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. 4D AGO

    How can companies build meaningful innovation that creates lasting impact? | Darrian Mikell, Director of Finance and Strategy, Humanly

    Innovation without direction is a liability. Ideas alone don’t move the business forward. Sustainable companies know that to create real value, innovation must serve customers, solve meaningful problems, and drive revenue. So how do you build innovation that delivers lasting impact? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith hears from Darrian Mikell, Director of Finance and Strategy at Humanly, about how companies can turn innovation into tangible business outcomes. Darrian emphasizes that it starts with listening to customers and translating insights into measurable results. You’ll learn:                        • Why innovation without a clear purpose can hurt more than it helps• How to think about innovation differently from simply growing a business• How innovation connects directly to revenue and cash flow                     Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Darrian Mikell(01:13) Innovating with purpose vs. innovation for its own sake(01:53) Using micro-experimentation and synthesizing customer feedback(02:51) Balancing cash constraints with incremental growth 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 Darrian Mikell on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/darrianmikell/ Humanly https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanlyhr/

    4 min

  2. MAR 24

    How can you create a culture of entrepreneurial thinking as you scale? | Nick Smarrelli, Professor and Director of Entrepreneurship, Butler University

    It’s a classic story: an exciting vision and a bold team making it big with their entrepreneurial spirit… and as soon as they scale, it starts to fade. Decisions take longer, everything gets bogged down in approval processes, and the culture? It turns into a cycle of meetings, endless back-and-forth, and the dreaded “we’ll follow up next quarter.” What was once a fast, agile team now feels like it’s stuck in neutral. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Downey hears from Nick Smarrelli, Professor and Director of Entrepreneurship at Butler University. Nick shares how to keep entrepreneurial thinking alive through growth, highlighting the importance of speed over perfection, enthusiasm as a force multiplier, and embracing risk-taking. Nick’s approach shows that scaling isn’t about avoiding mistakes but learning quickly and adapting. You’ll learn: Why speed is more important than perfection when scalingHow to use enthusiasm to drive culture and team engagementWhy celebrating mistakes can foster innovation and growth Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Nick(00:15) The importance of speed over perfection in scaling(01:00) How enthusiasm drives team engagement and culture(02:00) Normalizing risk-taking and celebrating failures(03:00) Why compounding small efforts leads to bigger outcomes(04:00) How adaptability is the key to success in scaling(05:00) The importance of learning and adapting as you 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.

    6 min
  3. What are the biggest mistakes companies make when they're scaling or buying other businesses? | Andrew Thompson, Co-Founder, West2East

    MAR 17

    What are the biggest mistakes companies make when they're scaling or buying other businesses? | Andrew Thompson, Co-Founder, West2East

    Scaling a business is thrilling… until you realize you’re chasing every opportunity and losing sight of what really matters. Too many companies spread themselves too thin, making mistakes that could have been avoided with sharper focus. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey hears from Andrew Thompson, Co-Founder of West2East, about the biggest mistakes companies make when scaling or acquiring businesses. Andrew shares how success comes from sticking to a proven process and focusing on what works, not reinventing the wheel. His advice is clear: stay strategic, focus on growth, and always optimize, don’t complicate. You’ll learn: The importance of staying committed to your growth processWhy you shouldn’t try to reinvent the wheel when acquiring a businessHow focusing on growth rather than perfection ensures long-term successJump in the conversation:(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Andrew Thompson (01:44) Lack of process commitment (02:00) Over-expecting and reinventing the wheel (02:20) Predicting success via proven models (02:39) Protecting profitability during acquisitions 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.

    4 min
  4. How can content improve customer experience in B2B? | Cecilia Romero, Founder and Operator, Miss 7x7

    MAR 10

    How can content improve customer experience in B2B? | Cecilia Romero, Founder and Operator, Miss 7x7

    Most B2B brands think content is just for driving awareness. But what if content could be the key to solving your biggest trust issues with customers? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith speaks with Cecilia Romero, Founder and Operator of Miss 7x7. With her background in event planning, Cecilia has mastered the art of using content to transform the customer experience. By sharing inspiration boards, behind-the-scenes insights, and process breakdowns, Cecilia helps clients feel confident and involved every step of the way. You’ll learn: How content creates trust before you even meet the clientWhy transparency helps clients make quicker decisionsHow content leads to smoother, faster customer experiences Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Cecilia(00:12) Why content is key to building trust(01:00) How inspiration boards help clients visualize their vision(02:00) The power of behind-the-scenes content(03:00) How transparency cuts down on back-and-forth(04:00) Content’s role in setting client expectations(04:45) How content helps align clients with your brand’s process(05:30) Cecilia’s approach to using content for long-term client relationships 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 Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights. https://shareyourgenius.com/blog/  Follow Amanda Smith on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-alexander-smith/ Follow Cecilia Romero on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliaromero1/ Miss 7x7 https://www.miss7x7.com/

    5 min
  5. How to Make Your Brand Content Standout in the AI Era | Jennifer Jackson, CMO, Actian

    MAR 3

    How to Make Your Brand Content Standout in the AI Era | Jennifer Jackson, CMO, Actian

    AI continues to change the way buyers discover and choose brands, with many turning to tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude for answers. This has made content planning and development more critical than ever. So how should brands evolve their content strategy to stay visible in the age of AI? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey sits down with Jennifer Jackson, CMO at Actian, to discuss how brands can adapt their content strategy in an AI-driven world. Jennifer shares why discoverability now depends on both human relevance and machine readability, and how brands can build for both. You’ll learn: How AI tools are changing the way buyers interact with brandsWhy clarity and consistency matter for brand visibilityHow to create content that works for both people and AI platformsJump into the conversation: (00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Jennifer Jackson(00:11) Content Strategy Isn’t What It Used to Be(00:32) The Rise of AI Search(00:55) Meet Jennifer Jackson, CMO of Actian(01:58) The Big Question: Content Strategy in the Age of AI(02:35) Less Website Traffic, More AI Discovery(02:57) Double Down on Brand Messaging(03:16) Writing for Humans and Machines(04:00) Building Credibility Through Evidence 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 Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

    5 min
  6. How can companies really connect with and market to blue-collar industries? | Bo Dietrick, President, Robert Dietrick Co

    FEB 24

    How can companies really connect with and market to blue-collar industries? | Bo Dietrick, President, Robert Dietrick Co

    Marketing to blue-collar industries often misses the mark. Many brands lean on polished messaging and big promises, only to lose trust with an audience that values clarity, honesty, and proof. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith talks with Bo Dietrick, President of Robert Dietrick Co. Bo shares how his background in creative media helped him see a gap in how blue-collar brands show their work. He explains why photography and video became essential tools for building trust with both customers and employees, and how showing real operations drives stronger connections. You’ll learn: Why showing real work builds trust faster than polished messagingHow visual content helps buyers understand how products actually workWhat blue-collar audiences expect from honest marketing Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Bo(00:27) Bo’s transition from media to manufacturing(01:35) The missed opportunity in visual storytelling(02:19) Using photography to show real operations(02:40) How video builds trust with customers(03:13) Why transparency matters in industrial markets(03:20) What honest marketing looks like in practice 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 Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

    4 min
  7. What’s the key to a strong revenue marketing strategy? | Kate O’Neil, Co-Founder and CEO, Opre

    FEB 17

    What’s the key to a strong revenue marketing strategy? | Kate O’Neil, Co-Founder and CEO, Opre

    Revenue marketing gets messy fast. Multiple teams are involved, pressure is high, and results are expected now and later. In 2025, many teams are still spreading their efforts thin without a clear strategy for what actually drives revenue. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith talks with Kate O’Neil, Co-Founder and CEO of Opre. Kate has spent over 20 years building and scaling SaaS companies, including LeanKit and Salesfusion. She shares how focusing on fewer channels, especially LinkedIn, helped her generate millions in pipeline and reach senior decision makers without chasing every new tactic. You’ll learn: How focusing on one channel drives stronger revenue resultsWhy CEO led LinkedIn content can unlock inbound demandHow consistency beats perfection in revenue marketing Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Kate(00:23) Why doing more is not the answer(00:38) Why LinkedIn became the primary channel(01:01) What a strong revenue marketing strategy looks like(01:18) How CEO posting drives pipeline(01:32) Why done beats perfect on LinkedIn(01:56) Building a daily posting habit(02:27) When inbound demand starts showing up(02:45) Reaching senior buyers without demos 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 Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

    4 min
  8.  How do you scale a brand voice across locations and teams? | Allison Barber, Senior Marketing Leader, RISE Commercial District

    FEB 10

     How do you scale a brand voice across locations and teams? | Allison Barber, Senior Marketing Leader, RISE Commercial District

    Getting your brand voice right across multiple teams and locations is tough. Different leadership styles, varying locations, and mixed communication strategies can turn a clear message into a game of broken telephone. So, how do you keep your brand strong and consistent no matter where it’s heard? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith sits down with Allison Barber, Senior Marketing Leader at RISE Commercial District, to talk about the strategies that make scaling a brand voice possible. Allison shares her process for creating a brand blueprint that resonates across diverse teams, and why leadership alignment is key to maintaining consistency and trust throughout an organization. You’ll learn: How to build a brand blueprint that resonates across diverse teamsWays to integrate mission and values into everyday operationsWhy clear communication from leadership is critical for brand consistencyJump into the conversation:(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Allison Barber (01:09) How to Scale a Brand Voice (01:51) Mission, Vision, and Values (02:40) Surveying Employees and Customers (03:29) Branding and Culture Integration (04:05) The Role of Leadership(04:29) Consistent Brand Messaging Across Locations (05:07) The Importance of Respect and Alignment (05:28) Returning to the "Why" Behind the Brand 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 Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

    6 min
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

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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