20Sales: John McMahon on How to Hire, Train & Retain the Best Sales Reps | How Sales Changes in a World of AI | Sales Lessons from Snowflake and MongoDB | How to Create and Drive a Sales Process with Urgency
20Sales: John McMahon on How to Hire, Train & Retain the Best Sales Reps | How Sales Changes in a World of AI | Sales Lessons from Snowflake and MongoDB | How to Create and Drive a Sales Process with Urgency
20Sales: John McMahon on How to Hire, Train & Retain the Best Sales Reps | How Sales Changes in a World of AI | Sales Lessons from Snowflake and MongoDB | How to Create and Drive a Sales Process with Urgency
John McMahon, a legendary figure in enterprise software sales, brings decades of experience from leading revenue at five public companies and advising high-growth tech firms like Snowflake and MongoDB. In this conversation, he unpacks the enduring principles of sales leadership while addressing how modern shifts—such as AI, remote work, and product-led growth—are reshaping the landscape.
McMahon emphasizes that while tools evolve, the core of sales remains a balance of art and science. With PLG and consumption-based pricing, delivering fast value is critical, shifting focus from acquisition to retention. He advocates for rigorous deal qualification by identifying champions and aligning with decision criteria early. Driving urgency requires empowering internal advocates and thorough preparation before engaging economic buyers. Hiring should prioritize intelligent, coachable 'athletes' over domain experts, with listening and adaptability as key traits. Training must be hands-on, led by leaders who stay close to the field and foster a culture of learning. McMahon also reflects on the mindset behind top performers—discipline forged through adversity, yet balanced with empathy and routine. Ultimately, the most vital skill in sales is deep customer understanding through active listening, reinforced by homework and precise timing, especially in complex, multi-stakeholder deals where PLG falls short.
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The shift to consumption-based software reduces time to deliver value, demanding faster customer success.
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Losing a deal often results from skipping a critical step in the sales process.
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Discounting isn't the best way to create urgency; aligning on pain and consequences is more effective.
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The most important non-natural skill in sales is listening with the intent to understand.
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Hiring too many reps too quickly creates a bad sales culture
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Children don't have to suffer to be strong; they can teach you new ways of growing.
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The worst deals were made in 2021 during remote investing.
