Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows

John Barrows
  • 4.6 (199)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

John Barrows helps sales leaders decide whether to replace or rebuild their teams for the AI era, drawing on 25+ years working with Salesforce, LinkedIn, Google, and Amazon. He advises CROs and VPs of Sales on AI readiness, team structure, and go-to-market strategy. He trains sales teams on the fundamentals that drive consistent performance, with or without AI.

  1. 4D AGO

    Why Your Sales Rep Needs to Be an Architect, Not Just a Closer with Adam Carr

    The sales playbook is being rewritten and product-led growth is at the center of it. In this episode, John sits down with Adam Carr, CRO at Apollo.io, to dig into how PLG has evolved, what AI is doing to the sales rep's role, and why the best sellers today need to think less like closers and more like go-to-market architects. From hiring smarter to building SDR programs that actually stick, this one's packed with real talk from two people who've lived it. If you're in sales leadership, trying to figure out how to build and develop a team in this new world, this episode will give you a framework to work with. Want to level up your team before the market moves on without you? Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen. What You’ll Learn: Why people don't buy from people they like but from people they trustHow to hire intentionally and slow down when everyone's pushing you to scale fastThe difference between PLG, product-led sales, and sales-led growthWhat product signals actually matter when deciding when to bring in a sales repThe three skills every modern sales rep needs to stay relevant in an AI-first world Adam Carr is the CRO of Apollo, where he leads the company’s go-to-market strategy and revenue growth initiatives. Since joining in 2025, he has focused on scaling a modern GTM engine that blends product-led and sales-led growth, aligning sales, marketing, product, and customer success into a unified customer journey. Under his leadership, Apollo continues to support millions of users and hundreds of thousands of businesses in accelerating growth through a scalable, customer-centric platform. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhcarr/ John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today’s AI-driven sales environment. Connect with John Barrows: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

    51 min

  2. MAY 11

    Career Resilience in the Age of AI with Ilana Golan

    The career ladder is burning. And if you are still waiting for the right moment to adapt, you are already behind. In this episode, John sits down with Ilana Golan, founder of Leap Academy, to unpack what it actually takes to own your growth in a world where 92 million jobs are projected to be displaced in the next two years. From growing up a shy kid in Israel and becoming one of the first women to lead a flight instructor squad in the Israeli Air Force, to hitting rock bottom after a co-founder betrayal and building back stronger, Ilana brings a rare combination of raw honesty and practical frameworks to this conversation. They cover the 555 rule for cutting through decision paralysis, what it means to build a portfolio career, and why people will no longer pay for knowledge but will always pay for transformation. If you are ready to stop being a one-trick pony and start building something that holds up regardless of what AI throws at you, this conversation is the one to watch. Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen. What You’ll Learn Why hard work still beats raw talent in any eraHow to use the 555 rule to escape decision paralysisWhat it looks like to lose your identity and rebuild from nothingThe case for building a portfolio career before you are forced toWhy people will not pay for knowledge but will pay for transformation Ilana Golan was an F-16 Flight instructor in the Air Force and the first female commander in her squad, a tech executive, and now the founder of Leap Academy, one of the fastest-growing companies in America. Leap Academy is disrupting professional education and is the only platform in the world today that helps individuals create portfolio careers and get ready for the future of work. Her disruption of professional education has caught the attention of leaders such as Richard Branson, Garyvee, and the Presidents of some of the biggest companies in the world. Ilana won Inc 500, Startup of the Year for 2023, CEO World Award, 40 Women to Watch, and has been on the biggest stages in the world, including Tech Crunch Disrupt, Google Startup Accelerator, Inman Connect, Executive MBA Programs, and more. Ilana was also invited to give a private talk for Richard Branson and a very selected CEOs on his private island. Connect with Llana! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilanagolanleap Website: https://www.ilanagolan.com/ Learn more about Leap Academy: https://www.leapacademy.com/ Join her free 3-day training: www.leapacademy.com/makeithappen John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today’s AI-driven sales environment. Connect with John Barrows: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

    1h 4m

  3. MAY 4

    What the Best BDR Teams Are Doing Differently Right Now with Lauren Reeves

    Most BDR teams are struggling right now. Connect rates are dropping, email is getting ignored, and reps are rushing to get out of the role as fast as possible. Lauren Reeves is doing the opposite, and her team is booking more meetings every single quarter. In this episode, John sits down with Lauren Reeves, BDR manager at Swap Commerce and one of the most vocal advocates for the SDR and BDR profession in Europe. Lauren built her team from 6 to 40, incentivized her reps to build real personal brands on LinkedIn, and created a culture where people actually want to stay in the seat long enough to get good at it. She shares exactly what is working right now on email, on the phone, and on social, and what is quietly killing results for most teams that are copying the playbook from five years ago. If you lead a BDR or SDR team, or you are in the role of trying to figure out how to stand out and build a career in sales, this conversation will give you the most practical and honest take on what it actually takes to win right now. Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen. What You’ll Learn The hiring question Lauren asks in every interviewWhy Lauren tells every candidate upfront: I do not work with dicksWhy good BDRs should stay in the seat for at least 18 monthsWhy the no promotion before a year policy creates better salespeopleWhat is actually working right now in emailWhy the phone still convertsHow Lauren pays her reps to post on LinkedInWhat BDRs should post on LinkedInWhy costly quarterly targets work better than monthly pressureHow to spot it in an interview and how to coach it on the floor Lauren Reeves is a sales leader and outbound specialist with 7 years of experience in the BDR/SDR space, known for developing high-performing business development teams. She began her career as a BDR before moving into management, where she focuses on building ambitious, growth-driven sales professionals and creating environments centered on learning, collaboration, and success. Lauren has driven significant outbound revenue growth, scaled teams across regions, and earned recognition as a top sales manager and leader in the industry. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelaurenreeves/ John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today’s AI-driven sales environment. Connect with John Barrows: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

    1h 12m

  4. APR 27

    The First Guy to Lose to Salesforce (And What He Did Next) with Kris Lawson

    Before your buyer takes your call, their AI has already researched you, evaluated your solution, and started forming an opinion. The question isn't whether AI is changing sales. It's whether you're going to catch up to what's already happening on the other side of the table. In this episode, John sits down with Kris Lawson, the sales leader, founder of Ruby, and Snowflake alumnus, to unpack the most important shift in B2B sales that most people are completely ignoring. Kris was the first Oracle rep ever to lose a deal to Salesforce, went on to build and scale sales teams across some of the most iconic tech companies of the last 25 years, and is now building the AI-powered sales assistant he always wished he had. From how buyers are already using AI to screen vendors, to why generic AI tools will never replace purpose-built sales intelligence, to how to pick a rocket ship company before anyone else knows it's one, this conversation covers the ground that matters most right now. If you're in sales, leading a sales team, or building a company and trying to figure out how to win in an AI-saturated market, this episode will change how you think about what's coming. Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen. What You’ll Learn Why your buyer's AI is already evaluating youHow OpenAI and Anthropic told one company to "just send the documentation" and let their LLMs decideThe framework Kris uses to evaluate whether a company is worth joiningWhy the first Oracle rep to lose a deal to Salesforce ended up joining SalesforceWhy the chat interface will never work for the average sales repThe build-vs-buy fallacy in the AI era and the real risks nobody is talking aboutHow AI will reshape sales methodologiesThe rubber duck exercise and how to use AI to learn, not just executeWhy choosing the right life partner is the most important career decision a salesperson will ever make Kris Lawson is a sales leader, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Ruby (heyruby.ai) — an AI-powered sales assistant purpose-built to help sales reps be excellent in every customer interaction. Kris has spent 25 years scaling go-to-market organizations at Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft, and Snowflake. He was the first Oracle rep ever to lose a deal to Salesforce, went on to become a key early sales leader in Canada for Salesforce, and has since built and exited multiple sales organizations in the tech sector. He is also co-founder of Snow Angels, a Snowflake alumni investor syndicate focused on data and AI startups. Connect with Kris Lawson: Website: https://www.heyruby.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krislawsonland/ John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today’s AI-driven sales environment. Connect with John Barrows: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

    1h 8m

  5. APR 20

    Why Founders Who Avoid Sales Always Fail with Lou Shipley

    Every founder who has ever handed sales off too early has paid for it. Every single one. In this episode, John sits down with Lou Shipley, a Harvard Business School lecturer, board member, investor, and author of Unlikely Entrepreneurs, to dig into why sales is still the most misunderstood function in business, and why founders who treat it as a second-class citizen almost always fail. Lou draws from decades of experience running companies, building sales cultures from scratch, and teaching MBAs how to sell before they ever launch a product. From cold-calling encyclopedia buyers to opening Asia for Avid Technology to building the sales curriculum at HBS, Lou has lived every stage of the sales journey, and he's done it at the highest level. If you're a founder, a sales professional, or anyone trying to understand what it actually takes to build a company in the age of AI, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about selling. Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen. What You’ll Learn Why founders who delegate sales too early almost always failHow Lou built one of Harvard's most in-demand coursesThe cultural disdain of salesWhy sales is not about convincing anyone of anythingHow to use AI as a learning tool instead of an answer machineWhat the Guy Kawasaki GPT experiment revealedWhy curiosity is the most important professional skill in the AI eraWhat SaaS companies should be doing right nowHow to build a farm system for sales talent17 stories that prove anyone can build something worth buying Lou Shipley is a multi-time tech CEO, entrepreneur, and enterprise software leader with over 25 years of experience driving growth and innovation. He has led several successful startups through rapid expansion and acquisition, including Black Duck, WebLine (acquired by Cisco), Reflectent (acquired by Citrix), and VMTurbo. In addition to his executive leadership, Lou serves on multiple boards, teaches technology sales at Harvard Business School, and is a respected mentor, speaker, and commentator in the tech industry. Connect with Lou Shipley: Website: https://www.loushipley.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loushipley/ Grab a copy of Lou Shipley’s book, “Unlikely Entrepreneurs: Wins, Losses, and Crucial Lessons on Building Great Companies,“ on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Entrepreneurs-Lou-Shipley/dp/1394345895/ John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today’s AI-driven sales environment. Connect with John Barrows: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

    56 min

  6. APR 13

    Selling What They Think Is Free with Eric Appel

    If your prospect thinks they can already get what you're selling for free, you don't have a product problem — you have a positioning problem. In this episode, John sits down with Eric Appel, CRO of Island, the company that turned a free commodity — the browser — into one of the fastest-growing enterprise security platforms in the world. Eric pulls back the curtain on how Island landed eight of the top ten US financial institutions as early customers, why the advisor network beats outbound at scale, and what today's sales reps are getting catastrophically wrong before they even open their mouths. If you're navigating a market where AI is commoditizing everything around you and buyers think they don't need what you're selling, this conversation will change how you think about value, positioning, and the future of selling. Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen. What You’ll Learn How Island sold a "free" product to the world's biggest enterprises — and wonThe advisor network strategy that replaced traditional outbound prospectingWhy the first 15 sales hires at Island were all known killers — and why that mattersHow to build a real feedback loop between sales and engineeringThe three questions you should never ask a prospect (and what to do instead)Why hypothesis selling is replacing discovery in today's AI-driven sales environmentWhat separates leaders from followers in the AI era — and why followers will get left behind Eric Appel is the Chief Revenue Officer at Island, the enterprise browser company redefining how organizations think about security, productivity, and AI enablement. With a career that spans Arthur Anderson, Yahoo, McAfee, and some of the most pivotal chapters in information security, Eric has spent over two decades building go-to-market engines for category-defining companies. At Island, he helped architect the sales strategy that brought the world's largest financial institutions, pharma companies, and global enterprises onto the platform — proving that even a "free" product can command a premium price when the value proposition is airtight. Connect with Eric Appel: Website: https://island.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-appel-605310/ John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today’s AI-driven sales environment. Connect with John Barrows: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

    58 min

  7. APR 6

    Microsoft VP Exposes the Truth About Scaling Teams with Jason Wild

    Sales is about solving problems. It’s about helping people achieve their goals—and that’s exactly what innovation is at its core. In this episode, John sits down with Jason Wild, author of Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation, to talk about his journey from Chicago to becoming a high-level entrepreneur. Drawing from his experience working with companies like IBM and Salesforce, he breaks down the ABC structure that helps business owners think differently and drive meaningful innovation. If you’re ready to elevate how you approach growth, this conversation will challenge your perspective on leadership, strategy, and the results you’re capable of creating. Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen. What You’ll Learn What it’s like to work with IBM and SalesforceThe ABC structure for innovationLaying out the framework for innovationAligning People In One VisionApproaching innovation in the era of AI From a child actor in Hollywood to tech executive in Silicon Valley, Jason Wild has collaborated with some of the most talented and creative people in the world. He is an adviser and author on growth, innovation, strategy, and leadership, having led projects in 40 countries from Disney and AT&T to NATO and the City of Paris. He is the co-founder of Wild Innovation Consulting and helps leaders and organizations unlock their genius at scale, with significant experience in AI, business, and operating models, and digital transformation. He worked for over 20 years in executive roles at Microsoft, IBM, and Salesforce. He is dedicated to ensuring that AI and emerging tech benefit all of humanity. Connect with Jason Wild: Website: https://geniusatscale.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwild/ Get a copy of “Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Scale-Great-Leaders-Innovation/dp/1647827507 John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today’s AI-driven sales environment. Connect with John Barrows: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

    1h 4m

  8. MAR 30

    Ambition, Ego & The Real Cost of Success with Roderick Jefferson

    Start by asking yourself: What am I good at? What do I love doing? And ultimately, what will I get paid for? In this episode, John is joined by Roderick Jefferson to have a real conversation about ambition, ego, and the true cost of success across our lives, relationships, and leadership. Together, they unpack the importance of slowing down, why constant hustle can come at a price, and the powerful lessons Roderick learned after experiencing a stroke. If you’re at the stage where you’re focused on building a legacy and discovering your deeper “why,” this episode will challenge and expand your perspective on what it really means to be successful. Want to equip yourself for success before it’s too late? Visit www.jbarrows.com and learn how you can Make It Happen. What You’ll Learn Why work-life balance is a lieThe impact of taking a breakHow to use AI to your advantageUnderstanding ambition vs egoBuilding your own legacy Roderick Jefferson is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and thought leader who lives and breathes enablement. With more than 25 years of experience, he has held senior executive positions at companies such as Siebel, NetApp, Salesforce, Oracle, and others. He had delivered keynotes, guest lectures, webinars, and podcasts in fourteen countries at prominent events and conferences, sharing his vibrant and engaging insights with a worldwide audience. Roderick is an acknowledged thought leader in the enablement space and the author of Sales Enablement 3.0: The Blueprint to Sales Enablement Excellence™, an Amazon #1 New Release and best-selling book, and the Sales Enablement 3.0 Companion Workbook™, which guides organizations aiming to enhance their sales strategies through effective enablement practices. Connect with Roderick Jefferson: Website: https://www.roderickjefferson.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roderickjefferson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThevoiceofRod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roderick_j_associates/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCShK1i36e1AY1yVHHPh93wQ X: https://x.com/thevoiceofrod?lang=en Grab a copy of “Sales Enablement 3.0: The Blueprint to Sales Enablement Excellence” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sales-Enablement-3-0-Blueprint-Excellence/dp/1736190903 John Barrows is a sales trainer, speaker, and founder of JB Sales with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He has made hundreds of cold calls a week, led startups to acquisition, and trained high-performing teams at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Okta. Through JB Sales, John focuses on practical sales execution—helping reps fill pipeline, close deals, and build trust with buyers in today’s AI-driven sales environment. Connect with John Barrows: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmbarrows Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/ Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter

    53 min
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4.6
out of 5
199 Ratings

About

John Barrows helps sales leaders decide whether to replace or rebuild their teams for the AI era, drawing on 25+ years working with Salesforce, LinkedIn, Google, and Amazon. He advises CROs and VPs of Sales on AI readiness, team structure, and go-to-market strategy. He trains sales teams on the fundamentals that drive consistent performance, with or without AI.

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