Make It Happen Mondays - B2b Sales Talk With John Barrows

Vince Beese knows how to close. As a fractional CRO and author of Red Zone Selling, Vince helps early-stage startups and fast-growing sales teams stop spinning their wheels and start running the plays that actually move deals across the finish line.In this conversation, John and Vince ditch the fluff and dive straight into what separates elite sellers from the rest. From his days in enterprise sales to building scalable GTM systems, Vince shares hard-earned insights on:Why sales has swung too far into science—and what it takes to bring the art backHow top reps lean into friction instead of avoiding itWhy false confidence from a bloated pipeline is killing your forecastThe power of disqualifying early and oftenWhat sales leaders should focus on instead of just top-of-funnel metricsThey also unpack Vince’s Red Zone Selling framework, breaking down how to qualify faster, sell smarter, and finish stronger—no matter your deal size or sales cycle

Jake Mannino isn’t your average sales leader. As a Global Sales Director at Microsoft, he leads a team responsible for over $1B in annual revenue—but his true superpower lies in understanding people.In this deeply insightful episode, Jake joins John Barrows to unpack the psychology of motivation, the neuroscience of behavior change, and what it takes to build a high-performance culture in today’s AI-driven world. In 2025, Jake helped Microsoft set a Guinness World Record by coaching nearly 5,000 employees through its MCAPS Executive Coaching initiative—giving him a unique lens into what truly drives change.John and Jake dive into:The difference between motivation and inspirationWhy most managers shouldn’t be coachesThe rising importance of emotional intelligence (EQ)Why authenticity and active listening matter more than everWhether you’re leading a team or looking to lead yourself better, this conversation blends science, sto

On this week’s episode, John Barrows hits the floor at Rev Fest—a one-of-a-kind event hosted by Go Nimbly’s CEO, Jen, at the iconic House of Yes in Brooklyn. This isn’t your typical sales conference. It’s loud, unconventional, and hyper-focused on RevOps—the unsung heroes of modern GTM strategy.In a series of quick-hit, high-impact interviews with leaders from Snowflake, Clay, G2, StrongDM, and Figma, John asks each guest the same three questions:What should sales stop doing?What should sales do more of?And if you had a magic wand, what would you change about the sales & RevOps relationship?The answers? Candid, surprising, and exactly what sales pros and leaders need to hear.Whether you’re a rep trying to work better with ops, or a leader looking to scale smarter, this episode delivers direct insights from the RevOps trenches.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It H

Monica Stewart has spent 15 years helping B2B SaaS founders escape survival mode and build scalable revenue systems—generating $25M+ in revenue and influencing over $200M in valuations along the way. In this episode, John and Monica dig into what really holds founders back from scaling past the $1–10M mark.They explore why so many founders—especially technical ones—see sales as a necessary evil, and the dangerous misconceptions this creates. Monica shares why doing the right things in the wrong order derails growth, how to create processes that don’t depend on a founder’s charisma, and why she believes most traditional sales methodologies are garbage in today’s market.They also discuss how shifting your belief systems—not just tactics—can unlock long-term success, and how AI is changing the playbook for founder-led sales forever.If you’re a founder who wants to step out of the weeds and build a company that scales, this conversation is packed with straight talk and actionable insights you won’t hear anywhere

In this episode John Barrows sits down with Zoltan Vardy, B2B sales advisor, author of The Launch Code, and the go-to expert for helping tech founders turn their ideas into scalable revenue.With over $2 billion in closed sales and 30 years of C-suite and entrepreneurial experience, Zoltan breaks down why so many founders still treat sales like a necessary evil and why that mindset kills more startups than any lack of product-market fit ever will.They dive into his founder-led sales framework, unpack how to pinpoint your real problem-solution connection, and explore why trying to be everything to everyone is the fastest way to fail. Zoltan shares why passion is the only fuel that can sustain you on the brutal road of entrepreneurship and how to make the critical shift from pitching to problem-solving.If you’re a founder—or thinking about becoming one—this conversation is a masterclass in building a sales motion that actually works. No fluff. No shortcuts. Just proven strategies to

Matt Millen is the co-founder and president of Regie AI, a platform that’s transforming how sales teams scale personalized outreach without losing the human connection. Before Regie, Matt’s career spanned everything from leading sales at Tony Robbins to competitive car racing—experiences that shaped his philosophy on performance, mindset, and winning the long game.In this conversation, Matt and John dig into the evolving role of the sales professional in an AI-first world. They explore why over-automation is eroding business acumen, how to develop reps who understand the why behind every tactic, and why the future belongs to teams who blend technology and authentic selling.Matt also shares his vision of the “Ironman model” of sales—where AI and automation amplify, rather than replace, human skill—and offers practical ideas for building workflows that empower reps to stand out.If you’re struggling with how to stay sharp and relevant in the age of AI, you’ll take away a ton from this one.Connect with

In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with Luke Arno, CRO at Transcend and a powerhouse revenue leader who’s scaled growth at companies like Twilio Segment and Box. Luke shares what sets truly great sales teams apart—and why coaching, optimism, and grit are the unteachable qualities every leader should look for.They dive deep into the differences between coaching, mentoring, and leadership, and why enablement is the most overlooked growth lever in business today. Luke explains how to shift enablement from a reactive support function into a proactive, strategic driver—and why sales fundamentals matter now more than ever in an era of AI and automation.From hiring for passion to rebalancing the art and science of sales, this conversation is packed with actionable ideas and fresh perspectives on how to build a team—and a culture—that thrives.If you’re wondering where to focus in a world of endless tools and playbooks, this one’s for you.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skil

John “JT” Turner is a sales executive, leadership coach, and team builder with a proven track record of turning good teams into great ones. In this episode, John Barrows and JT explore what authentic sales leadership really looks like—and how to apply it in today’s fast-moving, AI-influenced world.They unpack JT’s formative experiences, including his time at Google X launching moonshot ideas in cybersecurity, and how that environment shaped his approach to leadership, risk-taking, and thinking 10X. JT shares the story behind his new book, "Authentic Sales Leadership", and dives into practical frameworks like his Victory Plan—a simple yet powerful tool for coaching performance and culture.They also tackle the rising importance of EQ over IQ, how to coach it, and what it means to invest in talent even when turnover is inevitable. This episode blends heart, hustle, and hard-won wisdom—making it a must-listen for leaders looking to build high-performing teams rooted in values, not just metrics.Are you interested

Nick Hill is the Director of Sales Enablement at Crunchbase, with a track record of building performance-driven coaching programs at Miro, Sprinklr, and beyond. In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows and Nick dive deep into all things enablement—from structure and timing to coaching reps and aligning with RevOps for real impact.They explore when companies should actually invest in enablement, how to differentiate training vs. coaching vs. enablement, and how to hold frontline managers accountable in the process. Nick shares practical ideas for simplifying call coaching (without listening to 50 hours of recordings) and lays out his vision for how AI will transform sales enablement in the years ahead.If you’re in sales leadership, enablement, or just trying to scale a winning team, this conversation is a must-listen.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!Connect with John o

Mark Raffan is the founder and CEO of Negotiations Ninja™, a former procurement pro turned sales ally, and one of the sharpest minds in the negotiation game today. In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows welcomes Mark back for a tactical, no-fluff conversation on why most sales reps lose deals in the final 10%—not to competition, but to poor negotiation.They dive into some of the biggest silent killers in dealmaking: value leakage, premature discounting, and procurement intimidation. Mark shares fresh takes on how to shift from reactive to strategic selling, why reps need to stop deferring to their managers, and how procurement actually evaluates ROI (hint: it’s about total cost of ownership).You’ll also get a preview of his latest book, 9 Secrets to Win Deals and Influence Stakeholders, along with a sneak peek at what he calls negotiation alchemy.This one’s packed with practical insights that will make you rethink how you close.Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnba

John Barrows is joined by Dan Sperring, founder of AlignICP, to unpack one of the most overlooked—but critical—elements of GTM success: your Ideal Customer Profile.Dan has made it his mission to help sales and marketing teams work together to define, refine, and activate a high-impact ICP strategy. The conversation dives into common ICP mistakes (like defaulting to company size or segment), how your ICP evolves year over year, and what characteristics actually matter when targeting the right customers.John and Dan also break down the data on vertical vs. horizontal selling, discuss sales efficiency, and share real-world tips for aligning GTM teams to hit their number more effectively—with less waste.If you want to stop guessing and start closing with clarity, this episode is a tactical must-listen.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.c

Karen Kelly is a sales strategist, speaker, and founder of K2 Performance Consulting, where she helps B2B companies sell with confidence, clarity, and purpose. In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with Karen for a tactical and inspiring conversation that covers everything from her immigrant upbringing and biology background to coaching, confidence, and creating safe spaces for buyers.They explore her concept of hypothesis selling, the importance of showing up with perspective during qualification, and how reps can catch that elusive “sales groove.” Karen shares actionable coaching strategies, the power of preparation, and how to detach from what others think in order to show up more authentically in sales conversations.The episode also highlights Karen’s advocacy for women in sales—and why opening more doors in the industry isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s smart business. This one is packed with wisdom, heart, and practical advice for anyone serious about elevating their sal

On today's episode, John Barrows sits down with Blair LaCorte—a transformational leader whose career has spanned aviation, AI, tech, entertainment, and aerospace. With multiple highly successful exits, Blair brings battle-tested wisdom to the table, but what sets him apart is his focus on people, purpose, and emotional intelligence. They explore everything from growing up with entrepreneurial parents to the role of money as a vehicle for freedom—not fulfillment. Blair opens up about risk-taking, self-awareness, and his philosophy on living outside the “safe zone” without slipping into complacency.The two also dive deep into the future of human connection in a world dominated by AI, arguing that EQ—not IQ—is where we’ll win from here on out.If you’re a founder, leader, or anyone trying to grow in uncertain times, this conversation is packed with grounded insights, personal stories, and strategic wisdom. Let’s make it happen.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-

In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with Kelly Cheng, CMO at Goldcast, for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation on sales, marketing, and the evolving buyer journey. From her early days as a self-proclaimed rebel growing up in Hong Kong to working with top brands like Adobe and Microsoft, Kelly brings a fresh, strategic perspective to how modern go-to-market teams win mindshare before buyers are ready to buy. They dive into “mindshare marketing,” the challenge of measuring brand ROI, and why most of your market isn’t in-market—and why that’s exactly where your attention should be. Kelly also shares her thoughts on video’s role in building trust at scale, the problem with attribution models, the shifting role of SDRs, and the impact (and ethical complexity) of AI influencers. If you care about building long-term success in a noisy, AI-driven world, this one’s packed with real talk and actionable insights.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying rel

In today's episode, John Barrows sits down with Dustin Crawford, VP of Sales at Otter.ai, for a deep dive into the intersection of sales, psychology, and modern leadership. While Otter.ai is a sponsor of the show, this conversation goes far beyond the product—it’s about the why behind how salespeople operate and how leaders can unlock their team’s full potential.Dustin shares insights on everything from asking better questions and reading buyer psychology, to navigating the balance between transparency and confidence as a leader. They explore the value of optimistic vs. pessimistic reps, the importance of identifying buyer sophistication, and how to drive urgency without overstepping.If you’re looking to level up your leadership, improve rep performance, or just understand the mental game behind great selling, this one’s packed with actionable takeaways.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com

In this episode, John Barrows is joined with with Alyssa Merwin, Global VP of LinkedIn Sales Solutions, to unpack the findings from LinkedIn’s brand-new ROI of AI Report—a first-of-its-kind look at how AI is truly impacting sales outcomes, not just activity metrics.With over $1 billion in revenue under her leadership and a rich career path shaped by EQ, adaptability, and grit, Alyssa shares how she’s guiding one of the most innovative sales organizations in tech. The conversation dives into her journey from a liberal arts background to sales leadership, her time at Corporate Executive Board (home of The Challenger Sale), and what she’s seeing as the biggest shifts in modern selling.The takeaway? If you’re not using AI in your sales process every day, you’re falling behind. This episode is a wake-up call—packed with insights, data, and leadership wisdom from one of the top voices in the industry.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven la

John Barrows reconnects with longtime friend and Pavilion CEO, Sam Jacobs. Sam is the author of the bestselling book Kind Folks Finish First, and he’s on a mission to prove that building with integrity and empathy isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for business.John and Sam dive into the hard lessons learned from the rollercoaster ride of 2023, how timing and positioning can humble even the best ideas, and why leading with values matters more than ever. They also break down the evolving role of the CRO in today’s AI-driven world, the power of community, and how authenticity is becoming the new competitive edge.This conversation is real, reflective, and packed with insight for anyone trying to do good business—without losing their soul in the process.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/Connect with John on I

Kevin Evers is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review and author of the upcoming book There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift. In this episode, Kevin and John break down what makes Taylor Swift one of the most brilliant business minds of our time.From reclaiming her masters to building an unbreakable bond with fans, Swift’s ability to scale the unscalable, adapt to change, and maintain authenticity offers powerful lessons for sales, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a Swiftie or not, this conversation is packed with insights on vision, branding, and long-term success.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1 Join John's Newsle

In this special debrief episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with Dale Dupree—founder of The Sales Rebellion and one of the standout voices from the recent Sales Play event in NYC. What starts as a post-event reflection quickly turns into a deep, unfiltered conversation on modern sales, personal transformation, and cultural shifts in the industry.Dale and John unpack the bold themes and subtle symbolism behind Glengarry Glen Ross, from gender and race dynamics to toxic sales archetypes. They also explore why Dale believes we’ve lost the “benefit of the doubt” in society—and why it’s time to bring empathy back into business. They also dive into a spicy moment where Dale called AI a “trend”… and the room nearly exploded.This one is raw, thoughtful, and 100% Rebellion. Buckle up.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!Connect with John on LinkedIn: htt

In this special Make It Happen Mondays episode, John Barrows takes you inside an intimate, after-hours debrief unlike anything we’ve released before. After a full day of sales content, networking, and roundtable discussions in NYC with 18 of the top minds in sales and tech, the group capped the night with a viewing of the Broadway revival of Glengarry Glen Ross, starring Bill Burr, Kieran Culkin, and Bob Odenkirk. What followed was a raw, insightful, and unfiltered conversation back at John’s suite—covering everything from the timeless truths (and toxic flaws) of classic sales culture, to modern reflections on gender, race, authenticity, and the future of our profession.Featuring Jeff Hoffman, Morgan J Ingram, Doug Landis, J. Ryan Williams, Ashley Welch, Stefanie Boyer, Jaime Diglio, Sara Uy, Roderick Jefferson, Kasey Jones, Jen Igartua, Aneesh Lal, and more—this is your Sales MBA, served with bourbon and brutal honesty.You’ve never heard a sales conversation like this before. Buckle up.Ar