Experience-Focused Leaders

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the Founder of Practical Founders, Greg Head. Greg Head brought to the table a wealth of experience from his years in the CRM sector. He had seen the transformation of CRM software and how it has shaped the way companies interact with their customers. One of the most significant shifts discussed was the move towards product-led growth—a strategy where the product itself becomes the primary driver of customer acquisition and expansion.Salesforce, for example, revolutionized the CRM space by allowing users to try their products without requiring extensive sales interactions. This approach improved the buying experience and set a new standard for how software companies could achieve growth.A common misconception in the startup world is the perceived necessity of venture capital funding for successful go-to-market strategies. Greg challenged this notion, explaining that the software industry landscape has evolved to a point where extensive funding is no longer a prerequisite for growth. He stressed the importance of efficient distribution channels and the power of leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to build an audience and engage with potential customers.Positioning and differentiation in the market are crucial, and Greg emphasized that product-led growth is not the only path to success. There are various efficient channels for reaching target audiences that founders should explore.To learn more about Greg's work, click HERE and HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/.

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the Global Credibility Expert of Credibility Nation, Mitchell Levy. Mitchell opened the conversation with a powerful message about the importance of expressing gratitude. He shared a poignant quote from his book, which speaks to the responsibility we have to pass on the love we receive. In a world where negativity can often take center stage, saying "thank you" and acknowledging the contributions of others is not just a courtesy, but a vital component of building a positive environment.One of the most striking points Mitchell made was about the difference between happiness and joy in the workplace. He emphasized that while happiness can be fleeting, joy is a more profound and sustainable state that we should strive to cultivate. This involves giving specific, authentic, and constructive feedback, rather than succumbing to the "fake it till you make it" mentality, which can erode trust and credibility.To learn more about Mitchell's work, click HERE and HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/.

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the President and CEO of Octain Growth Systems, Clare Price. Clare emphasized the need for a strategic foundation in marketing. Without a blueprint, businesses can get caught in a cycle of frantic marketing activity, which hinders their ability to grow. Clare discussed the concept of "hamster marketing," where businesses constantly run in circles without a clear plan, leading to burnout and talent loss.Another issue touched on was "lottery marketing," where businesses throw money at various tactics without a strategic approach. Clare highlighted the importance of effective marketing execution for business growth and the need to get in front of enough prospects to generate revenue.Clare highlighted the role of content in driving growth, both at the top of the sales funnel and throughout the buyer journey. She emphasized the importance of personalized and targeted content that resonates with specific niche audiences. Clare advises businesses to understand their ideal customers' values, motivations, needs, wants, desires, and buying patterns to create content that produces results.Clare discussed the common mistake of producing content without proper consideration and the need to shift the focus from "what we do" to "how we can help." Clare talked about the ineffectiveness of generic blogs and the value of user-generated content in building trust and accountability.To learn more about Clare's work, click HERE and HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/.

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the CEO and Founder of Next Level University, Alan Lazaros. Alan Lazaros, a peak performance business coach, shared his journey and reflected on his growth and learning over the years. He emphasized the importance of integrating personal and professional development, a topic often overlooked in business.One of the most intriguing parts of the conversation was when Alan discussed people's top regrets on their deathbeds and how they can be translated into professional life. Alan shared examples of listeners focused on one aspect more than the other. He noted that those who prioritize professional development tend to be successful and wealthy, while those who prioritize personal development excel in relationships.Alan added that leadership is a universal craft that can be applied in various roles, including parenting. He challenged the idea of work-life balance, stating that work and life are not separate, especially in the remote work era. He mentioned his girlfriend, who is also his business partner, and their podcast that blurs the line between work and life.To learn more about Alan's work, click HERE and HERE.Check out Alan's podcast, Next Level University, HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Alex's work at RELAYTO? Check out his website at https://relayto.com/.

Your host, Alex Shevelenko talks with the Senior Vice President of Kodi Collective, Eric West. "One of the privileges of being a founder is you get to work with customers who have innovation in their blood and who help you co-create a change in the world. The only thing that’s better is a 2x super-customer like Eric West! First as a senior leader at one of the Omnicom Media Group’s agencies and now at Kodi Collective (global leader in marketing executions services) with origins from the legendary RR Donnely print & publishing conglomerate." To learn more about Eric's work, click HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/.

In this podcast episode, Alex Shevchenko, CEO of Relayto, and RJ Grimshaw, CEO of UniFi Equipment Finance, discuss the importance of entrepreneurship within established businesses. Grimshaw shares his experience of growing UniFi from $13 million to $120 million in revenue in six years, attributing this success to the Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS). They discuss the value of fostering entrepreneurial qualities in employees, the significance of aligning personal and company values, and the importance of customer-centricity. The conversation also covers effective communication, learning from failure, and the role of risk-taking in entrepreneurship. Grimshaw emphasizes the need for authenticity and conscientiousness in business leadership.To learn more about RJ's work, click HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Alex's work at Relayto? Check out his website at https://relayto.com/.

In this podcast episode, entrepreneur Lloyed Lobo shares his insights on building successful businesses through community-led growth. He discusses the importance of defining personal success, understanding customer needs, and focusing on a growing target audience. He also highlights the significance of creating a community around a startup, citing examples of successful businesses like Atlassian. He also advises on the importance of engaging with the audience consistently and understanding their pain points. Lobo shares his journey of bootstrapping his business, the importance of finding meaning in work, and his personal definition of success. The conversation also touches on the startup ecosystem's obsession with venture capital and the potential for alternative paths to success.To learn more about Lloyed's work, click HERE and HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Alex's work at Relayto? Check out his website at https://relayto.com/.

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the Chief Impact Officer of Business for Social Responsibility, Laura Gitman. Laura, a game-changer in the field of sustainability, shed light on BSR's mission, which has remained steadfast for over 30 years. The organization's primary focus is to work directly with large businesses due to their significant impact and ambition. BSR offers membership to companies, providing them with thought leadership, advice, networking opportunities, and collaboration.Unlike other consulting firms that offer cookie-cutter solutions, BSR focuses on leading-edge work. They engage in multi-company or collaborative work, bringing together competitors to solve specific issues. They also conduct grant-funded research to stay ahead of cutting-edge sustainability issues.One of the key takeaways from the conversation was Laura's emphasis on the misconception about companies and sustainability. She clarified that there doesn't have to be a trade-off between profitability and sustainability. In fact, she believes that companies can be both profitable and sustainable. It's a positive thing when companies pursue sustainability for profitability because it means they are more likely to invest in sustainable practices in the long term.To learn more about Laura's work, click HERE and HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Alex's work at Relayto? Check out his website at https://relayto.com/.

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the CEO of ProductLed, Wes Bush. Wes is the author of the book "Product-Led Growth: How to Build a Product That Sells Itself," which has been read by over half a million people. The conversation revolved around creating experiences, particularly content experiences, and how they support various aspects of business growth. Wes, as a content-led business owner and an expert in product-led growth, provided valuable insights into what product-led growth means and how it is evolving.Wes defines product-led growth as using the product to acquire, engage, and monetize users. He emphasized the importance of creating a product that sells itself and delivers an exceptional user experience. This approach contrasts with the traditional sales journey, focusing on selling and then engaging customers. In product-led growth, the emphasis is on acquiring, engaging, and then monetizing customers. Wes explained that this shift changes everything in how businesses approach acquisition, engagement, and monetization.Wes discussed the challenges of implementing a product-led growth strategy. One of the difficulties is that the category is still immature, so people may not fully understand the problem that the product solves. Wes also talked about the importance of creating a content journey that guides customers through the decision-making process. This involves providing content assets that help customers think through the decision of whether the product is right for them.To learn more about Wes' work, click HERE and HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Alex's work at Relayto? Check out his website at https://relayto.com/.

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the CEO of FE International, Thomas Smale. FE International specializes in tech-focused M&A advisory services for businesses in the $1 to $100 million exit sector. With over 1500 deals closed and a total value of over $50 billion, Thomas' experience in the SaaS, e-commerce, and digital media content categories is awe-inspiring.One of the key topics discussed was why small business owners choose to engage with Thomas and pursue an M&A exit strategy. Thomas firmly believes that every entrepreneur should have an exit strategy in mind, even if it's not immediate. Whether it's due to personal or financial changes, or the emergence of a new business opportunity, having a specific financial exit goal is crucial.Thomas shared his insights on the changing landscape of M&A deals. He explained that while strategic acquisitions are still important, the opportunistic aspect of M&A is becoming more challenging. Interestingly, he mentioned that buyers are becoming more disciplined but also more creative. For instance, private equity funds that previously wouldn't consider deals below a certain valuation are now open to smaller deals. This means that there is a lot of demand for relatively small businesses with valuations below $100 million.Thomas emphasized the importance of focusing on building a good business rather than solely planning for an exit. He cautioned against getting caught up in specific metrics that may not be relevant to every business and advised entrepreneurs to prioritize revenue growth and the overall size of their business. He also highlighted the significance of profitability and tangible results, rather than relying on potential and big visions that have yet to be realized.To learn more about Thomas' work, click HERE and HERE.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Alex's work at Relayto? Check out his website at https://relayto.com/.