Rethinking Sales Training in the Age of Ai - Varun Puri - Innovative Revenue Leader - Episode #39

Rethinking Sales Training in the Age of Ai - Varun Puri - Innovative Revenue Leader - Episode #39

What if your entire sales team could be trained, certified, and ready for game time the same week a product update ships? On this episode of Innovative Revenue Leader, host Seth Marrs sits down with Varun Puri, CEO and Co-Founder of Yoodli and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, to explore how AI is fundamentally changing the way revenue organizations learn, practice, and perform. Varun brings a rare combination of perspectives: early Alphabet employee who reported directly to Sergey Brin, moonshot project veteran, and now founder of an AI communications platform trusted by Google, Salesforce, Sandler, and ServiceNow. The conversation covers the collapse of quarterly training cycles, the architecture behind always-on enablement, and why communication skills are becoming more valuable, not less, as AI takes on more of the revenue workflow. If you lead a revenue organization and wonder why your training investments never seem to stick, this episode offers both a diagnosis and a path forward. Takeaways: * Quarterly training cycles are already broken. By the time a large sales team finishes a training rollout, the product it covers has changed dozens of times. AI agents make it possible to train reps in real time, the moment anything ships. * Ever-boarding replaces onboarding as a mindset. The goal is no longer a one-time ramp. Revenue teams need a continuous loop of learning, practice, and application tied directly to what is actually changing in the business. * Passive learning does not create behavior change. Multiple choice quizzes, recorded videos, and PDF decks do not move the needle on rep performance. Interactive AI tutors that respond, adapt, and challenge reps produce retention that static content cannot. * Role play only works when it is connected to real selling situations. Isolated practice tools have limited impact. When role play is tied to actual call recordings, live deals, and company-specific methodology, it becomes a coaching system rather than a checkbox. * Communication is the most underleveraged skill in revenue organizations. The ability to show up, ask good questions, and build trust is the single biggest differentiator between reps who perform and those who plateau. AI can now make that kind of coaching accessible at scale. * Adoption requires a clear job to be done. Buying a tool and handing it to reps does not create change. Leaders who anchor rollouts around specific, familiar use cases before expanding build the habits that make the technology stick. * The opportunity is not just in sales. Manager conversations, QBRs, promotion discussions, and cross-functional communication are all coachable moments. The most forward-thinking organizations are treating AI-assisted learning as an enterprise-wide capability, not just a GTM function. Quote of the Show: * “Training is no longer the bottleneck sandbag dragging everyone back.” -Varun Puri Links: * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/varun-puri001 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/varun-puri001/] * Website: https://yoodli.ai/ [https://yoodli.ai/]  Ways to Tune In: * Innovative Revenue Leader Website: InnovativeRevenueLeader.ai [http://innovativerevenueleader.ai]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb]  * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468]  * Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131]  * Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089]

Amplifying Human Performance - Jordan Ledwein - Innovative Revenue Leader - Episode #38

How can AI do more than save time for sales teams? In this episode of Innovative Revenue Leader, Seth Marrs sits down with Jordan Ledwein, Co-Founder of Sales Lift and Reinforcement Services Partner at Sandler, to explore how AI is changing sales coaching, training, and skill development. Jordan shares how organizations can use AI not just to automate tasks, but to help sellers improve performance through feedback, practice, and reinforcement. The conversation covers AI-driven coaching, sales skill development, CRM adoption, conversation intelligence, and how revenue leaders can redirect time previously spent on administrative work into more impactful coaching and development activities. Jordan also discusses why continuous learning remains one of the most valuable skills in an AI-enabled world. Takeaways: * AI can help sales professionals improve their skills by providing feedback and identifying opportunities for improvement, not just by automating tasks. * Revenue leaders should use AI to free up time for higher-value coaching and rep development rather than simply reducing workload. * As AI increases selling time, communication, storytelling, questioning, trust-building, and other core sales skills become even more important. * CRM systems are becoming more valuable to sellers as AI helps turn captured data into actionable support and insights. * Effective coaching requires more than checking boxes; leaders need visibility into how well skills are being executed over time. * Organizations can use AI to measure training adoption and understand whether sellers are actually applying what they have learned. * Continuous learning and adaptability remain critical skills as technology continues to evolve. Quote of the Show: * “Be open to learning new things and be a continuous learner.” - Jordan Ledwein Links: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanledwein/ * Website: https://www.sandler.com [https://www.sandler.com/]   www.saleslift.com [https://www.saleslift.com/] Ways to Tune In: * Innovative Revenue Leader Website: InnovativeRevenueLeader.ai [http://innovativerevenueleader.ai]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb]  * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468]  * Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131]  * Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089]

The Metrics That Matter - Curtis Schroeder - Innovative Revenue Leader - Episode #37

How should revenue leaders evaluate sales performance? In this episode of Innovative Revenue Leader, Seth Marrs sits down with Curtis Schroeder, Head of Research and Insight at Varicent, to examine one of the most debated topics in sales leadership: measuring seller performance. Together, they explore why commonly used metrics such as quota attainment, win rates, and pipeline creation often fail to provide a complete picture of seller effectiveness. Curtis shares insights from his research on sales performance measurement, the importance of evaluating performance in context, and why revenue per rep can provide a more meaningful view of contribution. The conversation also explores AI’s growing role in coaching, performance visibility, and skill development, as well as the importance of curiosity in building a successful sales career.  Takeaways: * Quota attainment often reflects both seller performance and quota-setting accuracy, making it an imperfect measure of individual effectiveness. * Win rate can reward sellers for pursuing easier opportunities rather than creating greater customer value. * Pipeline creation is important, but it measures what sellers say they are going to do rather than what they have actually accomplished. * Revenue per rep provides a direct connection between seller contribution and business outcomes. * New sellers should be evaluated based on their trajectory and development over time, not a single point-in-time performance snapshot. * AI is making it easier to connect sales skills, coaching insights, and performance outcomes in ways that were previously difficult to measure. * Curiosity can be a powerful career strategy for understanding performance, improving skills, and helping others succeed. Quote of the Show: * “It’s about the trajectory, not a point in time.” - Curtis Schroeder Links: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtisschroeder/ * Website: https://varicent.com [https://varicent.com/] Ways to Tune In: * Innovative Revenue Leader Website: InnovativeRevenueLeader.ai [http://innovativerevenueleader.ai]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb]  * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468]  * Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131]  * Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089]

The Revenue Graph: Playing to Win - Eilon Reshef - Innovative Revenue Leader - Episode #37

What does it actually take to build a revenue intelligence platform that gets stronger every time a new technology threatens to replace it? In this episode of Innovative Revenue Leader, Seth Marrs sits down with Eilon Reshef, Co-Founder and CPO of Gong, for a wide-ranging conversation about AI agents, staying focused on outcomes over hype, surviving the 2022 to 2023 tech downturn, and why Gong never cut its engineering team when competitors were offshoring to cut costs. Eilon also shares his thinking behind Gong Enable, a new product that turns real conversation data into AI-powered training, and why he believes effectiveness is finally becoming measurable for the first time.  Takeaways: * Focus on outcomes, not terminology. Eilon is still skeptical of AI hype, explaining that the term "agent" is useful only insofar as it helps people understand what a tool does and what value it provides. The real story is LLM-powered automation that drives measurable revenue outcomes. * The build-versus-buy trap. Most revenue organizations are not in the business of building software, and even teams that can build something quickly find it is outdated within months. Packaging, hosting, calibrating, and maintaining tools at scale is an entirely different challenge from spinning something up locally. * Gong survived the downturn by doubling down. During the 2022 to 2023 tech contraction, many competitors moved to offshore engineering to cut costs. Gong chose not to cut its engineering team, believing the product had fundamental merit. That investment in product development during the downcycle enabled the launch of two nine-figure product lines: Forecasting and Sales Engagement. * Enable closes the loop between conversation intelligence and coaching. Gong Enable uses real customer conversation data to build AI training scenarios, including realistic objections like "I'm in the car right now," that no human would think to script. It connects the same scoring logic used to evaluate calls into the training experience. * Effectiveness is finally becoming measurable. The combination of AI scorecards, trackers, and conversation data is making it possible to tie sales methodology directly to performance outcomes, turning what was always a qualitative discipline into something that can be tracked, measured, and improved. * Career advice: stop overthinking the next step. Eilon's philosophy has always been to focus on doing your best work in the role you are in right now. "Focus on the things you control versus the things you can't control." Quote of the Show: * "Do you play to win or do you play not to lose? We just don't like to play not to lose."  - Eilon Reshef Links: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eilonreshef/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eilonreshef/] * Website: https://www.gong.io/ [https://www.gong.io/] Ways to Tune In: * Innovative Revenue Leader Website: InnovativeRevenueLeader.ai [http://innovativerevenueleader.ai]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb]  * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468]  * Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131]  * Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089]

The Leadership Cost of Being Right - Dana Therrien - Innovative Revenue Leader - Episode #35

What’s the real cost of always needing to be right as a leader? In this episode of Innovative Revenue Leader, Seth Marrs sits down with Dana Therrien, Senior VP at Varicent, for a conversation that goes far beyond revenue technology and sales strategy. Dana shares lessons from his military background, years in sales performance management, and personal leadership development journey, including how self-awareness, communication style, and emotional intelligence shape executive effectiveness. The conversation also explores AI adoption in revenue operations, why many companies are retrofitting AI into their platforms, and how Varicent approaches AI differently through long-term platform integration.  Takeaways: *  Leadership effectiveness requires self-awareness. Dana discusses learning that being correct in conversations can still damage relationships and leadership trust if communication lacks empathy. * Experience shaped Dana’s leadership philosophy. The conversation explores how Dana’s military background, career experiences, and years studying Daoism influenced his approach to leadership and communication. * Revenue leaders must balance force with nuance. Dana explains the importance of understanding when to push aggressively and when a more measured approach creates better outcomes. * AI adoption should focus on solving real problems. The discussion highlights Dana’s perspective that many companies are retrofitting AI into products, while Varicent built AI capabilities into its platform years earlier. * Revenue technology must connect to business outcomes. Dana emphasizes the importance of demonstrating practical operational value rather than relying on “slideware” presentations. * Modern revenue leadership requires adaptability. The episode explores how leadership maturity evolves over time through reflection, experience, and learning from mistakes. Quote of the Show: * “What’s the cost of being right?” - Dana Therrien Links: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danatherrien/ * Website: https://varicent.com [https://varicent.com/] Ways to Tune In: * Innovative Revenue Leader Website: InnovativeRevenueLeader.ai [http://innovativerevenueleader.ai]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hn0sJKCzneggQj3j4XKo3?si=02c4c44769dc41bb]  * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-innovative-revenue-leader/id1843401468]  * Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/48477601-e33b-4c80-a4af-739863e58131]  * Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-innovative-revenue-leader-6233089]