Can setting clear boundaries actually help you excel in your sales career? We had an enlightening conversation with Michele Delgado from Hartmetrics, who reveals how setting boundaries isn't just about saying "no" but is a pathway to professional success and personal well-being. Michele shares her own transformative journey within the sales industry, highlighting how establishing upfront contracts and maintaining clear communication can prevent burnout and ensure better service. We also tackle common fears like the dread of losing clients when not meeting immediate demands, and offer strategies to overcome imposter syndrome and build confidence.

Michele's insights continue as we discuss the irreplaceable role of human connections and empathy in the workplace. Learn how personal experiences, such as dealing with a family member's illness, can deepen your understanding and foster stronger relationships with colleagues. Michele emphasizes the power of curiosity and open-mindedness in creating a supportive and flexible work environment. Finally, we delve into the crucial role of leadership in enabling employees to set and respect their own boundaries, shifting the focus from short-term gains to long-term satisfaction and celebrating personal milestones to bolster confidence. Tune in for actionable advice on maintaining a healthy balance between professional and personal life.

(00:10) Setting Boundaries for Professional Success
(07:30) Building Boundaries Through Human Connections
(13:05) Empowering Boundaries for Professional Growth

(00:10) Setting Boundaries for Professional Success

Michele Delgado from Hartmetrics explores how to succeed at setting boundaries, particularly in sales. Michele shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout, especially when starting out in sales. We discuss common misconceptions and fears that hold people back, such as the fear of losing clients if immediate demands aren't met. Michele highlights the significance of building strong relationships, clear communication, and setting upfront contracts with clients. We touch on overcoming imposter syndrome and maintaining confidence in what you’re selling. By establishing boundaries, you can provide better service and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

(07:30) Building Boundaries Through Human Connections

Michele highlights the importance of human connection and communication in professional settings. We explore how personal experiences, like dealing with a family member's illness, can unexpectedly foster empathy and understanding between colleagues. Sharing such experiences can transform professional relationships and set a foundation for better communication and boundary-setting. We discuss how staying curious about others' behaviors and circumstances can lead to more compassionate interactions. By asking neutral questions and remaining open to different scenarios, we can create a more supportive and flexible work environment, ensuring that both professional and personal needs are met effectively.

(13:05) Empowering Boundaries for Professional Growth

Michele focuses on the crucial role of leadership in creating a supportive environment for employees, especially salespeople, to set their own boundaries and make choices that benefit both them and their clients. We explore the importance of maintaining open communication, building strong relationships, and shifting the focus from short-term wins to long-term satisfaction. Emphasizing the value of presenting solutions rather than problems, we also discuss the challenges faced by individuals who feel like outcasts and the importance of celebrating personal milestones to build confidence. Finally, we touch upon the necessity of recognizing and managing negative self-talk to maintain a positive mindset and ensure healthy interactions.

Unlock the power of Account-Based Marketing (ABM) and revolutionize your business strategy with insights from Kerri Martinek, head of global brand and marketing at Sandler. Discover why targeting entire accounts instead of individual leads is crucial in the B2B world, particularly when dealing with comprehensive buying committees that can include up to 20 people. Learn how even small businesses can leverage tools like ZoomInfo and HubSpot to implement ABM effectively without breaking the bank. Kerri demystifies common misconceptions around ABM, proving that it's not just for large enterprises, and offers practical advice on creating target account lists and balancing personalized buyer experiences with a broader focus.

Ready to elevate your ABM game? This episode dives into advanced tactics to create impactful workflows and automation strategies using next-level tools like HubSpot Copilot. You'll hear about real-world success stories featuring high-touch campaigns and multi-channel approaches that drive impressive conversion rates and meet pipeline goals. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your ABM efforts, the episode provides valuable encouragement and resources, including free materials on Sandler's website and an invite to the Sandler Summit in Orlando. Don't miss this opportunity to harness the full potential of ABM and transform your business outcomes.

(00:11) Account-Based Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses
(12:41) Advanced ABM Tactics and Success
(20:49) ABM Encouragement and Resources

(00:11) Account-Based Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

This chapter explores how to effectively implement Account-Based Marketing (ABM) for businesses of any size. Kerri breaks down the fundamentals of ABM, emphasizing its importance in targeting entire accounts rather than individuals, particularly in a B2B context. We discuss the shift in focus from individual leads to comprehensive buying committees, which can range from 14 to 20 people, and the need for more strategic use of marketing budgets in a post-pandemic landscape. Keri addresses common misconceptions, such as ABM being exclusive to large enterprises, and highlights accessible tools like ZoomInfo and HubSpot for smaller businesses. We also touch on the paradox of needing to expand focus to an entire account while creating personalized buyer experiences. Finally, we explore the creation of target account lists, distinguishing between dream accounts and ideal client profiles based on current engagement and business needs.

(12:41) Advanced ABM Tactics and Success

Kerri talks about on creating effective workflows and automation strategies for Account-Based Marketing (ABM). We explore how tools like HubSpot and ZoomInfo can facilitate high-touch campaigns through emails, social media, landing pages, and forms. Emphasizing the importance of personalization, we discuss segmenting audiences by industry, role, and interests, and utilizing advanced CRM tools like HubSpot Copilot for deeper insights. We highlight the benefits of a multi-channel approach and the significance of tracking key metrics, such as conversion rates and pipeline goals. Lastly, we share real-world success stories and advice on starting small and gradually building confidence and traction in ABM strategies.

(20:49) ABM Encouragement and Resources

Kerri encourages listeners not to be intimidated by Account-Based Marketing (ABM) despite its seemingly complex and resource-intensive nature. It highlights that even small components of ABM can be tried without significant investment, and the worst-case scenario is that it doesn't work, allowing you to continue with other strategies. The discussion also emphasizes the availability of free resources on Sandler's website, including white papers, webinars, and summit recordings, to help you get started with ABM. Additionally, an invitation is extended to join the Sandler Summit event in Orlando on April 2nd and 3rd, 2025, for further learning and networking opportunities. The key takeaway is to give ABM a shot and utilize the available resources to support your efforts.