Lina Tonk, Chief Marketing Officer at Recurly, and Efrat Ravid, Chief Marketing Officer at Quantum Metric, unpack the top three B2B growth challenges from the marketer’s face in today’s market. They reveal why internal alignment, customer voice programs, and balancing short-term versus long-term priorities fall short without trust programs. Their insights guide executives to prioritize honest conversations over generic campaigns.

Emily Askham, CMO at Natixis Investment Management, explores the crucial role of marketing in building trust within the B2B financial sector. She highlights strategies for fostering credibility, including voice-of-the-customer programs and third-party research. The discussion also covers proactive problem-solving and CX-driven differentiation for long-term success.

Jen-Larie Tumminello, Executive Team Lead of Global & Enterprise GRC Strategy at TD Bank, reframes governance, risk, and compliance as a proactive growth driver. With a deep background spanning the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, PwC, and Morgan Stanley, Jen shares how today's GRC leaders can earn a seat at the table by embedding trust, data, and customer alignment into strategic planning. She explains why understanding baseline risks and internal customer needs is essential for shaping the future of enterprise-wide programs.

Mark Walker, Co-founder and CEO at Revved Up, dives into the enduring challenges of B2B lead nurturing. He explores why many companies still rely on outdated tactics despite the availability of new tools and data. He shares insights on the power of brand-building, customer alignment, and elevating sales conversations. His perspective underscores the importance of bridging the gap between strategy and execution for sustainable growth.

Todd Treml, Chief Executive Officer at Touching Hearts at Home, shares why labor is both the top challenge and a competitive edge. He explains recruiting and retention systems that win market share. He details how culture and purpose sustain performance. He outlines where technology and AI boost productivity.

Lina Lugova, CMO at EPOM, shares her definition of the disruption economy, drawing on Taleb’s concept of antifragility: constant, unpredictable change fueled by geopolitical shifts, AI revolutions, and evolving customer needs. Lina argues that university‑taught playbooks are obsolete and modern leaders need a “goldfish mindset,” letting go of past successes or failures to connect emerging dots early. She also outlines how success now means building resilient, decentralized teams with fast and transparent cross-team communication.

Kurt Shriner, Vice President of IT Infrastructure Management at Capital Bank, describes his 18‑month roadmap that shifts IT from support to strategic growth. He reveals how psychological safety retains talent, why transparent project marketing earns budget, and how servant leadership builds high‑performance teams. Gain actionable steps to reposition IT as a revenue driver.

Chris Crist, CIO at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, explains why a wireless-first network is crucial for an operation that handles over 108 million passengers annually. He illustrates how wireless enables seamless biometric boarding, extensive IoT deployments, and nonstop connectivity. He outlines investments in redundant data centers and concourse distribution frames.

Jon Manes, Vice President of Information Technology at Mambo Seafood Restaurants, explains how treating IT as a revenue-driving partner transforms operations. He discusses the urgency of restaurant IT support and how network reliability underpins every transaction. He also highlights the shift to wireless-first infrastructure to cut costs and boost uptime. His insights offer a roadmap for any multi-location business seeking growth.

Julian Kulkarni, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Reapit, explores the hidden challenge of trust in B2B sales. He explains why companies must first establish internal alignment and credibility. Julian shares data showing 61% of global buyers worry that leaders mislead them. He then outlines how internal trust fuels long‑term customer relationships and sustainable growth.

Sanjeet Kaur Bali, SVP of Global Customer Support, outlines why organizational dysfunction quietly erodes scale, service, and innovation across every function. She explains how support leaders can surface root causes through data and constructive confrontation. She also describes the power of transforming support into a strategic growth engine.

Julian Jacquez, President & COO at BCN Telecom, and Jeanne Duca, CMO at BCN Telecom, share how aligning the team, go-to-market partners, and customers drives long-term success. Their three-legged stool framework underpins every strategic decision they make. They discuss trust, transparent commitments, and leadership by example. Together, they reveal how high-performance teams and partnerships drive sustained growth.

Shawn Tinsley, Senior Director of IT at Dell Technologies, and Dave Idle, Chief Product Officer at Bigleaf Networks, discuss resilient, wireless-first WAN strategies. They cover seamless failover, dynamic circuit bonding, and application prioritization. They explain how 4G/5G backup transforms multi-site IT operations and outline the role of AI in automating network health.

Jody Guetter, CEO at finmarkIQ, explains why AI‑era marketing must include real people at every stage. She argues that the human-in-the-loop extends beyond data validation to market testing, focus groups, and brand activation. Jody also shows how CMOs must be technologists without forgetting who they serve and outlines how human touch differentiates B2B strategies in an age of automation.

Paul Davis, Field CTO at NetApp, shares why CTOs must balance hands-on technical execution with long-term business strategy. He contrasts the role with CIOs, who are more focused on current operations. He also emphasizes that CTOs drive future success by asking tough questions and challenging the organization to innovate.

This document explores how leading B2B companies are transforming their go-to-market strategies using Voice-of-the-Customer-as-a-Service through an ABM podcasting methodology.

Katalin Fritz, Chief Customer & People Officer at Marley Spoon, reveals how pairing rock-solid reliability with well-timed surprises secures weekly reorders. She shares why proactive outbound calls transform contact centers from cost drains to revenue engines and shares how to connect empathy, data, and empowered teams for sustainable retention and scaling surprise without sacrificing consistency.

Senthamizh Selvan Pandian, Head of Customer Success at SAP South-East Asia, explains how a people-first mindset transforms customer experience. He connects employee engagement to retention and revenue growth. Selvan details customer-centric innovation and proactive success practices. His insights deliver a complete blueprint for modern CX leadership.

Ajay Malik, CEO of StudioX, and Greg Davis, CEO of Bigleaf Networks, delve into why a wireless-first approach is essential today. Starting with the $54 billion annual investment in wireless infrastructure, they unpack how AI-driven automation and multiple ISP bonding deliver seamless failover, reduced tickets, and enhanced customer-experience outcomes.

Mark Bernardo, VP of Customer Success at IP Fabric, unpacks the Champion Growth Model from naming outcomes and navigating with empathy to building trust through consistency and showing up in emotionally charged moments. He illustrates how every touchpoint can forge champions who drive upsell, renewal, and advocacy. His real-world examples reveal why emotions matter more than data alone.

Ash Rhodes, Business Consultant in Customer Experience at Ash Rhodes Consulting, shares how contact centers can break free from the “cost center” mindset. He dives into strategies highlighting the invaluable customer data gathered during service interactions. Ash reveals how internal advocacy reshapes a team’s influence. Finally, he explains how to speak the language of stakeholders to gain a permanent seat at the executive table.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Ed Trevis, President, CEO, and Co-founder of Corvalent Corporation, joins Pete Hayes to explore why the future of industrial systems and emerging tech depends on blending innovation with long-term stability. From ruggedized hardware built to last for 15 years, to a smart infrastructure powered by AI and IoT, Ed outlines why consistency is just as important as cutting-edge breakthroughs.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Warb Lee, Founder and CEO of Alen Corp, joins Pete Hayes to explore how cutting-edge air purification and data-driven customer insights are transforming indoor wellness. He traces Alen’s 20-year mission to “help people live healthier lives,” from the birth of the BreatheSmart line and Utopia Air concept to the seamless integration of smart sensors and advanced filtration. Warb also reveals the end-to-end supply-chain strategies and diplomatic leadership style that have fueled Alen’s growth across direct-to-consumer and B2B channels.

Prepared By: Steven MacDonald, CEO & Founder of ContentStrategies.io & SocialCloser.io

Kel Kurekgi, Director of Support at Zapier, delves into the transformation of customer support teams, focusing on how to drop the victim mentality and gain a seat at the table. Kel discusses his journey from media to customer experience, sharing insights on overcoming challenges in the customer support sector. He emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and strategic storytelling as key elements in transforming customer support into a recognized business asset.

Peter Mullen, Strategic Brand and Growth Leader at Simply Systems LLC, discusses how customer experience can pivot from a cost center into a growth driver. He highlights a $3.7 trillion opportunity resulting from poor customer experience (CX) and explains why AI-driven personalization is now the new baseline. Peter outlines how immersive brand storytelling and C-suite alignment fuel BPO success.

A guide introducing a breakthrough application in B2B go-to-market strategy with a 10-level model transforming content into real-time, revenue-generating insights.

Ajay Malik, Chief Executive Officer at StudioX, details why wireless-first is no longer a tech preference but a revenue accelerator. He explores AI-powered autonomy that slashes downtime, proves how modern Wi-Fi rivals fiber-grade reliability, and explains why customer experience now hinges on seamless, intelligent connectivity. Learn how enterprises future-proof growth while cutting infrastructure cost.

Ken Mogensen, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Sneed Coding Solutions, discusses why treating BPO partners as direct reports transforms customer support into a sales engine. He explains vetting criteria, training approaches, and KPI alignment to ensure partners reflect the company’s values. Throughout the discussion, Ken shares lessons learned from scaling globally.

Julie Dearinger-Smith, Founder & CEO at Contingency Health Solutions, explains her remarkable background that merges nursing, informatics, and IT leadership. She details how her farm roots fostered resilience, recounts her shift into EHR consulting, and advocates strongly for technology in executive-level decision-making. She shows how network resiliency can save lives and underscores the power of team culture. Finally, she addresses why IT requires a genuine seat at the table.

Javed Ikbal, CISO and Vice President of Information Security & Risk Management at Bright Horizons, discusses approaches to secure enterprise networks by aligning executive perspectives. He explains framing security in terms of revenue, reputation, and regulatory metrics to gain leadership support. Javed outlines threat modeling, data prioritization, and wireless-first strategies for resilient network architecture.

Rob Huffstedtler, Global Head of Solutions Architecture at Sitecore, offers a compelling look at how C-Suite involvement shapes data usage and network architecture. He reveals lessons from his music industry roots and a two-decade IT career, tying in personal stories like his passion for cooking chili. Rob explains why aligning leadership strategies can prevent siloed data and encourage proactive infrastructure investments. This discussion underscores the power of cross-department collaboration.

Gary Trobaugh unpacks the meaning of “wireless first” by highlighting the need for swift deployment and freedom from legacy wiring. He explains why watch-to-phone and soon satellite connections are making traditional hardwired networks obsolete. He underscores minimal wait times and quick solutions drive wireless adoption, while organizations and end users demand seamless, accessible technology.

Jim Grassman discusses how careful analysis and methodical thinking can transform complex technology challenges into practical business solutions. He emphasizes the value of legal-style reasoning to simplify complicated problems. He highlights how technology has advanced rapidly from pre-internet days to modern cloud capabilities. He shows how curiosity and research have shaped his career in solving pivotal business problems.

Gemma DePalma is the COO of Foria, a company focused on bringing more pleasure to more people through products that address female intimate well-being. With a background in R&D, product development, supply chain, and logistics, Gemma brings a holistic perspective to customer happiness. She joined Foria five years ago as the Director of Supply Chain and now oversees the entire product lifecycle, including customer happiness.

Scott Reid, National Vice President of Technology Strategy and Sales at Radiology Partners, discusses his expansive career blending athletics with business leadership. He dives deep into the importance of restarting when needed and harnessing technology for competitive advantage. His narrative bridges personal lessons with actionable business insights. The episode delivers strategic perspectives on reevaluating processes and driving team success.

Shawn Tinsley discusses a gap between academic frameworks and business realities. He reveals that his focus is on strategic decision-making and applying structured approaches in practical ways. He wants to align theory with real-life outcomes. He believes in helping enterprises optimize resources and drive growth more effectively.

Adam Krob, Director of Information Technology at Field Audit, and Process Improvement at Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC, explains how he became passionate about file and print networks in 1989. He shares why the German language remains a significant personal interest. Adam dives into pressing issues around connectivity, data management, and fiber versus wireless considerations. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity, reliability, and creative solutions in construction technology.

Dave Idle, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Bigleaf Networks, explores the evolution of wireless internet infrastructure and its impact on small to medium-sized businesses. He discusses the shift from traditional wireline networks to advanced wireless systems driven by 5G technology. The conversation highlights intelligent routing solutions that enhance connectivity and business resilience.

Sampo Parkkinen, CEO of Revieve, discusses the rising importance of connectivity in today’s remote work landscape. He explains how AI transforms customer experiences across online, in-app, and in-store channels. Emphasizing robust network infrastructure and cloud solutions, he advocates for innovation that drives customer engagement and enterprise success.

Dean Sapp explains why cybersecurity is more than just a cost center. He explores financial risks tied to data breaches, revealing how swiftly companies can lose customers. He shows that business-minded security leaders need both technical skills and commercial acumen. He offers insights on leveraging IT to enhance revenue and trust.

In the latest CEO Growth Talks episode, Pete Hayes interviews Kyle Buckett, CSDO and Co-Founder of Stealth Energy Startup and author of “Leadership is Overrated.” Kyle advocates for self-led teams and a culture of collaboration, drawing on his Navy SEAL experience. He emphasizes that empowering teams and improving culture are crucial for long-term success and employee satisfaction.

Barbara Toens, Global CMO at Gantrex, brings her pricing PhD and global B2B experience to this in-depth discussion. She explains how marketing earns its C-Suite seat by ensuring every decision starts with deep customer understanding. Barbara shares best practices for VOC calls, cross-functional alignment, and transforming marketing from a cost center to a growth engine.

Hamed Mazrouei, Founder and CEO at Milagro Corporation, outlines the end-to-end strategy for creating highly available, fault-tolerant network infrastructure. He covers the journey from initial redundancy concepts through cost-efficient design and SD-WAN implementation with Bigleaf. By challenging the impossible, Hamed shows how to innovate solutions that keep businesses continuously operational.

Ines Hubmann, Senior CX Marketing Consultant at Huble, discusses balancing short-term marketing wins with long-term brand strategies. She reveals how empathy, active listening, and a strong brand foundation save budgets and teams from burnout. Through personal anecdotes and real-world insights, she underscores the need for human-centric marketing in a tech-driven environment.

Ryan Nelsen, Chief Marketing Officer at StackAdapt, dives deeply into redefining value across today’s complex buyer journeys. He discusses the impact of trust, the power of customer-centricity, and the strategic role of brand marketing. He shares real-world insights on combining brand and performance efforts for maximum revenue impact. He also outlines how AI and creative collaboration spark new ideas in B2B marketing.

Luna Shirley, CRO at ROI Hunter, challenges the obsession with hypergrowth and its hidden costs. She shares industry data showing 73% of revenue stems from existing clients and explains why Net Revenue Retention (NRR) is critical. She also discusses how focusing on customer success and team wellbeing leads to sustainable profitability.

Ilai Szpiezak, Co-Founder at Dolphin AI, explores how businesses can unlock the power of customer insights hidden in everyday interactions. He reveals the potential of contact centers as rich data sources that guide product innovation and increase retention. He shares the impact of empathy, technology, and organizational alignment on customer satisfaction. Finally, he underscores how focusing on the voice of the customer reshapes a company’s strategic direction.

Vera Huebner, Chief Marketing Officer at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, discusses re-educating B2B buyers in detail. Her insights explain how reframing challenges creates urgency and builds trust. She underscores the importance of positioning the brand as a trusted advisor before engaging in sales. Her message motivates decision-makers to rethink their approach and seize growth opportunities.

Ramya Kumaraswamy, Vice President of Growth and Demand at TaskUs, addresses the identity crisis that many CMOs face in today’s fast-paced environment. She explores why marketers struggle to gain respect within their organizations and how technology complicates that issue. She highlights the value of genuine customer advocacy as a path to trust. She also underscores that aligning with customers’ needs can reinvent a company’s go-to-market approach.

This document explores innovative methodologies for enhancing B2B customer trust and conversions through strategic podcasting and Voice-of-the-Customer services.

Matthew Stiling, Senior Operational Due Diligence Analyst at Investcorp-Tages, revisits the beginnings of his career in hedge fund accounting and operational roles. He describes transitioning into ODD, working with blue-chip funds, and gaining a benchmark for best practices. He identifies how operational structures form the foundation for growth. He also touches on how his current firm has evolved to meet industry demands.

Vivian Malandrin, Senior Manager of Customer Experience at Amazon Brazil, explains how customer obsession fuels Amazon's continued success. She emphasizes the company’s strong culture and leadership principles that prioritize customer needs. She also describes how real-time feedback and anecdotes drive innovation and improvements.

Rhiannon Staples, CMO of GWI, highlights the critical need to align the executive team around the Ideal Customer Profile [ICP]. She emphasizes the value of using data to define the ICP and ensuring that this alignment spreads across all business functions. She also discusses how marketers play a key role in improving the customer journey and creating a competitive advantage.

Michael Pittman, CEO and Founder of Connected Solutions Group, explores the challenge of selling on value rather than price. He explains how companies in the telecom industry are often trapped in a race to the bottom with pricing. Still, he highlights how CSG differentiates itself by focusing on customer experience and comprehensive value. Michael also shares how CSG partners with customers to deliver a smoother and more efficient service.

Filip Popovic, Head of Relationship Centre Worldwide at Avon, outlines his ‘Golden Age’ approach to BPO partnerships. He explains how co‑creation with providers builds trust and drives mutual value. Filip shares real-world examples of how transparent collaboration improves customer feedback loops. He also demonstrates how AI synthesizes frontline insights to inform strategic decisions.

Tim Wilbourn, SVP Support and Customer Success at Crexendo® Business Solutions, unpacks the challenge of linking CX metrics to revenue in a Wall Street-driven world. He details strategies for setting expectations and advocating for long-term programs. Tim explains why short tenures hurt CX leaders and how to build sustained success. He shares his press-release exercise for crystal-clear goals.

Luke Squires, Customer Experience Director at Sykes Holiday Cottages, discusses how businesses can integrate transformational technologies, such as AI, into their traditional customer support operations. He discusses the evolution of customer service, the exciting potential of AI, and how it’s becoming more accessible to companies. Luke emphasizes that while AI comes with its challenges, it also opens up many new opportunities for improving customer experiences.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Scott Wozniak, CEO of Swoz Consulting, joins Pete Hayes to explore legendary customer experiences and AI-driven business strategies. He shares lessons from his early leadership failures to becoming a sought-after consultant, emphasizing customer insight and systemized strategies. Scott reveals how AI can transform customer and employee experiences across industries.

Matt Hartley, Head of Pixel Customer Care at Google, dives into why customer care must be its own strongest advocate within a large organization. He outlines how support teams can earn a “seat at the table” by tying their work to product and business outcomes. Matt discusses systems for cross‑functional touchpoints and using data plus storytelling to influence peers. He also shares anecdotes from building partnerships across product, marketing, and sales.

Maureen Power Sweeny, Chief Revenue Officer at RapidScale, introduces the Growth Helix framework, which intertwines strategy, execution, and organizational DNA. She explains how companies that co‑evolve these helixes stay aligned with market and customer needs. She also draws on her 30‑year career shaping global business models to illustrate each component.

Enav Birnbaum, Director of Customer Solutions at Zencity, explores how customer support can directly impact revenue growth. She outlines her PhD background in international relations and explains how it informs her approach to solving real-world challenges. She also reveals the cultural foundation that drives passionate service and fosters strong customer bonds.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, David Bull, CEO and Founder of Ark Financial, unveils his innovative take on wealth management. Tailored for entrepreneurs, his model transcends traditional family offices with integrated tax planning, risk mitigation, and AI-powered strategies that align multi-generational goals with a higher purpose.

Felix Bartels, CMO of the Serviceplan Group, shares his journey from medicine and sports science to marketing. He explores blending emotional engagement with AI, automation, and big data while maintaining authenticity. This episode highlights storytelling, trust, and human connection as keys to B2B marketing success.

Vidhya Srinivasan, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Magnit, discusses how companies miss massive revenue gains by fixating on new customer logos. She emphasizes the urgency of building greater trust with existing clients to expand deals more efficiently. She pinpoints the role of collaboration across sales, marketing, and product in guiding the entire customer lifecycle. She invites leaders to rethink land-and-expand as a long-term growth engine.

This document offers real-world advice from industry experts on data-driven transformation in private market allocations.

Liron Mandelbaum, COO of Dasseti, shares insights from his Bloomberg career and how they shaped transformative strategies at Dasseti. He highlights the “aha moment” in investment management, exposing data collection challenges in private markets. Liron explores data democratization and how Dasseti streamlines data flows, replacing outdated processes with seamless, efficient solutions.