Welcome To Theinquisitor Podcast

My guest is Usman Sheikh, CEO of XIQ Founded XIQ to build an AI-powered sales platform focused on behavioral science Has experience in product management, strategy development and digital transformation Passionate about how AI can enhance sales processes and drive better outcomes Key insights: Usman discusses how AI can be used to gain deep insights into prospects' motivations, challenges and emotional drivers He explains how AI has helped shorten the sales cycle by streamlining research and preparation Automating execution of processes like onboarding is discussed as a way to multiply impact Behavioral science and psychometrics are highlighted as important additions to AI systems The importance of focusing on opportunities rather than pain points with prospects is emphasized Takeaways for leaders: Learn how AI combined with behavioural data creates more personalised engagements Understand how to qualify prospects faster and gain a strategic edge Discover ways AI can free up time by automating repetitive ta

Every post I've come across by Vlad Blagojevic for the past couple of years since stumbled across his content has been on the money. He is a long overdue guest and you won't be sorry you listened a few times and took notes. Vlad is the co-founder of FullFunnel, which helps B2B companies implement account-based marketing strategies. He has built a large, loyal and appreciative audience on LinkedIn sharing practical advice on topics like understanding buyers, content marketing, and challenging traditional sales assumptions. Key discussion points: Rethinking traditional sales/marketing approaches Focusing on relationships over transactions Understanding buyers' journeys rather than chasing clicks Questioning pushy sales tactics and short-term thinking Prioritising high-fit accounts Narrowing focus yields better ROI than spreadsheets approach Case study: Client increased deal size 10x focusing on 11 accounts Standing out amid noise on LinkedIn Engage wider networks including influencers and colleagues Deli

In this episode of TheInquisitor Podcast, sales expert Andrew Barry takes the stage to share his invaluable insights on navigating the ever-changing landscape of sales. Prepare to be inspired as Andrew discusses the need for creativity, innovation, and emotional intelligence in the face of volatility. He sheds light on blind spots in sales, the power of storytelling, and the importance of building trust and human connection with customers. Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation that will revolutionize your approach to sales. Embracing Change: Andrew Barry highlights the challenges that traditional sales techniques face in today's volatile world and explains why creativity and innovation are the keys to success. Discover how to adapt and thrive in uncertain times. Overcoming Blind Spots: Dive into the often-overlooked blind spots in sales, including the lack of proper manager training and the reliance on logic-based problem-solving. Andrew offers practical solutions for addressing these blind spots and

In this episode of TheInquisitor podcast, join host Marcus Cauchi as he dives into the world of leadership with special guest Jay Weiser. Jay, a renowned consultant, shares his expertise in helping leaders thrive in the face of disruption and uncertainty. Get ready to uncover the blind spots that hold leaders back and learn how to unleash your leadership superpowers. Here are 5 points of interest from the episode: The Five Leadership SuperpowersTM : Discover the key attributes that can transform your leadership style and empower you to navigate challenging times. The Impact of Blind Spots: Explore the common blind spots that leaders often overlook, hindering their ability to respond effectively and think ahead. Moving from Firefighting to Future Thinking: Understand the importance of shifting your focus from reactive problem-solving to proactive, long-term strategies. Redefining Success: Learn how to align your definition of success with your team's and create a shared vision for growth and transformation.

In this captivating episode of TheInquisitor Podcast Interview, join host Marcus Cauchi as he sits down with renowned marketing expert Mike Maynard to delve into the world of B2B marketing. Uncovering the blind spots and debunking common misconceptions, they explore the true essence of effective marketing strategies. Get ready to shift your perspective and rethink what's possible in the realm of business growth. In this thought-provoking conversation, Mike Maynard and Marcus Cauchi tackle five meaty points of interest. They discuss the importance of focusing on outcomes rather than the amount of hard work put into a project. They challenge accepted marketing opinions and emphasize the need for tailored approaches that consider individual markets and audiences. They also shed light on the power of testing and encourage marketers to explore new avenues for lead generation. Plus, they highlight the significance of aligning marketing goals with overall business objectives. Before you hit play, take a moment to po

In this captivating episode of The Inquisitor Podcast, join CEO of Nucleus Research, Ian Campbell, as he delves into the world of creating value and unlocking its true potential. From mastering the art of persuasion to maximising return on investment, Ian shares invaluable insights and techniques that will transform your approach to sales. Get ready to shift your perspective and discover what's truly possible! Key Points of Interest: Learn how to articulate the benefits and value of your offering to captivate your customers. Understand the different types of benefits and how to leverage them in your business case for accelerated success. Discover the secrets behind crafting a compelling value proposition that turns features into irresistible value. Uncover the blind spots that may be hindering your ability to create value and overcome them. Gain expert advice on handling the ROI conversation with finesse and avoiding common pitfalls. Listen to this episode to challenge your beliefs, expand your boundaries, an

In this captivating episode of The Inquisitor Podcast, join Marcus Cauchi as he delves into the fascinating career path of Andy Cunningham, a positioning and branding expert who had the incredible opportunity to work alongside the legendary Steve Jobs. Discover how Andy's journey led her from Silicon Valley to collaborating with one of the most influential figures in the tech industry. Gain insights into her role in launching the Macintosh and the profound impact it had on her expertise in positioning and branding. Get ready to be inspired by Andy's remarkable career journey and learn how her experiences with Steve Jobs shaped her approach to business and innovation. Key Points of Interest: Andy Cunningham's early days in Silicon Valley and her introduction to the world of technology. Her pivotal role in the launch of the Macintosh and collaboration with Steve Jobs. How working with Steve Jobs influenced Andy's expertise in positioning and branding. The lessons learned from her experiences in the tech industr

Discover how simplicity can be the key to unlocking your inner sophistication and brilliance. In this episode of TheInquisitor Podcast, join Marcus Cauchi as he interviews Ben Guttmann, a marketing executive and professor at Baruch College. They dive into the topic of clear communication and its importance in messaging and design. Ben shares insights from his book, "Simply Put: Why Clear Communication Matters and How to Achieve It," where he outlines five principles: beneficial focused salient empathetic minimal Do you waffle? Is your communication confusing? The meaning of your communication means nothing if the other person cannot receive it or understand it. YOU are responsible for making sure your message is fit for purpose.   - - If you want to raise your performance to the role you are in or prepare for your next role, take a few minutes to complete this Selling Strategy Audit, then book your free 30 minute consult with me. If YOU want to talk about working with as your coach we can discuss that but I

Dan Pfister says "When you winback a customer, their lifetime value more than doubles." Dan is my guest on ep.508 of #TheInquisitor podcast Higher ROI due to significantly lower marketing and sales costs required. This improves overall profitability. More predictable and stable revenue stream from reactivating known customers versus unpredictable new prospects. Increased customer retention and lifetime value as #winbacks are more likely to reorder than one-time buyers. This cultivates a more durable customer base over time. Ability to highly target winback campaigns using past customer data and insights, improving conversion rates versus unfocused prospecting. Lower risk profile since value has already been proven with past customers, unlike acquiring unknown prospects. Contact Dan via linkedin.com/in/danmpfister Website: winbacklabs.com (Company) Email: dan@winbacklabs.com -- Looking to gain an outside perspective on your sales approach? Take my quick 10-minute Sales Strategy Audit to receive pers

In this episode, Nicky Parker immerses us in the world of customer interviews, unveiling their significance for executives seeking genuine insights. Beyond relying on metrics like Net Promoter Score, Nicky emphasises the need for structured conversations, cautioning against the limitations of digital surveys that often capture only extreme sentiments. Discovering the real meaning behind customer data is an art, and Nicky underscores the transformative power of third-party agencies in turning disgruntled customers into raving fans. Third-party involvement takes emotion out of the equation and fosters objective discussions, ensuring a more nuanced understanding. For those opting to conduct interviews themselves, Nicky advises keen observation for unspoken cues, highlighting the importance of what customers don't say. Buyer and customer interviews have the potential to break down internal barriers and unveil unexpected product uses, providing invaluable insights for business growth. Nicky advocates letting custo

Leaders, listen up! An inclusive culture is your shortcut to success. Nothing fluffy about it, but it does mean you're going to want become OK with difference because of the incomparable value delivered by teams of diverse thinkers with range, and breadth of life experience. Your job and the job of your managers will be harder to begin with as you adapt. When you surrender to the idea that the right mix of people looking at a problem, working on projects, selling, buying, running operations, leading and managing works so much better if your team can think AS your customer. A fraction are genuinely aligned around the customer and the outcomes they intend to rent. Fewer still play nicely with others to ensure the customer gets the best possible outcome and their risk is reduced to zero or as close to. A smaller fraction would be willing to recommend a competitor if it was better for the customer. And their leadership will probably not be happy if the experience of my clients is anything to go by! But the result

Listen to #negotiationcoach Al McBride on ep 503 of #TheInquisitorPodcast with Marcus Cauchi. Join Al and Marcus as their fascinating discussion finds connections between hard-earned lessons. Al shares how dealing art taught him the power of emotion in sales and the quirky characters that schooled him. "Sell hope, not objects," one eccentric advised. Building on decades of experience, Al explains how truly internalizing your value is key to confidently assuaging customers' every concern. "If they sense doubt in your pitch, the deal is doomed," he explains. Listen closely as Marcus draws out priceless insights, like how to make prospects feel fully understood without coming off as disingenuous. Hear Al's best practices for establishing trust and meeting both sides' needs from the start. Discover how to understand your counterpart fully so cooperation can create value for all. As one client said, "With Al's help, agreements feel effortless - he has a gift for joint problem-solving." Absorb Al's wisdom on keepin

Mark Consigli is a coprorate lawyer with decades of experience and a particular interest in the Law and AI. Listen to the implications and opportunities presented by this fab new tech we don't understand! This isn't our first rodeo with potentially dangerous new tech. The printing press, industrial revolution - all sparked alarm about instruments that might unbridle an underclass. But stifling innovation is rarely the wisest solution. Curbing AI may numb humanity's progress - which ethically speaking, seems questionable. Still, some control is prudent. Without reins, AI could become a raging bull bearing down on civilisation. Regulations should focus on nefarious applications, not neutering the tech itself. If you've used AI of late and ask it anything that might offend, you will have a hell of a time getting the answers you want if it triggers the "I'm offended" switch. I write to offend, challenge, provoke and it's a pain in the ask not questions! Banning deepfakes? Reasonable. Demanding open-source models?

Ep. 501: Today's Big Idea is  ... Effective, sustainable marketing requires strategic thinking, customer focus, and adapting to changing contexts. Marketers should align with sales, build trust, and provide timely, relevant value. No shit Sherlock ... but how many of you are doing anything even resembling what Aaron talks about. Aaron Hassen has been at the sharp end of marketing for the past 19 years since he left the military. He advocates taking the hard path: Align your marketing strategy tightly with sales to deliver an exceptional unified customer experience. Listen intently to identify your own blindspots. Perhaps an over-reliance on metrics versus strategy or you have a feature you love so much you have to tell them about it, even if it means talking your way out of the sale? Aaron reminds you that buyers change, their stage in their business lifecycle differs and unless you adapt, you will become irrelevant and be dropped. Embrace new contexts and buyer behaviours. Imagine the customer's emotional pe

Ep 500:A Question of Ask, Listen, Outclass Your Competition. Ep 500: The Art of Asking Questions - A Masterclass in Curiosity  In this special 500th episode, Marcus Cauchi shares his a few of his best insights and techniques for asking powerful questions. Through coaching real sellers and founders live, he demonstrates how carefully crafted questions can uncover obstacles, open minds, and drive conversations forward.   What You'll Learn From This Episode - Observe how Marcus listens intently and focuses on understanding the other person's real problem before jumping to solutions.  - Notice how he peels back layers of confusion by asking simple but thoughtful follow-up questions.  - See how he builds trust and credibility by not applying pressure or giving unsolicited advice. - Learn several of Marcus' frameworks for crafting open-ended, imaginative questions that provoke creative thinking. - Discover how patience and curiosity are key to guiding people to their own breakthroughs and decisions. "I've carried m

Simon Severino lives by the ethos, "Fast as a cheetah, Happy as a dog!". He has been transforming companies with StrategySprints(TM) and elegantly simple tools to remove your risk and uncertainty, and to drive momentum.  Simon Severino as a specialist in helping entrepreneurs succeed by getting to the core of what makes their business work. He explains that they will discuss topics like using weekly sprints to rapidly test what's working, strategies to simplify sales and marketing, tools for better financial management, and avoiding common blindspots. For 21 years, Simon has helped entrepreneurs crush it in the market. He loves solving the big questions and intellectual challenges of building a business. After working with big brands and agencies, he now runs a super lean company coaching solo- and micropreneurs to get their lives back and work just 6 focused hours per day. Key Conversation Points: Using weekly sprints to identify what's working vs. not working helps focus time on high-value activities. Refi

Discover the transformative potential of mental toughness in leadership and team building. Tune in to his insightful podcast with Anthony Taylor, a recognised expert in mental toughness and author, to delve into the art of cultivating resilient leaders and high-performing teams. Understand the power of mental toughness, the balance of sensitivity and toughness, and the tools to build mental fitness. Dive deep into the world of empathetic leadership, mental fitness, and innovative recruitment strategies. Take your leadership skills to the next level and meet the challenges of the modern work environment head-on. Ready to start your journey? [Book a coaching session with Marcus](https://calendly.com/marcuscauchi). Mental toughness is more than just a buzzword; it's a critical personality trait that dictates how we respond to stress, pressure, and challenges. It's not about being macho; it's about the power of the mind. This podcast will guide you through the complexity of mental toughness, its benefits, and its

Mark Schaefer, marketing strategist, keynote speaker, university educator, and bestselling author of "Marketing Rebellion," "KNOWN," "Cumulative Advantage" and his latest book, "Belonging to the Brand." We discuss community, how to build it, how to get out of the way, the temptations to avoid if you want your community to flourish.

My guest this time is Patty Block, CEO of The Block Group and author of "Your Hidden Advantage." Patty,  former political lobbyist today helps $1m+ women business owners to grown and achieve exit readiness. Patty shares her realisation about selling her business, tips for avoiding common pitfalls like underpricing, and strategies to maximise profits. Discover valuable insights on effective communication, personal growth, and building real business value.  Key Points: Realising Your Business's Value and Exit Strategy Potential Overcoming Limiting Beliefs for Business Growth Navigating Emotional Decision-making Avoiding Underpricing Eliminating Wasteful Spending in Business Frequently Unasked Questions (FUQs) for Successful Exits Tackling Ego's Impact on Business Value Red Flags and Lobbying Lessons Striking the Balance in Women's Sales and Business Embracing Responsibility and Accountability Strategies for Business Enrolment and Empowerment Taking Action for Profitable Growth Setting Boundaries for Success Ref

Unlocking Sales Success for Founders and Startup CEOs Tal emphasises why identifying ideal customers, tailoring approaches, and focusing on meaningful conversations over mindless dials is key. He challenges common founder induced sales foul ups due to their  over-reliance on their technical backgrounds. Tal offers strategies for building customer-centric sales operations that serve both the customers and the company. We dig into the need to adapt if/when recession hits you on sales execution and the adoption of sustainable sales practices to weather economic storms. We share real-world examples, case studies, and practical advice to help founders navigate these challenges. In addition to addressing prospecting, go-to-market strategies, and sales metrics, the episode sparks debates around ego, incentives, and the mindset required for founders to admit their need for sales help and reform. This episode is filled with actionable insights and inspiring stories that will empower founders and startup CEOs to unlock