Welcome To Theinquisitor Podcast

In today’s fast-moving VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) businesses can no longer afford to confuse motion with progress. In this high-impact episode, we sit down with Ron Brumbarger, American entrepreneur and founder of Struinova, an “innovation-as-a-service” firm helping organisations unlock new products, services, and processes that genuinely delight customers. Ron delivers a candid exploration of why companies stall, the dangers of systemic blind spots, and what it really takes to build a sustainable culture of innovation. With decades of experience and sharp, real-world insights, he challenges leaders to confront the uncomfortable truths holding them back, and offers tools to navigate the complexity with clarity, confidence, and creativity. Whether you're a founder, executive, or innovator inside a large organisation, this conversation is your blueprint for staying relevant in an increasingly unforgiving market. What You’ll Learn: Confronting Organisational Blind Spots Why waitin

Marcus welcomes Rob Israch, President of Tipalti – a late-stage, fast-growth SaaS company in the finance sector. Rob shares his extensive experience from NetSuite, Intuit, and GE, detailing his unique journey from marketing to president, and the "fun ups and downs and pitfalls" of scaling a global business. The discussion delves into the critical aspects of building and leading a company through various growth phases, adapting to market changes, fostering effective communication, and understanding what truly drives sustainable success in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Key Discussion Points: From Marketer to President Rob’s background as a marketer and his career trajectory from CMO to President at Tipalti. The importance of embracing "grey space" – taking on challenges beyond one's immediate job scope and being willing to learn. Why getting results, being humble, and executing, even on "unsexy things," are crucial for career advancement. Advice for CMOs Aspiring to Leadership The necessity for ma

Are you bogged down by the daily grind, struggling to scale, or feeling like your business owns you instead of the other way around? This episode of The Inquisitor Podcast is your roadmap to liberation. Join host Marcus Cauchi and special guest Adi Klevit, founder of Business Success Consulting Group, as they dismantle common myths about business processes and reveal how true freedom, growth, and profitability lie within structured systems. In this unmissable conversation, you'll discover: • The Surprising Truth About Freedom: Learn why process isn't a constraint, but the ultimate key to unlocking more time, allowing you to focus on higher-value activities, live a better life, and reclaim personal freedom from day-to-day operation • Creativity's Best Friend: Challenge the widely held belief that systems stifle creativity. Adi and Marcus reveal how well-designed processes act as a "well-paved freeway," channeling your efforts and enhancing your ability to innovate and scale without getting stuck • Leadership a

Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness - Selling with Relevance, Integrity, and AI Key Themes and Takeaways

In this episode of The Inquisitor Podcast, host Marcus Cauchi speaks with Michael Davis-Marks, a veteran of the Royal Navy who commanded a nuclear-powered submarine and now focuses on leadership development and advocating for the veteran community. They discuss decision-making under pressure, the unique transferable skills veterans bring to civilian life, and the critical differences between traditional and effective leadership models like servant leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of training, teamwork, delegation, building trust, and fostering a culture where people feel valued and empowered to do their best work. Michael Davis-Marks: Spent 36 years in the Royal Navy, primarily as a submariner, including commanding a nuclear-powered submarine. Served in the British Embassy during 9-11. Since leaving the Navy 13 years ago, he has focused on leadership development and culture. He is also the managing editor of TheVeteran.uk, a publication that gives voice to the veteran community. His mis

In this episode of The Inquisitor podcast, host Marcus Cauchi interviews Edward Ingham about his journey from traditional, product-focused sales to a more customer-centric approach. The conversation delves into the real-life moments that shaped Edward's shift and the practical impact it has had on his career and well-being. Guest: Edward Ingham, Senior Sales professional (biopharm-bd.com) About Edward: Edward is a dual national British-Spanish salesperson based in Madrid, with 10 years of experience selling into enterprise pharma and startups. He has observed recurring sales themes across different company sizes and has learned significant lessons from his experiences. Key Discussion Points: The Epiphany Moment: Edward realised the need for change about five years into his sales career. This shift occurred when he stopped focusing on the technical aspects of the product and the prospect's role (like CBO or CEO) and instead looked inward, considering how his own actions were affecting the other person, viewin

In this episode, Marcus speaks with Avner Baruch about the invisible costs of misalignment in go-to-market functions and why focusing on traditional sales metrics like ARR and conversion rates often misses the point. Avner shares his journey into sales enablement and how it led him to develop a methodology called Project Moneyball, which digs beneath surface metrics to uncover the real issues. By factoring in soft skills, time management, and process adoption, this approach helps teams identify problems much earlier, often during onboarding, rather than waiting months for reports to catch up. Key Themes Explored:

In this episode, Marcus is joined by Alan Versteeg, a coach and sales performance specialist with years of experience helping companies unlock what's really holding their teams back. Together, they explore 9 critical truths most sales leaders overlook, and the hidden leverage points that can transform your results without overhauling your tech stack or doubling your headcount. What you'll learn: Why your middle managers are your most underused asset, and how to activate them How on-the-job coaching delivers a 72x return when done right The dangerous illusion of control CRMs create, and what to focus on instead How shifting from managing individuals to managing the sales environment changes everything Why asking basic questions like “Why do we prospect?” can unravel deeper issues in your sales process How to identify the handbrakes slowing growth, often hidden in plain sight Why failure is your most powerful tool, if you build the right culture around it The key difference between managing task

Lean Selling: How to Make Buying Effortless & Ethical

What if influence wasn’t about tactics and persuasion but about truth, trust, and genuine human connection? In this episode, Brian Ahearn, Chief Influence Officer at Influence People and faculty member at the Cialdini Institute, unpacks the fine line between influence and manipulation, a crucial distinction for sales leaders and C-suite executives who want to drive sustainable growth without sacrificing integrity.

Sales Mastery & The Infinite Game with David Weiss Episode Summary:  David Weiss explores the mindset, habits, and strategies that set top sales professionals apart. From intentional career development to enterprise sales best practices, David shares invaluable insights for sales leaders and professionals looking to elevate their game. Recorded: August 2020 Key Takeaways: The Path to Sales Success: David’s journey into sales highlighted the importance of intentionality and learning from early failures. His experience underscored the necessity of structured training and development in sales. Sales as a Professional Sport: Treating a sales career like that of a professional athlete, dedicating time to practice, continuous learning, and skill refinement, is crucial for sustained success. Breaking Sales Stereotypes: Sales is often misunderstood as an “expensive dark art.” Leaders must see beyond outdated perceptions and recognize the value of structured, professional selling. The Power of Mentorship:

What if everything you thought you knew about transformation was wrong? In this episode, Marcus Cauchi and Matt Gaskin cut through the nonsense and dive into the brutal truths about why most change programs flop—and what Lean really looks like when it’s done right.

Selling your business is the biggest deal you’ll ever close, but are you set up to get the best possible outcome? In this episode, Rob Goddard, business acquisitions and sales expert, shares how to maximise valuation, avoid costly mistakes, and negotiate like a pro. But that’s not all. The principles of selling a business apply to every high-stakes deal. Whether you’re an entrepreneur planning an exit or a salesperson looking to sharpen your skills, this episode is packed with insights you can use immediately. What You’ll Learn: ✅ How to increase your business’s value before selling ✅ Common pitfalls that leave money on the table ✅ The negotiation tactics that get better outcomes ✅ Why understanding buyers is key in any deal ✅ What top salespeople can learn from exit strategies   Who Should Listen?

Leaderboard to Leadership with Rebecca Gebhardt & Marcus Cauchi Summary: This episode offers more than a sales leadership lesson—it’s a blueprint for transformation. Rebecca and Marcus challenge outdated thinking about leadership, relationships, and what it means to truly succeed in sales. Packed with insight and wisdom, it’s a wake-up call for anyone ready to lead with purpose and intention. Rebecca Gebhardt’s Leaderboard to Leadership doesn’t pull any punches: promoting your top salesperson doesn’t make them a leader. Leadership isn’t just the next step up from closing deals—it’s a completely different game, and most people aren't prepared to play it. Without the right training and mindset, you're not offering them a promotion—you’re setting them up to fail. This episode goes deeper than your standard sales talk. Rebecca and Marcus cut right to the core: real relationships. Not the transactional kind that evaporate once the contract is signed, but the ones built on trust and understanding—the relationsh

Episode Overview: In this episode, Marcus Cauchi hosts Mike Lander, a seasoned procurement director turned sales trainer, who shares insights from both sides of the procurement and sales processes. The conversation centers around improving sales strategies by understanding buyer psychology and removing uncertainties that often hinder successful sales. Key Highlights: Background and Experience: Mike Lander has extensive experience in procurement, having managed substantial budgets and vendor relationships. He now focuses on educating salespeople about what not to do when dealing with buyers. Buyer and Seller Dynamics: The discussion explores the common mistakes salespeople make, such as using manipulative tactics, which often backfire. Lander emphasizes the importance of building trust and credibility with buyers rather than using transactional sales techniques. Risk and Decision Making: A critical theme is understanding how buyers assess risk. Lander explains that buyers prioritize minimizing risk, which in

In this episode, Jeff Standridge and Marcus Cauchi discuss the importance of a client-centred approach in business relationships. They emphasise prioritising relationship-building over immediate sales, focusing on finding lifetime customers, and avoiding high-pressure tactics that can lead to buyer's remorse.   The conversation highlights the value of delivering consistent, ethical practices and maintaining integrity, even in changing circumstances. They also touch on the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and clear communication in leadership.   Standridge advises that leaders should be cautious with their words, as even casual comments can influence team actions. The episode concludes with a discussion on the significance of creating a culture of excellence and the role of continuous improvement in achieving long-term success.   Contact  Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | LinkedIn Contact Marcus (Principled Selling®) Cauchi | LinkedIn   Test your sales strategy    https://mailchi.mp/laughs-last.com/sat

Roee Hartuv, a former combat helicopter pilot and current expert at Winning by Design, shares insights from his unique journey from the military to revenue architect. His profound understanding of the importance of process design helps identify what works, what doesn't, and what needs to happen to meet business goals. This episode delves into the nuances of sales processes, customer acquisition, and the hidden costs that can drain a company’s resources. Roee discusses how his interest in process design began during his time as a pilot, emphasizing the critical importance of understanding effective and ineffective processes in high-stakes environments. He provides an in-depth analysis of customer churn and its financial implications, revealing why reaching a Proof of Concept (POC) can cost $43,000 even if the customer does not convert. Salespeople are encouraged to rethink their training, recognizing that the buyer's journey is not linear and requires strategic adjustments. Roee critiques vendor-biased sales m

Key Takeaways: Ditch Cold Outreach: Creates distrust; focus on building relationships early. Value First: Understand buyers deeply and empower their vision. Measure Right: Prioritize value per hour, not dials or meetings. Cultural Fit: Hire right, create great work environments, avoid micromanaging.   Rethinking Sales: Buyers engage salespeople to make confident purchase decisions. Instead of prospecting to active buyers, focus on companies that will be in the market 6-36 months out. Build relationships and understand their context before they start evaluating. When they do evaluate, you can guide them based on their specific needs rather than pitching features. Flaws in Sales Practices: Cold outreach has abysmal conversion rates (0.3% success), yet companies still invest heavily in it. Discounting and fake urgency often push buyers away instead of accelerating deals. Conventional discovery methods trigger buyers' fight-or-flight response by focusing on past pain. Metrics like dials, activities, and short-te

Mary Gentile discusses her book "Giving Voice to Values" and insights on navigating ethical dilemmas in business. Key Takeaways Mary's approach focuses on rehearsing and pre-scripting effective ways to voice one's values when facing ethical conflicts, rather than just philosophical debates. Anticipating objections and finding ways to address concerns while upholding values is key, without requiring the other party to feel shamed. Self-knowledge, understanding motivations/fears of others, and normalizing ethical conflicts as part of doing business enables more constructive conversations. Practicing scenarios and developing scripts allows building "muscle memory" for voicing values effectively in real situations. Voicing Values Effectively Understand your most effective style (questioning, analysis, storytelling etc.) Anticipate objections and reasons/rationalizations for unethical behaviour Frame responses addressing the other party's fears and motivations Position yourself as solving a problem for them, not

This is the 2nd Webinar in our Hot! Revenue Series   Book  30 minutes with Marcus:  https://calendly.com/marcuscauchi/revenue-audit-debrief   Take the selling aptitude test https://bit.ly/NewSellingAptitudeTest