Michael Momsen and Zabi Rawan

Seeking Growth

Business EN ↓ 73 episodes

Startup advice usually sucks. Founders bragging, vague lessons and little reality. We built Seeking Growth because you deserve better. Michael scaled Zipline.io from idea to over $10m VC funding —through 3 PMF pivots, expanding to the USA (and retreating!) and building A-player teams. He shares the raw truth with no fluff. Zabi is your eyes and ears, the aspiring Snr Leader/Founder - he uncovers the aha-moments to reveal exactly how shit gets done. Product. Sales. Hiring. Mental Models. Even Psychology! So let’s dive in as we seek personal growth, career growth and growth in a scaleup.

Author

Michael Momsen and Zabi Rawan

Category

Business

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 21, 2025

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Episodes

#72: Systems Thinking: How to Build Lean, Scalable Systems 21.07.2025

Today we unpack how you can apply systems thinking in your startup and build high-value 'systems. You get the three-question framework for mapping workflows, cutting noise, and focusing on the high-value steps and how we've applied it at Zipline.io! The few chapters Defining a “system” and why complexity naturally creeps in Mapping your core workflows as “arteries” and spotting the noisy “...

#71: Why effectiveness beats efficiency - unpacking Drucker's timeless philosophy 18.06.2025

In our first mini book club, we unpack Peter Drucker’s timeless book "The Effective Executive" and how you can bring it to life in your world. Some basics: Tracking exactly where your time goes Zeroing in on outcomes over tasks Doubling down on strengths Honing in on the few priorities that drive outsized results. Along the way, we share real Zipline stories on time-blocking, weekly accountability...

#70 - Make Sales Great Again: Building a great sales culture 21.05.2025

Sales has become a dirty word—known for aggressive tactics, high-pressure targets, and customer frustration. MM and Zabi sit down to talk through why this doesn’t work, especially in B2B SaaS. We share exactly what great sales looks like: genuine problem-solving, aligning closely with customer pain, and building real relationships. How Zipline built a strong sales culture, deep product<>sale...

#69: Why Seeking Growth should be your #1 B2B SaaS podcast 05.04.2025

We're back! Maddie's left for Ireland 🇮🇪 for new adventures and we've been working in the background on a refresh as Zabi comes on board! In this episode we cover what inspired the rebrand (hint: we're seeking growth at Zipline!) who is this for and what you can expect over the coming months. Synopsis The rebrand was inspired by Zipline, our startup gearing up to scale up. With this refocus, our t...

#68: How to avoid premature optimisation? "Cooked just right" 04.10.2024

We've all got some level of perfectionism in us which leads us to trying to optimise everything. In this episode we chat about how to "cook just right" anything you work on - How to identify when you're over optimising - How to prioritise the right things to optimise for - How to think through the tension of high quality and realistic effort

#67 The most popular interview question answered: What is it truly like to work at Zipline? 22.07.2024

MM regularly gets asked 'What is it truly like to work at Zipline? How would you describe the culture?' In this episode we unpack exactly what it's like to work at Zipline ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Connect with Us: Michael Mom...

#66: Jumping from a big company to a startup - are you sure? + 5 signals why it might the right decision for you 20.06.2024

In this episode we consider what the smoke signals could be for someone working in a larger organisation who are looking for something more in their day-to-day. If you’re feeling any of these we think you could be very well suited to a career in a startup! Michael’s 5 signals that you should be looking out for (& if you have all 5, it’s time to get in touch with us!): 1. Does the treadmill spe...

#65 The risk of avoiding risk & how to find hyper growth by leaning into tough challenges 31.05.2024

In this episode we discuss how staying in your comfort zone and avoiding risk prevents you from finding hyper growth, both personally & professionally. StartUps are a great environment to push yourself out of your comfort zone and embrace discomfort. ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/...

#64 How to create & execute a killer plan - “Plan the Work, Work the Plan” 23.04.2024

In this episode, special guest Tanmay (Chief Product Officer @ Zipline) runs us through his tried and tested approach to working backwards from an objective/key result to create a plan to execute. First we unpack solution design and then wrap up the episode with project planning. + special insight into the common mistakes Tanmay has seen & why people often fail in achieving their desired outco...

#63: Early hires can make or break your growth - how to get it right + Michael’s tried & tested hiring approach 25.03.2024

⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Connect with Us: Michael Momsen ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/michaelmomsen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Maddie Stillman ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/maddie-stillman)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 Feedback, ideas or...

#62: Kai is back! With six answers every high performing employee needs to feel motivated: in a company of 2, 50, 500+ 13.03.2024

Have you heard of the 6 critical questions... 1. Why do we exist? 2. How do we behave? 3. What do we do? 4. How will we succeed? 5. What is most important, right now? 6. Who must do what? In this episode we discuss why working for a company that regular discusses these questions is so important. Kai is back on the pod to share his learnings on this topic from a 500+ person organisation — ⚡️ This...

#61: Quickly snap back into a calm+productive state after being stressed+stretched: build your mental toughness 06.03.2024

Building your mental toughness is an ongoing journey. When personal/professional setbacks arise and demotivate or distract you in can be hard to get back into a productive mode. In this episode we discuss how to accept the setback & process it to snap back like a rubber band. Michael steps us through focussing on what you can control, taking a growth mindset, reminding yourself of perspective,...

#60 Pt3 How to have "bad news travel fast" ⏭: receive bad news like a pro with this 7 point bullet proof plan 27.02.2024

In this episode Michael shares his 7 point plan to receive any bad news with confidence: 1. Be a PRO (not an amateur).. 2. Make them feel safe 3. Get clarity- so you can think like Eisenhower 4. Plan the plan 5. Make it about them (show you care) 6. Agree to the check in to “work the plan" 7. Get them to capture actions/plan in writing Bonus tip #8: Buy time to get cool yourself if required —...

#59 Pt2 How to have "bad news travel fast" ⏭: the 7 point bullet proof plan to share bad news with confidence 05.02.2024

In this episode Michael shares has 7 point plan to share any bad news with confidence: 1. Prepare and reflect 2. Start with clarity and be vulnerable throughout 3. Be upfront with what you need from them 4. Use facts and specifics 5. Express accountability and responsibility throughout 6. Focus on solutions and next steps 7. Practice active listening — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlyw...

#58 Pt1 How to have “bad news travel fast” ⏭: why your boss wants to hear it & why you should share it 28.01.2024

It's never easy to share bad news, but sitting on it or avoiding it is not the answer. In this episode we discuss why this is so important for your areas of responsibility, the different types of bad news & how to spot it. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

#57✋ Don’t join your next 1:1 before knowing these tips to maximise “your meeting” 22.01.2024

— ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Connect with Us: Michael Momsen ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/michaelmomsen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Maddie Stillman ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/maddie-stillman)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 Feedback, ideas or career questions? Send us a...

#56 🥋Here are the best coaching approaches you need to get to mastery levels 14.01.2024

At Zipline we talk about 's-curve growth,' the journey that takes you from novice to high growth, high growth to master. In this episode we unpack the approach to seeking feedback and coaching (including criticism) to fast track this growth journey. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bi...

#55 Pt 2: Do this thing that just 1% of people do - so you can 2x your growth in 2024 🚀 02.01.2024

Part 2 - time to execute on your reflections! It might feel indulgent to get away from your busy to-do list to spend some time reflecting but this is where true growth can start. In this episode we unpack how step away from busy work and lean into deep thinking and journalling. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠...

#54 Pt 1: Do this thing that just 1% of people do - so you can 2x your growth in 2024 🚀 24.12.2023

It might feel indulgent to get away from your busy to-do list to spend some time reflecting but this is where true growth can start. In this episode we unpack how step away from busy work and lean into deep thinking and journalling. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — C...

#53 This is the one secret sentence ensures no one ever blocks 🙅‍♀️ you from getting what you need done 17.12.2023

We call this a 🪃 boomerang request - use this trick to most effectively get input, feedback or approval for your work. Plus if the request expires, you are empowered to execute! — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Connect with Us: Michael Momsen ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin...

#52 Great customer meetings start with exceptional briefs - how to brief an exec 10.12.2023

A meeting/customer brief serves many purposes: it prepares the meeting host, it forces you to distill your thoughts & succinctly define what the goal of the meeting. Always remember bad prep = bad meeting, good prep = good meeting. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ —...

#51 Got any angry customer? Handle it like a pro 01.12.2023

An angry customer or mismatched expectations can certainly trigger your cortisol. In this episode we cover some strategies for how to take ownership, empathise to their situation and take action to work through a plan to rectify. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Connect...

#50 Working with an exec - get comfortable with intense micromanagement and distant autonomy 26.11.2023

Reporting directly into an executive leader can look very different on a week to week basis. Maddie & Michael unpack how sometimes you may feel micromanaged and highly scrutinised and other weeks you may barely hear from your boss. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3KwIiBZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Co...

#49 Number 1️⃣ tip to start every meeting with 🔥: ACE the first 5 mins & achieve the end goal 17.11.2023

In this episode, we explain ACE (from Winning by Design) - the three steps to kick off a customer meeting: 1. Appreciate your time 2. Check time 3. Expectations / end goal It might sound simple but getting these 3 steps right is vital to running a successful meeting. Maddie role plays her ACE and gets some gems of feedback from Michael. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy ....

#48 🔨 How to nail your next meeting. Impress your customers & get those outcomes! 10.11.2023

You can't expect to nail a meeting if you haven't done the prep. In this episode we unpack how to run an excellent customer meeting. Often people will over optimise what they want the customer to know. Focusing on what you need them to DO is the single most important thing. — ⚡️ This episode is brought to you by  Earlywork Academy . Applications are open for their next tech sales cohort →...

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