Technology

Topline

The #1 podcast for founders, operators, and investors in B2B tech. Tune in every week to hear Sam Jacobs, AJ Bruno and Asad Zaman discuss and debate the trends, news, and developments impacting the B2B tech world. Enjoy the hot takes, strong opinions, and dry humor.

Latest Episodes:

E65: Bob Moore on Crossbeam's merger with Reveal & Peter Walker on the M&A landscape Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Topline, AJ Bruno, Asad Zaman, and Carta's Head of Insights Peter Walker are joined by Bob Moore, CEO of Crossbeam, to discuss his company's recent merger with Reveal. Bob shares the strategy behind the merger, along with the challenges and opportunities that the merger brings to Crossbeam. The episode also touches on broader market trends, including the state of M&A activity and the evolving landscape of startup valuations.

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and read episode recaps.

Secure your ticket to GTM2024 in Austin (October 14 - 16).

Lastly, check out The Data Minute with Peter Walker from Carta.

TOPLINE HOTLINE: How can a CEO advocate for a raise without appearing greedy? Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode, our Topline hosts explore a real-life scenario faced by a female CEO of a software company. Despite overcoming challenges and showing positive results, the company faces a cash crunch. The CEO needs more capital from investors, knowing it will dilute her equity. Simultaneously, she wants to negotiate a raise to protect her stake. How can she advocate for herself effectively, balancing the need for funds with preserving her equity without appearing greedy?

Enjoy the mini-episode? Read the recaps and join our Slack channel to engage with other listeners here.

E64: Lessons from Q2, Crossbeam/Reveal merger, and the importance of adaptability Jun 30, 2024

Show notes

This week on Topline, Sam, AJ, and Asad discuss their lessons from Q2, the Crossbeam and Reveal merger and the why behind QuotaPath's recent product update.

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and read episode recaps.

Also, make sure to secure a ticket for:

GTM EMEA, which will be held in London from 9 - 11 July

GTM2024, which will be held in Austin from October 14 - 16

TOPLINE HOTLINE: How do I incentivize my AEs to outbound? Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Another Thursday, another mini-episode! This time, Sam, AJ, and Asad tackle a question from the GTM community about creative ways to incentivize account executives to outbound, as this group of AEs generates most of its opportunities and new business through inbound.

Enjoy the mini-episode? Read the recaps and join our Slack channel to engage with other listeners here.

E63: Insights on Brand-Led Growth with Kathleen Booth of Pavilion Jun 23, 2024

Show notes

Kathleen Booth, SVP of Marketing and Growth at Pavilion, joins Topline to discuss the evolving landscape of brand and demand generation. The conversation starts off by delving into a recent report by TrustRadius and Pavilion, highlighting shifts in buyer behavior and the importance of brand-led growth. They also explore the need for a balanced approach between brand investment and demand generation, sharing insights on how brands can influence both short-term and long-term business outcomes.

Check out the TrustRadius x Pavilion Brand report.

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and read episode recaps.

Also, make sure to secure a ticket for:

Pavilion Palooza, which will be held virtually from June 25 - 27

GTM EMEA, which will be held in London from 9 - 11 July

GTM2024, which will be held in Austin from October 14 - 16

TOPLINE HOTLINE: How do I learn the skills to become a CRO as a young, top-performing sales rep? Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

This week's mini-episode, we tackle a question from a high-performing sales rep at a Series C startup. The rep, concerned about their lack of strategy and operations experience, asks whether pursuing an MBA or consulting position would better prepare them for a future CRO role.

We discuss the value of an MBA in the high-growth tech world, suggesting that practical experience and community-based learning, such as through Pavilion, may be more beneficial. Want to join the world's largest community for go-to-market leaders? Book a meeting with Pavilion.

Enjoy the mini-episode? Read the recaps and join our Slack channel to engage with other listeners here.

E62: From Operator to Investor: Insights from Liz Christo of Stage 2 Capital Jun 16, 2024

Show notes

Liz Christo (Partner, Stage 2 Capital) joins the show to share her unique perspectives on diagnosing retention issues, experimenting with pricing models, and improving board dynamics in B2B tech. We also dive into the innovative pod structure at Stage 2 Capital, where partners from various backgrounds work together on deals.

Listen to this episode to get valuable strategies for improving retention, driving upsell opportunities, and optimizing board interactions.

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and read episode recaps.

Upcoming Pavilion Events

Pavilion Palooza (Virtual): June 25th - 27th, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM each day
GTM EMEA: July 9th - 11th [London, UK]
GTM2024: Oct 14th - 16th [Austin, TX]
CEO Summit 2025: Jan 23rd [New Orleans, LA]
CMO Summit 2025: April 17th [Atlanta, GA]
CRO Summit 2025: May 15th [Denver, CO]

TOPLINE HOTLINE: How do I go about exiting an executive from our organization? Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

This week's mini-episode revolves around managing executive exits in organizations, including the challenges, best practices, and considerations involved. Our hosts also delve into the importance of empathy and fairness in the process, touching on the evolving nature of employment in the tech industry and the importance of negotiation and fairness in executive exits.

Enjoy the mini-episode? Read the recaps or join our Slack channel to engage with other listeners here.

TOPLINE HOTLINE: Should I trust references when hiring if someone has not listed a direct manager? Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Topline Hotline, the conversation centers around the importance of references in the hiring process, including back channels and traditional references. Sam, AJ, and Asad delve into the significance of transparency in the candidate evaluation process and the challenges of obtaining accurate references.

Enjoy the mini-episode? Read the recaps or join our Slack channel to engage with other listeners here.

E61: What does Salesforce's revenue miss mean for SaaS? Jun 09, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode, our hosts discuss the recent turbulence in the public markets, focusing on Salesforce's first revenue miss since 2006 and its implications for the SaaS industry. The conversation also delves into the challenges of IPOs, fundraising, and business operations, particularly in the context of M&A as a soft landing option, the importance of maintaining a healthy mindset amidst market fluctuations, and much more.

Want more Topline? Join the Topline Slack channel to engage with hosts, guests, and other listeners and read episode recaps.

Also, make sure to secure a ticket for GTM EMEA, which will be held in London from 9 July to 11 July, and GTM2024, which will be held in Austin from October 14 to 16.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Topline

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected