

Find My Catalyst Podcast
Mike Simmons
We all have problems we are looking to solve. We know that there are solutions out there, but we struggle with this.
How do we find the solution, where does the nudge come from to help us take the next step, and start solving tough problems. The intention of this podcast is to help you find your catalyst and take that next step.
The Find My Catalyst Podcast is a weekly podcast with Catalyst Sale founder Mike Simmons. We discuss real stories with practical application, in the context of leadership, problem solving, decision making, thinking, goal setting and execution.
Other topics discussed include - Systems, Frameworks, Sales Strategy, Revenue Operations, Training, Onboarding, Sales Enablement, Organization Enablement, Workforce Development, Coaching, and Mentoring.
How do we find the solution, where does the nudge come from to help us take the next step, and start solving tough problems. The intention of this podcast is to help you find your catalyst and take that next step.
The Find My Catalyst Podcast is a weekly podcast with Catalyst Sale founder Mike Simmons. We discuss real stories with practical application, in the context of leadership, problem solving, decision making, thinking, goal setting and execution.
Other topics discussed include - Systems, Frameworks, Sales Strategy, Revenue Operations, Training, Onboarding, Sales Enablement, Organization Enablement, Workforce Development, Coaching, and Mentoring.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 8, 2016 • 22min
Time Management for Sales Professionals with Lee Cockerell - 13
The Catalyst Sale podcast has its first guest. Lee Cockerell is a former Executive Vice President of Operations. He is the author of Time Management Magic, and has recently launched his 4th book, Career Magic. Mike & Lee discuss time management, building trust, prioritization, and doing the right things now to prepare for the future. How do you distinguish between important, urgent, and the things that are vital? Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Nov 1, 2016 • 20min
Hiring a Sales Professional
Episode 10 - Hiring a Sales Professional Mike and Mike share their thoughts on how they hire, what qualities and characteristics we look for, and how we partner with Arizona State University. We share best practices lessons learned and common mistakes. Whether you are thinking about hiring or going through the interview process yourself, you will find this episode valuable. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Oct 25, 2016 • 21min
A Review of the Dreamforce Conference
Dreamforce is an annual event, this year ~170K developers, operators, consultants, and sales professionals met in San Francisco. Mike and Mike share their thoughts on the event, lessons learned, best practices, and emerging trends they are most excited about. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Oct 18, 2016 • 31min
Dealing with False Starts & Stalls
Episode 8 - False Starts & Stalls Everyone can think of a scenario where you thought the conversation was going one way, only to find that momentum stops. Mike & Mike discuss their experience with false starts, how to avoid them, and why they occur. Whether it was with a customer, with your child, with you spouse. This is a common occurrence in sales. We think we have an opportunity, we think we are moving forward with a deal, we think we are ready to go to market, then something changes. You don't get a call, someone misses a meeting, a contact becomes non-responsive. How do you get customers to re-engage? Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below; Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Oct 13, 2016 • 16min
Catalyst Sale: Fit and Feasibility Steps
Episode 7 - Fit/Feasibility How do you know if you can deliver on the customer's requirements? Have you ever said, 'yes, we can do that', only to find out you can't? What about managing opportunity costs? Mike & Mike discuss the 3rd and 4th steps to the Catalyst Sale Process. Can you address the problem that the customer is attempting to solve? Is the customer the right client for your product, your service, your capabilities? Can the customer implement the solution? These are questions you should be able to answer before moving to proposal. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Oct 11, 2016 • 14min
Starting at Ground Zero
Episode 6 - Ground Zero. Is your product, your service, your capability, ready for delivery within the market? Or, have you not reached your zero state. Mike & Mike discuss the ground zero concept, and what happens if you are 'less than' zero. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Oct 3, 2016 • 22min
Catalyst Sale: Qualification Step
Episode 5 - Qualification- How many times have you worked with a prospect, only to find that you missed critical pieces of information that could have accelerated the sales process or ensured success. Mike & Mike discuss the importance of qualification, share some lessons learned and the risk of moving too fast when it comes to qualification. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Oct 3, 2016 • 20min
Catalyst Sale: The Validation Step
Episode 4 - Validation - How do you know if there is a deal to be had? This is the first step in the Catalyst Sale process. Mike & Mike discuss how to validate if you have a real opportunity, if you are working with the right organization, contact, etc. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Oct 3, 2016 • 18min
What is Sales? - 3
Mike & Mike discuss the role of the sales professional, the importance of connecting with customers, connecting solutions to problems, and share stories and lessons learned. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website

Oct 3, 2016 • 17min
Catalyst Sale: The Confirmation Step - 2
The confirmation step is critical, and often missed step in the Catalyst Sale process. Many Sales Reps stop when the deal is closed. Mike & Mike discuss lessons learned, and how the confirmation step is really just the beginning. Sales is a Thinking Process. Catalyst Sale is a learning organization first and foremost. That's why we care about a thinking process that enables results versus a process that tells people what to do. We aim to add value whenever we can, and our true success is measured by the sustainability of our work long after we complete a project. We surround ourselves with good company and never stop learning. We are Catalysts. We Connect people we know and people we meet to help create opportunity for others. We Challenge ourselves, our clients and our team, to discover what is possible. We Learn from others, others learn from us and that never stops. We Contribute our expertise to deliver results with meaningful projects that are aligned with our values. We care about the people we work with every day and get great satisfaction from seeing them thrive. You can find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, & The Catalyst Sale Website on the links below Mike Conner on Twitter Mike Simmons on Twitter Mike Conner on LinkedIn Mike Simmons on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Twitter Catalyst Sale on LinkedIn Catalyst Sale Website


