In this episode of The G&T Sessions, Andrew Turner and Brian Mort discuss the evolution of technology and sales, the challenges of scaling startups, and the importance of training and expertise in the industry. They explore the widespread adoption of AI and automation, the complexities of go-to-market strategies, and the impact of capital on sales dynamics. The conversation highlights the art of selling, the role of founders, and the skills needed for the future workforce, emphasising the need for continuous learning and adaptation in a rapidly changing environment.
Takeaways
- The importance of understanding customer needs in sales.
- Training and expertise are crucial for success in technology sales.
- Scaling startups presents unique challenges that require strategic planning.
- AI adoption is widespread, but many companies struggle with ROI.
- Automation is evolving, and companies must adapt to new technologies.
- Hyper-growth requires careful talent acquisition and management.
- Sales skills are still relevant but need to adapt to modern challenges.
- Founders play a critical role in shaping sales strategies.
- Navigating complexity in go-to-market strategies is essential for success.
- The future workforce will require continuous learning and adaptation.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Early Memories
02:56 The Evolution of SAP and Its Culture
06:10 Sales Training and Talent Development
08:52 The Shift to AI and Automation
11:55 Challenges in AI Adoption and ROI
14:53 Navigating the Future of Business Processes
18:01 Hyper Growth and Organizational Challenges
21:02 The Role of Data and Decision Making
24:01 The Importance of Understanding Customer Needs
35:19 Navigating Supply Chain Challenges
39:00 Understanding Customer Needs
40:26 The Journey of Founders and Sales
43:45 Building a Resilient Workforce
46:50 The Future of Technology and Startups
50:36 Evolving Sales Skills in a Digital Age
01:02:06 The Art of Selling in Modern Times
01:07:02 Navigating Growth Pressures in Business
Brian Mort, is a global AI & Automation executive, with over 25 years in technology leadership, and service sectors. His career spans startups through to IPOs (EXTN), & P/E exits (most notably JDAS, Smartfocus, PRSM). Raising over $500m growth capital, (Deutsche, Kleiner, Hummer, Accel, G&H), acquiring global vendors in buy/build (i2- $400m, TTY- £89m), in both risk and p/equity capital, and executing over $4bn in exit valuations. (highlighting JDAS, $1.9bn, PRSM $1.6bn) Consistently driving hyper-growth, building high performance teams.
Brian's strategic prowess in go-to-market (GTM) strategies, and global performance execution, has been honed through executive roles at industry giants such as Oracle, SAP, Deloitte JDA (now Blue Yonder), and Blue Prism Plc.
His expertise encompasses a wide range of industries, including financial services, healthcare, telco, retail, Hi-Tech F&B, in data, analytics, CX, and RPA automation, making him adept at navigating complex product & market landscapes. Working alongside the World’s leading alliance and GSI partners at C-Level, executing large ticket solutions to Fortune500 corporations.
Brian has always been a culture builder, with customer & people leadership at the core, his innovative, dynamic approach make him an invaluable asset in propelling organisations to new heights for investors, shareholders, clients & employees
Today, Brian is Co-founder of Mission Intelligence, to enable pre-post deal in event strategy GTM and growth services to PE and tech vendors. In addition, he is GTM Board advisor, Redsand.ai, an AI Compute platform for LLM and inference bandwidth scaling up globally through distribution partners
Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-mort-4b3b105/
The G&T Sessions
We cover G = Growth from a Personal & Business perspective, as it is a fascinating and compelling topic to share stories and experiences, and T = Technology, something that is everywhere and is firmly here to stay...asking the questions about what does it mean, is it for good, how do we harness it and ensure it helps our future.
So, in the G&T Sessions Podcast, we are speaking directly to ourselves, when we were younger, not as wise as we are today, how could we know how transformative that Technology would affect the world .... And know how getting your personal growth and mindset in order, is a key building block and enabler to any organisation or business idea you want to scale.
We're going to try to take you, the audience, on a journey through the stories and lessons of gifted and talented people who have written their own personal growth stories, dealt with amazing peaks and character building valleys, but have learned and carved their own path to making their own history and future.
#Gifted #Talented.
Given Tech now integrates into so many areas of our life and many people see this as their new path for opportunity, we will also discuss Tech with our guests who are growing, advising, supporting, coaching and innovating in and around technology and so the founders, co-founders, entrepreneurs, CEO’s, leadership teams of tomorrow will know how to realise their dreams, find and unleash their own ideas to become unicorns, build new markets, new businesses & disrupt the world for the greater good.
#Growth #Tech
Andrew Turner has worked for corporates, start-ups within corporates and start-ups in UK, EMEA, USA and Asia and proud alumni of organisations including GE, SAP, Tesco, WANdisco, EE & Telefonica and now having gone plural, supporting multiple organisations on growth strategy besides spreading the word with The G&T Sessions https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamandrewjturner/
