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Secret to Product Success: Relationships with Sales and Marketing Dec 18, 2024

In the latest episode of Some Goodness, Richard Ellis Talked with Darin Archer, YOTTAA's Chief Product Officer. Darin explained that he (like most good product leaders) learned the hard way that great products often fail. He shared a truth about product leadership...most product leaders think buildi...

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How Leaders Can Build Instant Rapport #leadership #likeability #listening #rapport #storytelling Dec 04, 2024

 Stepping into a new leadership role is exhilarating—and daunting. As a new leader, your first moves set the tone. Research from Princeton University tells us that likability is assessed in a fraction of a second. It's important to get those brief moments right.

In a recent episode of Some Goodness...

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Finish Strong to Start Fast: A Sales Leader's Guide to Q4 Dec 01, 2024

 As the clock winds down on 2024, the best sales leaders understand that a strong finish in Q4 isn’t just about this year—it sets the tone for the year ahead. Closing deals is important, but achieving long-term success requires strategic pipeline management and a clear-eyed assessment of your opport...

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Five Tasks Great Leaders Get Right Nov 19, 2024

DOWNLOAD THE BOOK: Visit www.stephenrgraves.com/fivetasks to download your free copy of The Five Tasks: What Every Senior Leader Needs to Do! by Dr. Stephen R. Graves.


Steve Graves knows what separates an average leader from a great leader. After decades advising business leaders and writing a do...

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What Are You Getting Wrong About Leadership Communication? Nov 06, 2024

 We had a fascinating conversation the other day with Eva Daniel on our podcast. Eva's spent years helping leaders become better speakers, and she shared something that's been stuck in our heads: Most of us are getting leadership communication completely wrong

Here's what we mean.

Think about the ...

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Your SKO Is Just the Beginning #sko Nov 02, 2024

Here's a story we see play out every year:

A company pours months of planning and six figures into their Sales Kickoff. They book an impressive venue, fly everyone in, and deliver three days of high-energy sessions. The event is a hit. Survey scores are through the roof. Everyone leaves pumped up a...

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Stop Killing Your SKO's Energy #motivation #powerpoint #sko Oct 26, 2024

We all know this familiar scenario...

It is 2 PM on day two of SKO. The lights are dimmed for the PowerPoint presentation, and three sales reps simultaneously nod off. Another "discreetly" checks email under the table. The once-energetic room has flatlined.

This happens at nearly every SKO. An...

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Leading Teams in Enterprises vs. Startups: Insights from a CRO Oct 22, 2024

Leaders across organizations of all sizes face a common challenge: managing the competing priorities of people and tasks. This challenge becomes particularly acute when stepping into new roles or managing large or inexperienced teams. As companies grow and market expectations increase, leaders must ...

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SKO Series Part 3: Practicality - From Theory to Reality #practicality #sko Oct 20, 2024

Over the years, I've noticed one typical SKO mistake that is more significant than any other, the trap of focusing on ideas and not keeping an eye on reality or the practical.

Don't misunderstand me...you want some kind of inspirational vision and high-level strategy. However, the reality is that y...

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SKO Series Part 2: Place - The Location's Role in Outcomes #location #sko #training Oct 13, 2024

I have been part of so many SKOs for clients. So, I realize just how much difference a good place makes. Yet, many management teams still regard choosing the location for their sales kickoff SKO as nothing more than a logistics puzzle to be solved. But the place chosen is more than just a location f...

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