Manage Smarter

C. Lee Smith and Audrey Strong

Join hosts Audrey Strong and C. Lee Smith on the #1 sales management podcast as they dive into management, leadership, business, sales, company culture, talent retention, revenues, performance metrics, hiring and more. From debunking sales myths to learning how to manage with and without measurements, you'll learn something new with every episode and will be able to implement positive change throughout your workplace. Available on all major podcast outlets and all episodes available on ManageSmarter.com

  1. Relationship Sales Strategies  with Theresa Bassett

    14H AGO

    Relationship Sales Strategies with Theresa Bassett

    Theresa Bassett is CEO of The Diamond Group and an expert in relationship sales. With a background in construction, real estate, and digital marketing, she’s driven over $550M in transactions across various sectors. Theresa’s expertise spans working with Fortune 500 companies like Pulte Homes and GE Aviation, and she’s passionate about helping businesses grow through a proprietary system for sales and marketing. As a thought leader, entrepreneur, and speaker, she also focuses on team development and fostering growth-driven cultures, embodying her Progress = Happiness philosophy. "With the onset of AI and all of the generational things that you've talked about, I think credibility more and more is being challenged... People don't know what to trust. So even more to the point that the personal communication, the interpersonal FaceTime conversations... are even more important because people are looking for transparency, authenticity." - Theresa Bassett KEY TAKEAWAYS -The core principle behind effective relationship selling strategies -How organizations should structure their sales and marketing processes for maximum efficiency and lead conversion -What inbound marketing tip can dramatically improve trust and engagement with potential clients -Maintaining face-to-face interaction is still important in the digital age, especially with the rise of AI CONNECT WITH THERESA BASSETT https://www.diamond-group.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresalbassett CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTER AND ITS HOSTS Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/                                                https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X: https://x.com/tallmediamaven  https://x.com/cleesmith  Connect with SalesFuel  Website:  https://salesfuel.com/ X: https://x.com/SalesFuel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #sales #relationshipselling #theresabassett #salestips #salesfuel #salescred #cleesmith #audreystrong #salesAI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min
  2. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Summer Craig

    12/21/2025

    Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Summer Craig

    Summer Craig is the President and CEO of the Craig Group , a business growth advisory firm. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, she is a seasoned expert in driving revenue growth for multimillion-dollar companies. Summer specializes in leveraging technology, integrating sales and marketing, and aligning organizations for sustainable business growth. Her expertise extends to working with private equity-backed businesses to lead large in-house teams. Beyond her professional achievements, Summer is also an avid mountain climber, having conquered peaks like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Rainier, which she uses as metaphors for overcoming challenges in business and life. "You don't have to have done it. You don't have to know, but you have to be smart enough to figure it out and maybe go find help or admit that you need help and go solve the problem." - #SummerCraig KEY TAKEAWAYS: -How can professionals overcome imposter syndrome? Summer suggests focusing on what you are good at and leveraging your unique skills to overcome challenges. She believes that identifying and utilizing your strengths can help mitigate feelings of inadequacy and build confidence. -What role does vulnerability play in leadership? Summer argues that admitting when you haven't done something before can actually enhance your credibility as a leader. She believes that showing vulnerability and a willingness to learn can foster trust and collaboration within a team. -How can climbing mountains teach business professionals about overcoming challenges? Summer shares that climbing mountains like Mount Rainier taught her the importance of teamwork and humility. She believes that tackling difficult tasks outside of your comfort zone can provide valuable life lessons and build resilience. -What is a key strategy for managing imposter syndrome in teams? Summer recommends hiring individuals who have the ability to figure things out and encouraging open communication. She stresses the importance of creating an environment where team members feel comfortable admitting when they need help and are supported in finding solutions. #leadership #impostersyndrome #workplace #csuite #teamwork #salesfuel #admall #teamtrait Connect with Summer Craig ⁠https://www.craiggroup.io/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigsummer/⁠ Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts!!!! ·    Website: ⁠https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/⁠ ·    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/⁠                                    ·    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/⁠ X Audrey ⁠https://x.com/tallmediamaven⁠ Lee ⁠https://x.com/cleesmith⁠  Connect with SalesFuel ·    Website: ⁠https://salesfuel.com/⁠ ·    X: ⁠https://x.com/SalesFuel⁠ ·    Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min
  3. The Buy-In Advantage with Dave Garrison

    12/07/2025

    The Buy-In Advantage with Dave Garrison

    Dave Garrison, CEO, business strategist, and author of 'The Buy-In Advantage,' dives into how buy-in and employee engagement drive workplace performance. He shares leadership strategies for building trust, increasing motivation, and reducing turnover with proven techniques—plus insights on inspiring purpose in today’s multi-generational workforce. Discover actionable tips and tools to boost productivity and enhance workplace culture. "People buy in on emotion, justify with logic. So how do you tap into that emotional need? That requires great questions and listening." KEY TAKEAWAYS -The definition of employee buy-in and employee engagement and why it's important -How to tell if your employees are faking engagement and interest in their job and the organization -Actionable steps you can take to stop all the damage a lack of employee engagement can do to your organization CONNECT WITH DAVE GARRISON https://garrisongrowth.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-garrison-growth/ Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts       Website: ⁠https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/⁠          LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/⁠      LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ ⁠X: Audrey ⁠https://x.com/tallmediamaven⁠ Lee  ⁠https://x.com/cleesmith⁠  Connect with SalesFuel         Website:  ⁠https://salesfuel.com/ ⁠X:  ⁠https://x.com/SalesFuel⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min
  4. Maximize Employee Potential—Work Smarter, Not Harder with Matt Granados

    11/23/2025

    Maximize Employee Potential—Work Smarter, Not Harder with Matt Granados

    Matt Granados, founder of LifePulse Incorporated and author of "Motivate the Unmotivated," reveals how to replace hustle culture with sustainable workplace success. He shares actionable strategies for employee engagement, optimal performance, workplace culture, and leveraging AI for productivity—without risking burnout. Gain leadership tips for integrating work-life harmony and building high-performing teams that thrive in today’s changing business environment. "There’s a difference between high performers and optimal performers, right? So a high performer is where everyone used to try to get to, especially in sales. High output, unsustainable pace compared to others. That’s like saying I beat a bunch of slow people in a race, so therefore I’m fast. Optimal performance flips the script a little bit—same exact high output, but at a sustainable pace compared to one’s own ability. That’s the key." WEBSITE FOR MANAGE SMARTER LISTENERS: lifepulseinc.com/ms -What is optimal performance and how do I get it? -What's the 80/100 performance rule? -How to set both action-based and time-based goals to get greater productivity -How to use AI as a force multiplier and to help work/life balance CONNECT WITH MATT GRANADOS www.lifepulseinc.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt87granados/ Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts        Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X: Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven Lee  https://x.com/cleesmith  Connect with SalesFuel         Website:  https://salesfuel.com/ X:  https://x.com/SalesFuel·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
4.8
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Join hosts Audrey Strong and C. Lee Smith on the #1 sales management podcast as they dive into management, leadership, business, sales, company culture, talent retention, revenues, performance metrics, hiring and more. From debunking sales myths to learning how to manage with and without measurements, you'll learn something new with every episode and will be able to implement positive change throughout your workplace. Available on all major podcast outlets and all episodes available on ManageSmarter.com