Leadership Risk: Balancing Fast Innovation with Slow Adoption
Why does innovation move fast while adoption crawls? Because transformation forces leaders to redirect capital, talent, and attention away from what still works toward what is not yet proven. That tension defines the messy middle. This conversation with Tina Vatanka Murphy looks directly at that moment of risk. Holding conviction when progress is invisible. Aligning boards and investors while shifting bets. Treating responsible AI as a leadership problem before it becomes a technology problem. GHX
Honest Board Management Beats Optimistic Theater
Here are a few take-aways from the early days of scaling at Okta with their co-founder, Frederic Kerrest . 1. Managing the board: Demonstrated control over the business versus optimistic theater Early in my career, I thought my job with...
Product Tours Create Habit‑forming Moments in Apps
Another interesting question that happened recently on SuperMe , asking about how product tours can help build habit forming moments in a product. Great takes from Ben Williams Erika Warren Daniel Chu Brian Balfour Elena Verna Hila Qu 曲卉 Lauryn...
AI-Native B2B Apps Are Redefining the Software Landscape
Will B2B software survive the AI era? The last platform shift, on-prem to cloud, created a wave of new category winners. Salesforce, Workday, NetSuite, HubSpot, and GitHub were all native-cloud companies. But the signals are different this time. Foundational models...
Scale Expertise with Tools, Not Years of Training
Stop trying to train your team into experts. Build tools that make them experts faster. One of the ListKit cofounders, Christian , is an absolute cold email genius. Took him 4+ years to get there. That expertise is incredibly valuable....
Mandating AI Skill Up: Training, Hackathons, Hiring
Right when we got back into the office this year we mandated that everyone becomes Claude Code proficient in the next few months. We have mandatory weekly office hours, half-day (moving to two full day) hackathons, and consistent showing and telling. It...
SMBs Trade Higher Volume for Lower NRR than Enterprises
In theory, SMB > Enterprise More customers, much faster sales cycles, faster PLG and viral cycles But even 100% NRR is tough to hit with SMBs, While 120%-140% common in Enterprise Most SMB SaaS goes at least bit enterprise or at least into more...
B2B Success Requires Humanity Over Pure Logic
For years, B2B marketing has leaned heavily on the comfort of logic to win the day. And I get it. When the stakes are high, logic feels safe. The assumption is simple: present enough facts, stats, and proof points, and...
Comprehensive AI Marketing Tools Directory with Ratings
The best directory of AI marketing tools anywhere continues to expand. Tools recently added include GWI Spark, Kyutai SST, FLORA , Rime , SocialBee , SketchPro.ai , SharedChat, StepFun , Signal AI , Fish Audio , Photoroom , Repurpose.io ,...
AI Agents in GTM Tech Poised for 10x Improvement
"Now is a great time to be in GTM tech. "All the AI agents we use are good. But they could all be 10x better." with @kylecnorton CRO @owner "It's just getting good. The AI Agents are still just...
Free AI & Productivity Tools Curated Weekly Newsletter
I’m relaunching my newsletter. Yes, again. This time with intent. It’s weekly. It’s practical. And it’s not here to make you feel bad about all the tools you’re not using. The first edition is a list I actually want myself....
Never Starting Is the only True Failure
The only true form of failure: Never starting. I see this in 99% of "wantrepreneurs." Talk, talk, talk. No action. Sitting around waiting for the perfect idea, perfect timing, and perfect everything. I get it. I did the same thing...
AI Efficiency Obsession Sacrifices Creative Quality
I was told a story this week about a big agency pitch, where a whole section was dedicated to how much efficiency they had found through AI. Effectively, how much self-inflicted commoditization they’d accomplished which they could pass on as...
Unique Creative Concepts Outperform Volume‑Driven Iterations
Biggest shift we've seen from an creative perspective over the last 6 months is a shift from volume --> unique concept identity. Previous volume would carry 90% of accounts into positive growth performance. But something changed in August / September...
Define Your ICP—Even Roughly—To Simplify Success
Block or unfollow me, but I will keep repeating it—defining your ideal customer profile (ICP), even in vague terms will make your life so much easier. I just wrote an article on how to create your ICP 👇
AI Cuts Sales Headcount, Supercharges Top Reps
GTM tools made the mid-pack reps more effective. That was the story from 2005-2024 or so. They created repeatability and efficiency so that 50%, 70%+ of your team could run the exact same playbook and at least hit quota. Many...
Share Templates, Cut Friction, Scale AI Prototyping
A pattern I keep seeing with AI prototyping. One early adopter in the org gets it. Then there's a canyon to get the next 10 people to adopt. The problem? Too much friction. Every new person has to rebuild design...
Boost AI Search Visibility Using SME-Driven Article Updates
Improve AI Search Visibility by Updating Your Articles with These SME Questions https://t.co/3eiulkRccS via @LinkedIn
Treating Top and Low Performers Differently Sends Harmful Message
Small talk with your top performers: fun and bonding Small talk with low performers: brutal
Categories Are Buyer‑Defined; Demand Remains Finite
Categories are largely artificial constructs, and often quite subjective and fluid to buyers, changing over time and even in individual buying situations. What we get compared to to by a buyer is not up to us, and isn't decided by...
Simplify, Focus, and Clarify: The Real Marketing Breakthrough
Every marketer wants a breakthrough. Here’s what they usually need instead: • To tighten the copy • To sharpen the CTA • To simplify the funnel • To remove the distractions • To say what they really mean You need...
RB2B Works Only for Established Outbound B2B SaaS
RB2B will be a waste of time and money for you IF: 1. You’ve never done outbound successfully We get people who come in super excited with big inbound machines. “This is going to be my next growth channel.” If you don’t...
Data Isn't Enough; Clarity Drives Mid-Market Growth
If dashboards were enough, every mid-market B2B company would sail past $30M ARR. They don't. 😬 Not because they lack data, tools, or smart people. They stall because no one can agree on what the data actually means. 👈 EXAMPLE:...
Leadership Lessons Hide in Non‑Business Books
Top leaders say the stories that shape how they lead—books about humanity, courage, and connection—aren't found in the business section. 👉 Here are 5 life-changing reads that aren’t actually leadership books: https://lnkd.in/eZ99xnHH
We Move On After Campaigns Because We’re Constantly Fighting Fires
I conducted a poll yesterday and asked all of you what happens when a campaign ends. The results are not surprising (the majority of us just move on), but I'm curious why that is. So riddle me this... when a...
Learn How to Build True AI-First B2B Companies
Be honest: Do you actually know how to build an AI-first B2B company? Or are you just bolting GPT onto your existing product and hoping? SaaStr AI 2026. May 12-14. SF Bay. Come learn from founders, execs + leaders who've...
Validate Market Size Before Setting Growth Targets
You can't begin to agree on what # to hit unless you understand the market you're in. You can make a spreadsheet say anything. And of course your investors want double-digit growth this year. Will your market allow it? Is...
People, Not Papers, Determine Acquisition Success
I'm lucky to have been through a few acquisitions in my career. You learn pretty quickly that the spreadsheets, decks, and integration plans matter, but they’re not what tell you if it’s going to work. People do. There’s a moment,...
Marketplaces Should Prioritize Liquidity in Core Segments
Another interesting new perspective search someone recently did SuperMe : How should marketplaces think about liquidity, should they focus on the specific area they focus on? Guessing they can't be liquid on every category they have products in. Great perspectives...
Prioritize Mindset and Self‑Care Over Bigger, Louder Goals
January always gives me just enough quiet to think, right before the calendar fills up and momentum takes over. This year, I’ve been asking myself one simple question: What do I want to do differently in 2026? Not bigger. Not...
AI Shadow Negotiators Accelerate Deal-Making
Using AI to prepare for a negotiation. For our free newsletter this week, we discuss AI shadow negotiators: invisible agents shaping human deals. @IrenaCronin and I write this newsletter every week. AI shadow negotiators are AI tools that quietly help people negotiate by...
Visible, Honest CEOs Accelerate Startup Growth
What I see CEOs at struggling start-ups do: - Go dark - Hide - Lash out - Tweet about lots of things non-work - Invest time on tiny expenses - Argue internally What should do: - Be Present - Be Honest - Be the Rock - Be Realistic/Optimistic You just plain grow...
AI Becomes Marketing Infrastructure; Power and Ethics Prevail
2025 will be remembered as the year AI stopped feeling “emerging” and started feeling like infrastructure. It quietly seeped into every layer of marketing—creative, media, analytics, and even how leaders frame strategy and risk. At the same time, the social...
Data Ownership Walls Threaten AI Startup Survival
A wave of AI startups is about to die - and most of them don't see it coming. not because their product is bad. because they built on someone else's data, and the landlords are changing the locks. For a...
Small Moments Define Trust, Performance, and Culture
The moments that change everything at work are rarely the big ones. They’re the passing comments, the tone in a reply, even the way a leader shows up in the in-between. These “insignificant” moments quietly shape trust, performance, and culture...
Limited Choices Boost Response; Three Is the Sweet Spot
The most overlooked way to increase response? Give someone a choice. When you have a choice, you’re in control. And all humans crave control. We want to feel some agency. We don’t like to feel forced… Or backed into a...
Free 90‑Minute Sales Kickoff to Transform Your 2026 Performance
Tomorrow I'm doing something I've never done before: Putting on a FREE, 90 Minute Sales Kickoff (SKO) for ANYONE that wants to dramatically improve their sales skills and mindset for 2026 - B2B, B2C, sales leaders, soloists, this is for...
EQ Beats IQ: Human Touch Wins in AI Era
With AI, what’s more important: EQ (Emotional Quotient) or IQ (Intelligence Quotient)? #sponsored Gary Nugent , CEO of Informa TechTarget says brands who master the “right-brain” EQ elements of the buying journey will win in the age of AI. Full...
Personal Brand Issues Are Just Messaging and Offer Gaps
Most "personal brand" problems are messaging or offer problems in disguise Sell something people want Explain it so they know why they should want it Creating unignorable content becomes much easier
Align AI Product Messaging with 2026 Enterprise Adoption Trends
For all you marketers trying to generate demand for AI products or features, this one's for you: It's all about helping you understand the top trends and pains in AI Adoption in the Enterprise in 2026 so you can align...
Silence Isn't a No—Follow Up Until It's Unwanted
Most deals don’t die. They just don’t get followed up. Business owners worry about being annoying, so they stop too early. I was once asked: how often should you follow up? My answer was simple until you no longer want...
Success Comes From Choosing the Right Game, Not Harder Work
"Outwork everyone" is a lie told by people who don't. I believed it for years. Work harder. Think harder. Grind harder. Outperform everyone. That was the formula. And it worked, technically. I got the titles. The bigger salary. A lot...
Prioritize Clicks, Let Landing Pages Handle the Sale
Your number 1 job when running ads, sending emails, posting on social is to drive a click. It’s not to sell your product or service. It’s simply get them to click. Let your landing page sell your product… To many...
New AI Writes Complex Content, Saves 90 Hours Monthly
Most AI content tools are slop generators. We've tested a ton over the past few years. Same story every time: generic outputs that sound like they were written by someone who skimmed a Wikipedia article. There's a new one on the block...
Silent AI Agents Drive $2.5M Pipeline by Listening
My AI agents sent zero messages last month. They helped me close $2.5M in pipeline anyway. Here's what everyone gets wrong about AI on LinkedIn: Most people use AI agents to send more messages. More connection requests. More follow-ups. More...
Act Now: Marketers Must Navigate a Fractured Reality
"A long time coming, but I know... A change gon' come... Oh yes, it will" - Sam Cooke This a special edition of my newsletter - which if you're interested, you can subscribe here. Hello friends. It is Martin Luther...
Context‑Driven AI Agents: Avoid Costly GTM Noise
AI agents in GTM without the right context are expensive noise.
Stay Flexible, Don't Underestimate AI's Evolving Power
Two things are becoming crystal clear to me when it comes to AI in business: 👉 #1: Stop marrying yourself to any single AI platform. I don't care if it's ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. The market is moving too fast....
Scale Your Systems to Match Business Stage
I see founders running their $50k business with $5M systems while others try to run $5M operations with $50k hustle. Both businesses will die if they don’t change. Make sure you know your stage and stay in your lane.
Simplify Decisions: Fewer Clicks Accelerate Growth
Marketing rule no one wants to hear: The easier you make it to say “yes,” the faster you grow. That means: • Fewer clicks • Fewer barriers • Fewer decisions Customers want clarity. If they have to think too hard,...
