In today’s episode, I discuss how sales and marketing interact with Loren Padelford, a sales, marketing, cashflow, and revenue expert. You will learn: * The limitations of the predictable revenue playbook and alternative approaches. * How Salesforce pioneered cloud-based software and introduced a new way of thinking about how software gets delivered and sold. * How the rise of ad networks and digital ads made it easier to reach many potential customers faster. * Why the traditional sales process and long sales cycles are frustrating and failing. * That startups founders should design their own sales system based on their product and customer needs. * Shopify’s approach to hiring sales reps involved looking for personality traits like curiosity, intelligence, work ethic, and success. * That research shows no correlation between education and success in sales. * The limitations of Product-Led Growth (PLG) approach. * The role of sales reps as tour guides of e-commerce platforms. * The need for marketing, sales, and product to work together in the software industry. — If you want to skip ahead: (0:01) The predictable revenue sales model and alternative models. (4:49) Sales and marketing strategies in the software industry. (10:52) The limitations of the predictable revenue model in software sales. (15:44) Sales strategies and personality traits for success in sales. (23:01) Sales strategies for Shopify businesses. (27:35) The role of sales reps in e-commerce, with a focus on Shopify's experience. (33:05) Sales and marketing collaboration. (36:51) Sales and marketing alignment. — Connect with Loren Padelford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenpadelford/ — Connect with April Dunford and learn about practical positioning that accelerates marketing and sales: Work with April: https://www.aprildunford.com/contact April’s newsletter: https://aprildunford.substack.com/ April’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/ April’s Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/aprildunford — Mentioned in this episode: * Predictable Revenue: Turn Your Business Into a Sales Machine with the $100 Million Best Practices of Salesforce.com, a 2011 book by Aaron Ross: https://amzn.to/4bXcBMP — Get April Dunford’s books and audiobooks: “Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It.” “Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win.” Amazon US: https://amzn.to/49l0ZRY Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4ac9hgt Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vosDzQ Apple Books: https://apple.co/3xihSzC — The Positioning with April Dunford podcast: Want to make your product stand out in a crowded market? It all starts with great positioning. Using April’s battle-tested methodology, she'll teach you the nitty-gritty of positioning so that you can unlock better marketing and sales performance. Podcast website: https://www.positioning.show/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PFHcWx Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4aqyDqI Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@positioningshow — This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com