The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors
SaaStr
Dive into the dynamic world of SaaS with "The Official SaaStr Podcast," a must-listen for anyone interested in software as a service, entrepreneurship, and investment strategies. Each episode offers a wealth of knowledge, featuring in-depth discussions with some of the most influential founders and investors in the SaaS industry. The podcast is brought to you by SaaStr, the largest community of SaaS entrepreneurs and professionals globally, aiming to provide practical advice, insights, and lessons to help businesses scale effectively and efficiently. Listeners will gain unique perspectives from top executives and thought leaders who share their journey, challenges, and the strategies that led them to success. Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned investor, or somewhere in between, "The Official SaaStr Podcast" is your gateway to the latest trends and best practices in the world of SaaS. Tune in to uncover the secrets of business growth and innovation, and apply these insights to propel your own company forward.
Episodes
SaaStr 740: The Top 10 GTM Mistakes I See Founders Making Today with SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin
In this insightful episode, Jason Lemkin dives deep into the top 10 go-to-market mistakes he frequently sees founders making. From hiring decisions to strategic missteps in marketing and sales, Lemkin shares real-world examples and offers tactical advice aimed at helping leaders navigate these challenges effectively. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the product intimately, making strategic hires that are well-versed in the product, and ensuring marketing efforts align with actual sales and lead generation goals. The episode is packed with actionable insights and underscores the critical importance of aligning team efforts with overall business objectives.
SaaStr 739: The Three SaaS Metrics That Matter in 2024 and Will IPOs Be Back? with SaaStr Founder and CEO Jason Lemkin
In this enlightening episode, Jason Lemkin discusses under-emphasized SaaS metrics that are pivotal for executives and founders in 2024. He highlights the importance of net new customer count, which often goes overlooked in favor of revenue growth. Lemkin stresses that while revenue growth is crucial, the ability to consistently attract new customers forms the backbone of a sustainable business, especially when growth rates start to plateau. The discussion also covers the balance between growth and efficiency, debunking the common misconception that profitability alone can ensure business success. Instead, Lemkin argues that efficient growth, particularly in challenging economic conditions, is key. The episode is a deep dive into strategic insights that combine Lemkin’s vast experience with actionable advice for navigating the evolving landscape of SaaS businesses.
SaaStr 738: How Shopify Implements AI Across Sales and Product with Mike Tamir, Head of AI at Shopify
In this insightful episode of SaaStr, Mike Tamir, Head of AI at Shopify, delves into the practical applications of artificial intelligence in business, particularly focusing on sales and product enhancement. Tamir discusses the integration of AI at Shopify, detailing the infrastructural, cultural, and data-related challenges and strategies. He highlights the importance of maintaining quality data as a prerequisite for effective AI implementation, stressing that data cleaning and preparation often pose the largest hurdles. Through discussions on ambient AI, the episode illustrates how AI can serve as a copilot in business, enhancing decision-making and automating mundane tasks to boost productivity.
SaaStr 737: How to Build Go-to-Market Efficiency in SMB Sales with Owner.com CRO Kyle Norton
In this enlightening episode of SaaStr, host Jason Lemkin engages with Kyle Norton, CRO of Owner.com, to delve into effective strategies for enhancing go-to-market efficiency in SMB sales. Norton shares his journey and the transformative strategies employed at Owner.com, focusing on maintaining high-quality customer interactions, optimizing data use, and streamlining sales processes to boost efficiency. The discussion covers various aspects from focusing on high-quality customer segments, utilizing advanced data analytics for better lead quality, and building a strong, data-driven sales infrastructure. Norton emphasizes the importance of precision in customer targeting and data management, as well as the need for operational excellence and strategic scaling in sales operations.
SaaStr 736: What I Learned Selling My Company for $130M with Harry Glaser Founder of Periscope Data and ModelBit
In this revealing SaaStr podcast, Harry Glaser shares the lessons learned from selling Periscope Data for $130 million and navigating the complexities of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He highlights the often misunderstood dynamics of how M&A deals unfold and the strategic positioning necessary for companies to become attractive acquisition targets. Glaser discusses the emotional and operational challenges founders face during and after the acquisition process, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with key decision-makers in potential acquirer companies. He candidly shares the mistakes and realities of selling a business, providing a unique insider’s perspective on the impact of these decisions on both personal lives and company futures.
SaaStr 735: How to Navigate the Shift to Generative AI with PagerDuty's CEO Jennifer Tejada
In this insightful episode of SaaStr, host Jason Lemkin engages with Jennifer Tejada, CEO of PagerDuty, to discuss the transformative impact of generative AI on business operations. The conversation delves into the specifics of how AI is reshaping workflow processes to be more dynamic and less reliant on human intervention. Tejada shares PagerDuty's journey and its strategic integration of AI to enhance incident management and preemptive problem-solving, thus enabling faster and more effective decision-making. The discussion also covers broader themes, such as the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, the ethical considerations, and the future landscape of AI in business.
SaaStr 734: The Latest in Series A Rounds, AI Growth Rates and More with SaaStr CEO and Founder Jason Lemkin
In this episode of the SaaStr podcast, Jason Lemkin explores significant trends impacting the SaaS and cloud markets, particularly focusing on the dynamics of Series A funding and the growth rates in AI. Lemkin provides insights into the current investment climate, highlighting how big tech companies like Nvidia, Amazon, and Microsoft are capitalizing on AI to achieve tremendous market valuations. He discusses the broader implications of market conditions on startups, including the challenge of achieving high growth rates and navigating funding rounds under current economic pressures. The episode also touches on the performance of public SaaS companies, quota attainment in sales teams, and the realities of raising capital in a competitive and shifting market landscape.