How to Win podcast with Peep Laja Peep Laja

In this new style of "How To Win", Peep Laja discusses the importance of differentiation in today's highly competitive B2B SaaS market. He explores various strategies for standing out, such as focusing on brand, taking a polarizing stance, being radically transparent, and leveraging personal brands. Laja emphasizes that differentiation is a CEO-level problem and that companies must build their vision around being unique rather than simply copying competitors.
Chapter Markers: 
00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:00 - MarTech landscape and sameness 00:02:30 - Differentiating beyond features 00:05:00 - Competing to be unique 00:07:15 - Limited consideration sets 00:09:00 - Commitment to differentiation 00:10:15 - Three types of standout brands 00:13:00 - Eight traits of commodity brands 00:15:00 - Personal brands for differentiation 00:17:30 - Strategies from "Differentiate or Die" 00:20:15 - Jillion down on what works 00:20:45 - Differentiation as a CEO problem
My links:
X: https://twitter.com/peeplaja
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peeplaja/
Personal site: https://peeplaja.com/
Wynter: https://wynter.com/
Speero: https://speero.com/
CXL: https://cxl.com/

This week on How To Win: Noah Kagan of AppSumo, a platform for digital marketplace deals focusing on software aimed at entrepreneurs and small businesses. They have bootstrapped to over $80 million in revenue. You’ll hear insights on scaling business by focusing on what works, the importance of staying true to your core values, and the strategy behind AppSumo's success. Discover how AppSumo thrived where others didn't and why focusing on the customer always pays off. Find out how AppSumo navigates competition and continues to grow by doubling down on effective strategies​​.
Key Points:
[00:03:36] "How does AppSumo compete with lower prices?"[00:08:33] "How did strategic choices evolve with growth?"[00:10:57] "How does focusing on what works help?"[00:14:42] "Do cheaper products lead to higher sales?"[00:15:18] "Why focus on solopreneurs despite challenges?"[00:19:30] "Key to AppSumo's successful marketing strategy?"
Mentioned:
Noah Kagan
AppSumoNoah Kagan's X
My Links:
Twitter / X
LinkedIn
Website
Wynter
Speero
CXL

This week on How To Win: Bernat Farrero of Factorial HR, sharing insights on revolutionizing HR for SMBs. You’ll hear about the importance of simplifying complex HR processes for small and medium businesses, Factorial HR's strategic approach to scaling internationally while addressing localized needs, and how they navigated the challenges of rapid growth and product development to meet the diverse needs of their global clientele.
Key Points:
[00:01:21] Why start as an all-in-one from day one?[00:02:24] Does diversification improve SMB retention?[00:03:36] Was targeting SMBs your initial customer profile?[00:10:03] Time from 1 million to 10 million in revenue?[00:12:09] How has prioritizing growth changed for you?[00:14:15] How closely do you watch competitors?[00:15:54] Why expand beyond HR into finance?[00:17:24] Do all added products boost revenue and retention?[00:18:00] What are the trade-offs of expanding your product?[00:18:54] Why has Factorial HR succeeded in a competitive market?[00:20:24] Top three lessons for B2B SaaS founders?

Mentioned:
Bernat Farrero
Factorial HRBernat Farrero's X
My Links:
Twitter / X
LinkedIn
Website
Wynter
Speero
CXL

This week on How To Win: Todd Olson of Pendo, revealing the secrets behind building a product-led growth company. You’ll hear how Pendo's focus on product experience revolutionized customer interaction, the importance of integrating customer feedback into product development for sustained growth, and the strategic approach to scaling a software company beyond traditional boundaries.
Key Points:
[00:03:15] "What propelled your initial revenue growth?"[00:06:42] "Challenges in transitioning to enterprise clients?"[00:10:58] "Impact of product decisions on company scale?"[00:15:24] "Strategies for expanding product functionality?"[00:18:37] "Approach to building a scalable team?"[00:19:12] "Strategy behind bowling pin model?"[00:22:45] "Insights on maintaining company culture?"

Mentioned:
Todd Olson
PendoTodd Olson's X
My Links:
Twitter / X
LinkedIn
Website
Wynter
Speero
CXL

This week on How To Win: Gregory Galant of Muck Rack, discusses the journey of transforming a podcasting venture into a leading software solution for public relations professionals. You’ll hear insights on the importance of building strong journalist relationships, the strategic pivot from service to software, and the value of slow, deliberate growth in the tech industry.
Key Points:
[00:04:21] "Time to first million in revenue?"[00:05:51] "Early days buyer understanding?"[00:07:12] "Shift to sales-led approach?"[00:09:36] "Product and sales balance for growth?"[00:10:12] "Changes post-$10 million revenue?"[00:13:48] "Market size doubt at $10 million?"[00:18:09] "Reasons for outlasting competitors?"[00:20:24] "Top advice for B2B founders?"

Mentioned:
Gregory Galant
Muck RackGregory Galant's X
My Links:
Twitter / X
LinkedIn
Website
Wynter
Speero
CXL

This week on How To Win: Vinay Bhagat of TrustRadius, revolutionizing B2B software buying with in-depth user reviews. You’ll hear how TrustRadius overcame the challenge of creating a trusted review platform in a saturated market, the strategic decisions that led to successful monetization, and the importance of focusing on quality over quantity to cater to both software vendors and buyers.
Key Points:
[00:02:30] - Inspiration behind your business model?[00:03:15] - Tackling initial cold start problem?[00:04:00] - Scaling outreach effectively?[00:05:15] - Competitive landscape at inception?[00:08:45] - Monetization through content syndication?
[00:10:00] - No initial go-to-market strategy?[00:13:30] - Differentiation strategy in sales?[00:14:15] - Building a differentiated audience?
[00:15:00] - Creating a buyer-centric platform?
[00:18:00] - Strategy for targeting large tech companies?
[00:18:45] - Focus on thought leadership and content?
[00:19:45] - Advice for B2B founders?[00:20:15] - Balancing bootstrap with funding?
[00:24:30] - TrustRadius's keys to winning?

Mentioned:
Vinay Bhagat
TrustRadius.comVinay Bhagat's X
My Links:
Twitter / X
LinkedIn
Website
Wynter
Speero
CXL