ZOKRI

Strategy and OKR Consultant

Outcomes Thinking 

I help product organisations change their focus from outputs to outcomes. 

My typical clients are high-growth tech-oriented startups.  

I coach leadership teams to articulate their strategy, define persistent metrics and set powerful goals. 

Then I work with their teams to employ fast learning cycles to significantly improve their chances of delivering the outcomes the organisation and their customers need.

https://www.outcomesthinking.com/learnokr

Strategy and OKR Coach

Elsevier

At Elsevier I focused on achieving a few key goals. 
* Building organisational alignment through the implementation of OKRs
* Coaching and training product teams in outcomes planning product management techniques
* Managing the organisations largest portfolio of product investments

Achieving this has drawn on my three key work passions
* Through the implementation of OKRs I helped colleague understand the 'why?'
* Collectively we promoted inclusion and psychological safety with the teams we worked in
* I helped strengthen the bond between strategy and execution.

I also learned from working with a rapidly growing and highly capable technology organisation as part of the leadership team. 

And learned from the things I’ve tried that didn’t work and continue to do so!

Senior Portfolio Director

Program Manager

Pearson

In a technical product management role, I pioneered the use of semantic technology at Pearson, with a purpose of connecting data to provide organisational, content and customer insights. Created the strategy for linked data and formed a vision that spanned the key data that drives Pearson. 

Led a team that built the first Pearson tool to utilise semantic technology.

Head of Semantic Technology

Department head, accountable for the solution design, technical strategy, development and business fit of global content related products. Launched an image management product for educational content authors.
Accountable for three significant international digital products. Led a team of c. 45 mixed domain people.

Head of Content Management - Systems Development

Marsh

Brought on board in an interim role to kick-start the implementation of corporate web based content management systems. Accountable for re-focusing the programme and fast tracking a return on investment. Introduced Agile techniques to this inflight programme.

Provided department wide guidance on programme management best practice.

Interim Program Manager

Director level consultant, leading engagements with EMC’s highest profile clients all with budgets exceeding £1m. Consulted on transformation and change management for clients in a range of sectors, including finance, insurance and oil and gas.

Principal Consultant

Interim Project Management of a difficult IT project replacing key systems in insurance and reinsurance functions. 

Successfully re-focused scope of the project and delivered the system to pilot groups within the business.

Interim Project Manager

Envoque

Founding Partner

Strategy and Business Analyst

I am a strategy and OKR coach who helps organisations from household names to hyper-growth unicorns align and focus with OKRs. 

Do you want to connect your work to your strategy? Do you want to  focus on the things that really impact your customers, your employees and your organisation? 

If so, let’s talk.

If you want to know more about what I do, my clients can tell you better than I can.

“Collaborational, easy to work with, reliable, sticks to his words, inclusive, really values including everyone and pays attention to detail and each member of a (workshop) group”
Olivia Hupfeld, EQT Ventures describing a recent on-site workshop

“Pragmatic, hands on, flexible and business oriented expert who can apply OKR principles in a practical way to any organisation” - 
CPO, Insurtech Unicorn.

“With Ian's help we made a huge amount of progress last quarter from a standing start. The OKRs are incredibly clear and specific. We established a really good basis.”   
CEO

“Deep expertise and recognised OKR Leader”
CoS, Unicorn

"Yes, we definitely saw a difference. I would like to thank you a ton for the pro-active collaboration last year – it really helped us move forward!" - COO Unicorn Fintech

”Senior team had a range of complex personalities…. your approach was to build relationships and manage stakeholders carefully which paid off”



“You helped the Leadership Team become outcomes driven”

"Huge amount of progress last quarter from a standing start"

“Ian was particularly good at holding us to account”

“Ian is a terrific facilitator. The right balance of seriousness, knowledge, humour and patience.“

Ian Harvey

Ren Saguil

On a Mission to Empowering Elite Sales Teams to Win High-Value Enterprise Deals | MBA, Sales Strategy, Revenue Growth | Corporate Sales Training

Are you looking at how you can find the right clients, navigate and win high-value enterprise complex deals? 

You are in the right place.

👋Hello there! I'm Ren Saguil.

I help Sales leaders and their teams develop Personal Mastery, Effective Communication Skills and apply Sales Strategies and Frameworks to win High-Value Enterprise Clients.

⬆️How can I help you?

✔️New Business Development
✔️Strategic Account Management
✔️Sales Strategy Workshop facilitation
✔️Creation and development of Sales Process 
✔️Complex Deal Target Account Selling Training
✔️Sales Team Competencies Assessment and Coaching 

🤝Why work with me?

I have more than 25 years of experience in Business Development, Account Management and Channel Sales, mostly large complex accounts across the Telco and IT industry ranging from 50K to 40+M EU contracts. More than €130 M in career sales. Selling Transformation Services, Hardware and SaaS. 

As an Account Director and Country Manager, I worked for corporate multinationals Globe Telecom, Alcatel-Lucent, Ruckus Wireless and Vodafone. I served fortune 500 and large government accounts-- Shell Global, Citibank, Globe Telecom, Smart, PLDT, MOE NZ, Spark and Vodafone.

Winning beachhead accounts, created and developed channel sales programs for Telco and networking companies.

I have an MBA in Business, leadership and sales coaching certifications. I have a business in import-export and retail trade and consulting for SaaS and Tech businesses.

Most importantly I care about my clients and their successes. For me, its a deep partnership and I always ensure the growth of my client's business.

🚀If you need my help as a Fractional CRO, please DM me on LinkedIn.

🔔Follow me or subscribe to my 📮Sales Curiosity Club newsletter for Personal Mastery, building exponential relationships and B2B Sales Strategy on Complex Deals.check out here:https://page.sagedecisions.coach/profile

Fractional CRO

I have a hangover…

…of great vibes from the TechWomen and CyberCX End-of-Year Celebration 2025 in Auckland!

A huge thank you to Yvonne Gill and the team for hosting such a warm and inspiring event, and to CyberCX for providing the perfect venue.

Hearing from incredible tech leaders like Acascia Steedman, Arabella Vennell, and Racheal Morrison brought so many perspectives that I’ll be reflecting on for months.


Even more valuable were the connections; meeting new faces and catching up with familiar ones like Gau Kurman, Sasha Mullins, Hanieh Khalesi, Hamilee Repasa, Narmadhaa Sivaraja, Andrea Halal, and many more.

My biggest takeaway?

↳ Every woman in tech genuinely wants to support another woman to grow and progress in the industry.

↳ That collective commitment to lift each other up is what makes initiatives like this so meaningful and effective.


I told Yvonne I’m excited to be part of the Women in Tech Mentoring program next year…continuing these connections and contributing to the community’s growth.

Events like this are a reminder that progress happens when we share knowledge, celebrate achievements, and support each other’s journey.

Here’s to more collaboration, learning, and celebration in 2026!

P.S:
→ December 3 cohort is now open.

→ Maven’s Fast Track sale ends Monday.

→ Link is in the comment section below. (with FAST25 applied)


I help founders and sales leaders develop the skills and frameworks to confidently close high-value enterprise deals and grow their sales impact.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

On a Mission to Empowering 1,000 Elite Sales Teams to Win High-Value Enterprise Deals | MBA, Sales Strategy, Revenue Growth | Corporate Sales Training

“In our first year we raised $10,000 for our initial funding which lasted a whole year…yeah, that's a lot of ramen!”

I had the privilege of hearing Alliv Samson at the Stripe and KiwiSaaS Community Connect NZ event share her incredible journey co-founding Kami with her husband during their Auckland Uni days….


And as a fellow Filipina Kiwi, I left truly inspired.

Alliv’s grounded confidence stayed with me.

She radiates strength, resilience, and quiet determination, yet remains remarkably humble.

Her story is built on years of persistence, listening to users, and building with intention.

Here were the moments that stood out most:

→ 2013: Founded as Notable, with only 5,000 sign-ups in their first year while focusing on NZ universities.

→ 2014: Listing on the Chrome Web Store shifted everything…suddenly lawyers, doctors, and professionals began using it.

→ 2017: They discovered true product-market fit when teachers shared that Kami saved them 4+ hours by eliminating printing and scanning.


→ Perfect timing: Chromebooks rolled out across US classrooms, replacing iPads and PCs.

→ Bootstrap discipline: Only $2M raised in total…yet they stayed profitable throughout.

What truly moved me was their commitment to understanding user needs.

When teachers were signing up but not paying, they didn’t assume….they reached out.

↳ That curiosity unlocked a market that now represents 92% of the US education sector, with more than 7 million users.

There was even a moment where they considered shutting down…

But teachers paid to keep them alive because they needed Kami so badly.

Wild story huh.

That is the power of solving a real problem.

↳ Today, Alliv is giving back through Hiraya, helping the next generation of Kiwi-founded businesses and tech innovators build with global ambition.

In Filipino, Hiraya means:

“The fruit of one’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations.”

Stories like this remind me why I love building a business…because resilience becomes the bridge to your goals.

Thank you, Alliv, for sharing your story so generously and for lifting the next generation with you.

And it was wonderful sharing the space with Hamilee Repasa as well.


P.S:
→ kicking off Elite Sales: Win High-Value Deals cohort Dec 3.
→ Join us NOW. 
→ Link is in the comment section below.


I help founders and sales leaders master enterprise sales by building insight-led relationships, simplifying complex deal cycles, and winning high-value clients.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Really looking forward to getting a behind-the-scenes look at how James Boult Greg Forsyth  Gravity  built enterprise-grade legal tech for Tika. 

Excited to hear from Gravity side, along with Tika co-founders Zoë Lawton Alison Mau. It's inspiring to see a legal-tech startup launching and making legal services more accessible through innovative technology.

See you at 4pm!

#LegalTech #ProductDevelopment #Innovation #Auckland

No alternative text description for this image

Why real sales growth starts with strategy…

One of my favourite moments as an instructor is seeing sales professionals elevate the way they think, prepare, and execute….not through motivation, but through the right strategy, buyer-sales process, and the right behaviours.


Jessica Greenland, Sales Director, shared this after completing my Elite Sales program:

“Ren is a very experienced Sales leader with useful processes, tips & tricks to help salespeople of all levels improve our methodologies & win more business. 

She's now incorporating AI functionality to show how new technology can help in our work.”


This means so much to me because the goal of the program has always been simple:

→ Equip sales professionals with practical, repeatable processes that drive high-value results.

→ Help them sharpen their strategy, sales insights, and leadership.

→ Show how tools like AI can accelerate their performance - when used with the RIGHT sales fundamentals.

In every cohort, I see the same pattern:

Once you strengthen your strategy, process and behaviour, everything else becomes easier…

↳ Discovery calls
↳ Qualifying opportunities
↳ Stakeholder conversations
↳ Deal Strategy
↳ Negotiations
↳ And Enabling clients to make the right decisions

If Jess’s experience resonates with you, the next cohort of Elite Sales Athlete starts 3 December.

We’re currently in Maven’s Fast Track Sale (Nov 17–24) so you can enroll at a discounted rate.

Link is in the comment section below. 
(with FAST25 applied)


I help founders and sales leaders master enterprise sales by building the habits, systems, and strategic discipline of elite performers.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Over 60 people have signed up....

For the free Break into Sales Leadership Lightning Lesson happening today. 

Join me with Roque Lozano, SVP at Nokia.

How do you break into a global sales leadership?

Here's what will cover:

⚡ The top 3 skills that create the most impact as a global sales leader and how to develop them.

⚡ How to navigate and build leadership when you're a new leader in a new country.

⚡ How do you actually get noticed for an international assignment

→ Happening on Monday, Nov 17, 2025
→ Starts 6:00 PM NZ | 9:00 AM GST
→ 30 Minute Session

→ RSVP (it’s free)!

→ Link is in the comment section below.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

How to sell priorities, not problems….

One of the hardest parts of enterprise sales is the DISCOVERY CALL. It’s where credibility is built, but without pitching your products or services.


So why should you master this skill?
Because every winning deal starts here.

It’s where you earn trust, uncover executive priorities, and position yourself as a strategic partner, not a vendor.

That's what we'll unpack in this week's Maven Lightning Lesson: "Break into Sales Leadership." 

I'm excited to be hosting Nokia executive Roque Lozano.

→ Happening on Monday, Nov 17, 2025
→ Starts 6:00 PM NZ | 9:00 AM GST
→ 30 Minute Session

✅ How to lead conversations with insight, not information.
✅ How to align your discovery questions with executive priorities.
✅ How to develop a point of view that positions you as an expert in every client meeting.

✅ Know Your Stuff → Build technical credibility.
✅ Know Your Market → Play to your competitive strengths.
✅ Know Your Customer → Understand their technical and financial priorities.


You’ll walk away knowing how to enter meetings with confidence, clarity, and purpose…even before presenting a single slide.

Because top performers don’t sell products, they sell insights
And insights are what executives remember.

→ Moving from top performer to top leader requires a SHIFT in mindset…from mastering your own deals to empowering teams and steering strategy.

Join us as Roque shares the blueprint that guided his two-decade career in global sales leadership.

→ RSVP (it’s free)!

Link is in the comment section below.

→ Lesson starts exactly at 6:00 PM (NZDT)
→ I open the room at 5:55 PM (NZDT)
→ Be there 5 minutes early… 
→ On time is late.
→ Bring 3 friends who’d love to accelerate their sales leadership journey.


I help founders and sales leaders master enterprise sales by turning insight-led discovery into executive-level trust and strategic partnerships.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

View event: Lightning Lesson: Break into Sales Leadership.

Lightning Lesson: Break into Sales Leadership.

Strong cohorts create stronger enterprise sales outcomes.

The next Elite Sales cohort officially kicks off this Wednesday, 3 December…and the energy inside the room is already incredible!


I’m genuinely thrilled to welcome an extraordinary group of professionals who are deeply committed to winning high-value enterprise deals.

The diversity of expertise is always special.

This cohort includes:

↳ A founder innovating in the legal tech space.

↳ A founder building agentic software services for enterprise markets.

↳ An executive coach partnering with global multinationals.

↳ And other driven founders, account managers, and business development leaders ready to grow their capabilities.


Bringing together this level of experience is exactly what makes the Maven Elite Sales program so powerful.

Everyone arrives with different strengths, perspectives, and lived experiences

And that collective intelligence creates momentum that no one can build alone.

That's what makes the cohort model so powerful.

✅ You apply frameworks more effectively because you practice real scenarios and real challenges in a safe environment.

✅ You take action faster because you're surrounded by peers aiming for the same level of standards and excellence.

✅ You don't just learn, you get results and transformation.


↳ This Wednesday, we dive into strategy, process, and the mindset required to win complex deals consistently.

And I couldn’t be more honoured to guide this group as they step into their next level.

→ Elite Sales 'Win High-Value Enterprise Deals' cohort starts on Dec 3.

→ Join us NOW. 

→ Use code XTENDED for 25% Off for the next 24 hours.

→ Link is in the comment section below.


I help founders and sales leaders design insight-led sales conversations that align with executive priorities and win high-value enterprise deals.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

I didn't go to the IKEA grand opening this weekend.

Nothing against a good meatball—just not keen to cross the bridge. 😆 

I needed a recharge: a run along the beach to clear my head—Auckland was a cracker! And a new book to feed my brain. It's been a while since I've picked up a history book, and it's been fantastic. Though this won't be an easy read, I need to make a note to research some of the old kingdoms like Macedonia.

How was your weekend? Did you find your own way to recharge?

I hope you all had a restful Sunday. ❤️🍀

When stressed clients rush, you must lead.

Last week I kicked off Elite Sales Cohort 8, and the conversations were powerful. One question stood out because every enterprise seller faces it eventually:

“How do we handle a prospect who just failed a project and is now looking for a new vendor?”


My student was preparing for a high-stakes meeting with a Fortune US 100 company. They were short on time and short on budget.

And while it sounded like an exciting opportunity, he could already sense how difficult this would be.

Here’s the trap many fall into:

They see pressure, panic, and urgency…and try to “be helpful” by moving fast, proposing early, or dropping price. That is exactly how salespeople become the next failed vendor.


Don't rush the proposal, take leadership to do proper scoping.

When a client has been burned, they show up stressed, sceptical and defensive.
↳ “We already tried this.”
↳ “We wasted budget.”
↳ “We only have 30 minutes.”

This is where most salespeople rush.

But the real move is to slow the conversation down so you guide the discussion instead of reacting to it.

The shift I taught my student was simple:
→ Stop accepting the client’s version of the problem as the full truth

→ Stop guessing scope just to “be helpful”

→ Stop proposing before understanding what went wrong the first time


If you want to win high-risk deals without repeating the last vendor’s mistakes, anchor the conversation in three lenses:

↳ Opportunity - What problem are they truly solving, and what result matters most?

↳ Resources - What people, time and budget will they REALLY commit?

↳ Decision Making - How will they choose differently this time?


This is how you protect your delivery team, your reputation your commission.

I break down the full structure; including templates, agenda wording, and the exact questions to ask; in this week’s newsletter...

If you want the full guidance, get it in my newsletter.

Link is in the comment section below.


I help founders and sales leaders win high-value enterprise deals with practical frameworks, clear steps and proven sales strategy.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Final day to elevate your enterprise sales skills!

Today is the last day of Maven’s Fast Track Sale, and if you’ve been thinking about strengthening your enterprise sales skills for 2026, this is the perfect moment to step in.


In my Maven cohort, Elite Sales: How to Win High-Value Deals, we go beyond tactics.

We focus on the real foundation of enterprise success:

building relationships that lead to long-term partnerships.

Inside the cohort, you’ll learn how to:

✅ Initiate meaningful conversations that open doors.

✅ Establish trust from the very first interaction.

✅ Navigate the buyer-seller process with structure and confidence.

✅ Enable your clients to make informed decisions. 


What makes this work powerful is that you’re not just learning mental models and frameworks…

You'll create and apply the frameworks in the sales field and win high-value complex deals. 

That’s why feedback like this means so much:

“Ren knows her craft and she knows it well. Just like businesses change with their stage of growth and context, so too does the sales process.

Ren breaks it down precisely so you can be successful at any age or stage.”
-Amanda Gibson, Organisational Growth Strategist.


If you’re ready to shift how you sell, how you build trust, and how you win high-value clients…this is the final day to join at a reduced rate.

P.S:

→ December 3 cohort is now open.

→ Maven’s Fast Track sale ends tonight. Use FAST25 for 25% off.

→ Link is in the comment section below.


I help founders and sales leaders develop enterprise sales excellence, build high-trust relationships, and win high-value deals with calm, strategic confidence.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Last call: Fast Track 25 ends today! (Maven extended!)

The follow-up shift that gets real responses…

In enterprise sales, silence between conversations can feel uncomfortable. 

You lose momentum.
Deal velocity slows down.

But often, prospects aren’t choosing not to reply… they simply don’t see how engaging at that moment helps them move forward.


The good news is that follow-ups don’t need to feel pushy or repetitive.

↳ Small shifts in how you reach out can change the entire momentum of a conversation.

Here’s one that consistently works for me, my clients, and the teams I train:

→ Don’t ask for time. Ask for feedback. Co-create:
When you request a meeting, you’re asking someone to give.

When you share something you’ve developed for them and ask for their feedback, you’re inviting them to build a great idea with you.

It’s a completely different experience for the person receiving your message.


↳ Instead of:
“Can we schedule 30 minutes next week?”

↳ Try:
“I’ve put together a draft of ideas based on our last conversation; I’d appreciate your feedback.”

→ One feels like another task….
→ The other feels like a meaningful opportunity to shape the next step.


If you make this one shift, you’ll notice a real difference in how decision-makers engage…

Not because you’re pushing harder, but because you’re making it valuable for them to respond.


→ How are you creating deal momentum in your business development? I’d love to hear what’s been working for you.

→ If you’ve tried shifting from asking for time to co-creation, what changed for you?

P.S:
→ Last day of Maven’s Fast Track Sale. Use FAST25 for 25% off.

→ Link is in the comment section below.

→ Cohort starts 3 December.


I help founders and sales leaders strengthen enterprise relationships, create high-value conversations, and win the complex deals that matter.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Your product isn’t your real value proposition...

A hard truth for many in enterprise sales: your product is not your value proposition. Solutions only create value when they solve problems people genuinely care about.


Your tech, platform, or service…these are only as valuable as the results they deliver for your client.

→ A scattered approach leads to missed quotas and wasted effort.

→ The fix? Focus on what truly matters.

↳ Define Your Playground: The Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)

→ Know who you’re selling to…not just industries, but businesses that get the most value from your solution.

→ Understand their pains.

→ Understand their strategic goals.


↳ Play to Win: The Sales Strategy

→ Once your ICP is clear, align your sales activities to the customer journey.

→ Create a series of value-driven conversations that guide prospects from problem awareness to solution.


↳ Client Conversations: The Buyer-Sales Process

→ Every interaction is an opportunity to test your ICP and strategy.

→ Are your questions uncovering real, high-stakes problems?

→ Are you listening more than talking?

If this resonates, it might be time to recalibrate.


↳ Our Elite Sales Cohort kicks off this Wednesday.

We’ll focus on building a sales strategy that connects your solution to the problems your ideal clients care about.

Join an elite group of founders and sales leaders committed to mastering their craft.

Send me a DM to:

↳ Ask questions about the cohort.

↳ Schedule a 15-minute chat to see if it’s right for you.


I help founders and sales leaders master enterprise sales by turning strategies into results that clients value.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Last chance: Elite Sales cohort starts today!

Today marks the start of the Maven Elite Sales cohort and before we begin, I want to share one insight that consistently separates average teams from those who win high-value enterprise deals:


In many sales organisations, there isn’t always a clearly defined SALES STRATEGY...

Teams are active. They work hard...

But without an STRATEGY-led roadmap, it can be challenging to guide the buyer from problem awareness to decision.

And this is exactly why so many deals stall.

↳ Your PRODUCT is NOT your value proposition…
Your strategy is.


When you don’t define your ICP, don’t align conversations to business priorities, and don’t map the real buying process inside the enterprise, you end up with:

↳ Meetings that feel productive but don’t advance the deal.
↳ Stakeholders who want to “circle back” instead of commit.
↳ Opportunities that stalls.

Here’s the shift top performers make:

→ They define their ideal customer not by industry, but by WHO gets the most IMPACT from their solution.

→ They craft a sales strategy that mirrors the decision-making journey inside complex organisations.

→ They use client conversations to VALIDATE assumptions, not pitch.

→ They apply frameworks in a community where real scenarios sharpen their thinking.


That’s why cohort-based learning works.

Not just because of content… but because of the collective intelligence in the room.

Today’s cohort brings together:

↳ A founder in legal tech.
↳ A founder building agentic software for enterprise.

↳ An executive coach advising global multinationals.
↳ And other driven founders, account managers, and business development leaders.

Different industries.

Different experiences….

One shared goal:

Win the deals that matter.


If you’ve been meaning to refine your strategy, tighten your process, or get real support for real deals… TODAY is the last call.

→ Elite Sales kicks off today.

→ XTENDED gives you instant 25% off (Valid till tonight).

→ Register NOW.

→ Link is in the comment section below.


I help founders and sales leaders design insight-led sales conversations that align with executive priorities and win high-value enterprise deals.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

I have a little corner in my home office—a mini-library—it’s my go to spot when I need space to think or spark ideas for writing. It’s not just my collection; it’s also filled with books my kids left behind when they moved out.

Today, I picked up one of my favorite books—"How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie"—a gift I gave my son when he was 16. Now, it’s back with me, and as I flipped through the pages, I caught one of his scribbled Post-it notes and made me laugh out loud—a reminder from his teenage self that hit home for me today.

The note said something along the lines of: “I love always being right. How to lose friends 101.”

Wise words from a 16-year-old, right?

In my Maven cohort, Elite Sales: How to Win High Value Deals, we dive deep into building business relationships. You will develop strategies for initiating meaningful conversations, establishing trust from the first interaction, and managing buyer-sales process that lead to long-term partnerships. 

If this sounds like you, I'm kicking off cohort 8 on December 3—.Save 25% off with Maven FAST TRACK,  
enrol here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dxDPkM9V


Wishing you all a restful weekend. I hope you are taking a moment to pause, breathe and slow down.

Happy Saturday! 🌞📚

You can learn sales online for free… but can you apply it?

A founder recently asked me, “How do I start learning enterprise sales? I don’t have a sales background.”

It’s a great question….especially now that there’s endless content online.

And it’s true, you CAN learn a lot for free…

But here’s the gap every founder eventually hits:
You can learn the theory anywhere.

Applying it in real enterprise deals is where most people get stuck.


That’s why a structured environment, guided by someone who has spent 27 years in the enterprise field, makes a significant difference.

Here’s what a cohort-based learning experience actually gives you:

→ Direct Coaching & Accountability:
Personalised guidance, live feedback, and someone to keep you moving. Not another video you’ll “come back to later.”

→ A Proven, Scalable Process:
A complete framework; strategy, buyer-sales process, and the right sales behaviours; built from real enterprise experience, not theory.

You can apply it immediately.

→ Deep, Practical Application:
We go beyond concepts.

We work through:

↳ Crafting executive-level points of view

↳ Role-playing qualification and objection scenarios

↳ Building deal strategies

↳ Presenting winning proposals

↳ Storytelling that resonates with senior executives

The goal is simple: turn knowledge into RESULTS.

→ One of my students, Sarah Hayford, came from a non-profit founder background with no traditional sales experience…

After the cohort:

✅ She not only built her strategy and process… she closed a £5-figure annual partnership with a global corporate, her biggest deal to date.

Her success didn’t come from watching videos….

It came from applying frameworks, practising the conversations, and getting feedback in real time.

→ We’re currently in Maven’s Fast Track Sale (Nov 17–24) so you can enrol at a discounted rate.

→ Cohort starts 3 December

→ Link is in the comment section below. (with FAST25 applied)

→ If you’re ready to move beyond theory and start closing high-value enterprise deals, the details are in the comments.

→ And if you want to talk it through, I’m always happy to chat and see if it’s the right fit for you.


I help founders and sales leaders move beyond theory and close high-value enterprise deals by teaching practical frameworks, providing live coaching, and driving application-focused training.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

🚀 Lightning Lessons: Leadership, Sales Strategy, and Global Success 🌍
What does it take to thrive in enterprise and complex deals?
How do you break into global sales leadership?
And what’s the secret to winning against tough competitors?

These are just a few of the powerful takeaways from my latest Lightning Lesson with the incredible Roque Lozano, Nokia SVP.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we covered:

✨ Leadership as a Tool, Not a Title
Roquel reminded us that leadership isn’t about ego—it’s about enabling your team to succeed. True leaders align their purpose with their team’s goals, fostering collaboration and trust.

🌏 Getting Noticed for International Assignments
Curiosity and adaptability are key. Roque shared how international opportunities are evolving, with local contracts often replacing traditional expat roles. His advice? Look beyond your current boundaries and embrace new markets.

💡 Winning Sales Strategies
We reminisced our major microwave deal with a Telco in Asia to navigating cultural leadership in the Middle East, Roque emphasized the importance of focusing on client outcomes, not just features. It’s about understanding the market, your team’s capabilities, and the value your technology brings.

🎯 Cultural Intelligence for Global Leadership
Success in global roles requires humility, deep listening, and cultural adaptability. Roque’s journey from technical roles to sales leadership across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe is a masterclass in CQ (Cultural Intelligence).
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! 🌟

👉 Why should you watch this session?
Whether you’re a founder, account manager, or aspiring global sales leader, this Lightning Lesson is packed with actionable insights on leadership, strategy, and career growth.

🎥 Catch the full session here, part of Maven FAST TRACK  ➡️https://lnkd.in/gJnDaKXX. 

What's your biggest challenge in enterprise sales or global leadership? How did you overcome it? Drop your thoughts below 👇

#Leadership #SalesStrategy #GlobalSuccess #CulturalIntelligence #EnterpriseSales #LightningLessons

I have had my share of losses and wins...

Over my 27+ years in sales, working deals ranging from $1M to $40M, I’ve learned what truly sets Elite Sales apart.

What makes a top-tier enterprise sales professional?

Let’s call them BDMs in our post today, they can be called Account Managers, Account Directors or Client Directors.

Creative, yet analytical thinkers:
→ The best BDM can read the room, see power dynamics at play, process complex information quickly, and adapt their approach.

Clear communicators and manage stakeholders:
→ They handle everything from client negotiations to internal processes with finesse, working seamlessly with pre-sales, engineers, or even legal teams.

Bold negotiators:
→ The courage to make bold asks from clients (without unnecessary discounts) is what drives long-term value. 
→ An average BDM gives too much away too soon.

Action-oriented executors:
→ Great BDMs get things done. They don’t wait for engineers or PMs, they drive the process to make deals happen.

Highly structured individuals:
→ From mapping decision-makers to running pain-free prep meetings, structured BDMs ensure internal harmony and consistent deal progression.

Think like a CEO:
→ They’re accountable, resource-conscious, and never sacrifice company value for convenience.

Tenacious closers:
→ Top BDMs know when to push, when to ease off, and importantly...when to walk away from a bad deal.

BDMs are more than just salespeople... 
They're deal-makers, analysts, negotiators, and, frankly, a little bit of everything. 

Developing these traits takes time, but it's 100% worth it. And if you want to FAST FORWARD join me in my next cohort "Elite Sales: Win Enterprise High Value Deals".

→ What do you think? Have I missed any traits that separate great BDMs from average ones?

Drop a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

PS: Maven’s Fast Track Sale runs until 24 November. Use FAST25 for 25% off.

→ Link is in the comment section below.

→ Cohort starts 3 December.


I help founders and sales leaders build skills in enterprise sales, simplify complex deal cycles, and confidently win high-value clients.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Behaviors

A simple hack to succeed in life and sales....

Are the one’s who dare to ASK. It sounds simple, but think about it: 

How many opportunities slip by because we hold back, afraid of hearing “No”?

The truth is, asking is a skill.
And like any skill, it gets stronger with practice.

Here’s why asking is the foundation of success:

↳ If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.

↳ If you do ask, you create the possibility of yes.

↳ Even when you hear no, you gain feedback, and direction.


In sales, the difference between an average performer and a top performer often comes down to the courage to ask:

→ Ask for the meeting.
→ Ask the tough discovery questions.
→ Ask for the business.

And it doesn’t stop at work...
Asking shapes your life.

Whether it’s requesting mentorship, pitching an idea, or negotiating terms; every breakthrough starts with a simple ask.

So here’s my challenge for you:

→ This week, ask for something you’ve been putting off. Then come back and share, what happened when you finally asked?

I’d love to hear your experience in the comments.


I help founders and sales leaders build the courage to ask, the resilience to handle “No,” and the strategies that turn conversations into lasting opportunities.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

One of the biggest challenges in sales? 

Getting prospects to actually respond.

The silence can feel brutal.

"Just following up" and "just checking in" emails don't cut it anymore.

You send the email.... 

You wait... 

Nothing. 

You follow up again... 

Still nothing.

Before long, it feels cringy…not because following up is wrong, but because the silence makes you feel like you're chasing, pestering, or desperate.

Here's the truth:

→ Your prospects aren't ignoring you because they forgot about you…

They're ignoring you because they don't believe engaging with you will help them accomplish what matters most right now

That's a hard truth. But it's also fixable.

The good news?

There are proven ways to break through the noise and get responses, not by pushing harder, but by shifting how you follow up.


Here are three relationship-first shifts that consistently strengthen momentum:

→ 1. Ask for feedback, not time:
↳ Requesting “30 minutes” asks them to give.

↳ You're inviting them to co-create, shape the solution, and feel ownership, making engagement far more likely. 

You position yourself as someone invested in their success who needs their input to refine the approach.

↳ It changes the energy of the interaction immediately.


→ 2. Introduce new value every touchpoint:
↳ Every message should elevate their thinking; an insight, a perspective, an example, a resource.

↳ You want prospects to think: "I always learn something when I talk to this person.”

→ 3. Match your message to their priorities:
↳ Before sending anything, pause and ask:

↳ Does this help them move closer to what matters most “to them” right now?

↳ This single filter transforms how decision-makers experience you.


If you're ready to strengthen your skills in strategic follow-up, executive communication, and relationship-led selling, we go deeper inside my December cohort:

Elite Sales: How to Win High-Value Deals.

P.S:
→ December 3 cohort is now open.

→ Maven’s Fast Track sale ends Tomorrow. Use FAST25 for 25% off.

→ Link is in the comment section below.


I help founders and sales leaders strengthen enterprise relationships, create high-value conversations, and win the complex deals that matter.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Follow-ups fail when they lack strategic value.

One of the biggest challenges in sales is getting prospects to respond. The silence can feel brutal….


Not because you did anything wrong, but because generic follow-ups don’t speak to what matters most to decision makers.

Your prospects aren’t ignoring you. They simply don’t see how engaging with you helps them advance their priorities RIGHT NOW.


And the good news? This is completely fixable when you shift how you follow up.

Here are the strategies that have been working for me, my students, and my clients:

↳ Don’t ask for time, ask for feedback:
This is my biggest realisation.

When you ask for “time,” you position yourself as someone who needs something.

When you ask for feedback, you position yourself as someone who has already invested in them.

It invites them to lead, not give.

→ Instead of “Can we schedule 30 minutes?”

→ Try: “I’ve put together a draft approach based on our last conversation…would love your feedback on whether I’m on the right track.”

↳ Rethink what you’re asking for:
Stop asking whether they saw your proposal.

Ask for insight, guidance, and perspective.

This shift helped one of my clients re-engage a silent prospect simply by sending a calendar invite paired with a message that showed preparation, initiative, and respect for their time.


↳ Execs and key decision makers think big:

Really BIG.

Executives focus on strategic impact.

Revenue growth, market positioning, competitive advantage and shareholder value.

→ "Should we do this?”

→ “What's the opportunity cost? How does this move us closer to our vision?"

→ “What strategic priority does this connect to....not just operationally, but at the board level?”


When you frame your message around these deeper priorities, you're doing more than just speaking their language...you're demonstrating that you understand what truly matters at their level. 

You're showing that you see the bigger picture, that you're thinking like a partner, not a vendor.


→ Introduce new information every touchpoint:

Every follow-up should deliver value; insight, data, frameworks, market trends, or a fresh angle.

You want prospects thinking: “I always learn something from this person.”

The goal is simple: always leave them better off than before they met you.

That is how you move from vendor to trusted advisor.


→ Which of these strategies will you apply this week? Share in the comments, I’d love to hear your approach.

→ What’s the toughest part of getting prospects to respond in your industry?


P.S:
→ kicking off Elite Sales: Win High-Value Deals cohort Dec 3.
→ Join us NOW. 
→ Link is in the comment section below.


I help founders and sales leaders create value in every interaction, and lead sales conversations with the kind of insight executives pay attention to.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

Ever had a prospect push back on price….

And felt that instinct to offer a discount right away?…It’s a natural reaction. But the real key is first understanding whether their objection is about logistics or value.


Here’s the difference:

↳ Logistics Issue:
→ They believe in your solution.
→ They want the results.
→ But timing, budgets, or approvals aren’t in place yet.


↳ Value Issue:
→ They’re not fully convinced of the value your solution delivers.

→ That’s a signal to revisit the outcomes and connect your offer more clearly to their priorities.

Handling each requires a different approach:

✅ For logistics issues:
→ Work with them on payment options, timing, or approval pathways.

→ They’re already bought in, you just need to help them navigate the process.

✅ For value issues:
→ Try asking: “I believe the results you want are achievable. I don’t think it’s possible for this amount of investment. What do you think we should do?”

→ That question shifts the focus from price to outcomes and opens a collaborative conversation.


Because here’s the truth:
You’re not negotiating at this stage, you’re qualifying
You’re uncovering what’s really holding the deal back.

The sellers who thrive in complex deals don’t default to discounts...

They guide buyers with confidence, uncover the real objection, and understand the ROI.

→ How do you usually handle pricing objections; logistics or value first?


I help founders and sales leaders navigate objections with confidence, turning price pushback into collaborative conversations that move enterprise deals forward.


#creativity #innovation #business #strategy #B2BSales

taplio

The Battle

Ian Harvey

Ren Saguil

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreRen Saguil's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Ian Harvey

Ren Saguil

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Ren Saguil's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreRen Saguil's LinkedIn Performance