. The conversation also explores the intersection of partnerships, community, trust, and AI, and why these relationships are becoming an increasingly important driver of business success. You’ll learn: How to leverage B2B partnerships to influence AI-driven buyer behavior and increase adoption.How to orchestrate technology, agency, and user-generated content partnerships for measurable business growth.How to experiment within your partner ecosystem to unlock untapped opportunities and early returns.Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Setting the framework: Understanding modern B2B partnerships (1:00) The evolving buyer journey: Why trust in partners matters (2:00) AI’s impact on consumer behavior and decision-making (3:00) Partnership strategies: Tech, agency, and user-generated approaches (3:30) Early wins and experimentation: Unlocking growth potential (4:00) Key takeaways and final thoughts on B2B partnerships Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore our big little wins newsletter for more B2B content strategy insights. https://shareyourgenius.com/blog/  Follow Rachel Elsts Downey on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelelstsdowney/ Follow Bryn Jones on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryn-jones/ PartnerStack http://www.partnerstack.com/

    5 min

  4. Jun 9

    How do you build your personal brand alongside a company brand? | Anne Murlowski, VP of Marketing, Claravine

    Standing out in a noisy professional world can feel like an impossible balancing act. How do you build a personal brand that amplifies your voice without overshadowing, or being overshadowed by, the corporate brand you represent? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith hears from Anne Murlowski, VP of Marketing at Claravine and an advocate for female leadership, about navigating the intersections of personal and corporate branding. Anne shares how she has grown her personal brand through her podcast SaaSy, while simultaneously preparing to launch a branded podcast for Claravine, illustrating how these efforts can serve different purposes while reinforcing each other. She breaks down practical strategies for building both types of brands and explains how thoughtful alignment between personal and corporate messaging can empower careers and elevate visibility. You’ll learn: How to distinguish personal vs corporate brandingHow to show up consistently in shared spaces for better visibilityHow to unify messaging across personal and corporate platformsJump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction and setting the stage  (00:01) Personal brand focus: Empowering female leadership (01:50) Corporate brand focus: Connecting with customers (02:30) Bridging personal & corporate brands  (03:00) Wrapping up and takeaways Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore our big little wins newsletter for more B2B content strategy insights. https://shareyourgenius.com/blog/  Follow Amanda Smith on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-alexander-smith/  Follow Anne Murlowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemurlowski/ Claravine https://www.claravine.com/

    4 min

  5. Jun 2

    How can companies improve discoverability as buyers turn to LLMs? | Sydney Sloan, Chief Marketing Officer, G2

    B2B buyers aren’t following a straight path anymore. Many marketers still rely on traditional SEO, websites, and review pages to capture attention, but today’s buyers are increasingly turning to AI and LLMs to compare their options and validate their decisions. This shift creates a critical question for modern organizations: how do you get discovered when your audience’s first stop isn’t Google, but a machine-powered assistant? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith hears from Sydney Sloan, Chief Marketing Officer at G2, to break down the practical steps organizations can take to stay visible in the age of AI. Sydney shares practical advice on Answer Engine Optimization, leveraging user-generated content, and building content workflows that align with how buyers actually research today. You’ll learn: How the B2B buyer journey is changing in an AI-first worldPractical strategies to improve discoverabilityHow to create content workflows that combine human insight with AI efficiencyJump into the conversation: (00:00) The changing buyer journey (02:00) Introduction to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) (03:00) Content engineering and Human-AI collaboration (04:00) Leveraging user-generated content (04:40) Bonus rips and website optimization Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore our big little wins newsletter for more B2B content strategy insights. https://shareyourgenius.com/blog/  Follow Amanda Smith on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-alexander-smith/  Follow Sydney Sloan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydsloan/ G2 https://www.g2.com/

    5 min

  6. May 26

    What are the top 3 drivers of success for strategic account managers? | Cassandra Farr, SVP and Head of Enterprise Strategic Solutions, Philips

    Successful account managers don’t push harder. They listen better.  Too often, account managers rely on territory knowledge, product expertise, or years of experience to close deals, but that’s only half the equation. Real impact isn’t about what you know, it’s about how you show up. So, how can account managers drive results that are truly meaningful, both for their clients and their business? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith hears from Cassandra Farr, SVP and Head of Enterprise Strategic Solutions at Philips, about the areas account managers should prioritize to succeed. Cassandra shares how leading with curiosity not only strengthens customer relationships but also unlocks measurable business outcomes. You’ll learn: Why curiosity is the starting point for every successful enterprise relationshipHow connection turns account executives into trusted partners, not vendorsWhat “closing” really means and how to guide customers to make confident decisionsJump into the conversation: (00:00) Why top account executives win based on presence, not product or territory (01:00) The role of curiosity in understanding your customer (02:00) The airplane story that shows how fast real connection can be built (03:30) Why “Always Be Closing” falls short and what to focus on instead (04:15) Breaking down the three Cs: curiosity, connection, and closing in practice (05:00) How to move from vendor status to becoming a true trusted partner Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore our big little wins newsletter for more B2B content strategy insights. https://shareyourgenius.com/blog/  Follow Amanda Smith on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-alexander-smith/  Follow Cassandra Farr on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-farr-586784/ Philips http://www.philipsmedicalcapital.com/

    6 min

  7. May 19

    How can fractional experts create immediate business impact? | Patrick Elliott, Founder and CMO, Four Cross GTM

    The fastest way to fail as a fractional leader is trying to fix everything. More and more companies are leaning on fractional and contract leaders to bring senior expertise. But with limited time, leaders must quickly grasp the culture, decode the business, and drive change almost instantly. So, how exactly can they deliver impact when time is short? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Adam Sockel hears from Patrick Elliott, Founder and CMO at Four Cross GTM, to explore the core qualities that enable fractional and contract leaders to deliver fast results without compromising quality. Patrick emphasizes that rather than trying to do everything, leaders should focus on the few levers that create immediate, meaningful business impact. You’ll learn: How to make an immediate impact as a fractional leader without a long onboardingThe three traits that separate effective fractional operators from the restHow to identify and prioritize the few growth drivers that actually move the businessJump into the conversation: (00:00) Why fractional leaders are expected to deliver fast (01:00) The three traits every effective fractional leader needs (03:00) How to run fast, effective discovery using proven frameworks (05:00) The three growth drivers to prioritize first (07:00) How to work within company culture and build trust quickly Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore our big little wins newsletter for more B2B content strategy insights. https://shareyourgenius.com/blog/  Follow Adam Sockel on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-sockel/ Follow Patrick Elliott on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pfelliott/ Four Cross GTM https://www.fourcrossadvisory.com/

    9 min
  8. How can media brands help companies stand out and build trust? | Cliff Simon, CEO and Founder, Polaris Ops

    May 12

    How can media brands help companies stand out and build trust? | Cliff Simon, CEO and Founder, Polaris Ops

    If your brand sounds like everyone else, you’ve already lost. In a digital landscape defined by noise, speed, and AI-generated conformity, attention is easy to buy, but trust is not. Differentiation isn’t just a creative choice anymore, it’s a business imperative. So how do media brands enable companies to stand out and earn trust where it matters most? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey hears from Cliff Simon, CEO and Founder at Polaris Ops, to explore how media brands help companies establish authenticity and credibility through consistent, thoughtful content. Cliff argues that quality engagement beats sheer scale, proving that connection matters more than attention. You’ll learn: Why media brands stand out in an AI-saturated marketHow strong POV and consistency build trust before the sales cycleWhy engagement quality matters more than views or attributionJump into the conversation: (00:00) Why media brands matter now(00:45) Authenticity in a world of AI-generated content(01:15) Standing out with a distinct voice and perspective(01:45) Media as a long-term brand moat(02:05) The consumerization of B2B buying(02:35) People buy from people(02:55) The challenge of measuring media ROI(03:20) Signals that your content is actually working(03:45) Why engagement matters more than scale Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore our big little wins newsletter for more B2B content strategy insights. https://shareyourgenius.com/blog/  Follow Rachel Elsts Downey on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelelstsdowney/ Follow Cliff Simon on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliff-simon/ Polaris Ops https://www.linkedin.com/company/polaris-ops/

    6 min
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

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What are the best brands doing to stay relevant, build trust, and create content smarter? At Share Your Genius, we have the same questions, so we're tapping the best in the space for their answers—one voicemail at a time. Join us each week for quick hits of insights from b2b marketers and leaders.

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