The 1% Edge

Carlos Nouche

Welcome to The 1% Edge Podcast with Carlos Nouche! The 1% Edge Podcast delivers insightful interviews with exceptional guests who share their personal journeys of continuous improvement—striving to get 1% better every day. Our focus is on go-to-market leaders across a range of industries, including roles such as: sales, customer success, sales operations, revenue enablement, marketing, product design, and more. Whether you’re a GTM professional seeking actionable insights or aiming to elevate your career, this podcast is your go-to resource for inspiration and practical strategies. Join us as we explore the mindset, habits, and strategies that drive success in the modern business landscape.

  1. E77 - From Reactive Training to Predictive Enablement in Sales I Christina Brady

    11H AGO

    E77 - From Reactive Training to Predictive Enablement in Sales I Christina Brady

    Sales teams spend millions on training, enablement tools, and coaching programs, yet many still struggle to improve performance. Why does traditional sales enablement fail? In this episode of The 1% Edge Podcast, Carlos Nouche sits down with Christina Brady, CEO and Co-Founder of Lustre, to unpack the real problem behind ineffective sales training. They explore how most organizations rely on reactive, one-size-fits-all programs without understanding the actual skill gaps within their teams. Christina shares why diagnosing the real problem is the missing piece in sales enablement and how predictive AI can help leaders identify performance gaps before they impact revenue. Instead of waiting until deals are lost, modern enablement focuses on proactive coaching, data-driven diagnostics, and personalized skill development. The conversation also dives into:Why traditional sales training often failsThe problem with relying on CRM data for diagnosticsHow predictive enablement worksThe role of AI in improving coaching and performanceThe difference between skill gaps and motivation issuesHow leaders can measure improvement in sales teams If you’re a sales leader, enablement professional, or part of a go-to-market team looking to improve performance, this episode offers practical insights into the future of sales enablement. Connect with Christina Brady on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinapbrady/ Summary In this episode of the 1% Edge podcast, host Carlos Nouche welcomes Christina Verrini, CEO and co-founder of Lustre, to discuss the shortcomings of traditional enablement in organizations. Christina defines traditional enablement as manual, reactive, and often a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to address the specific needs of sales teams. She emphasizes the importance of data-driven diagnostics to understand team proficiency and the necessity of tailoring training to individual skill sets rather than relying on generic solutions. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by enablement professionals who lack the necessary data to effectively coach and train their teams, leading to a cycle of ineffective training and poor performance. - Carlos and the 1% Edge Team Connect with Carlos Nouche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnouche/ Visit Carlos Nouche’s website here: https://carlosnouche.com/ Listen to The 1% Edge on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DXOsN1j0AEjNPoJ68Fnq2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-edge/id1814316904Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/19ea92c1-349b-493f-9646-30be896ab263/the-1-edge #AI #artificialintelligence #businesstechnology #humanelement #adoption #futureofwork #productivity #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveDevelopment #SalesStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #ProductivityTips #CommunicationSkills #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #LeadershipMindset #BlueRidgeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #CareerSuccess #TeamBuilding #StrategicPartnerships #SalesProspecting #LeadershipCommunicationThe 1% Edge podcast delivers powerful insights for business owners, leaders, managers, and executives seeking to elevate their professional and personal lives. Hosted by Carlos Nouche, each episode features candid conversations with experts and entrepreneurs covering leadership, sales strategies, productivity, communication skills, AI adoption, resilience, and continuous growth. Tailored for the Blue Ridge, Georgia business community and beyond, the podcast equips listeners with actionable advice to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and drive lasting success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Tune in every week to gain the edge you need to lead with confidence and clarity.

    29 min
  2. E76 - The Patterns Others Miss | S.J. King

    2D AGO

    E76 - The Patterns Others Miss | S.J. King

    In this episode of the 1% Edge podcast, host Carlos Nouche speaks with S.J. King, an author and former CEO, about the importance of recognizing patterns in business and decision-making. S.J. shares his journey from corporate success to understanding the deeper aspects of leadership and wisdom. He discusses the four steps to building the muscle of pattern reading, the significance of company culture, and the need for wisdom in today's decision-making processes. S.J. also emphasizes the importance of hiring for cultural fit and shares insights from his own life experiences, including his new book, 'The Inner Compass.' Takeaways The ability to see patterns can be trained.Understanding company culture is crucial for success.Hiring for cultural fit is essential to avoid dissonance.Wisdom is more important now than ever in decision-making.The four steps to pattern reading are observing, reflecting, applying, and integrating.S.J. King's journey includes a blend of corporate leadership and academic pursuits.Engaging with employees' ideas can lead to innovation.Cultural coherence is vital for implementing new ideas.The story of a brand must align with customer expectations.Personal relationships can benefit from the principles of pattern reading. - Carlos and the 1% Edge Team Connect with Carlos Nouche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnouche/ Visit Carlos Nouche’s website here: https://carlosnouche.com/ Listen to The 1% Edge on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DXOsN1j0AEjNPoJ68Fnq2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-edge/id1814316904Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/19ea92c1-349b-493f-9646-30be896ab263/the-1-edge #AI #artificialintelligence #businesstechnology #humanelement #adoption #futureofwork #productivity #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveDevelopment #SalesStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #ProductivityTips #CommunicationSkills #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #LeadershipMindset #BlueRidgeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #CareerSuccess #TeamBuilding #StrategicPartnerships #SalesProspecting #LeadershipCommunicationThe 1% Edge podcast delivers powerful insights for business owners, leaders, managers, and executives seeking to elevate their professional and personal lives. Hosted by Carlos Nouche, each episode features candid conversations with experts and entrepreneurs covering leadership, sales strategies, productivity, communication skills, AI adoption, resilience, and continuous growth. Tailored for the Blue Ridge, Georgia business community and beyond, the podcast equips listeners with actionable advice to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and drive lasting success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Tune in every week to gain the edge you need to lead with confidence and clarity.

    32 min
  3. E75 - The 1% Improvement Mindset That Builds Great Leaders I Jarrod Lopiccolo

    MAY 14

    E75 - The 1% Improvement Mindset That Builds Great Leaders I Jarrod Lopiccolo

    In this episode of the 1% Edge podcast, Carlos Nouche and Jarrod Lopiccolo discuss the importance of striving for incremental improvement in both personal and professional life. They explore how to foster meaningful connections in an increasingly AI-driven world, emphasizing the need for empathy, feedback, and curiosity. Jarrod shares insights on leadership, the significance of human connection, and the challenges of managing diverse personalities within a team. The conversation highlights the necessity of kindness and understanding in building a positive culture, as well as the role of curiosity in enhancing relationships and personal growth. Takeaways Striving for 1% improvement can lead to significant growth.Human connection is declining in today's AI-driven world.Feedback should be kind, not just nice.Creating a safe space for feedback is essential.Curiosity drives meaningful connections with others.Leaders should model the behavior they want to see.Personal well-being impacts professional performance.Empathy is crucial in leadership and team dynamics.It's important to address toxic behaviors in the workplace.Life is about making authentic connections with others. - Carlos and the 1% Edge Team Connect with Carlos Nouche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnouche/ Visit Carlos Nouche’s website here: https://carlosnouche.com/ Listen to The 1% Edge on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DXOsN1j0AEjNPoJ68Fnq2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-edge/id1814316904Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/19ea92c1-349b-493f-9646-30be896ab263/the-1-edge #AI #artificialintelligence #businesstechnology #humanelement #adoption #futureofwork #productivity #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveDevelopment #SalesStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #ProductivityTips #CommunicationSkills #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #LeadershipMindset #BlueRidgeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #CareerSuccess #TeamBuilding #StrategicPartnerships #SalesProspecting #LeadershipCommunicationThe 1% Edge podcast delivers powerful insights for business owners, leaders, managers, and executives seeking to elevate their professional and personal lives. Hosted by Carlos Nouche, each episode features candid conversations with experts and entrepreneurs covering leadership, sales strategies, productivity, communication skills, AI adoption, resilience, and continuous growth. Tailored for the Blue Ridge, Georgia business community and beyond, the podcast equips listeners with actionable advice to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and drive lasting success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Tune in every week to gain the edge you need to lead with confidence and clarity.

    35 min
  4. E74 - How to Build a Powerful Personal Brand on LinkedIn Using AI | Mandy McEwen

    MAY 12

    E74 - How to Build a Powerful Personal Brand on LinkedIn Using AI | Mandy McEwen

    In this episode of the 1% Edge podcast, Carlos Nouche speaks with Mandy McEwen about the significance of personal branding in the age of AI, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn. They discuss how personal branding is essential for professionals at all stages of their careers, the importance of leveraging company content, and the evolving landscape of social media. Mandy shares insights on maximizing engagement through diverse content, understanding LinkedIn's algorithm, and utilizing AI for authentic content creation. The conversation also touches on the importance of building genuine connections and sharing personal stories to enhance one's brand. Takeaways Personal branding is essential in today's digital age.Everyone with a LinkedIn profile has a personal brand.Maximizing relationships is key to personal branding.You can leverage your company's content for personal branding.Choose platforms based on where your audience spends time.LinkedIn's algorithm is now more relevancy-based.Engagement through commenting is crucial for visibility.Diverse content types enhance engagement on LinkedIn.Authenticity in storytelling builds trust and connections.Mandy's Next Wave membership helps entrepreneurs establish their brand. Connect with Mandy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandymcewen/ - Carlos and the 1% Edge Team Connect with Carlos Nouche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnouche/ Visit Carlos Nouche’s website here: https://carlosnouche.com/ Listen to The 1% Edge on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DXOsN1j0AEjNPoJ68Fnq2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-edge/id1814316904Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/19ea92c1-349b-493f-9646-30be896ab263/the-1-edge #AI #artificialintelligence #businesstechnology #humanelement #adoption #futureofwork #productivity #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveDevelopment #SalesStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #ProductivityTips #CommunicationSkills #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #LeadershipMindset #BlueRidgeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #CareerSuccess #TeamBuilding #StrategicPartnerships #SalesProspecting #LeadershipCommunicationThe 1% Edge podcast delivers powerful insights for business owners, leaders, managers, and executives seeking to elevate their professional and personal lives. Hosted by Carlos Nouche, each episode features candid conversations with experts and entrepreneurs covering leadership, sales strategies, productivity, communication skills, AI adoption, resilience, and continuous growth. Tailored for the Blue Ridge, Georgia business community and beyond, the podcast equips listeners with actionable advice to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and drive lasting success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Tune in every week to gain the edge you need to lead with confidence and clarity.

    39 min
  5. E73 - How comedy skills can transform the way teams communicate, collaborate, and lead

    MAY 7

    E73 - How comedy skills can transform the way teams communicate, collaborate, and lead

    In this episode of the 1% Edge podcast, Carlos Nouche interviews Kevin Hubschmann, founder of Laugh Dot Events, about how comedy skills can enhance communication and collaboration in professional settings. Kevin discusses the importance of active listening, the art of pausing, and effective communication techniques derived from comedy. He shares his journey from SaaS sales to using comedy as a tool for professional development, emphasizing the value of experiential learning through comedy exercises. Kevin also highlights his commitment to continuous improvement and experimentation in his work. Takeaways Comedy skills are essential for professional development.Active listening is the foundation of effective communication.Pausing during conversations can enhance engagement.Using 'yes, and' promotes positive communication.Avoid using 'but' to maintain momentum in conversations.Experiential learning through comedy exercises is impactful.Continuous improvement is key to personal growth.Laughter fosters stronger team connections.Effective communication requires conscious word choice.Comedy can be a powerful tool in the workplace. Connect with Kevin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-hubschmann/ - Carlos and the 1% Edge Team Connect with Carlos Nouche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnouche/ Visit Carlos Nouche’s website here: https://carlosnouche.com/ Listen to The 1% Edge on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DXOsN1j0AEjNPoJ68Fnq2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-edge/id1814316904Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/19ea92c1-349b-493f-9646-30be896ab263/the-1-edge #AI #artificialintelligence #businesstechnology #humanelement #adoption #futureofwork #productivity #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveDevelopment #SalesStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #ProductivityTips #CommunicationSkills #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #LeadershipMindset #BlueRidgeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #CareerSuccess #TeamBuilding #StrategicPartnerships #SalesProspecting #LeadershipCommunicationThe 1% Edge podcast delivers powerful insights for business owners, leaders, managers, and executives seeking to elevate their professional and personal lives. Hosted by Carlos Nouche, each episode features candid conversations with experts and entrepreneurs covering leadership, sales strategies, productivity, communication skills, AI adoption, resilience, and continuous growth. Tailored for the Blue Ridge, Georgia business community and beyond, the podcast equips listeners with actionable advice to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and drive lasting success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Tune in every week to gain the edge you need to lead with confidence and clarity.

    35 min
  6. E72 - How do you sell based on Value? | Eric Shaver

    MAY 5

    E72 - How do you sell based on Value? | Eric Shaver

    The conversation explores the critical gap in financial literacy among enterprise salespeople and the importance of effective communication with executives. Eric Shaver emphasizes that many sales professionals struggle to engage in meaningful financial discussions, which can hinder their effectiveness in sales. He highlights the need for salespeople to understand financial concepts and communicate in a way that resonates with executive-level decision-makers. Takeaways Almost every enterprise salesperson is functionally financially illiterate.Salespeople often struggle to start conversations about finance.Executives can quickly assess if salespeople understand their language.Effective communication is crucial for guiding executive thinking.Sales training should include financial literacy components.Understanding finance can enhance sales effectiveness.Salespeople need to articulate value in financial terms.Building rapport with executives requires financial fluency.Sales success is linked to the ability to discuss financial matters.Sales professionals must adapt their language to their audience. Connect with Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshaver/ - Carlos and the 1% Edge Team Connect with Carlos Nouche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnouche/ Visit Carlos Nouche’s website here: https://carlosnouche.com/ Listen to The 1% Edge on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DXOsN1j0AEjNPoJ68Fnq2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-edge/id1814316904Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/19ea92c1-349b-493f-9646-30be896ab263/the-1-edge #AI #artificialintelligence #businesstechnology #humanelement #adoption #futureofwork #productivity #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveDevelopment #SalesStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #ProductivityTips #CommunicationSkills #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #LeadershipMindset #BlueRidgeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #CareerSuccess #TeamBuilding #StrategicPartnerships #SalesProspecting #LeadershipCommunicationThe 1% Edge podcast delivers powerful insights for business owners, leaders, managers, and executives seeking to elevate their professional and personal lives. Hosted by Carlos Nouche, each episode features candid conversations with experts and entrepreneurs covering leadership, sales strategies, productivity, communication skills, AI adoption, resilience, and continuous growth. Tailored for the Blue Ridge, Georgia business community and beyond, the podcast equips listeners with actionable advice to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and drive lasting success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Tune in every week to gain the edge you need to lead with confidence and clarity.

    33 min
  7. E71 - BREAKING THE SILOS OF SALES AND PRE-SALES | Art Fromm

    APR 28

    E71 - BREAKING THE SILOS OF SALES AND PRE-SALES | Art Fromm

    In this episode, Carlos Nouche and Art Fromm discuss the critical relationship between sales and pre-sales teams, emphasizing the need for collaboration and breaking down silos. They explore the distinct roles of sales and pre-sales, the importance of discovery and qualification in the sales process, and how building trust can enhance client relationships. Art shares insights from his experience in sales enablement and highlights the necessity for continuous improvement in both sales and pre-sales roles to achieve success in B2B environments. Takeaways Sales and pre-sales must work together seamlessly.Understanding roles is crucial for effective collaboration.Discovery and qualification are key to successful sales.Sales engineers are often more trusted than salespeople.The best demos are those that are not needed.Continuous improvement is essential for success.Building trust enhances client relationships.Pre-sales should be involved in the discovery process.Effective communication is vital for sales success.Sales and pre-sales roles are interdependent and should be aligned. Connect with Art Fromm - https://www.linkedin.com/in/artfromm/ - Carlos and the 1% Edge Team Connect with Carlos Nouche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnouche/ Visit Carlos Nouche’s website here: https://carlosnouche.com/ Listen to The 1% Edge on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DXOsN1j0AEjNPoJ68Fnq2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-edge/id1814316904Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/19ea92c1-349b-493f-9646-30be896ab263/the-1-edge #AI #artificialintelligence #businesstechnology #humanelement #adoption #futureofwork #productivity #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveDevelopment #SalesStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #ProductivityTips #CommunicationSkills #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #LeadershipMindset #BlueRidgeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #CareerSuccess #TeamBuilding #StrategicPartnerships #SalesProspecting #LeadershipCommunicationThe 1% Edge podcast delivers powerful insights for business owners, leaders, managers, and executives seeking to elevate their professional and personal lives. Hosted by Carlos Nouche, each episode features candid conversations with experts and entrepreneurs covering leadership, sales strategies, productivity, communication skills, AI adoption, resilience, and continuous growth. Tailored for the Blue Ridge, Georgia business community and beyond, the podcast equips listeners with actionable advice to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and drive lasting success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Tune in every week to gain the edge you need to lead with confidence and clarity.

    32 min
  8. E70 - BUILDING A GREAT COMPANY CULTURE THAT LASTS | Jeff Forrest Sr.

    APR 21

    E70 - BUILDING A GREAT COMPANY CULTURE THAT LASTS | Jeff Forrest Sr.

    Most company cultures don't survive leadership transitions or tough years. WPC's has thrived for 50 years across three generations. Jeff Forrest Sr., President and CEO of WPC, reveals how his Central Florida construction company built a culture so strong it's now led by his son in the third generation of family leadership. Jeff shares "The WPC Way," reframing construction beyond building structures. His team creates spaces where families take their only vacation, students live independently for the first time, or seniors spend their final years. This perspective drives everything from immaculate job sites to how employees treat each other. Discover why Jeff picks up trash on job sites instead of yelling when standards slip, and learn practical systems like speed dating onboarding where new hires meet a dozen team members before starting work. The biggest mistake companies make is failing to define why they exist beyond making money. Jeff and partners know every employee personally, investing in relationships that dramatically reduce turnover. He tackles maintaining culture through hurricanes, economic crashes, and even a major cyber attack, approaching crises with curiosity rather than panic and modeling the calm optimism his team now replicates. Key Takeaways:Reframe your purpose beyond transactions so employees see meaningful impact on real lives.Lead by example, not yelling. Demonstrate expectations yourself when standards slip.Create structured onboarding with speed dating sessions and pairing to embed culture before formal work.Approach crises with curiosity, asking what you'll learn rather than panicking.Invest time in every employee to create loyalty and reduce costly turnover.Understand underperformance root causes: poor training is leadership's fault, personal struggles require empathy. Connect with Jeff Forrest Sr.:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff4estWebsite: https://www.wpc.comEmail: jeff@wpc.com - Carlos and the 1% Edge Team Connect with Carlos Nouche on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnouche/ Visit Carlos Nouche’s website here: https://carlosnouche.com/ Listen to The 1% Edge on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DXOsN1j0AEjNPoJ68Fnq2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-edge/id1814316904Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/19ea92c1-349b-493f-9646-30be896ab263/the-1-edge #AI #artificialintelligence #businesstechnology #humanelement #adoption #futureofwork #productivity #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveDevelopment #SalesStrategies #ProfessionalGrowth #ProductivityTips #CommunicationSkills #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #LeadershipMindset #BlueRidgeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #CareerSuccess #TeamBuilding #StrategicPartnerships #SalesProspecting #LeadershipCommunicationThe 1% Edge podcast delivers powerful insights for business owners, leaders, managers, and executives seeking to elevate their professional and personal lives. Hosted by Carlos Nouche, each episode features candid conversations with experts and entrepreneurs covering leadership, sales strategies, productivity, communication skills, AI adoption, resilience, and continuous growth. Tailored for the Blue Ridge, Georgia business community and beyond, the podcast equips listeners with actionable advice to overcome challenges, build strong teams, and drive lasting success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Tune in every week to gain the edge you need to lead with confidence and clarity.

    32 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to The 1% Edge Podcast with Carlos Nouche! The 1% Edge Podcast delivers insightful interviews with exceptional guests who share their personal journeys of continuous improvement—striving to get 1% better every day. Our focus is on go-to-market leaders across a range of industries, including roles such as: sales, customer success, sales operations, revenue enablement, marketing, product design, and more. Whether you’re a GTM professional seeking actionable insights or aiming to elevate your career, this podcast is your go-to resource for inspiration and practical strategies. Join us as we explore the mindset, habits, and strategies that drive success in the modern business landscape.