Smarter Tools, Stronger Teams: AI, Tech & Grit in Sales | Lisa Cooley, VP of MDR Sales at Paradigm

Buyers have changed the rules, and the window and door industry is racing to catch up. We sit down with Paradigm’s VP of MDR Sales, Lisa Cooley, to unpack how AI, data, and a new generation of talent are rewriting everything from product discovery to the last mile of sales—and why grit still beats hype.On the buyer side, the shift is dramatic. Homeowners now use long-tail searches and visual matching to find exactly what they want: “black exterior, white interior door that won’t rot at a Georgia lake house.” They expect transparent pricing ranges, instant configuration, and clean visualization before they ever talk to sales. That flips the sales playbook: educate early with rich data and tools, capture preferences respectfully, then show up in the conversation prepared to close gaps—not restart discovery. Lisa shares how our team supports manufacturers and dealers by turning complex product logic into simple, trustworthy buyer experiences.Topics we cover:• Generational shift toward empowered, research-first homeowners• Labor shortages driving adoption of modern tools for recruiting• Practical ways AI accelerates visualization, estimating and content• Sales leadership that listens, asks better questions and motivates meaning• Long-tail search and visual matching changing product discovery• Connecting manufacturers, dealers and buyers with accurate data• Vision for tighter data flows and human-centered decision-makingBe sure to subscribe to your favorite podcast platforms or YouTube and follow the Grit Blueprint podcast to hear more stories and insights from the building industry.Build Authority. Gain Visibility. Drive Growth.You do great work. The right people should know it.Grit Blueprint helps building industry companies and leaders build authority, increase visibility, earn trust, and turn that trust into revenue.📅 Book a Strategy CallReady to become more visible, more trusted, and easier to choose?https://meetings-na2.hubspot.com/stefanie-couch📧 Join the NewsletterGet practical strategies and tools to build your authority, grow your visibility, and strengthen your business.https://421r60.share-na2.hsforms.com/2RMwQMXe2QLyk3sl9dv2gXQ🎥 Watch More Grit BlueprintSubscribe for honest conversations and growth strategies for the building industry.https://www.youtube.com/@stefaniecouch🚀 About Stefanie CouchStefanie Couch is the founder of Grit Blueprint and a third-generation building industry professional.Grit Blueprint helps manufacturers, distributors, dealers, service providers, and industry leaders build authority, grow visibility, and become unmistakable in their market.🔗Learn more: https://gritblueprint.comInstagram: @StefanieCouchOfficialLinkedIn: Stefanie Couch