EPISODE #110
In this episode of The SDR DiscoCall Podcast, Neil Bhuiyan takes you through his journey from SDR to Account Executive at Showpad -
Neil shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career in sales development, offering real-world reflections and hard-earned lessons.
What you'll discover:
– The challenges of transitioning from SDR to AE—and how to navigate them.
– Why relationships and feedback are the secret weapons for career growth.
– How adapting your sales style can make or break your success.
– The highs and lows of the sales journey, from first deals to imposter syndrome.
Neil opens up about the lessons learned, mistakes, and mindset shifts that helped him level up in his career.
Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow in tech sales.
Find Neil on LinkedIn
Listen to the podcast episode
..or watch the VidCast version of this episode on YouTube
Key Takeaways
- Transitioning from SDR to AE is smoother with a solid foundation of leads.
- A strong onboarding experience helps in understanding company culture and values.
- Building relationships with team members enhances performance and morale.
- Sales enablement plays a key role in connecting sales and marketing.
- Feedback from peers and mentors is essential for growth in sales.
- Cold calling requires creativity and a personal touch to engage prospects.
- Understanding the customer’s story leads to better sales conversations.
- Imposter syndrome is common for new AEs but improves with experience.
- Adapting your sales style to fit personal strengths leads to better results.
- Learning from failures is a crucial part of the sales journey.
Timestamps
- 00:00 - Introduction to the SDR DiscoCall Show
- 08:40 - Joining Showpad: New Beginnings in Belgium
- 12:23 - Onboarding Experience: Building Relationships
- 16:28 - The Buzz of Sales: Creating a Team Culture
- 20:45 - First Cold Calls: Learning Through Experience
- 24:44 - Sales Enablement: Bridging Marketing and Sales
- 31:51 - Preparing for Account Executive Life
- 39:04 - First Deals: The Imposter Syndrome
- 43:02 - The Reality of AE Life: Challenges and Lessons
- 49:29 - Adapting Sales Techniques: Finding Your Style
- 56:19 - Conclusion: Reflecting on the Journey