The Sales and Rev Ops Effect

In this season finale of The Sales and RevOps Effect, Charlene Thompson shares the hard truths scaling companies need to hear. From metric overload to unrealistic expectations of RevOps magic, Charlene dives into: Why not everyone should see every metric The difference between data-driven and data-drowning How company maturity impacts process, people, and performance What RevOps can and can’t fix...

Not all CRMs are created equal, and some are just plain painful. In Part 2 of my conversation with CRM expert Chris Smith (author of CRM Shouldn’t Suck ), we get into the practical stuff: 13 CRM platforms reviewed . Who are they really for? What’s actually worth the money? And which ones will give your sales team a headache? 🧠 What we cover: Salesforce vs Microsoft Dynamics — which makes more sen...

AI is reshaping the world of CRM — but most businesses are still stuck treating it like a contact database. In this episode, I’m joined by CRM expert Chris Smith (author of CRM Shouldn’t Suck and host of the Sales Lead Dog podcast) to break down how AI is transforming CRM systems, sales strategy, and customer retention. 🎯 What we cover: How AI is redefining CRM (and what’s coming next) Microsoft...

In this honest and energising conversation, I’m joined by visibility expert Mildred Talabi to unpack the real behind-the-scenes of building a personal brand—without selling your soul to the algorithm. We talk about: Why “being visible” doesn’t mean oversharing How to stay consistent without burning out The difference between human-centred marketing and bro-style manipulation What to do when you&#3...

In today’s B2B sales landscape, expectations are higher, budgets are tighter, and the bar for buyer experience keeps rising. So what does it really take to succeed in 2025? In this episode, Charlene Thompson is joined by Michael Akinle, a senior sales leader at the UK’s largest private equity–backed software company, for a grounded and insightful conversation about the changing shape of sales, fro...

Here's a sneak peak of an episode being released on 20th May 1pm UK time. Get ready for Michael Akinle on The Sales & Rev Ops Effect!

In this episode, Charlene Thompson (Host), and Leo Crocker, founder of LSC Creative, shares his expertise on building authentic relationships through LinkedIn outreach. Leo discusses the power of personalized, human-driven messaging over automation, and how businesses can cut through the noise to connect with their ideal clients. Learn how to approach LinkedIn as a platform for relationship-buildi...

Think your CRM is just a necessary evil? Think again. In this episode, Christopher Smith joins Charlene Thompson to reveal how businesses are leaking cash and wasting valuable time all because of neglected CRM systems. We break down how to make your CRM a proper business strategy, why spreadsheets are silent killers, and how leaders can stop the madness before it's too late. If you’re a busine...

Ever felt like you’re running flat out but still not getting the important stuff done? Same. In this solo episode of The Sales Ops Effect , I, Charlene Thompson, get real about how I recently found myself stuck in a cycle of frustration, despite knowing better. As someone with ADHD, I’ve had to build my own systems to make time work for me (because it certainly didn’t on its own). I share the simp...

Learn how to protect your business from fraud with practical tips and prevention strategies. In this episode with Rosie Murphy and Charlene dive deep into the world of business fraud and how even small businesses can fall victim to fraudsters. Rosie, an expert in accountancy, shares her experiences and insights on identifying, preventing, and mitigating fraud risks in businesses of all sizes. Key...

Learn how to overcome the sales “ick” and build sales confidence with Elle Turner and Charlene Thompson. In this second part of a two-part series, Charlene and Elle dive into how entrepreneurs can reframe their mindset around sales and stop feeling like they’re being “salesy.” They explore how the fear of rejection and feelings of being pushy can hold business owners back, but with the right minds...

Learn how to overcome the "sales ick" and transform your mindset to boost your confidence in sales. In this episode, Charlene sits down with Elle Turner to explore the concept of the “sales ick”—the fear and discomfort that often comes with selling. Elle and Charlene share their personal experiences and discuss how sales is often about overcoming internal barriers like fear of rejection and self-d...

Learn how to optimize revenue and fix sales teams with actionable strategies to drive growth and improve performance. Charlene and Doug C. Brown, a revenue optimization expert, dive into practical ways to overcome sales team challenges and unlock growth potential. Doug shares his insights on fixing broken sales teams, improving performance, and optimizing revenue generation. Key topics include: Bu...

In this episode of The Sales Ops Effect , Charlene talks about the importance of owning your mistakes and learning from them in business. She shares a personal story about a mistake made with a CRM system and how taking accountability for errors can actually build trust with your team and clients. Charlene emphasizes that while everyone makes mistakes, the key to growth is owning up to them and ma...

In this episode of The Sales Ops Effect , Charlene discusses the risks of having an imbalanced sales pipeline. She explores the importance of diversifying your deal types—new business, upsells, and retained clients—to avoid overleveraging your business on one source of revenue. Charlene shares insights on: The real danger of relying too heavily on a single client or sales channel, and how it can l...

In this episode of The Sales Ops Effect , Charlene dives into what business leaders should focus on after a successful Q4. While it’s tempting to celebrate and splurge, Charlene urges listeners to take a step back and reflect on the processes that helped them succeed. Key takeaways from this episode include: Why sales success isn’t just about the sales team and the importance of recognizing the co...

In this episode of The Sales Ops Effect, Charlene dives into how to handle disappointing Q4 results and how business leaders can approach the situation with a clear head. She explores the importance of assessing your performance objectively and delves into the key areas of People, Process, and Technology to figure out what went wrong and what to do next. Charlene offers practical steps for leaders...

In this solo episode of The Sales Ops Effect , Charlene dives deep into the importance of setting up clear processes before jumping into technology solutions. She explores how many businesses rush to adopt new tools without first understanding their internal workflows, leading to inefficiencies and frustration. Charlene discusses: The key steps to systemizing your business, starting with processes...

How Nutrition Impacts Your Business: Boosting Brain Health for Better Decision-Making with John Bryant In this episode of The Sales Ops Effect , Charlene is joined by John Bryant, a client-first online exercise and nutrition coach, to explore the crucial link between nutrition and brain health for business owners. They dive into how what you eat affects your mental clarity, decision-making, and en...

Episode: Planning with Kit Caelsto (S4, Ep30) In this insightful episode, Charlene and Kit dive deep into the habits, mindset, and challenges faced by successful authors and coaches. They discuss how to manage tasks effectively, avoid burnout, and maintain focus in a busy world. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of the book industry, offering advice on staying aligned with your purpose...

In this episode of The Sales Ops Effect , Charlene talks to Ezra Sinclair, a leadership coach with a unique perspective shaped by his experience on yachts around the world. Ezra dives deep into the balance between control and empowerment in leadership. He discusses how true motivation comes from giving people responsibility and trust, and how effective communication is the key to building strong t...

This live event features Charlene Thompson and Scott Warren discussing crucial topics around sales stability, cash flow, and pricing strategies. Held on November 4th, the session offers valuable insights into consistent sales strategies, proper forecasting, and effective cash flow management. Practical tips include balancing sales with administrative duties, dealing with B2B vs B2C timelines, and...

Welcome back to the Sales Ops Effect Podcast! In today’s episode, Leadership: Bigger Sales - Keys to Growth with Andy Coghlan and Jancis Dunn In today's episode, we discuss the vital role of effective leadership in achieving sales growth. Our team explores the importance of sales leaders recognizing and leveraging the unique strengths of each team member to enhance overall performance. We also tac...

Welcome back to the Sales Ops Effect Podcast! In today’s episode, LinkedIn Lead Generation with Petra Fisher (S4, Ep 31) In this episode of Sales Ops Effect, host C harlene Thompson sits down with LinkedIn lead generation expert Petra Fisher to dive deep into the world of authentic content and engagement. Petra shares her journey from social work to social media, explaining why LinkedIn became her...

Welcome back to the Sales Ops Effect Podcast!  Episode - Networking with Ina Jeffrey, S4, Ep21 Charlene and Ina discussed the changes in networking patterns before and after the pandemic, the challenges and considerations of face-to-face versus virtual events, and the importance of finding networking events that align with individual preferences. They also shared their experiences with attending n...