True Conversations

In this episode of True Conversations, technology sales veteran Steve Branney joins Tom Happé. With over 35 years of experience across major enterprises and startups, Steve offers valuable insights into the evolution of business development.They delve into how business development has transformed from cold calling and directories to AI, LinkedIn intelligence and digital prospecting. Steve shares practical advice on building meaningful relationships, expanding beyond traditional IT contacts and why top salespeople prioritise understanding business objectives over pushing products.The conversation explores the tension between short-term targets and long-term relationships, the growing importance of personal connection in a world of automation and why sales professionals must become educators and trusted advisors.Steve also covers:Strategies for using LinkedIn effectively in enterprise salesThe benefits of cultivating broad relationships within accounts to reduce riskFinding the right balance between AI tools and genuine human interactionThe resurgence of face-to-face meetingsBuilding pipeline when entering a new marketWhether you’re new to sales or a seasoned professional, this episode provides honest, experience-driven insights into what truly works in modern business development.

In this episode of True Conversations, Tom Happé sits down with Kirsty Dawe, CMO at Lead Forensics, to discuss the evolution of modern B2B marketing and the importance of focusing on revenue rather than vanity metrics.Drawing from her extensive experience in agency and client-side marketing, Kirsty provides valuable insights. She explains how marketers can better align with sales, develop a robust Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and effectively track the true impact of marketing within the increasingly complex buyer journey.The conversation covers various topics including attribution models, the role of AI in marketing, intent data, social selling and the significance of accurately identifying website visitors.This episode is packed with practical insights for B2B marketers, SaaS professionals, demand generation specialists and sales teams. It offers actionable strategies to drive pipeline and revenue in today’s competitive market.Key takeaways from the episode include:- The importance of prioritising revenue in B2B marketing.- The significance of defining and refining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP).- How website visitor identification can uncover hidden opportunities.- The challenges posed by marketing attribution in intricate buyer journeys.- The transformative impact of AI on demand generation and outreach.- The critical need for sales and marketing alignment.- The role of social selling and LinkedIn in modern B2B sales.Kirsty also shares her forward-thinking perspective on the future of B2B marketing, the potential of AI to reshape marketing teams and her strategies for generating pipeline and revenue within a 90-day timeframe.

In this episode, Tom sits down with Simon MacMahon, CMO at Bollé Products & Signet, to explore how modern CMOs fuel business growth and scale marketing within B2B companies.Simon recounts his journey from graphic designer to Chief Marketing Officer, illustrating how marketing becomes the growth engine for successful businesses.They delve into key topics such as:- Scaling marketing beyond sales capabilities.- Determining when a company should hire a CMO.- The significance of aligning marketing and sales efforts.- The importance of understanding the customer journey.- How thought leadership establishes brand authority.- The actual impact of AI in contemporary marketing.- Balancing measurable ROI with intangible brand value.Si also provides a detailed breakdown of his 90-day plan upon joining a new company, including strategies for identifying quick wins refining positioning and building a marketing engine for sustained growth.This episode offers practical insights for founders marketers and sales leaders alike, empowering them to transform marketing into a genuine revenue driver.

In this episode, we meet a seasoned Channel Sales Director who offers an unfiltered look at the true requirements for success in channel sales.He shares his journey from entering a company without a CV and securing his first role to leading strategic partnerships across the UK and Ireland. This conversation delves into the importance of relationships, authenticity and long-term trust in sales. We explore the essence of channel sales, its enduring significance in reaching the market and how vendors and partners can collaborate effectively to achieve success.This episode is packed with real stories practical advice and honest perspectives on various aspects of sales including cold calling and AI. It’s a must-listen for anyone in sales partnerships or tech.

In this episode, Tom Happé interviews digital consultant, AI trainer and keynote speaker Andrew Miles Davis to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the sales and marketing industries.Andrew shares his unique journey through the evolution of the internet from moderating chat rooms for Pop Idol and Liverpool FC to helping launch MySpace in the UK and now training businesses worldwide on generative AI.They discuss:* Why salespeople who ignore AI risk falling behind* The tools modern sellers should be using* How AI can act as a personal digital sales team* Why personal branding on LinkedIn is more important than ever* The growing overlap between sales and marketing* How to use AI without losing the human connection that closes deals* Why Andrew believes 2026 is the ‘golden era’ of AIThey also discuss the future of sales roles, the balance between automation and human relationships and why the best salespeople will be those who combine AI efficiency with genuine human trust and rapport.This conversation will provide practical insights for sales, marketing and business leadership professionals on how to remain competitive in the AI-driven future of work.