Changing the Perception of Sales

In the first episode of season 5, Kyle sits down (in person!!) with Hishem Azzouz, the founder of Hector, a market-leading training platform for recruitment professionals. Hishem’s journey into sales began with a commission-only job in Magaluf, where he sold bar crawl tickets to holidaymakers in one of Europe’s busiest party destinations.However, Hishem’s true passion was always in recruitment, so he pivoted, working tirelessly to establish himself in the industry. He began by building a personal brand on LinkedIn, regularly sharing valuable insights. His posts quickly gained traction, earning him a reputation as a knowledgeable and approachable figure in recruitment.Leveraging his personal brand and industry insights, Hishem launched Hector, a platform now widely regarded as one of the best training resources in recruitment. To hear more about how - through a dedication to learning and development - Hishem found success, make sure to tune in!

On the season finale of Changing the Perception of Sales, Kyle sits down with sales trainer Andy Bounds.Andy found a passion for communication as a child when he noticed the issues his blind mum navigating the world. Since then, Andy has worked in over 40 countries and with brands like John Lewis and Barclays to change the way they sell.If you want to learn how to streamline your sales process, communicate with a purpose and make better sales, don’t skip this episode!

In this episode of the ‘Changing the Perception of Sales’ podcast, Kyle catches up with sales trainer and public speaker, Tony Morris.Tony shares his journey to professional success, from starting in software sales to being invited to speak in over 30 countries! He also explains the process of finding his ‘why’ and how he helps others to find their true motivations.For anyone looking to have a successful career - whether in the sales industry or not - this episode is a goldmine of advice and proven techniques that have helped Tony support sales teams across the world.

In this episode of Changing the Perception of Sales, Kyle catches up with founder and CEO of Parallel Partnerships, Keir Shave.After a successful start to his career, one email turned Keir’s world upside down. This setback created the perfect time to start anew. This became the origin story of Parallel Partnerships.Keir and Kyle discuss the challenges of starting a new business, his experience selling to everyone from farmers to undertakers, and his advice for the next generation of SDRs.

On this episode of the podcast, Kyle sits down with Adam Jones: CCO of B2W Group and Non-Exec Director of 3THINKRS. Once on either end of a disastrous cold call, Kyle and Adam now come together to discuss how their work is changing the perception of sales.From starting his sales career selling software to the farmers of Malawi to becoming a sales leader, Adam took an unlikely route into sales but flourished under the pressure. Despite his unusual start in the industry, Adam is a strong advocate for universities teaching sales techniques and theory. Taking from his years of sales experience, Adam also shares how he manages to stay present in the moment and be mindful in the face of pressure in a sales environment. Finally, after over 2 years, Kyle and Adam break down their infamous cold call. Learning from this moment, they give tips to new sales professionals so they can achieve the best results without the awkwardness.

Royden Greaves, Founder of Jarvis, a revolutionary retirement tool, shares his unique journey from the world of sales to becoming a financial advisor on a mission to educate and empower individuals to make better financial decisions.Royden delves into the importance of finance education, emphasising the steps everyone, including salespeople, can take to build wealth without breaking the bank. He offers practical insights on saving the right way and the crucial role of pension knowledge, ensuring that individuals understand everything about their pension!Enhance your financial knowledge and take control of your retirement planning!

Joined by Sarah Brazier, Co-Founder at Dimmo.AI, we delve into her viral LinkedIn post highlighting discrimination surrounding maternity policies. Sarah shares her journey, exploring reasons behind such discrimination and potential solutions for fostering inclusivity.Beyond this crucial issue, Sarah offers insights into her transition from acting to top SDR, providing tips on effective cold-calling. She also discusses the future of the evolving SDR role in the sales industry.This enlightening discussion on sales, inclusivity, and personal growth discovers how embracing change can lead to remarkable opportunities

In this episode, we're joined by Robin Burr, a Sales Performance Trainer and Therapist at UGen Training and Consultancy. Robin shares his unique perspective on the often-overlooked psychological aspects of sales.Drawing from his initial experiences in sales, Robin sheds light on the highs and lows of the profession and how the struggle for consistency can impact one's mental health. He discusses his transition into coaching and training, advocating for a more therapeutic approach to sales.Tune in as Robin delves into the power of hypnosis in sales, exploring how it can help salespeople overcome mental barriers and enhance their performance. He also shares valuable insights on the importance of tonality and how to leverage it effectively to increase sales success.

Michaela Wain, Managing Director and Founder of Design & Build, an award-winning national online and hard copy construction magazine, joins us for another fantastic podcast episode! Michaela began in construction sales before launching her own businesses. She aims to educate and encourage more women to enter the construction industry and show young women that it can be a successful career path.Our discussion with Michaela delves into her journey from construction sales to entrepreneurship, a path that was not without its challenges. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she faced numerous obstacles, but her determination and resilience led her to where she is today. Her mission to empower women in construction is not just a goal, but a necessity in a world that needs more diversity and inclusivity. We also explore why women should be open about pursuing financial success and, of course, her experience as a finalist in BBC's The Apprentice.This raw and candid episode provides insights into changing perceptions of women in sales and construction.

In this insightful episode of the "Changing the Perception of Sales" podcast series, Anna Bella, Director of Sales Development, joins us to share her unique perspectives and experiences that have shaped her career journey.Get ready to dive into a captivating discussion that explores:• New country, new language - Anna's challenges and triumphs of navigating a new country without knowing the language.• Discovering Her Calling in Leadership• Coaching Success Plans instead of PIPS - Anna's fresh approach to redefining traditional performance plans as "coaching success plans.• Hiring Right - How making the right hire directly reflects your leadership style and values.• Top SDR Mistakes - Offering valuable lessons for those aspiring to advance their careers in sales.• Building an Environment of Goal Orientation• Video Prospecting vs Cold Call• Going to University as a Mature StudentAnd so much more!Take advantage of this opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on sales development, leadership, and personal growth from the remarkable Anna Bella.

Get ready for an insightful conversation with James Ski, CEO & Founder of Sales Confidence, on The Changing the Perception of Sales Podcast Series. James brings a wealth of experience as one of the most successful salespeople at LinkedIn, where he played a pivotal role in the company's explosive growth. He is now the founder of a community that drives salespeople to take their careers to the next level!Sales Confidence has evolved into a transformative learning and development platform, offering a subscription-based membership that focuses on enhancing skills and cultivating a positive mindset. It serves as a beacon of personal growth, guiding individuals to unlock their full potential through a holistic approach combining practical knowledge and mindset training.In this episode, James shares his journey and insights on:His early pursuit of a sales career and his initial perspective of the industryStrategies for training yourself to be likeable and effective in salesLeveraging LinkedIn for sales success and growing a social media presenceThe role of content creation for salespeople in the modern eraThe story behind Sales Confidence and its impact on the sales communityLiving with Bipolar and turning it into a superpowerExploring the potential of TikTok as a game-changing platform for salespeopleHow to change the perception of sales and make it a career of choice for the next generation

Tom Lavery is the Co-Founder & CEO at Jiminny, a product that not only attracts, supports and retains top talent but empowers them to fulfil their potential! Tom started his sales career at 18 but progressed to management in his early 20s, occupied a board-level position by 25 and now runs a successful business that recently acquired $16.5m in Series A funding!TopicsUnpacking Tom's journey in sales to becoming a SVP and then creating his own business, Jiminny.What is required to start your own business and the sacrifices you must make to succeed.What it's like to be a Co-founder & CEO within the tech community.The importance and how to create a coaching culture.Why grit and determination will always be the number reason that people succeed.And much more!

Few of us can say we started our sales career going door to door in Australia. And few of us know the nerve-wracking feeling of knocking on someone's door and not knowing how they're going to react… David Bentham, Director of Sales Development at Cognism, joined us on the podcast to talk us through his experience travelling across Australia, stumbling into door-to-door sales with HelloFresh and his progression to managing 60 Direct Sales Reps – all of which shaped his career in SaaS sales today!Topics:• His Journey from Door-to-door Sales in Australia to now leading a Sales Development Function within SaaS• His advice to anyone looking to follow down the same journey• The Debate on: "Is Cold Calling Dead?"• His top tips for Cold Calling• How he has built a successful online presenceAnd much more!

Did you know only 1% of capital funding is awarded to women business owners in the UK, and only 0.1% is based in Leeds?! Well, Zandra Moore is on a mission to change that!Zandra Moore is the Co-Founder & CEO of Panintelligence, an embedded data analytics platform for businesses working within SaaS, and the founder of No Code Lab and the gender equality network Lean In Leeds, a community of professional women empowering each other to achieve their ambitions. A perfect guest to have on the podcast to help change the perception of sales!TopicsHer story into the world of sales.The role models that have helped Zandra become who she is today.Why she didn't "just fall into sales" but instead chose to pursue it.The journey to building one of the biggest networks for gender equality in the UK.How she made her Dyslexia a superpower.And so much more!

Beginning your sales career selling Chocolate Almonds to now being the Managing Director of the number one booking platform in Europe for hair and beauty appointments is a story worth listening to! Miranda Mathews joins us on the podcast and talks to us about;Her initial experiences in the sales industryHow to deal with the pressures of sales and how to use them to succeedWhat it's like being the first sales hire within a businessWhat it takes to climb the ladder to successAnd much more!

Would you leave a 6-figure Sales Leadership role in SaaS to travel the world full-time? Well that's exactly what Marco did... Born & raised in Queens, New York, Marco was introduced to sales from a young age and in 2016 had the opportunity to move to London to manage the UK SDR team for Varonis.However, in June 2021, Marco did the unthinkable and left his software sales career behind to travel the world full-time!Listen to hear about Marco's journey in sales and for the advice he shares for anyone that's thinking of following in his footsteps and living a digital nomad lifestyle...

This podcast is all about Sales... So why did we have an Accountant on?Paul Cheetham-Karcz, Founder and Managing Partner at Sedulo, has built and managed a successful financial consultancy firm with offices across the UK and understands why Sales is so integral to any business trying to fight at the top of their industry. We discussed his journey from founding Sedulo, how Sales has helped build it, what it takes to become a high performer in any career, how to build personal resilience and much more!

You've got your Sequences, Cadences, and Structure but have you got your superpower? Avi Mirriam Cole, Global SDR Manager at Infogrid, joined us on the podcast and described how she had found, unlocked and harnessed her superpower to succeed in sales, going from a BDR to Global SDR Manager in just under five years! We also talked about her perception of the sales industry, techniques to create a happy and thriving sales team and why more and more women should look at Sales as a fantastic career!

Having a professional Ice Skating career and travelling worldwide with Disney On Ice must have been incredible! But to leave that life behind to chase a career in sales is a story worth listening to. Ben Smith, Senior Development Team Manager at ReachDesk, joined us on the podcast and discussed; his move from Ice Skating to Tech Sales, the transition into leadership, perfecting the skills to Business Development, the tricks to the perfect cold call and much more!

Immy Toms, Sales Development Programme Manager at Softcat, joins us on the podcast and speaks about her journey through the most challenging time in her life, driving for diversity and inclusion within the workplace and what she's learnt to become a successful team leader within her company. Since Imogen joined Softcat, they have reviewed and adjusted their application process to ensure that it is wholly inclusive and accessible and provides an opportunity for disclosure of any condition that requires exceptional measures/adjustments. Incredible!