B2B Agility with Greg Kihlström™: MarTech, E-Commerce, & Customer Success

B2B marketing strategy grows ever more complex, with marketers needing to understand strategy, marketing technology, AI adoption approaches, e-commerce, customer success, and more. This show covers it all, from a Business-to-Business perspective. From the creators and host of the award-winning The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® podcast, comes B2B Agility™, a podcast focused on how B2B marketers and the brands they represent become category leaders and drive optimal results for the business and their customers. The show looks at B2B success in a variety of ways, all with a focus on the intersection of sales, marketing & technology.

  1. 3h ago

    SearchStax CEO Sameer Maggon on the evolution of on-site search

    What if the most important part of your website navigation is the one most brands treat as an afterthought? Agility requires not only adapting your marketing messages, but also re-evaluating the fundamental ways customers interact with your digital properties. It means recognizing that established tools, like site navigation, may no longer meet the expectations of a new generation of users. Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of on-site search from a simple utility to a strategic, AI-powered content discovery engine. We'll explore how changing consumer expectations, particularly from younger demographics, are forcing brands to rethink digital experiences, and why the humble search bar may be the key to unlocking deeper engagement and building trust. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Sameer Maggon, Founder and CEO at SearchStax.   About Sameer Maggon   Sameer Maggon is the founder and CEO of SearchStax, the Search Experience Company. A lifelong builder, he has spent over 20 years driving search innovation — from building search infrastructure to creating an AI-powered platform that delivers modern search experiences. Known as a search craftsman, Sameer has built SearchStax into a global SaaS platform serving content-rich, regulated industries such as healthcare, higher education, financial services, and the public sector. Beyond his work, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family and mentoring engineers to become tomorrow's innovators and leaders. His conviction guides it all: Search is complex, search is hard — and worth solving.   Sameer Maggon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggon/   ---------- Resources ----------    SearchStax: https://www.searchstax.com   We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days). The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1  Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20    Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

  2. Aug 20

    Luma's Prince Boucher on building AI as a core capability, not just a pilot project

    With the rush to adopt generative AI, what's the greater risk for a large enterprise: the cost of inaction, or the cost of a poorly executed action? Agility requires more than just adopting new tools; it demands a fundamental shift in how teams learn, collaborate, and measure value in a rapidly changing landscape. Today, we're going to talk about what happens after the initial AI hype cycle. Many organizations have invested in powerful new platforms, but the real challenge isn't procurement—it's enablement. How do you move AI from a series of isolated pilot projects to a core capability that empowers your teams, enhances creativity, and drives measurable business outcomes without introducing unnecessary risk? To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Prince Boucher, Director, Forward Deployed Creatives at Luma.    Prince Boucher on LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/princeboucher   ---------- Resources ----------    Luma: https://lumalabs.ai/   We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873f Chaser is the only Slack-native project management platform that helps teams turn messages into tracked tasks, automate follow-ups, and maintain team-wide visibility, without adopting another tool. Now integrated with Claude and other GenAI tools. Learn more at trychaser.com and use code AGILEBRAND for a 3-month free trial (normal trial is 14 days). The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1  Start building your own apps with Replit and get $20 off. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/93531742a7625a20   Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba  Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

  3. Jan 13

    Targeting B2B buyers like B2C consumers with Mark Connon, Bombora

    Why is it that B2C marketers can target someone who left a pair of shoes in their cart and follow them around the internet for a week, but that same level of precision just hasn't been the same for B2B? Agility requires closing the gap between insight and action. It's not enough to know who your audience is; you need the capability to reach them precisely, wherever they are, at the moment it matters most. Today, we're going to talk about why B2B advertising has historically lagged behind its B2C counterpart in audience targeting and activation. We'll explore the challenges of working with fragmented data and the new opportunities that are emerging to create highly precise, actionable audiences by combining different data sources in a new way. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Mark Connon, CEO at Bombora.   About Mark Connon   Mark Connon was Chief Operating Officer at TapAd when Experian acquired that company in 2020 — becoming TapAd's General Manager and EVP of Product and Marketing for Experian Marketing Services. As the former SVP, Global Chief Mobile and Data Officer at AOL (a subsidiary of Verizon formerly known as Verizon Media Services), Connon led mobile advertising and data strategy, as well as enterprise-wide data commercialization. He has held a number of C-level positions at both public and private marketing and advertising companies and currently serves as an advisor or board member for several companies in the ad/martech space.   Mark Connon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markconnon/   Resources    Bombora: https://bombora.com/ Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

    Targeting B2B buyers like B2C consumers with Mark Connon, Bombora
  4. 12/23/2025

    Alconost CCO Ilya Spiridonov on prioritizing localization in the B2B marketing funnel

    "Despite the global opportunity available to so many businesses, most are constrained by finite resources. So, the more interesting question isn't "what should we translate?" but rather, "what's the real cost of not localizing the right customer touchpoint, and how do you even begin to calculate that risk?" Agility requires more than just speed; it demands the sensitivity to know when a universal message fails and a local one is needed. It's the capacity to pivot your entire customer experience to resonate in a new market, not just as a translation, but as a native conversation. Today, we're going to talk about navigating the complexities of global expansion. We'll get into the strategic decisions leaders have to make when localizing content, such as where to spend the budget for maximum impact, and the critical choice between leveraging AI for scale and speed versus deploying human experts for nuance and connection. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Ilya Spiridonov, Chief Commercial Officer at Alconost. About Ilya Spiridonov   Ilya Spiridonov is the Chief Commercial Officer at Alconost, an ISO-certified localization company that has been helping businesses grow internationally since 2004. He leads the company's sales and revenue strategy, focusing on building long-term client partnerships and driving sustainable growth. With expertise in scaling global sales operations, Ilya oversees everything that fuels revenue - from business development and client success to aligning commercial initiatives with Alconost's localization and technology services.   Ilya Spiridonov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyaspiridonov/   Resources    Alconost: https://alconost.com/en    Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

    Alconost CCO Ilya Spiridonov on prioritizing localization in the B2B marketing funnel
  5. 12/16/2025

    Maximizing the value of your partnerships with Peter Fogelsanger

    Are most of your channel partners producing very little value for your business? Agility requires more than just signing up partners; it demands a dynamic approach to activating and enabling the *right* ones. It's about ruthlessly prioritizing relationships that generate mutual value and being nimble enough to change or sunset those that don't. Today, we're going to talk about the often-unspoken reality of partner programs: the vast gap between the impressive number of logos on a partner page and the handful that actually contribute to the bottom line. We'll explore why so many partners become ""paper partners""—partners in name only—and how to build a program that focuses on tangible value and repeatable revenue, not just vanity metrics. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Peter Fogelsanger, Fractional Partner Executive at Peter Fog LLC. Peter, welcome to the show!   About Peter  Fogelsanger   Peter is a seasoned partner executive and partner program consultant. He provides fractional consulting and program advisory services to growth companies. Current engagements include several early-stage PE or VC backed startups.. Prior to consulting, Peter was founding Head for Partnerships and Enablement at Contentstack, building the program from the ground up which produced over $22M in pipeline. Prior to Contentstack, Peter was VP of Partner Engagement (NA) at Thunderhead, an omni-channel customer journey and personalization platform. While at Thunderhead, Peter led the enablement in NA for Salesforce Marketing Cloud - Interaction Studio, helping drive more than $50M in ARR in 24 months. Earlier in his career, Peter was in direct sales for over eight years at leading CMS vendors Sitecore and SDL. He also spent more than 12 years in sales/marketing at digital agencies helping clients with digital transformation related projects. Major clients have included FedEx, Charles Schwab, Humana, Duke Energy, TD Bank, Stanley Black & Decker, Nasdaq, Marriott, and the Veterans Administration. Peter has been a speaker on partner programs, enablement, personalization/content management, and active in several related communities. In his spare time, Peter enjoys carpentry and DIY projects and has many years as a coach for youth soccer and high school track.   Peter  Fogelsanger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterfog/   Resources    Peter Fog LLC: www.peterfog.com   Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.b2bagility.com Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

    Maximizing the value of your partnerships with Peter Fogelsanger
  6. 12/09/2025

    AI in the 'real economy' with Bassem Hamdy, Briq

    With all the talk about the business impact of AI, why aren't more people talking beyond the most straightforward examples and more about sectors like construction, energy, and manufacturing where there is real potential for impact that has yet to be tapped?  Agility requires a willingness to challenge the core processes of how work gets done, even in industries where "how it's always been done" is the default operating system.  Today, we're going to talk about the practical, powerful, and often overlooked application of AI in what some call the 'real economy'—the foundational industries that build and make our world. We'll explore how AI-powered digital workers are moving beyond the hype to create tangible value, and what it takes to drive this kind of technological adoption in sectors traditionally resistant to change. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Bassem Hamdy, CEO and Co-Founder at Briq.   About Bassem Hamdy    Author, executive and technology pioneer, Bassem Hamdy is world renowned in the construction technology space. With over 19 years of construction software experience Bassem Hamdy is bringing harmony to construction through the delivery of modern tools to drive better decision making for general and subcontractors. ,Yes,This will be completed shortly   Bassem Hamdy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bassem-hamdy   Resources    Briq: briq.com  Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Keep up with the latest B2B Marketing insights by following the B2B Agility Podcast: https://www.b2bagility.com  Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

    AI in the 'real economy' with Bassem Hamdy, Briq
  7. 12/02/2025

    #72: Concept to acquisition with Chris Tilkov, DocuSketch

    Many entrepreneurs dream of scaling a niche product, achieving market dominance, and ultimately securing a successful exit—but few actually make it happen. How do you take an idea from concept to acquisition, and what key lessons can other business leaders, including marketers, take from that journey? Joining me today is Chris Tilkov, General Manager at DocuSketch, an automated estimation and documentation platform that helps homeowners rebuild after natural disasters. Before joining DocuSketch, Chris founded Ask AiME, a platform that was successfully acquired. But his journey didn't start in tech—he began his career as a carpet cleaner before transitioning into the world of technology and entrepreneurship. About Chris Tilkov   Chris Tilkov is a director at DocuSketch and is the founder of Ask Aime, an InsurTech that simplifies estimating and quality assurance for the insurance restoration industry to settle claims quickly and accurately. With over 25 years' experience from flood technician to nationally held positions, Chris works with companies to provide the training and education needed to produce fair and consistent estimates through collaborative technology. In 2023, DocuSketch acquired Aime Estimate Review Inc.   Chris Tilkov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-tilkov-a5038b3b/ Resources    Docusketch: https://www.docusketch.com/   Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/   Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com

    #72: Concept to acquisition with Chris Tilkov, DocuSketch
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About

B2B marketing strategy grows ever more complex, with marketers needing to understand strategy, marketing technology, AI adoption approaches, e-commerce, customer success, and more. This show covers it all, from a Business-to-Business perspective. From the creators and host of the award-winning The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström® podcast, comes B2B Agility™, a podcast focused on how B2B marketers and the brands they represent become category leaders and drive optimal results for the business and their customers. The show looks at B2B success in a variety of ways, all with a focus on the intersection of sales, marketing & technology.

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